We were lucky to catch up with Bianca Coats, MPA, RD, LDN recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bianca, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My journey to finding my purpose has always been deeply rooted in my faith and driven by prayer and my relationship with God. My journey in purpose began during my college years when I decided to major in Dietetics. The path was challenging, but my faith kept me grounded and motivated to persevere through demanding practical experiences.
After graduating, my path was rerouted out of the world of Dietetics, but 10 years later I felt a calling back to where I first began. To reach a broader audience, I started a wellness and nutrition blog called Eating God’s Way. Sharing my knowledge and experiences through writing was incredibly fulfilling, and it allowed me to connect with people who were seeking guidance on their health journeys. This blog eventually evolved into a cookbook and into a monthly news segment, where I could share healthy recipes and tips with even more people. This led me to establish my own private practice as a Registered Dietitian. The initial stages were tough, but my unwavering belief in my purpose and the support of my faith and community helped me to overcome the obstacles.
My passion for wellness and helping others didn’t stop there. I felt a strong urge to give back to the community, which inspired me to launch a wellness non-profit organization, The Be Well Foundation. Through this organization, I aim to provide accessible nutrition education and support to those in need, guided by the principles of compassion and service that my faith instilled in me.
My purpose was found through a combination of prayer, perseverance, and a deep desire to serve others. Each step of my journey, from my college days to my private practice, blog, cookbook, and non-profit, has been a testament to the power of faith and dedication.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Registered Dietitian and Cookbook Author of Eating God’s Way and Founder of the Be Well Foundation, Bianca Coats strives to promote chronic disease prevention through the combination of healthy cooking and lifestyle changes. By providing inspiration on how to build balanced meals, she aims to reduce the stress of mealtimes. She is featured on the monthly nutritional segment on KLFY-TV 10’s Morning Show. Not only does she spend most of her time ensuring nutritious meals for the Zachary Community School District as the Supervisor of Child Nutrition, but she also brings nutrition advocacy into her community. Through her efforts she has made connections by creating farmers markets, beautifying communities, writing grants for organizations, and creating healthy congregations through Health and Wellness Ministries, the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition, the River Road African-American Museum, and the Miles Perret Cancer Center.
Her food blogs are featured in Porch & Parish Magazine, InRegister Magazine, Acadiana Lifestyle, Vanguard, and Lola Magazine. She has been a special guest for WGC’s International Virtual Wellness Program, keynote speaker for Southern University’s Dietetic Internship Graduation, Blacks at Microsoft, and Southern University Land Grant Radio Show. Her other accomplishments include being inducted into the National Association for University Women, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Former Board Member of the River Road African American Museum; Recipient of the Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition Grant; Recognized as the ‘Woman of Excellence’ for the Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women; Recognized as “People for 2021” by the Drum Newspaper. She is a 2024 American Cancer Society Honoree member of Junior League of Baton Rouge. Bianca has recently been chosen as a Forty under 40 recipient for the Southern University Alumni Federation and a 2025 Development Fellow for the Baton Rouge Foundation. She is married to her wonderful husband, Jonathan Coats.
The Be Well Foundation has a goal to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing nutrition education, resources, and access to quality healthcare services, while advocating for wellness policies that promote health equity and support physical and mental health. The foundation is a group of women that are healthcare professionals that advocate for chronic disease prevention through:
1. Improved Health Outcomes by providing access to nutritious food and educating people about healthy eating–help reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
2. Education and Awareness: Hosting workshops, cooking classes, and community events to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to make healthier food and wellness choices, which can lead to long-term changes in behavior.
3. Food Security: Address issues of hunger and food insecurity–ensure that everyone in the community has access to healthy food.
4. Community Engagement by involving local volunteers, partnering with other organizations, and creating a sense of community around the Be Well mission, strengthen social ties and foster a culture of support and mutual aid.
5. Economic Impact: Sourcing food from local farmers and businesses can stimulate the local economy, support small businesses, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
6. Advocacy: Advocate for policies that promote better nutrition and food access at the local, state, or even national level, influencing broader systemic change.
The Be Well Foundation will officially be launched on April 27, 2025 and the Eating to Live 2nd Edition Cookbook will be available at that time at www.BWellFoundation.com/home. Inquiries to book services and/or a consultation can be found on the website as well.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks was crucial. College coursework, starting a private practice, and starting a non-profit all came with their own hurdles. Staying resilient helped me push through tough times and keep moving forward. My advice is to cultivate resilience by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating your progress. Surround yourself with supportive people of your goals and a mentor who encourages you to keep going and remember that setbacks are part of the journey.
Effective communication is essential for connecting with clients, collaborating with partners, and creating my cookbook. Being able to convey complex nutrition concepts while educating the community and clients and connecting through collaborations in an understandable and engaging way made a significant difference in getting my mission across. The advice given would be to sharpen your communication skills by practicing active listening, seeking feedback, and continuously refining your writing and speaking abilities through attending networking events and enrolling in leadership classes to enhance these skills.
A strong foundation in dietetics and wellness was the backbone of my practice and content creation. Staying up-to-date with the latest research and trends in nutrition helped me provide accurate and valuable information. Invest time in continuous learning. Attend seminars, read scientific journals, and participate in professional development opportunities. Joining professional organizations can also provide access to valuable resources and networking opportunities.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Reflecting on my journey, the most impactful thing my parents did was to instill work ethics in me and leading by example. They consistently demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and integrity in their own work and daily lives. Watching them tackle challenges with a positive attitude and unwavering commitment taught me the value of hard work and resilience. With consistency they showed up every day, regardless of the circumstances, and maintained a strong work ethic. This consistency was a powerful lesson in the importance of reliability and dedication. My parents encouraged me to take on responsibilities and challenges, providing support and guidance while allowing me to learn from my experiences. This helped me develop confidence and a sense of accountability. They also emphasized the importance of honesty, integrity, and doing one’s best. These values became the foundation of my own work ethic, guiding me in all my endeavors. If you’re looking to instill strong work ethics in someone, have a mentor, lead by example, provide consistent encouragement, and emphasize core values. These actions can profoundly influence and inspire others to develop a robust work ethic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BWellFoundation.com/home
- Instagram: @B.Well.Foundation
- Facebook: BeWell Foundation
- Linkedin: Bianca Coats, MPA, RD, LDN
Image Credits
Clint Blane
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