
Edna Cox Rice, RDN, CSG, LDN
Carolina Nutrition Consultants
Edna’s love and passion for food and nutrition started at an early age and stems from her Italian heritage. Food and family dinners were the heart of the home. She adopted her grandmother’s philosophy that food is to be enjoyed, but more importantly food is medicine.
Pursuing her passion for nutrition, Edna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Food and Human Nutrition, Winthrop University. After working in the acute care setting, Edna joined the CMS survey team at S. C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Here she found her passion for long-term care.
In 1989, Edna began consulting with several skilled nursing facilities. Within a few years, the demand for her consulting services had grown and she needed to share the work with other staff. Carolina Nutrition Consultants was founded and has grown to provide services to a variety of health care organizations in 35+ states with a team of 50+ nutrition and culinary professionals. Edna’s vision was to develop a company and team with expertise in long term care as well as personal nutrition counseling and corporate wellness.
Edna has served on numerous state and national boards for the dietetics profession and long term care industry. She is a sought-after speaker at professional state and national conferences. Edna’s approach is to translate her passion and enthusiasm for nutrition and wellness into solutions tailored to meet the needs of health care organizations and individuals of all ages.
At home, you would find her on the lake or at the beach with her husband Bob and their cocker spaniel, Chance. Cooking is still a passion – you guessed it Italian, but with a Mediterranean twist.

Meet our Leadership Team
Over the years we’ve assembled an all-star team of professionals in the nutrition and food service industry. Together, our team of licensed, registered dietitians nutritionists (RDNs), certified dietary managers (CDMs), licensed nursing home administrators (LNHA), and culinary experts bring 50+ years experience in providing quality nutrition care and food service consultation. Our team is the key to our success. It’s their expertise that guides our clients in meeting their nutrition and food service goals.
We can make the Difference in your success!
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
What do our credentials mean?
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is a nutrition professional that has completed extensive education and training to be certified to practice and provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). RDN’s translate the complex science of nutrition into practical everyday solutions for healthy living. This is not to be confused with anyone who can call themselves a ‘nutritionist’ – as this is not regulated. All Registered Dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are Registered Dietitians.
RDN’s have:
- Completed a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree at a US accredited university or college and course work approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
- Many RDN’s are members of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. are members of the Association of Food & Nutrition Professionals.
RDN’s work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, universities, community centers, private practice, food companies, gyms, in research and more.
Certified Dietary Manager (CDM®)
A CDM® is a food and nutrition professional that has completed specialized training in fields such as culinary arts, food service management or nutrition. They are experts at managing foodservice operations and ensuring food safety. They are responsible for the implementation of menus, foodservice purchasing, and food preparation. They apply nutrition principles, document nutrition information, manage work teams and more. CDMs work together with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) to provide quality nutritional care in a variety of settings. Carolina Nutrition Consultants employs CDMs as healthcare consultants in long-term care environments.
CDM’s have:
- Completed an approved Certified Dietary Manager’s course or an associate or bachelor’s degree at a US accredited university or college.
- Completed ServeSafe certification.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Certifying Board of Dietary Managers.
- Completed continuing professional education requirements to maintain their credential.
- Many CDMs are members of the Association of Food & Nutrition Professionals.