Pictured is Ashley, a woman with long dark hair, glasses, and hoop earrings holding a basket filled with various vegetables, standing against a plain white wall.

Hi, I’m Ashley Ramirez Mendez

Plato Unida Nutrition™ isn’t just a business — it’s a reflection of the values that shape how we show up in care. Every interaction is guided by quality, compassion, and respect for each person’s lived experience.

Specialized MNT for Complex Needs & Historically Marginalized Communities

Evidenced-based Liberatory Medical Nutrition Therapy

Why Refer to Plato Unida Nutrition?

Traditional nutrition care often fails because it ignores the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and the trauma of systemic oppression. We provide a weight-neutral alternative that improves patient engagement and objective markers.

The Plato Unida Framework:

At Plato Unida Nutrition, we address the systemic barriers that often lead to patient disengagement. By utilizing a weight-neutral, trauma-informed, and culturally-honoring framework, we achieve metabolic stability and enhance quality of life without the harm of weight stigma.

  • We move beyond patriarchal "compliance" models. By fostering Body Trust, we empower patients to manage their well-being without the cycle of weight stigma.

  • We address the clinical needs of patients while actively mitigating the trauma caused by weight bias and medical gaslighting.

  • We dismantle the "white supremacy" of Eurocentric diet standards (e.g., the Mediterranean Diet as a default). We honor the patient's heritage as a foundational health asset.

Clinical Specialties

Pre-Diabetes/Diabetes

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PCOS

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GI

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Disordered Eating

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HIV/AIDS

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Cardiometabolic Support

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Pre-Diabetes/Diabetes * PCOS * GI * Disordered Eating * HIV/AIDS * Cardiometabolic Support *

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Our Commitment to Your Patients

Weight-Neutral Care:

We focus on biomarkers (HgbA1C, Lipids, BP, etc), not body size.

Trauma-Informed Practice:

Safe, autonomous, and transparent care.

Cultural Humility:

Affirming bilingual care that rejects Eurocentric diet standards.

Collaborative Feedback:

We provided clinical notes back to your office.

Bilingual Provider Support

Ashley speaks both English and Spanish, ensuring your Spanish-Speaking patients receive culturally-honoring, high-clarity clinical care.

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How to Refer

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Contact form:
Click Here

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Secure email
info@platounidanutrition.com

Please include in your referral any relevant diagnosis codes, labs, and medical notes.

Supporting Clients with Weight-Neutral MNT

  • We focus on modifiable behaviors and nutrient density rather than a number on the scale.

    Research (such as the Look AHEAD study) shows that metabolic markers like HgbA1c, blood pressure, and lipid profiles improve significantly with behavior changes—such as increased fiber intake, movement, and stress reduction—regardless of whether weight loss occurs.

    By removing the pressure of the scale, we increase patient long-term adherence to these behaviors.

  • Quite the opposite. HAES® is a clinical framework that recognizes health as a multifaceted entity. It acknowledges that BMI is a flawed metric that does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or metabolic health.

    We utilize evidence-based MNT specifically tailored to the patient's pathology (e.g., HIV/AIDS, GI disorders) while disentangling the harm of weight stigma, which is itself an independent risk factor for poor health outcomes.

  • Our approach is highly clinical and individualized. We prioritize lean body mass preservation, managing drug-nutrient interactions, and addressing metabolic complications (like lipodystrophy or insulin resistance) common in long-term survivors.

    We understand the complex interplay between systemic inflammation, socioeconomic barriers, and nutrition. Our focus is immune stability and quality of life.

  • We believe nutrition is a human right. We explicitly reserve Equity Slots for low-income and uninsured individuals.

    By addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and utilizing a sliding scale, we ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the same high-level care as those with more resources.

  • Traditional nutrition care can be a site of trauma for minority populations. Whether it is generic nutrition prescription, medical gaslighting, misgendering, or weight-shaming, these experiences lead to "healthcare avoidance."

    Referring to Plato Unida Nutrition ensures your patients enter a Gender-Affirming, Fat-Positive, trauma informed environment. When patients feel safe, they are more likely to follow through with labs, medication, and follow-up appointments with your office.

  • You’re welcome to connect your client with me for nutrition support. I collaborate with providers across disciplines, and you do not need to be a medical provider to refer. If insurance requires a medical referral for MNT, I’ll support your client in obtaining one from their primary care provider so care remains smooth and accessible.