Working with College Athletes, Coaches, and Trainers at a Major University

Athletic departments in colleges and universities are beginning to recognize the role a sports nutrition professional plays in providing both clinical nutrition services to athletes and nutrition education programs to teams, coaches, and trainers. Traditionally, sports nutritionists have been viewed as capable of counseling athletes toward improved nutrition behaviors for improved performance outcomes. More globally, a sports nutritionist at a major university can develop and implement nutrition education programs for athletes that can be implemented in alternative situations to effect the greater student body. Menu changes in dining facilities, expanded dining hours, and campus workshops on eating disorders, weight gain, or weight loss are examples of programs created by a university sports nutritionist.