Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD
Getting to Know……
Nancy Clark, MS RD CSSD
If you know anything about sports nutrition then you know Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD. Intern Regina Santana hit the jackpot when she was able to interview this legendary counselor, speaker, and author of Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook.
Regina Santana: I am a competitive bodybuilder. Please share nutrition tips you would give a young woman to gain a viable edge?
Nancy Clark:
Tip #1. Remember that food is fuel, not simply a "fattening enemy."
Tip #2. Surround your workout with fuel. You are either fueling up or refueling.
Tip #3. If your goal of achieving a “perfect body” costs you health and quality of life, think again. "Good enough" is good enough.
Tip #4. Reframe your identity: You are not (just) a competitive bodybuilder. You are a young woman who does bodybuilding (as well as is a dietetic intern, daughter, friends... and many other important things).
RS: The sports nutrition space is saturated with dietitians and others giving nutrition advice. What are your “go to” resources for evidence-based nutrition information and recommendations?
NC:
• Attending the American College of Sports Medicine's Annual Meeting, to learn the latest research (plus reading their journal).
• The International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
• List-servs of SHPN and CV-Well
• Webinars offered by respected organizations with quality speakers. For example, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Groups, eating disorders recovery centers, Gatorade, American College of Sports Medicine.
RS: Unfortunately, eating disorders are quite common among teens and young adults. How often do you see eating disorders in athletes say from ages 15-25? Are there more women in this category vs. men? What are first steps in counseling such cases?
NC: Eating disorders are the bread and butter for a sports nutritionist in private practice; about 70% of my clients struggle with food. Most are women, but I am seeing a significant increase in males who are "coming out of the closet."
• First step: Listen to them and ask how you can help them.
RS: In my recent clinical rotation, I saw several patients who were very reluctant to make/take dietary changes/ advice. For example, older clients don’t want to change their diet even if it may reduce risk of certain disease states. Or when I counseled younger children, parents kept interrupting and sharing that their child eats perfectly, when it was obvious there was a consumption issue. What two pieces of advice can you share to be more successful when working with such clients?
NC:
Tip #1. Listen to them, hear their concerns, and do some motivational interviewing.
Tip #2. Don't work harder than your resistant clients. Put more energy into people what they want to change.
RS: What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone like me, who is just starting off, living in a smaller town, but wants to work in sports nutrition?
NC: Create opportunities for people to get to know you, like you, and trust you. For example, don't just run on your own; run with a running club.
• Exist in the media: have a website, write a blog, post on social media
RS: What is your favorite on-the-go snack?
NC: Banana + Teddie Peanut butter + crackers
RS: In your global travels, what is one place you wish everyone could see and experience?
New Zealand
Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD is an internationally respected sports nutritionist, weight coach, nutrition author, and workshop leader. She is a registered dietitian (RD) who specializes in nutrition for performance, health, and the nutritional management of eating disorders. She is board certified as a specialist in sports dietietics (CSSD) and a certified WellCoach.
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