Nutrition Coaching
What is Nutrition Coaching?
Nutrition coaching is free to all currently enrolled Ohio State students who want to enhance their health and wellbeing, and is intended to help students identify any imbalances in their food intake and explore ways to optimize their nutrition needs. Nutrition Coaching utilizes and supports the tenets from Health At Every Size® and principles from Intuitive Eating.
Common Topics
- Meal planning and grocery shopping
- Dining plans and dining out
- Body image and disordered eating
- Food allergies and dietary preferences
- Health conditions and concerns
- Sports nutrition and event training
Schedule a Nutrition Appointment
The following chart describes some of the differences between Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Coaching.
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) |
Nutrition Coaching |
| MNT involves assessment, diagnosis, prescription, and treatment to manage medical illness/conditions. | Nutrition coaches assess a person’s food intake to determine any nutrient imbalances and work with the student to explore how to meet their nutrition needs. |
| Prescribes specific dietary recommendations to support medical needs. | Offers general, evidence-based nutrition recommendations along with resources and referrals for further support. |
| A nutrition care plan is created which includes dietary recommendations, any necessary supplement recommendations and resources for the patient and their support system or caregivers. | Nutrition coaches consider the following when helping students explore ways of meeting their nutrition needs: food preferences and any aversions; eating patterns; food accessibility and availability; dining plans or resources for food preparation; food allergies and intolerances; religious beliefs and cultural considerations; and other factors. |
| MNT can be performed only by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. | Nutrition Coaching is performed by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist along with a graduate-level student enrolled in a dietetics program. |
Additional Resources
- Visit the Nutrition Education page for handouts, videos and newsletters.
- Student Health Services offers Nutrition Therapy and can be contacted by calling 614-292-4321 or emailed at shs@osu.edu.
- Dining Services can answer questions or concerns about dining plans and options, and can be contacted by calling 614-292-8380 or emailed at dining@osu.edu.