Let's get you feeling and performing like a Huskie. With our wide range of programs, there are many ways to connect with our nutrition team. From one-on-one visits with a nutrition coach to group classes and events, we've got something for everyone.
Our nutrition education events are interactive, engaging and fun. Whether you attend by yourself or with a friend, they're a great way to meet new Huskies while growing your nutrition knowledge and skills.
Get customized support by working one-on-one with a nutrition coach. Your coach will help you find a way of eating that not only helps you feel and perform your best, but also allows you to enjoy a wide variety of foods. Common concerns addressed in coaching include:
You'll meet with your coach up to once a week, virtually or in person. Between visits, you can upload pictures of what you eat to our app to get feedback from your coach.
If you're running late or need to cancel a visit, contact your coach as soon as possible. If you miss a visit or cancel less than 24 hours in advance, you may be subject to a $10 fee.
You can enroll at any time during the fall or spring semester. Visits are typically available during weekdays, with some evening availability. Coaching is not available during the summer.
You can meet with the coach at a frequency that works for you. This may be up to one visit per week. Coaches have internship obligations that require them to take two weeks off from coaching each semester.
Coaching ends the week before finals (usually the last week of November or April). You may register to start working with a new coach the following semester if desired. You may end coaching before the semester ends if you feel your goals have been achieved.
In-person visits take place in the nutrition coaching office, located off the indoor track in the Recreation Center.
Virtual visits are offered through our HIPAA-secure Microsoft Teams platform. Coaches conduct visits from a private location, and we expect clients to do the same.
Our nutrition coaches are second-year graduate students in the nutrition and dietetics program. You’ll have the same coach all semester. You can meet with a coach to better understand the program before you enroll.
After you enroll, your coach will contact you to get information on your health, habits and goals. At your first visit (60 minutes), you'll discuss these topics in detail. At follow-up visits (30 minutes), you'll focus on your specific nutrition challenge or situation. Your coach will share information and give you goals to work on for your next visit.
Coaching services are part of an academic internship. Your coach will collaborate with other coaches, the supervising dietitian nutritionist, their dietetic internship director and an NIU staff counselor. Your coach won't share any identifiable client information, though they may reveal your identity to the supervising dietitian nutritionist.
Coaches and supervisors are professionally and ethically bound to preserve the confidentiality of any personal information you share. The only exception is if a client proves to be in clear and imminent danger of harming themselves or others.
Sessions may be recorded. Recordings are stored on our HIPAA-secure cloud accessible only by the coach and the supervising dietitian nutritionist to assist in the evaluation of counseling skills.
Nutrition Coaching
Recreation Center
(located off the track in the main gym)
815-753-9416
recwellnutrition@niu.edu