About AASDN
AASDN is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit organization with the mission to provide health professionals with sound, scientific nutrition programs, under the guidance of licensed dietetic professionals, to help increase access to nutritional services.
AASDN sets itself apart from other nutrition organizations:
AASDN programs are based on sound, scientific nutrition information by licensed professionals.
Our programs adhere to state nutrition licensure laws.
AASDN members receive unlimited dietitian support and access to all the documents necessary to implement nutrition programs.
AASDN accepts no funds from advertising, no corporate funds or government grants.
OUR FOUNDER
Dr. Jane Pentz, MS, PhD
Dr. Jane began her career in nutrition with an undergraduate degree in nutritional biochemistry from Vassar College while simultaneously raising three children. Her education continued at Tufts University where she received her Masters and Ph.D. degrees in nutritional biochemistry; she is one of only several hundred to ever earn a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition Sciences from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. In addition, Dr. Jane worked with the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center’s team that completed ground breaking research on the effects of weight training in 80 and 90 year olds.
As the former president and CEO of Lifestyle Management Associates, a company dedicated to providing nutrition continuing education courses to professionals, Dr. Jane developed the Nutrition for Professionals course; authored the textbook for the course; and her book, “If You Don’t Take Care of Your Body, Where Are You Going to Live!”, contains the philosophy of healthy eating along with individualized menu plans.
After almost a decade of experience, Dr. Jane became aware of the need for a more formalized, safe and professionally accepted nutrition certification component for fitness professionals. Dr. Jane along with several colleagues founded the American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists – www.aasdn.org. AASDN has established the Nutrition Specialist Certification.
In 2011, during a 6 month sabbatical, Dr. Pentz and co-author, Doug Dwyer, published a young adult novel with a purpose. No – Book one of the 8th Day Mystery Series deals with the timeliest of issues – obesity and health related diseases in young children. This first novel of the 8th Day series inspires and motivates young readers to make healthy school lunch choices.
In January 0f 2012, for the first time in 15 years, the USDA issued new guidelines for school meals. These new guidelines double the amounts of fruits and vegetables in school lunches and boost offerings of whole grain-rich foods. The timing of Dr. Pentz’s novel and the new USDA guidelines launched AASDN into a new philanthropic endeavor – the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Initiative (NCOAI). The initiative incorporates a star-associated food rating system through the use of the NCOAI placemats. These colorful, interactive placemats provides a simple yet effective tool for educating, inspiring and motivating children to make healthy school lunch choices.
Our Team
Join Our Team
Our team of Nutrition Specialist Instructors (NSI) serve as independent contractors that provide instructional services in the delivery of the Nutrition Specialist certification training. The NSI also has the opportunity to partner with AASDN in delivering additional nutrition education to the AASDN membership and general public.
NSI are permitted to conduct and customize the delivery format (i.e. webinar vs. live; or 2 days vs. 4 days) of the Nutrition Specialist certification training. The programmatic content delivered must remain unchanged in order to comply with continuing education standards and to ensure the learning objectives of the course are met so participants receive the necessary preparation for the Nutrition Specialist exam.
NSI determine the dates, locations, delivery method, general format (i.e. two day workshop), and rate. Some guidelines are established to ensure for quality control and to cover certain course expenses. AASDN handles the administrative items associated with the trainings, which includes participant registration, mailing material to the participants, process the online exam and providing continuing education.
Become a NUTRITION INSTRUCTOR
For individuals who wish to expand their knowledge of nutrition beyond the Nutrition Specialist Certification and become involved in teaching sports nutrition to professionals within their field of expertise.
The AASDN Nutrition Instructor Training is designed to expand knowledge related to the field of sports nutrition and enable educators of other disciplines to relate this knowledge to their specific fields. This program allows graduates to teach the AASDN nutrition specialist curriculum under the directive of the AASDN.
Pre-Requisite: Must be a certified Nutrition Manager.
Qualifications
The minimum qualifications required to become a NSI.
- Must hold the Nutrition Specialist credential through AASDN
- Must hold a Master’s Degree in nutrition or dietetics
- or successful completion of the AASDN Nutrition Instructor Training (NIT) program
- Certification/Degree in exercise related field
- Instructor/facilitator experience
- A passion to teach sports/wellness nutrition to health professionals
Process
The typical process/pathway to becoming a NSI.
- Complete Nutrition Instructor Training (NIT)
- Apply
- To apply to become a NSI contractor, send a letter of intent, resume/cv, copy of academic transcripts (if you have a degree in nutrition or dietetics) and forward other relevant information or supporting documents to show proof of exercise and nutrition background to info@aasdn.org with subject line: NSI APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
- Interview
- NSI Training