Nutrition Information  

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Human Performance Resource Center: http://hprc-online.org/
Operation Supplement Safety: http://hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/OPSS
Office of Dietary Supplements Fact Sheets: http://ods.od.nih.gov/
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What is a Registered Dietitian? 
A Registered Dietitian is a health care provider that has an extensive background in food, nutrition, physiology and biochemistry. This knowledge is applied to promoting health and preventing disease through counseling and education.

How do I make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian? 
The United States Naval Academy has two Registered Dietitians on staff; one located in the Midshipmen Development Center and one located in the Midshipmen Food Services Division. The Dietitians each have individual specialties to accommodate the nutritional needs of the Brigade.

New Appointments:

Send an email that includes the information below to mdc@usna.edu

  • Full name and Alpha
  • Reason for appointment
  • Weekly free periods

Once an appointment has been scheduled, you must visit the Midshipmen Development Center to complete the nutrition intake form prior to your appointment. The nutrition intake form can only be completed by using a computer in the Midshipmen Development Center. Please allow yourself 15-20 minutes to complete this formprior to your appointment.

Follow Up Appointments:

If you have met with the Registered Dietitian during the current academic year, then you can send her/him an email for a follow-up appointment. If you saw the Dietitian during the previous academic year, then you must follow the New Appointments protocol (see above).


How can a Registered Dietitian help me? 
A Registered Dietitian’s extensive training is designed to help individuals create nutritional programs that suit their needs. Our goal is to help Midshipmen achieve their academic and athletic goals through proper nutrition and dietary education. We are available for counseling on topics such as sports nutrition, weight management, disordered eating, supplements, and special diets (religious, vegetarian, allergies, etc).

Do I have an appointment limit? Is there a cost for the appointment? 
There is no limit to the number of appointments and there is no cost associated with your visits.

What is a diet chit and how can I get one? 
Diet chits are provided for those individuals that have special dietary needs such as religious, vegetarian diets, food allergies/intolerances, and/or certain medical or dental cases. Diet chits can only be provided by the Diet Kitchen (located in King Hall, 6th wing) or by medical/dental if SIQ. In order to utilize the Diet Kitchen, Midshipmen must have the proper documentation.

How do I get a refrigerator approved? 
Special request chits for refrigerators must be approved by the Midshipman’s Company Chain of Command, not by a Registered Dietitian.

Do we need to have our over-the counter supplements reviewed by a Registered Dietitian? 
No. Over-the-counter supplements do not need to be approved by a Registered Dietitian, but should be taken with extreme caution. Because supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, many supplements often contain ingredients that are not listed on the label. If a product contains an illegal substance, you may have an adverse reaction in addition to testing positive for a banned substance.

If you have questions regarding certain supplements, it is best to make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian or Medical Professional.


Where can I find safe and reliable nutrition information online? 
The Midshipmen Development Center web site provides links to nutrition fact sheets and nutrition websites of interest to help you be a smart consumer. When researching nutrition information on the Internet, make sure that the information you are reading was written by a Registered Dietitian. Look for the “RD” credential after the author’s name as this ensures the person is in fact a nutrition expert!

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