Kathie Beals

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Kathie Beals is a registered dietitian (RD) and a certified specialist in sport dietetics (CSSD) with over 25 years of experience providing nutrition education and counseling to active individuals and athletes at all competitive levels. Although she has worked with athletes in a variety of sports (from football to gymnastics to cross-fit to mixed martial arts), her specialty is endurance athletes (e.g., runners, cyclists, swimmers, and triathletes). Kathie has provided nutrition consultation to high-school athletes, recreationally competitive adult athletes, collegiate athletes and Olympic athletes.

Kathie is an accomplished endurance athlete in her own right. Whatever your choice of endurance sport, Kathie has related experience and understands the demands of the activity. She got her start as a collegiate distance runner and then moved to triathlons during graduate school. She has completed hundreds of running races (5ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons—Including the Boston Marathon) and numerous XTERRA trail races along with Olympic distance, Half Ironman and Ironman triathlons.

Kathie holds a PhD in exercise science and nutrition and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Thus, she understands the physiological and metabolic needs of athletes and the best way to meet those needs nutritionally. Although she tries not to “play favorites,” Kathie believes that nutrition is equally if not more important than physical training when it comes to optimal athletic performance. After all, you cannot train optimally unless you are fueled properly.

Kathie is an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah where she teaches a variety of graduate courses, including macro- and micronutrient metabolism and, of course, sport nutrition. Her passion for teaching really comes through during her athlete-nutrition counseling sessions. Kathie’s goal is to educate and empower athletes to take charge of their own nutrition. She encourages athletes to play an active role in the development of their nutritional plans – to understand their personal nutritional needs and learn the best ways to meet them.

At the tender age of 50, Kathie competed in age-group nationals in the Olympic distance triathlon and earned “All American” status. Covid (and a desire to pursue other passions) brought an end to Kathie’s racing career; however, she continues to run (mostly with her dogs) and swim regularly with her Master’s swim team teammates. Since moving to Utah, Kathie has also taken up XC skiing, mountain biking, stand-up paddling and climbing.

Events: All Endurance Events

Services: Consultation, Nutrition

Specialties: Nutrition

"Kathie is not only a registered dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition, but also a highly respected sports nutrition researcher and educator. Being an athlete herself, Kathie knows how to translate her research findings into nutrition tips that will improve your health and performance. If you want help figuring out the best sports diet for your body, Kathie is the go-to nutrition professional. You will be lucky to have her on your team!" ~ Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD