Sports Nutrition Nutritionists and Dietitians in 05401

Photo of Christopher Irish, Nutritionist/Dietitian, MS, RDN, LD
Christopher Irish
Nutritionist/Dietitian, MS, RDN, LD
Serves Area
If you are experiencing ANY of the following, I would love to have the opportunity to work together: You often feel guilty about your food choices, and you spend significant time and energy thinking about food. You have scoured the internet for nutrition information and guidance and are frustrated by the amount of conflicting information online. You are navigating an eating disorder or disordered eating and are looking for support from a compassionate and knowledgable RD. You are struggling to keep up with meal planning every week, unsure of how to shop for and prepare meals that support your nutrition goals.
If you are experiencing ANY of the following, I would love to have the opportunity to work together: You often feel guilty about your food choices, and you spend significant time and energy thinking about food. You have scoured the internet for nutrition information and guidance and are frustrated by the amount of conflicting information online. You are navigating an eating disorder or disordered eating and are looking for support from a compassionate and knowledgable RD. You are struggling to keep up with meal planning every week, unsure of how to shop for and prepare meals that support your nutrition goals.
(339) 330-2865 View (339) 330-2865
Photo of Elaina P Efird - Efird Nutrition, Nutritionist/Dietitian, RDN, CSSD, CEDS-S
Efird Nutrition
Nutritionist/Dietitian, RDN, CSSD, CEDS-S
Online Only
At Efird Nutrition, we are a virtual nutrition practice committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents and adults navigating eating disorders and disordered eating. Our team of registered dietitians is licensed in South Carolina, Vermont, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, allowing us to support clients across a wide regional footprint through secure, virtual sessions.
At Efird Nutrition, we are a virtual nutrition practice committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents and adults navigating eating disorders and disordered eating. Our team of registered dietitians is licensed in South Carolina, Vermont, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, allowing us to support clients across a wide regional footprint through secure, virtual sessions.
(864) 952-8803 View (864) 952-8803
Photo of Hannah Rivard, Nutritionist/Dietitian, MS, RD, LDN
Hannah Rivard
Nutritionist/Dietitian, MS, RD, LDN
Online Only
Welcome! I am a Registered Dietitian passionate about providing individualized nutrition education & care, tailored to each person's specific needs. I have extensive experience working with eating disorders, in both adolescent & adult populations. I have worked closely with clients with co-occurring mental health diagnoses including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, & trauma. Outside of my specialty in eating disorders, I also have experience working in pediatric & neonatal care, as well as sport nutrition, pregnancy & women's health.
Welcome! I am a Registered Dietitian passionate about providing individualized nutrition education & care, tailored to each person's specific needs. I have extensive experience working with eating disorders, in both adolescent & adult populations. I have worked closely with clients with co-occurring mental health diagnoses including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, & trauma. Outside of my specialty in eating disorders, I also have experience working in pediatric & neonatal care, as well as sport nutrition, pregnancy & women's health.
View
Sports Nutrition Nutritionists and Dietitians
What is sports nutrition?
Sports nutrition refers to the strategic approach athletes use to optimize their dietary intake for performance. While the term often highlights the nutrition consumed immediately before, during, or after an athletic event—such as drinking an electrolyte beverage during a marathon—it also encompasses an athlete's everyday eating habits that support their performance. Sports nutrition also often encompasses an athlete's hydration strategy and/or any dietary supplements they may take on a regular basis.

Does insurance cover sports nutrition sessions?
In general, most insurances will not cover sports nutrition sessions. This is because many insurances require that the client receives a referral from a primary care physician and/or meets specific diagnostic criteria to cover a dietitian session. Since many athletes seeking nutrition counseling are looking to improve performance, as opposed to treating an underlying medical condition, the requirements put forth by insurance companies for coverage are often not met in the case of sports nutrition sessions. That said, some clients may be eligible for insurance coverage if they have a specific medical concern that also impacts their sports nutrition, such as an eating disorder or diabetes.

What happens in a sports nutrition session?
Nutrition professionals specializing in sports nutrition have expertise in the unique dietary requirements of athletes, such as the increased need for carbohydrates to fuel training sessions. They can recommend targeted nutrition strategies to support athletic performance and help develop personalized nutrition plans, whether for specific athletic events or general nutritional needs. They might also suggest specific recipes or meal plans that align with the athlete's dietary requirements. Additionally, dietitians often have athletes maintain a nutrition diary, which they review to ensure the athletes are meeting their caloric and nutritional goals.

Do athletes see dietitians?
While athletes may decide to see a dietitian for a variety of reasons, seeing a dietitian may be particularly helpful for young athletes who are new to navigating performance nutrition, as well as for high-performance or professional athletes who are looking for ways to maximize their performance. Additionally, athletes with specific dietary constraints or those following specific diets, such as veganism, often work with dietitians to ensure they receive all necessary nutrients. Athletes typically seek counseling from dietitians who specialize in sports nutrition, and often those with expertise in their specific sport. This specialization allows the dietitian to tailor dietary recommendations to support the athlete’s specific type of sport, whether it involves endurance, sprinting, or other activities.