Student Health Services' registered dietitian, Julie Engberg, RDN, promotes wellness through healthy eating and positive lifestyle changes. Together, you can develop a personalized plan so that you can meet and exceed your health and fitness goals.
Our registered dietitian can assist you with the following:
- Fine-tuning your dietary choices for improved wellness
- Navigating food allergies or intolerances in the dining hall or in your own kitchen
- Managing pre-diabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bone health, and digestive discomfort through food and lifestyle changes
- Recovering from eating disorders and disordered eating
- Improving your relationship with food and developing a more positive body image
- Practical weight management strategies
- Moving towards to a vegetarian diet
- Maximizing your workout through a supportive diet
- Promotes wellness through healthy eating and positive lifestyle changes.
How do I make an appointment to see the registered dietitian?
Call Cowell Center Student Health Services at (408) 554-4501 or schedule an appointment on the Cowell Health Portal. Appointments are available on Friday mornings (9am-1pm).
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Expect to spend about an hour with the registered dietitian during your first visit, and please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out some paperwork. The dietitian will spend some time getting to know you and learning about your current eating habits and health goals. Together, you will create and implement a concrete plan to enhance your diet and improve your nutrition status. After all, we all know a lot about nutrition but it can be harder to follow through and make healthy dining choices, especially when you are a busy student. Your nutrition action plan will be tailored to your life and your needs.
How can I best prepare for my appointment?
Prepare to have your nutrition questions answered! Think about your nutrition questions and concerns ahead of time. Go ahead and write them down. Give some thought as to how you would like to feel physically, and how your dietary choices might need to be fine-tuned.
What should I bring to the appointment?
If possible, track everything you eat and drink over 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day. Feel free to bring any food packages, nutrition or supplement labels, or website resources that you have questions about.
What’s the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, even if they have no training or experience. A registered dietitian, on the other hand, is a true nutrition expert who has at least a 4-year degree in nutrition or dietetics, has at least 1200 hours of supervised practice from an accredited internship, has passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians, and completes annual continuing education. All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians! A registered dietitian is uniquely qualified to practice medical nutrition therapy for those students with medical diagnoses and eating struggles.
The Cowell Center’s Student Health Services registered dietitian translates nutrition science into practical, evidence-based dietary strategies. Cowell's registered dietitian will work with your medical provider or therapist to ensure that you are receiving comprehensive care.