What Does a Sports Dietitian Do?
Healthy with Hollin LLC
By Hollin Paige Thompson, MS, RD, LD — Founder, Healthy with Hollin LLC
When most people hear the word dietitian, they immediately think of meal plans or weight loss. In reality, the role of a Registered Dietitian (RD) is far more in-depth and complex than what first comes to mind.
As a Sports Dietitian, my focus is fueling performance—on the field, in the gym, on the court, and during recovery—using evidence-based nutrition strategies that help athletes train harder, recover faster, and stay healthy throughout every season.
Whether you’re a high school athlete, college competitor, or part of a professional organization, nutrition can be the difference between feeling flat… and feeling unstoppable.
What Is a Dietitian?
You may have heard the term nutritionist before—and while all Registered Dietitians can call themselves nutritionists, not all nutritionists are Registered Dietitians.
Think of it this way:
All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs.
To earn the RD credential, candidates must meet rigorous academic and professional requirements and pass a national board exam.
Here is a summarized version of the pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian:
1. Education
When I passed the RD exam in 2023, a bachelor’s degree was required; that requirement has since changed to a master’s degree. I completed a combined distance-track program in which I earned my master’s degree through online coursework while simultaneously completing my dietetic internship.
Many required courses are science-heavy and include subjects such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medical nutrition therapy.
Key requirements include:
Earning a graduate degree (typically 5–6+ years total of education)
Completing coursework through an ACEND-accredited program (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics)
2. Supervised Practice
Another requirement for sitting for the RD exam is completing at least 1,200 hours of supervised, hands-on experience in multiple practice areas such as:
Clinical care (acute and long-term)
Foodservice
Community nutrition
Some programs also include elective rotations, allowing interns to gain experience in specialized areas such as sports nutrition.
This supervised practice must occur through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship or Coordinated Program.
3. National Exam
Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
4. State Licensure or Registration
Meet state-specific requirements to legally practice (Texas, for example, requires licensure).
5. Continuing Education
Once credentialed, RDs must complete 75 continuing education credits every five years to maintain their registration. These can include webinars, conferences, and professional workshops—many of which also provide valuable networking opportunities.
Unlike generic nutrition advice found online, Registered Dietitians rely on science-based recommendations and individualized planning. No two people are the same, so we consider factors such as:
Food allergies and intolerances
Preferences and lifestyle
Medical history and medications
Training demands and schedules
This individualized approach ensures that nutrition plans are realistic, sustainable, and effective—because what works for one athlete may not work for another.
What Is a Sports Dietitian?
Dietitians can work in many different settings, including:
Community
Sports
Clinical
Private practice
Foodservice
The possibilities are endless—because one thing we all have in common is that we all eat.
A Sports Dietitian is a Registered Dietitian who specializes in optimizing athletic performance, health, and recovery through personalized fueling strategies. Sports dietitians work with collegiate and professional teams, the military, and active individuals, managing hydration, body composition, and supplement safety while collaborating closely with coaches, athletic trainers, and medical staff.
Although not required, many Sports Dietitians pursue the Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) credential—something I am actively working toward! To be eligible for the CSSD exam, an RD must:
Practice as a Registered Dietitian for at least two years
Complete 2,000 hours of sports nutrition experience
Sports Dietitian Responsibilities
1. Performance Nutrition
Develop individualized fueling plans, nutrient-timing strategies, and hydration protocols to support training and competition. We teach athletes how much carbohydrate they need, what to eat before practices or games, and how to fuel tournaments or double-days.
2. Health Management
Assess body composition, support safe weight management, and provide counseling for disordered eating or eating disorders in athletes.
3. Safety & Compliance
Evaluate supplements for safety and efficacy while ensuring compliance with anti-doping regulations such as NCAA, USADA, and WADA.
4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Work alongside athletic trainers, physicians, and strength coaches to support overall athlete health and performance.
Who I Work With
Healthy with Hollin LLC proudly serves:
Individual athletes
Teams and clubs
High school and collegiate programs
Coaches and organizations
Active adults training for performance
Parents of youth athletes
Sports medicine facilities
Retired athletes
Nutrition brands that align with my philosophy
My mission is simple: to help athletes fuel with confidence and compete at their very best.
Why Sports Nutrition Matters
Nutrition directly impacts energy levels, focus, strength, endurance, immune health, and injury risk. Even small fueling changes can create big performance wins.
About the Founder
Hollin Paige Thompson, MS, RD, LD is a Registered Dietitian with experience in Division I athletics, professional football, and private practice consulting. She has worked with organizations such as Stephen F. Austin State University, East Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, and the Dallas Cowboys.
She currently provides sports nutrition consulting throughout East Texas and remotely through Healthy with Hollin LLC. Hollin also conducts one-on-one virtual sports nutrition sessions through The Sports Nutrition Playbook as a contract Dietitian and is licensed to work with athletes individually in Texas, Wyoming, and Tennessee.
Ready to Fuel Smarter?
If you’re an athlete, coach, or organization looking to elevate performance through nutrition, I’d love to connect.
Contact me to learn more about my sports nutrition consulting services—including team education and individualized fueling strategies—so you can train harder, recover faster, and perform at your best.
