Nutrition Department

Nutrition as it relates to sports performance has gained much attention over the recent years. Science has proven that with a proper diet; one that meets all nutrient and fluids needs, an athlete can significantly improve performance. With the rigorous demands of sports training and academics, student- athletes may find it difficult to meet all their nutritional demands. Poor diets can lead to vitamin/mineral deficiencies, low energy, unintentional weight loss or gain, decreased performance and increased illness and/or injury.  

 
The Mission of the CSULB Sports Nutrition Department is to assist student-athletes achieve better physical health and reach optimal performance through nutrition. This is accomplished through the implementation of appropriate nutritional strategies tailored for individual athletes and teams set by the staff Registered Dietitian. Some of these strategies include: 

·         Individual nutrition counseling 

·         Travel Menu Planning  

·         Game/Meet/Match day nutrition 

·         Healthy and nutritious snacks provided daily 

·         Team Education Talks 

·         Grocery Store Tours 

·         Proper supplementation guidance when deficiencies are present 

·         Dietary Analysis and Meal Planning 

·         Education for Special Diets - GI disorders, Allergies, Vegan, etc. 

·         Easily accessible educational resources via school websites and social media 

·         Disorder eating and eating disorder counseling 

·         Nutrition for injury, concussion or injury prevention

WALTER PYRAMID FUELING STATION

Nutrition Center 1 Nutrition Center 2
 

The Walter Pyramid Fueling Station centrally located next door to the weight room, provides convenient access to free, daily nutritious snacks for Long Beach State student-athletes.  The Fueling Station provides pre/post workout and mid-day healthy snacks, to supplement overall daily intake.  

 
Traci Larson Headshot

REGISTERED DIETITIAN 

Traci Larson grew up in Missouri where she attended Southeast Missouri State University. While obtaining her undergraduate and graduate degree in nutrition she competed on the women’s gymnastics team. Once moving to Southern California, she worked as the sports dietitian for USC and Loyola Marymount University before finding her home at LBSU and currently resides in Huntington Beach. She has been with LBSU athletics since 2015. She has over ten years’ experience in the field of sports nutrition. She works with all athletics teams and manages over 20 volunteers and interns which make up the Sports Nutrition Department.  

Follow the department's instagram, @BeachSportsNutrition