The Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center (KRNC) at Colorado State University is rolling out a full suite of nutrition programs to meet the health and wellness needs of our CSU and Northern Colorado community—and just in time for the New Year’s resolution craze when many are seeking new health and wellness routines. But KRNC’s programs are different because they don’t endorse dieting and weight loss behaviors, rather, they are weight-inclusive and focus on health and healing distressing relationships with food.
Recently, the KRNC has noticed trends in the nutrition concerns clients are bringing to the table. There has been a significant increase in eating disorders across the nation and the KRNC has seen an influx in eating disorder clients as a result. In addition, intuitive eating and weight-inclusive nutrition are becoming mainstays for what our clients are seeking and what the research is supporting. Finally, we always have a steady stream of people seeking chronic disease prevention, general nutrition, and cooking tips and tricks.
Research shows that having peer and professional support in a group setting can be incredibly impactful for lasting change. Not only do our groups offer education and professional guidance, but they also offer a chance for participants to feel validated and supported by peers with similar lived experiences. Group settings offer a chance to voice your questions, receive support, engage in discussion, and learn new ways to promote your health and wellness.
So, whether you are looking for support in your eating disorder recovery, want to get in the kitchen and build self-efficacy, learn more about chronic disease prevention, or want support on your intuitive eating journey, keep reading to find a program that meets your needs!
Eating Disorder Support Group
This group focuses on recovery topics such as nutrition basics, joyful movement, coping skills, and body image. Participants receive support from peers and facilitators, educational handouts and worksheets, opportunities for goal setting and activities outside of the group, and valuable discussions on recovery topics and challenges. In addition, three of the ten weeks are dedicated meal support sessions.
Our upcoming cohort starts Thursday, Feb. 8, and runs for 10 weeks on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. For more information, visit the program webpage.
New! Intuitive Eating Practice Group
Join Certified Intuitive Eating counselor Kalyn Garcia, M.S., RDN, for a 10-week deep dive into intuitive eating. Whether you are new to intuitive eating or you’re looking for a refresher and community, this program will offer space, structure, support, and discussions to help you explore and heal your relationship with eating, food, and body.
The next cohort begins Wednesday, March 20, and runs for ten consecutive weeks on Wednesdays from 12 – 1 p.m. For more information, visit the program webpage.
New! Healthy YOU Lifestyle Program
Healthy YOU is an eight-week healthy lifestyle class that includes nutrition, mindful eating, and exercise. This classic KRNC program was recently updated to be more weight-inclusive and places emphasis on health promotion using non-dieting principles. Developed, updated, and led by master’s-level registered dietician nutritionists, Healthy YOU’s research-based methods along with peer support make this popular program an effective platform for long-term success. This program is offered at both of our locations at CSU’s Fort Collins and Spur campuses.
The next group starts Wednesday, January 17, and runs for eight weeks on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. For more information, visit the program webpage.
New! Healthy YOU 2
HY2 will include expanded education on topics such as blood sugar 101, insulin resistance, inflammation, carbohydrates, and more. This class is designed for those who have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, PCOS, and/or heart disease risk factors. HY2 has replaced our Diabetes Prevention Program and Diabetes Empowerment offerings. Healthy YOU is a required prerequisite for participation in HY2. The first cohort of Healthy YOU 2 will likely start in April 2024. More details to come.
New! Nutrition-Focused Cooking Workshops
The KRNC is releasing a new series of chef-designed nutrition-focused cooking workshops. These culinary offerings are designed to shake things up from our original and popular Date Night Cooking Classes. The updated format will keep the best parts of our previous classes—delicious recipes, helpful cooking tips, participants don’t do dishes— while adding an increased focus on nutrition. Our new workshops contain menus that display nutrition and culinary how-tos, which are both needed for putting evidence-based recommendations into daily practice. We hope you join us in these sessions to learn skills that help break down the common barrier of kitchen intimidation and promote self-efficacy in the kitchen! New workshop topics and menus will be released each semester.
Topics for Spring 2024:
- Heart health: The Art of Flavor
- Using herbs, acids, and cooking techniques to build flavor beyond the saltshaker
- Gut health: Grow Your Gut Garden
- Learn how to prepare a menu of probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods
- Plant-based cooking: Sweet and Savory
- Learn how to incorporate plant proteins throughout mealtimes and palate preferences
For more information, visit our programs and services webpage.
For more information on cooking and nutrition classes, delicious recipes, nutrition tips, and more, contact the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center at (970) 495-5916 or see the KRNC website. More health tips are also available on the College of Health and Human Sciences Pinterest board. Lastly, don’t forget to sign up for the KRNC monthly newsletter!
The Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center is in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
