Nyree Dardarian, EdD is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University and Director of the Center for Nutrition & Performance (CNP). She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Dardarian is a TEDx speaker, she talks about her experience and the secrets she learned from eating at McDonalds for 30 days.
Dardarian is the Sports Nutritionist for the Philadelphia Flyers (National Hockey League, NHL), the Philadelphia Union (Major League Soccer, MLS), USA Field Hockey, USA Squash, as well as Team USA at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, 2015, and Taipei, Taiwan, 2017, and the 2019 Pan American Games (Lima, Peru).
Dardanian’s work has been on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer twice, most notably for eating at McDonalds for 30 days. She is a frequent contributor to local and national media including CBS Philly, WHYY, Prevention Magazine and Women’s Health Magazine in topics ranging from nutrient content, weight management, sports nutrition and nutrition for specialized populations.
She developed the formulation of Dragon Gels™, an In-sport fuel used exclusively by the teams she supports. Dragon Gels™ are produced, packaged and distributed through the Metabolic Kitchen, Drexel University.
Dardanian’s research projects focus on the eating behaviors of esports players, collegiate and professional athlete nutrition knowledge and behavior change, resting metabolic rate, body composition and nutrition centered workplace wellness programming. Her most recent book chapter “Match Analysis in Squash” in the book Match Analysis: How to Use Data in Professional Sport reimagines how squash is being played by using data.
Academic Distinctions
TEDx Speaker, May 2022, I ate fast food for 30 days and discovered 3 secrets to living a healthy life.
People with a Purpose, Recipient
A tribute featuring the inspiring stories of students, alumni, faculty and staff of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. https://drexel.edu/cnhp/about/people-of-purpose/nyree-dardarian
Faculty Fellowships
Fellow, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Professional Society
Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitian Association
Sports Nutrition and Cardiovascular Practice Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors Practice Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic
Philadelphia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Selected Publications
Stanzione, J. R., Dardarian, N., & Volpe, S. L. (2020). Body Composition Changes after One Year in Professional Male Ice Hockey Players. International journal of sports medicine, 10.1055/a-1179-6511. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1179-6511
Dardarian, Nyree & O’Donnell, Kellsey. (2018). Applying the Science of Nutrient Timing and Distribution On-and-Off the Soccer Pitch: Sports Nutritionist's Experience. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 17. 242-243. 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000501
Dardarian, N. (2019). Squash Nutrition on the Fly: Strategies to Optimize Nutrition During International Travel. Retrieved from http://squashmagazine.ussquash.com/2019/10/squash-nutrition-on-the-fly-strategies-to-optimize-nutrition-during-international-travel
Dardarian, N. & Zillmer, E. (2019). Navigating the Mental Game in Squash: Between Game Strategies. Squash Magazine. Retrieved from http://squashmagazine.ussquash.com/2019/06/navigating-the-mental-game-in-squash-between-game-strategies
Dardarian, N. (2019). Squash Nutrition on the Fly: Strategies to Optimize Nutrition During International Travel. Retrieved from http://squashmagazine.ussquash.com/2019/10/squash-nutrition-on-the-fly-strategies-to-optimize-nutrition-during-international-travel
Dardarian, N. & Zillmer, E. (2019). Navigating the Mental Game in Squash: Between Game Strategies. Squash Magazine. Retrieved from http://squashmagazine.ussquash.com/2019/06/navigating-the-mental-game-in-squash-between-game-strategies
Editorial review board membership:
Pedogogy in Health Promotion, Expert Reviewer
Research Interests
Sports nutrition, body composition, InSport Fueling
Academic Innovation and Programming:
CarbRx™
Dardarian developed a sports nutrition individualized management program for athletes to enhance performance through nutrition timing, portion sizes, variety and periodization.
Dragon Gels™
Dardarian created a glycogen replacement fuel to be utilized by Drexel University Athletes and Major League Soccer Team, The Philadelphia Union. Currently in use by the Philadelphia Union and slated to produce 10,000 gels for Drexel Athletics.
Sports Nutritionist for Professional Sports Teams
The Philadelphia Union, Major League Soccer
Serves as the sports dietitian for The Philadelphia Union Academy, Bethlehem Steel and First Team. Deliverables include menu planning for pre-season, training, and active season, education materials, supermarket tours, nutrition consults. A team of nutrition sciences students volunteer for projects under my supervision.
*2020 Supports Shield Winners
Philadelphia Flyers, National Hockey League
Provides all nutrition services to the Philadelphia Flyers NHL team. Includes planning all meals, home and away. Creating and maintaining the fueling station. Individual and team consults.
US Squash
Provides sports nutrition education an and counseling Amanda Sobhy, World #4 ranked and US #1 ranked women’s player.
World University Games
2019 Naples, Italy
2017 Taipei, Taiwan
2015 Gwangju, South Korea
Contracted to provide nutrition guidance for Team USA for the World University Games: Korea 2014, Taipei 2016, TBD 2018, and TBD 2020. Involvement includes funding and supervising Nutrition Sciences Graduate students selected as interns, and providing nutrition education materials and guidance for USA athletes competing in the Games.
Pan American Games
Lima, Peru 2019. Team USA nutritionist for US Squash and Women’s Field Hockey Teams.
International Travel Experiences for Students and Alumni
Farm to Athlete, United Kingdom
The Drexel student in the United Kingdom (UK), Global Sports Nutrition & Performance ICA is designed specifically for students enrolled in the Food & Nutrition program with a firsthand experience in nutrition education and culinary programming to improve performance and well-being of professional athletes
Specialization
Metabolism and energy balance
Doctor of Education, Global Sports Leadership, 2022
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
Master of Science, Human Nutrition, 2005
Thesis: Resting Energy Expenditure in 18 – 20-year-old Males and Females:
Validation of Indirect Calorimetry and Published Predictive Methods.
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Sodexo (Formerly the Wood Company), 1998
Approved Pre-Professional Practice Program
Bachelor of Science, Dietetics, 1995
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA