Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Upcoming Events: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/upcoming-texas-academy-events-2396459 The Texas Academy consists of 5 regions throughout the state.

Upcoming Events: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/upcoming-texas-academy-events-2396459

Texas Academy, an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is a not-for-profit professional organization of over 4,000 registered dietitian nutritionists, dietetic technicians, and students in Texas. Texas Academy members provide expert food and nutrition resources for Texans. They are here to help Te

xans improve and manage their health—and make eating an enjoyable and delicious experience. Our members work in a variety of settings such as: business and industry, schools, universities and research centers, hospitals and clinics, public health units, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical companies and health fitness centers. The regions leadership team consists of a region director (voting member of the Texas Academy board of directors), a region director elect, and several committee chairs. Meetings and networking events are held throughout the region in different areas. The Texas Academy is governed by a 12 member board of directors (BOD) that is voted in a statewide election.

08/04/2026

Come see Texas Academy member Mandy Downing Tyler at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October!

Athletes using semaglutide, tirzepatide, or other GLP-1 medications face a unique paradox—improved metabolic health and body composition, yet a diminished appetite that can compromise training, recovery, and overall performance. This session equips sports dietitians with practical strategies to help athletes meet their energy and nutrient needs, maintain lean mass, and sustain peak performance while on GLP-1 therapy.

Mandy Tyler M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD, LAT is a Sports Dietitian Nutritionist in the San Antonio, TX area. Mandy received her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin, she is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Licensed Athletic Trainer, and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Mandy is the current Team Performance Dietitian for the San Antonio Spurs and Austin Spurs. She is also the owner of Nutrition By Mandy, through which she provides sports nutrition consulting for athletes at the collegiate and high school levels. In addition to being a Sports Dietitian, Mandy is the current Chair of the National Basketball Performance Nutrition Association, on the Governing Board for The Basketball Embassy, and a former chair of the San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council.

Register today:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

08/03/2026

Come see Texas Academy member Derek Miketínas at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October!

In the age of algorithms, influencers, and AI, misinformation in nutrition is a growing threat to public health and the credibility of dietitians. This session arms dietitians and related professionals with the mindset and tools to push back. Through a provocative hybrid lecture and panel discussion with perspectives from academia, industry, and consulting, attendees will explore the cognitive psychology behind why false beliefs persist, how to build trust without confrontation, and how to leverage their distinct skillset- even when science is uncertain. Explorations of regulations on health claims will arm dietitians with the ability to spot fake claims and “de-influence”, deconstruct influencer advice, and enable RDs to reclaim authority and educate confidently in a noisy world. Lastly, attendees will be shown how to differentiate themselves from scientists, physicians, and influencers, and why their value comes from their unique ability to intervene, monitor, and evaluate. Attendees will leave with practical techniques drawn from cognitive psychology, real-world industry cases, and clinical practice to elevate scientific literacy and communication, without needing a PhD.

Derek C Miketinas, PhD, RD is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at Texas Woman's University Institute of Health Sciences in Houston, Texas and serves as the assistant director of the Institute for Women’s Health. Dr. Miketinas received his PhD in Nutrition and Graduate Minor in Applied Statistics from Louisiana State University where his dissertation studies focused on nutrition interventions to improve dietary intake and behaviors as well as developing questionnaires to assess these interventions. His current research involves analyzing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to assess dietary intake and identify predictors of health and disease in the United States population.

Register today:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

07/31/2026

Come see Texas Academy member Elizabeth Spoede at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October!

This session will explore the implementation of pediatric malnutrition care pathways, highlighting lessons from clinical practice, quality improvement, and informatics. Participants will follow a multi-year, multi-institutional, progressive approach to improving malnutrition identification, documentation, and reporting. The session will review key initiatives including standardization of documentation practices, leadership engagement, and educational programs for dietitian teams. It will describe the design and implementation of EPIC-based flowsheets capturing malnutrition criteria, NFPE, and interventions, including strategies to link registered dietitian assessments with provider documentation to support accurate coding and reporting. Potential informatics approaches to enhance workflow integration, data capture, and interdisciplinary collaboration will also be discussed. Practical applications will include barrier analysis using key driver and fishbone diagrams, selection of standardized screening tools, and implementation of instant-order nutrition risk referrals to streamline bedside workflow. Attendees will gain insights into overcoming common challenges in pathway adoption, leveraging EHR tools for reporting, and optimizing interdisciplinary practices. This session is intended for dietitians, dietetic technicians, and healthcare professionals seeking actionable strategies to improve pediatric malnutrition assessment, documentation, and quality outcomes.

Elizabeth Spoede MS, RD, CSP, LD is a pediatric dietitian at Texas Children’s Hospital where she spent the first decade of her career in patient care and the second as a clinical nutrition specialist. As a clinical specialist, she provided staff training, participated in departmental and hospital quality improvement projects, maintained regulatory readiness, and assisted with many clinical projects throughout the hospital system. Her area of patient care focused on cystic fibrosis, lung transplantation, and other pulmonary diseases in both outpatient and inpatient settings. More recently, she joined the pharmacy team as a senior systems analyst providing technical and clinical expertise in nutrition orders for breastmilk, formula, and nutrition support. Libby has also been an author and editor for several editions of the Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nutrition Reference Guide. She was an adjunct faculty at the Art Institute of Houston for 10 years, teaching a nutrition course for the culinary and general education programs. Spoede received undergraduate degrees in biology and nutrition from Texas A&M University and went on to receive a master’s degree in nutrition from Texas Woman’s University.

Register today:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

07/30/2026

Come see Texas Academy member Kristi King at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October!

Pediatric nutrition care often requires complex decision-making in the absence of robust, disease-specific evidence. Clinicians must balance limited literature, extrapolated data, physiological reasoning, and clinical experience to provide safe and effective nutrition interventions. This session will highlight the critical thinking strategies necessary for evidence-informed pediatric nutrition through two real-world case studies. The first case will explore copper deficiency management in pediatric gastrointestinal patients, detailing challenges in supplementation, protocol development, and workflow integration. The second case will focus on nutrition considerations for the smallest infants receiving renal replacement therapy with the new renal replacement therapy machine, illustrating how prior experience with older dialysis modalities informs expectations, adjustments, and interdisciplinary care for novel therapies. Attendees will learn systematic approaches to assess available evidence, weigh risks and benefits, and make patient-centered nutrition decisions when data are limited. The session will provide frameworks for structured problem-solving, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting the delivery of high-quality nutrition care despite uncertainty. Practical insights from both cases will offer strategies applicable across diverse pediatric populations and clinical scenarios.

Kristi King MPH, RDN, CNSC, LD is a senior pediatric dietitian for Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas and Clinical Instructor for Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. She counsels patients and families with a variety of medical conditions, especially those with chronic malabsorption and intestinal conditions. She serves as a co-investigator for multiple nutrition research projects ranging from quality improvement, obesity, and nutrition support. King is a frequent speaker to health professionals and public, in local and national settings and has been recognized as a leading health expert in various media outlets including Health Magazine, Time.com, Parent magazine, NPR, and WebMD. She serves as advisory board member for various community health & medical committees. She is a graduate of Florida State University and obtained her master's degree in public health from the University Of Texas School Of Public Health.

Register today:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

07/29/2026

🎉 The 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo is happening this October in San Antonio, and we can't wait to be a part of it! 🙌 Who else is excited to dive into all things food and nutrition? Let's make some amazing memories together!

More:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

07/28/2026

Come see Texas Academy member Janna Wyatt Weaver at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October!

Midlife brings profound hormonal and metabolic shifts that accelerate muscle loss, increase visceral fat, and reduce insulin sensitivity—yet most practitioners lack updated, evidence-based frameworks to support women through this transition. This advanced interdisciplinary session integrates nutrition science, hormone therapy, and strength-based movement to help RDNs address anabolic resistance, preserve lean mass, and improve body composition in perimenopausal and menopausal women. Through real-world case studies, emerging research, and collaborative care strategies, attendees will gain practical tools to optimize metabolic health and deliver high-impact, personalized interventions for midlife clients.

Janna Weaver, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist with over 20 years of experience in clinical nutrition, metabolic health, and women's wellness. She earned her B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics and completed her dietetic internship at Louisiana Tech University. Janna is the founder of Radiant Nutrition, a multi-dietitian private practice in Argyle, Texas, specializing in obesity and weight management, body composition analysis, and evidence-based nutrition strategies for women in perimenopause and menopause. Janna's work focuses on integrating advanced nutrition science—including protein distribution, metabolic optimization, GLP-1 therapy support, and nutrition strategies for the menopausal transition—with practical, compassionate counseling. She leads her team in using tools such as InBody analysis, lifestyle coaching, and collaborative medical–nutrition care to help clients improve metabolic health and long-term habits. She is completing board certification as a Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM), is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group, and serves on the Board of the Dallas Dietetic Alliance. Known for translating complex physiology into realistic, sustainable strategies, Janna has been featured on Merit Street Media's "The Great Weight Debate" and is often invited to speak on midlife metabolism, women's nutrition, and interdisciplinary care. At FNCE 2026, she will present on Metabolism in Menopause. Janna is passionate about empowering women to regain strength, confidence, and energy in midlife and about elevating the role of RDNs in collaborative healthcare teams.

Register today:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

07/24/2026

Sponsored:

Where does your food actually come from and what does the science really say about it? Join the Texas Academy and Dairy MAX for an evening that bridges the gap between Texas dairy farms and your fridge, bringing registered dietitians and dairy farmers into the same conversation.

Through a moderated panel discussion, you'll hear directly from the farmers who cultivate your favorite dairy foods and the credentialed experts who study it — together dispelling common myths about dairy with evidence-based insight and lived experience.

An affiliate of the National Dairy Council, Dairy MAX represents more than 700 dairy farm families across eight states and is committed to equipping healthcare professionals with evidence-based information to help clients and patients understand dairy's role in both human and planetary health.

Guests are asked to remain for the full event. A plated dinner, dessert and beverages are included. Due to limited seating, this event is open to Texas Academy members only. Membership status will be verified at registration and upon check-in.

Register for this sponsored event today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-a-texas-farm-to-your-fridge-dairy-max-sponsored-fnce-event-tickets-1993063962965

07/23/2026

Come see Texas Academy member Becca Smith at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October!

Moving from recognition to action, this session explores how dietitians can collaborate with food banks and community organizations to implement food as medicine initiatives in practice. Participants will examine the expanding role of food banks as partners in advancing nutrition security and improving health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. The session will highlight the Feeding America National Office’s National Strategy for Food is Medicine, a framework that integrates nutrition access, education, and medical nutrition therapy across the charitable food and healthcare sectors. Attendees will also learn how food banks nationwide are adapting this strategy into sustainable, evidence-informed models such as produce prescription programs, medically tailored food boxes and medically tailored meals. Featuring speakers from the Feeding America National Office and local level food banks, this session will include panel discussions and small group activities. Participants will leave with practical approaches for connecting food-insecure patients to community-based nutrition support and for fostering stronger partnerships between healthcare and food banks to improve patient care and reduce barriers to healthy eating.

Becca Smith, MS, RDN, LD, is the Director of Community Health & Nutrition Education at the San Antonio Food Bank, where she leads the Culinary Health Education for Families (CHEF) program and the organization’s broader community health initiatives. She oversees a team of full-time educators and specialists, drives strategic planning, and advances a public-health–centered vision for nutrition education across schools, healthcare systems, and community partners. Becca oversees the development and implementation of evidence-based curricula for youth and adults, including CHEF for Diabetes Management, Mental Health & Wellness, and Recipe for Life - ensuring alignment with dietary guidelines, cultural relevance, and behavior-change theory. Becca also served as an adjunct instructor at Texas State University, where she taught upper-division courses in Food Production & Management and Nutrition Equity & Policy. Her previous experience spans child nutrition operations, curriculum development, menu planning, food safety, and public health programming across school districts and healthcare settings. Becca holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from Texas State University and has published research on perinatal health and nutrition behavior. She is committed to advancing equitable, accessible nutrition education that supports lifelong health for families and communities.

Register today:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

07/22/2026

Sponsored:

Discover Your Path to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Our recently launched program prepares future RDNs through flexible online coursework and supervised practice experiences across North Texas. Join us to learn about UNT Health’s Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition by attending our upcoming Virtual Clinical Nutrition Preview Day.

Event Details:

Virtual Clinical Nutrition Preview Day

📅 August 5, 2026

🕠 5:30–6:30 PM (Central Time)

💻 Online

👉 Ready to Register: https://calendly.com/rebeca-perfecto/ms-clinical-nutrition-information-session?month=2026-08&date=2026-08-05

This session offers a chance to meet faculty, ask questions, and find out how the MSCN program can help you reach your professional goals.

Explore more at: unthealth.edu/mscn

07/22/2026

Excited for the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio this October! Ready to learn, connect, and be inspired. Who's joining us?

More:
https://sm.eatright.org/FNCE26SMTK

Address

Houston, TX

Website

http://www.eatrighttexas.org/

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