Nutrition Services
The UNF Wellness Dietitians offer a holistic approach to nutrition education and individualized nutrition counseling using non-diet and weight-neutral frameworks.
Who We Are
Maddie Perron, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT
Maddie Perron is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer, dedicated to optimizing the health of others through a wellness focused approach. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Dietetics from Florida State University and a master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Florida. In the dietetic internship at the University of North Florida, she completed 1,200 hours of supervised practice. During Maddie’s undergraduate and graduate studies, she gained experience with sports teams at the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of North Florida, and The Jacksonville Jaguars.
Maddie has a strong passion for optimizing performance, whether it’s for everyday individuals engaging in exercise, or athletes competing on sports teams. She also prioritizes preventative health by equipping individuals with the tools and skills necessary to develop sustainable lifestyle habits for improved long-term well-being.
Outside of nutrition counseling, Maddie enjoys lifting weights, going for walks and bike rides with her dog, spending time in nature, and practicing gratitude and mindfulness!
Anita Diaz, RDN, LDN
Anita Diaz is a passionate Registered Dietitian Nutritionist dedicated to promoting health and wellness through personalized nutritional guidance. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics right here at the University of North Florida! After graduating, she completed a rigorous 1,000-hour dietetic internship through Be Well Solutions with a focus on wellness and disease prevention.
Anita specializes in preventative nutrition, helping individuals adopt healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. She promotes sustainable behavior changes with an all-foods-fit approach. Additionally, Anita has a background working with individuals struggling with eating disorders in the intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization levels of care. She understands the delicate balance between physical health and emotional well-being and provides compassionate support and evidence-based strategies to promote healing and recovery.
Outside of nutrition counseling sessions, Anita enjoys exploring new coffee shops, reading good books, and spending time in the Florida sunshine!
Our Approach
We believe all foods can fit in a healthy diet and promote sustainable nutrition practices.
We practice a weight-neutral approach, known as Health at Every Size (HAES)®. HAES is a health promotion framework that is rooted in social justice. It supports health policies that improve access to information and health services, advocates for size-acceptance, strives to end weight discrimination, and redefine the cultural perception of an "ideal" body.
For more information, please visit the Association for Size and Diversity Health Website.
What We Offer
Our services include nutrition counseling, cooking demonstrations, and presentations on a variety of nutrition topics.
Nutrition Counseling
We are qualified to serve all nutrition needs. Here are common concerns we address:
- Healthy meal planning
- Healthy weight loss
- Healthy weight gain
- Sports/performance nutrition
- Stress eating (over or under)
- Disordered eating
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Gastrointestinal disorders (IBS, Crohn’s, etc.)
- PCOS
Virtual and in-person appointments are available.
Schedule a Nutrition Appointment
Healthy Cooking Demos
The Healthy Osprey Teaching (H.O.T.) Kitchen is utilized to provide interactive cooking demonstrations and nutrition education. The UNF Wellness Dietitians engage students in the cooking process by including hands-on activities to promote life-long kitchen skills and confidence. We feature a variety of recipes that are affordable, nutritionally balanced, and adaptable for campus living.
Presentations
The UNF Wellness Dietitians are available to guest lecture for your UNF-affiliated class, club, or organization.
Example topics:
- Building Balanced Meals and Snacks
- Eating Healthy on the Go
- Navigating Nutrition During the Holidays
Request a Nutrition Presentation
Upcoming Nutrition Events
View and register for upcoming nutrition events!
Contact Information
Email: nutritionservices@unf.edu
Phone: (904) 620-5223