During nutritionist Dr. Kristine Clark's day, she barely has enough room for a well-balanced breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Since 1991, Clark has been the director of sports nutrition for the Penn State athletics department and counsels more than 800 varsity student-athletes and many club sports athletes.

Clark said she works with team physicians and prevents coaches and trainers from making critical nutritional mistakes by telling their athletes what to eat and what not to eat. She also helps the campus dining halls create better menus and select healthier foods.

"I like counseling athletes and helping them learn why good nutrition is important to their performances, but also to their health," Clark said. "My No. 1 goal is to encourage every athlete to be interested in nutrition and to realize that they have an incredible amount of control over what they eat and when they eat it."

Along with counseling, Clark is a professor and an academic advisor to all student-athletes that are majoring in nutrition. She teaches a three-credit sports nutrition class and also is a guest lecturer in many classes on campus.

Clark said she became interested in nutrition 35 years ago due to some of her experiences while living in Africa. After she earned her undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics, she became a registered dietitian. While working her first job as a WIC director, she attended night school and earned a master's degree in health education.

She then got hired at the University of Wisconsin to be the director of nutrition in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Clark said she became specifically interested in sports nutrition while working this job. After working five years at the University of Wisconsin, she decided to go back to school to get a Ph.D. in nutritional sciences at Penn State. After receiving her Ph.D., she was hired at Penn State.

Rachel Ahrenhold from the swim team says that she utilizes Dr. Clark's resources to the fullest.

"She has taught me the importance of understanding the concept of using food for refueling and recovery," Ahrenhold said. "Dr. Clark is always smiling and willing to give you the best advice. You really know that she has your best interests as an athlete and as a person."

Like Ahrenhold, Nate Whitaker from the lacrosse team said Dr. Clark helps him stay in shape.

"She helped me understand the nutritional aspect of my diet and the timing of eating in respect to my workouts. That has helped me with my body composition," Whitaker said.

Although Dr. Clark has a full plate in front of her, she has enough time to deliver a positive nutritional message to all student-athletes.

"The one message to athletes at Penn State I give is to be more proactive with your diet," Clark said. "When an athlete is over body fat, you can't ask them to exercise more. What athletes need to realize is it's their food choices that need to be changed."