Programs and Services

The Center for Applied Nutrition offers several classes and services including Cardiac Rehab, Healthy cooking classes, and one ongoing study, called Can Do. We also offer nutritional analysis for those interested in learning about their diet and how to improve it.

Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac Rehab is an optional program open to those who have had a heart attack and are looking to learn heart healthy ways to cook for themselves and their families. Participants learn how to make healthy and tasty dishes, including chocolate tofu pie, salmon burgers, and chili, to name a few. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact Jennifer Fournier at jennifer.fournier@umassmed.edu

Can Do Study

The overall goal of this study is to compare the efficacy of two intervention approaches to dietary change among patients with metabolic syndrome. The first approach is the American Heart Association (AHA) Dietary Guidelines; and the second intervention is a simple dietary change condition that focuses on increasing fiber. Patients in both conditions will receive intensive dietary instruction for 3 months, followed by a 9 month maintenance phase. Both conditions will receive dietary instructions via individual and group sessions led by registered dietitians. We hypothesize that participants randomized to the higher fiber condition will have significantly greater weight loss, improvements in metabolic health, and dietary quality at follow-up, compared to those randomized to the AHA diet condition. (see pic in folder)

Nutritional Analysis

Using the leading U.S. nutrient database, we have the ability to enter 24HR, 48 HR, or 72HR dietary recalls. If you are interested in having your diet analyzed, please e-mail a detailed dietary journal of foods consumed. For more information, please contact barbara.olendzki@umassmed.edu (see corresponding picture in folder)