Meet Sports Nutritionist Tina Fallon
By JILLIAN CHENG, ELLINA KIM, and MEGHAN TATE ZEE
It’s Thursday department meeting, and students are flocking to the south side in clusters. The mob of hungry students hastily wave to the cars as they cross the street, speed-walking to the Elm Tent.
In the tent, students clamber for tongs and grab pre-toasted bagels to spread the precious avocado spread on. Behind the table stands a proud, smiling lady. This woman is Tina Fallon, Exeter’s one and only nutritionist.
In her college days, after deciding not to major in her intended major of art, Fallon wasn’t sure what she wanted to major in until her mom “sparked my memory [that I had] a passion for nutrition.”
Fallon said, “I didn’t even think of it as a potential career, and as soon as [my mom] said that, I stuck with it and never looked back.”
Growing up, she participated in sports and found sport and health magazines intriguing. She also became familiar with different diets and dietary needs at an early age because her brother had food allergies to dairy and gluten. Fallon decided to become a registered dietitian, a title she achieved by receiving a degree in nutrition, completing an internship program accredited through the CDR, and then passing the exam.
Fallon worked at D1 collegiate programs with athletes and students. Now, at Exeter, she collaborates with the athletic center, the dining hall, and the health center. “The main thing that I do on campus is meet with students individually for one-on-one nutrition counseling,” Fallon said.
Students see her for a variety of different reasons. Fallon explained, “Maybe food here is different from home so they’re having a hard time navigating the dining hall or finding foods that meet their taste preferences.” Students with medical conditions such as anemia, disordered eating or eating disorders, GI issues, or any allergies also see Fallon to find a diet that works for them.
Additionally, her role in the athletic center helps many athletes achieve their health and sports goals. “Students will see me to maximize their food intake to support performance,” Fallon said. Whether athletes seek her for healthy pre and post workout snack ideas fueling strategies or diets to promote muscle growth, she makes sure that their nutrition is well rounded to support optimal performance and conducive to recovery.
Fallon additionally commented that she is “not the food police. I am not here to judge you or criticize your food choices. I am human and eat the same foods you do.”
Fallon wants students and athletes to build a healthy and happy relationship with food, attained by setting achievable goals and coming up with food strategies. “We want meals and snacks to be nutritious but also enjoyable!”
Coach Don Mills added, “Consistent healthy eating habits are very important for athletic development. Another important aspect is proper fueling during and post training and competition.”
Coach Nicole Sampson, who is the head of the Strength and Conditioning program at Exeter, agreed. “Nutrition plays a crucial role in an athlete’s ability to perform by affecting energy levels, recovery, muscle function, and overall performance,” she said.
“We are constantly in communication about how the nutrition stations are going in Downer, how the athletes are responding to them, and what we could be doing better,” Sampson continued. “We’re constantly trying to improve and give the student-athletes additional tools to add to their performance toolbox.”
For students, Fallon’s snack tent is a highlight of their day. Lower Alex Lim said, “The nutrition events always brighten my day with delicious and healthy food.”
Lower Kalina Marinov stated, “It was a nice break during the day to get something to eat, especially since I normally don’t get breakfast. My favorite was when they had healthy pancakes. It was really good and they had so many toppings. I went with my friends, and it was super fun. I hope they bring it back!”
“I think that you not only get yummy food, but also it’s a good way to tell students there’s a resource that they might need without having to expose their private information,” lower Julia Zhou added.
Zhou later mentioned her experience with Fallon. “You can tell that she cares for us students because she is genuine and really nice. She has a really warm energy and it’s not scary when you’re talking about your diet or what you’re eating, which is something that’s really sensitive.”
If you’ve ever had an appointment with Fallon, or if you’ve ever been to one of the events she organized at the Elm Tent, then you know how caring and helpful Fallon is. Not only does she help students individually learn about healthy diets and food, but she brings the Exeter community together through yummy events. Next time you pass her on the path, don’t be afraid to say hello and learn some fun facts about nutrition!
