Nutritional Science Resources | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Science based advice you can trust

A healthy diet helps pave the way to a healthy heart, strong bones and muscles, a sharp mind, and so much more.

Featured Programs

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Food Safety Project

Veggies for Kids

Featured Popular Publication

Assistant Professor Steven Frese runs a hands-on and delicious cheese lab with students in the updated space.

University of Nevada, Reno celebrates remodeled space for promoting nutrition knowledge and healthy living

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All Nutritional Science Programs

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Many Nevadans suffer from heart problems, are obese or have diabetes. In Nevada, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program is administered by University of Nevada, Reno to engage adults and youth to boost nutrition through building basic skills. Participants learn how to read food labels, save money on groceries, plan meals, safely handle food, make healthy food choices, and be more active.

Food Safety Project

Extension has been instrumental in bringing about the "Nevada Food Safety Task Force," which strives to provide a working forum for food safety experts and to improve communication between all entities that are held accountable for food safety and security within our state.Improving Food Safety Education for Child and Adult Care Providers in Nevada.

Veggies for Kids

Veggies for Kids teaches children about healthy eating habits and improves accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Nutritional Science Related News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...


*A Gender-specific approach to improving substance abuse treatment for women: The Healthy Steps to Freedom (HSF) Program* This study tested the efficacy of a supplemental health and body image curriculum designed for women in substance abuse treatment who report weight concerns called Healthy Steps to Freedom (HSF). Lindsay, A., Warren, C., Velasquez S., & Lu, M. 2012, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 43(1), 61-69.
*Alfalfa for Beef Cows* Optimizing a ranch’s feed resources often requires strategic supplementation of standing forage with a processed protein, energy or mineral product. However, protein and energy supplements do not necessarily have to come out of a sack. Foster, S. McCuin, G., Nelson, D., Schultz, B., and Torell, R. 2009, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Blue light added with red LEDs enhance growth characteristics, pigments content and antioxidant capacity in lettuce, spinach, kale, basil and sweet pepper in a controlled environment.* Naznin, M. T., Lefsrud, M., Gravel, V., and Azad, O. K. 2019, Plants. 8, 93
*Dark Interruption with Red or Blue Led Light to Reduce the Incidence of Pathogen Attack and Enhance Product Quality of Organically Grown Strawberries.* Sammar, K., Beatrix, A. and Naznin, MT. 2023, SSRN
*Dynamic energy balance: An integrated framework for discussing diet and physical activity in obesity prevention - Is it more than eating less and exercising more?* This paper highlights the importance of advancing nutrition educators’ understanding about PA, and its synergistic role with diet, and the value of incorporating a dynamic energy balance approach into obesity-prevention programs. Manore, M., Larson-Meyer, E., Lindsay, A., Hongu, N. and Houtkooper, L. 2017, Nutrients 9(8):905. doi:10.3390/nu9080905. Available at: www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
*Effect of Different Combinations of Red and Blue LED Light on Growth Characteristics and Pigments Content of In Vitro Tomato Plantlets.* Naznin, M. T., Lefsrud, M., Azad, O. K. and Park, C. H. 2019, Agriculture. 9(9), 196
*Effects of the incorporation of tannin extract from Quebracho Colorado wood on color Parameters, lipid oxidation, and sensory attributes of beef patties* Condensed tannins from Quebracho Colorado wood are incorporated into beef patties as a natural antioxidant source to improve shelf life. Fruet, A.P.B., Giotto, F.M., Fonseca, M.F., Nörnberg, J.L., and de Mello, A.S. 2020, Foods 2020, 9(5), 667
*Field assessment for obesity prevention in children and parents: Physical activity, fitness and body composition.* This report will assist educators in identifying and selecting appropriate field-based assessments for measurement of PA, physical fitness, and body composition for children and adults. Specific guidelines, references, and resources are given for selecting assessment methods and test within these 3 areas. Lindsay, A., Hongu, K., Spears, K., Dyrek, A. & Manore, M. 2014, Journal of Nutrition Education Behavior 46 (1):43-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2013.03.013
*Food Safety Tips for Nevada Child Caregivers* This publication will help you to learn more about what caregivers should look for during the preparation of food to prevent foodborne illness. Omaye, S. and Wilson, M. 2007, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-28
*For the Health Professional: Birthing Practices Affect Breastfeeding Outcomes* This fact sheet briefly describes the impact of selected common routines practiced during labor and following birth that may influence breastfeeding outcomes. Sigman-Grant, M. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-19
*For the Health Professional: Infant Formula IS NOT the Same as Breast Milk* This fact sheet presents a comprehensive (but not complete) list of human milk components to help show the great differences between infant formula and human milk components. Sigman-Grant, M. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-17
*Influencing Head Start families thoughts and beliefs about health, nutrition, and physical activity.* The results of an intervention comparison research study indicated that preschoolers can have an influence on their families’ food selection and physical activity habits. Byington, T. A., Lindsay, A. R., Loesch-Griffin, D., Brumett, S., & Sigman-Grant, M. 2013, National Head Start Association, NHSA Dialog, 16(3), 160-164
*Living With Celiac Disease* This fact sheet contains detail on celiac disease and the diet one must main as a result. Learn several other topics such as dermatitis herpetiformis, gluten-free menu and many more. Seymour, K. and Wilson, M. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-15
*Managing High Blood Pressure* This fact sheet contains several ways to reduce one's blood pressure for a healthier life. Wilson, M. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-49
*Minding Your Minerals* This fact sheet contains answers to common questions that revolve around minerals such as calcium, iron, and fluoride. Wilson, W., Scott, B. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-52
*Nevada researcher studying gut microbiomes in hopes of improving health* Aim is to uncover how Nevadans’ lives affect the microbes in their digestive tract and their health Andrews, A. 2021, Nevada Today
*Nevada’s health and nutrition needs – Preferred methods of health information delivery.* Seymour, K., Spears, K., Lindsay, A., Collins, C., Leontos, C., Sigman-Grant, M., Wilson, M. & Woodson, J. 2009, UNCE Special Publication SP-09-18
*Nutritional and Sensory Analysis of Raspberry Varieties Grown in Northern Nevada* The purpose of this study was to measure vitamin C, vitamin E, total polyphenolics (antioxidants) and sugars (glucose and fructose) in several raspberry varieties during two growing seasons and during different months of harvest. We hypothesized these nutrients would vary across types, as well as harvest month. Jacobs, J., Kratsch, H., Omaye, S., and Treftz C. 2016, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Special Publication 16-14
*Nutritional Properties of Windrowed and Standing Basin Wildrye over Time* Many Nevada farmers and ranchers are in constant search of economical, high- producing winter forages for their beef cattle production system. An often overlooked forage but one that is common in Nevada and the Intermountain West is basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus). Foster, S. and Perryman, B. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Pick of the Crop Oranges* This fact sheet contains extensive information on oranges facts and dishes anyone can try. Wilson, M. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-24
*Preschoolers can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods: The All 4 Kids Study* This study determined changes in preschoolers' ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods and stated food preferences after participation in a nutrition education program. Sigman-Grant, M., Byington, T., Lindsay, A., Lu, M., Mobley, A., Fitzgerald, N. & Hildebrand, D. 2013, Journal of nutrition education and behavior, 03/2014, Volume 46, Issue 2
*Synthesized f-MWCNTs/CS/PB for determination of manganese (Mn2+) in drinking water* Ringgit, G., Siddiquee, S., Saallah, S., Lal, MTM. and Naznin, MT. 2023, Monatsh Chem 154, 191–203
*The Amazing Nutritious Papaya* This fact sheet contains extensive information on papaya facts and dishes anyone can try. Wilson, M. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-25
*The Unbelievable Kiwi* This fact sheet contains extensive information on kiwi facts and dishes anyone can try. Wilson, M. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-23
*University of Nevada, Reno celebrates remodeled space for promoting nutrition knowledge and healthy living* Andrews, A. 2022, Nevada Today
*University scientists conduct, shed light on microbiome research to help impoverished children grow* Millions of children worldwide experience diarrheal infections that cause malnourishment and stunted physical and mental growth. A recently published study shows that a specific probiotic strain, a live bacterium that lives in the body, helps severely malnourished Bangladeshi infants grow. Andrews, A. 2022, Nevada Today
*Valuing Vitamins* This fact sheet contains answers to questions that revolve around vitamins such as the foods to prepare, vitamins to take, etc. Wilson, W. and Scott, B. 2004, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-55