Natalie B. Allen

Biography

Registered dietitian Natalie Allen shares responsibilities between the School of Health Sciences and the athletic department at Missouri State University. She instructs senior-level classes in the dietetics program and is the team dietitian for all Missouri State athletes. 

She has a background in sports nutrition—having worked with athletes of all abilities, from high school football teams to professionals—and experience in clinical and community dietetics. Allen worked as a curriculum writer and educator for St. Louis schools, became the face and voice of dietetics in the media and was a clinical dietitian at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the teaching hospital affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine. She wrote the curriculum for “Fun”tastic Nutrition and SNEAKERS published throughout elementary, middle and high schools in Missouri to teach nutrition to children.

Allen has held speaking engagements at numerous national conferences; she enjoys public speaking and making nutrition practical and applicable. A Springfield native and proud alumna of the university, Allen attends Bears games, run 5Ks with her family and experiments in the kitchen.

Details

Education

• MS in Education, 1998, University of Missouri
• Dietetic Internship, 1996, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine
• BS in Dietetics, 1995, Missouri State University

Teaching

• DTN 333 Nutrition Throughout the Life Span
• DTN 334 Introduction to Nutrition Assessment and Sports Nutrition
• DTN 430 Sports Nutrition
• DTN 536 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
• DTN 546 Medical Nutrition Therapy II

Research and professional interests

• Sports nutrition: Female Athlete Triad
• Collaborate on research evaluating interprofessional education teaching opportunities. 
  
   

Awards and honors

Additional resources

• Mind's Eye Research - Training the next Olympians

Area of expertise

Media appearances

What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Lemon Water With Pink Salt?
Verywell Health
08/20/2025
RD Natalie Allen explains why the viral “pink salt trick” is more hype than health.

Will Drinking Salt Water Hydrate You More Effectively Than Regular Water?
Nike
03/14/2022
RD Natalie Allen explains about hydrating with salt water.

4 health benefits of popcorn and how to prepare it in the healthiest way
INSIDER
01/14/2022
RD Natalie Allen offers some insights.

Mangoes 101: Nutrition, Benefits, Types, and More
Everyday Health
07/22/2021
RD Natalie Allen discusses about mangoes.

What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Apple Juice
Eat This, Not That!
01/27/2021
RD Natalie Allen highlights a few effects.

Soy, oat, almond, coconut or another? How to find the healthiest milk for your needs.
The Washington Post
12/03/2019
RD Natalie Allen weighs in on different milk types.

Videos