Michael Kirtsos has joined the University of Maryland Eastern Shore athletics staff as the university’s sports dietitian. He handles team and individual athlete nutrition education and counseling, grocery store and dining hall tours and aids in planning menus for the training table and for pre- and post-competition meals.
Kirtsos is also a lecturer of nutrition and dietetics and the dietetic internship director at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Prior to that he was the Sports Dietitian for the Gatorade Sports Science Institute where he conducted individualized one-on-one and group nutrition education and counseling sessions with NBA G League players regarding proper pre, during and post game meals and snacks as well as proper hydration, adequate sleep, proper travel nutrition, grocery store tours and assisted with developing nutrition education materials.
Kirtsos is also the primary author of, “Feed Your Athlete”, a book published in 2015 that applies evidence-based sports nutrition guidelines for strength and endurance athletes with 150 natural and easy-to-make recipes for on-the-go athletes. Prior to that he worked as a clinical dietitian and director of food and nutrition for 12 years in Salisbury, Maryland.
Prior to his work as a clinical dietitian, Kirtsos completed his dietetic internship at University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2006.
Kirtsos obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Dietetics from University of Maryland Eastern Shore in May 2005 and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communications from Salisbury University in December 1997. He completed his Master’s Degree in Applied Health Physiology at Salisbury University in May 2010.
He is a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and licensed in the state of Maryland.
Kirtsos is also board certified as a specialist in sports dietetics and has a certificate of training in adult weight management. He is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietetic Association, the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition practice group and the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors practice group.
