Monique Ryan, MS, RDN, LDN, CSSD, CLT

For over thirty years Monique Ryan guides her clients in translating and applying the science of evidence based nutrition principles.

She creates personalized food and supplement plans designed to improve well-being, health, and performance.

Health and performance is positively impacted through her magazine articles and books, presentations, and corporate wellness programs.

Areas of Specialization

Monique Ryan founded Personal Nutrition Designs, LLC in 1992. Monique provides nutrition education and counseling to clients motivated to improve their well-being, health, and athletic performance. Her areas of expertise are highly specialized, yet diverse.

Specialties range from food sensitivities to risk factor management to gastrointestinal disorders to women’s health to sports nutrition. Monique continually studies the science of nutrition and how foods impact health and performance. She translates those research based principles into workable nutrition plans for individuals and groups.

As a leading sports dietitian she is at the forefront of cutting edge sports nutrition practices for over three decades.

Sports Nutritionist

While Monique regularly works with athletes competing at all levels and in any sport, her extensive sports nutrition experience includes top-level athletes.

Leading to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, she was a member of the Performance Enhancement Team for USA Triathlon, USA Cycling (Women’s Road Team), and Synchro Swimming USA.  Additionally she worked with Team Type 1- a men’s professional cycling team, the Timex Multisport Team, the Chicago Fire Soccer Team First Team and Academy, the Saturn Cycling Team, and the Volvo-Cannondale Mountain Bike Team.

Many current clients include beginner to elite runners, triathletes, cyclists, and swimmers, as well as team sports athletes competing at the high school, collegiate, and age-grouper level. She served on the Medical Advisory Board of the Chicago Area Runner’s Association.

Writer, Presenter, Media

Monique is a prolific writer and presenter. She is the author of Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes, 3^rd edition (VeloPress). The 4th edition of Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes (Agate Publishing) is due for publication January 7th, 2025.

Her articles have appeared in print and online, for a number of publications. Publications include VeloNews, Inside Triathlon, Outside, Oxygen, Men’s Journal, Her Sports, Women’s Sports and Fitness, eatright.org, and kideatright.org. Monique is frequently quoted in print and has appeared on CLTV, Fox TV, and the WGN, ABC, and CBS news.

Monique presents to groups and clubs regularly and has presented across the U.S. at national and state meetings, and in Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Thailand.

Registration and Certifications

Monique is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and a licensed dietitian/nutritionist (LDN) in Illinois, She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master of Science Degree in Nutrition. Her clinical dietetics and nutrition training was completed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital/McGaw Medical System.

Credentials include: Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD); Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT); Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. Monique is also credentialed as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) though the American College of Sports Medicine.

Monique is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).  She is a member of Sports Human Performance Nutrition, Dietitians in Functional Medicine and Nutrition Entrepreneurs, AND practice groups.

Endurance Sport Participation

Monique competed in the sports of mountain biking, road racing, and triathlon. Currently she is training for her ninth Ironman 70.3, and she is a eight time Ironman 70.3 finisher.