Employee Spotlight: Registered Dietician Lauren Marucci

 Lauren Marucci, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, CSCS

Marucci earned an undergraduate degree in nutritional sciences from Penn State University. She also has a graduate degree in exercise science from Florida State University. She also completed a dietetic internship from FSU through the sports nutrition department there. Marucci interned at EXOS in Phoenix, Arizona and completed a fellowship with the Chicago Bears during the 2016-2017 season.

Marucci says the favorite part of her job is when athletes show interest in nutrition and are successful in meeting their goals. She says the best thing about LSU is all of the great friendships she’s made along the way. Her biggest challenge is motivating athletes to make small changes with their nutrition habits.

She said she is inspired when athletes get excited about any improvements, such as body composition, energy levels, trying new foods, etc. She wants athletes to continuously be working towards their goals.

Marucci says her favorite travel locations are Italy and Europe. “I studied abroad in Rome for three months in undergrad and absolutely loved it,” She says. “I would do it again in a heartbeat!”

A fun fact about Marucci is that she is a huge foodie. “I love trying new restaurants and traveling to new places with different cuisines,” she says. Her favorite memory at LSU so far is a tie between winning the 2018 SEC Championship with the soccer team and going to the Sweet Sixteen with the men’s basketball team.

One of Lauren’s Sweet Go-To’s is Baked Blueberry Oatmeal Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:  35-40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

·         1 ½ bananas, mashed

·         1 ½ cups oats (use gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free!)

·         1 Tbsp baking powder

·         2 scoops vanilla protein*

·         3 Tbsp chia seeds

·         ½ Tbsp salt

·         1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

·         2 cups milk (regular or non-dairy)

·         ½ cup + handful of blueberries

Directions

1.       Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease 9x5” baking dish.

2.       Mash banana with a fork in a large mixing bowl.

3.       Add in remaining ingredients except a handful of blueberries.

4.       Sprinkle blueberries on top and bake for 35-40 or until golden brown on top.

5.       Let cool and enjoy!

Notes

·         Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.

·         Portion out in containers to keep in the fridge for the week.

·         Top with natural peanut or almond butter and a drizzle of maple syrup!

*We recommend using an NSF for Sport certified protein powder.  This ensures what is on the label is actually in the supplement!  Supplements are not regulated by the FDA and thus are the “wild west.”  Using a third party tested supplement will ensure you’re getting what the label says you’re getting!