Ryan Andrews

Ryan Andrews is a principal nutritionist and adviser for Precision Nutrition and an adjunct instructor at Purchase College, State University of New York. He holds master’s degrees in both Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Kent State University and a BS in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado.

Andrews is also a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), a certified exercise physiologist (ACSM), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).

He frequently writes and speaks about nutrition, health, and sustainable food systems and has accumulated over 1000 hours volunteering at organic farms and with non-profit food recovery organizations.

Articles by Ryan Andrews, MS, MA, RD, RYT, CSCS

My Ugandan summer vacation

Ryan Andrews goes to Uganda and discovers that some things are true even thousands of miles away: eating real food moderately, having social support, and staying active keep people lean.

All About Gluten

Vague digestive complaints? Headaches and skin rashes? You may want to avoid that sandwich or plate of pasta. Why and how your daily bread may be making you ill.

All About Kombucha

Hey guys, you know what I could totally go for right now? A cloudy liquid with an unattractive, brown and squishy mushroom floating in it. Mmmmm. Let me introduce you to kombucha. Proponents of this fermented tea drink claim it does everything but wax your floor. But the clinical evidence suggests otherwise.

All About Energy Balance

“Energy balance” is the relationship between “energy in” (food calories taken into the body through food and drink) and “energy out” (calories being used in the body for our daily energy requirements). This relationship, which is defined by the laws of thermodynamics, dictates whether weight is lost, gained, or remains the same. Control your energy balance, and you control your body composition.

Examining meal plans:

What if I told you that 1/2 cup oats, 4 egg whites, 5 ounces of chicken, and 1/2 cup broccoli was a recipe for getting fat? For most people, restrictive meal plans are the last stop on the expressway to overeating.

All about disordered eating:

Humans have starved themselves, over-eaten, and purged for thousands of years. Yet it was not until the 20th century that extreme slenderness became a widespread cultural ideal. Now we know that disordered eating in the 21st century is a complex phenomenon with many causes and consequences.

What are your 4 pounds made of?

People generally eat between 3 and 5 pounds of food each day. If we prioritize natural, whole foods, the 4 pounds we choose will fill us up while boosting health and lowering body fat. If we choose "junk food"...

All About Cholesterol:

It's often made out to be the bad guy in today's medical world. But cholesterol is an important molecule in the body. With the right diet and exercise program, you can put the power of cholesterol to work for you. No appointments to see your doc required.

All About Genetically Modified Foods

If you're like 60% of Americans, you probably don't think you've ever eaten a genetically modified (GM) food. Think again. GM foods are everywhere in our food supply. Here's what they are, and why you should care.

Where are they now? Lonnie Ducote

"Once you take it to the limit one time, you know what to do the next time and you just do it. No excuses." So says Lonnie D, winner of the 2007 Male Under 40 PN Challenge. Find out how he's doing now, and his tricks for staying lean even when he doesn't have a PN coach on his case.

All About Recovery

You've probably heard of overtraining. In fact, it makes more sense to think about this phenomenon as "under-recovering". Why you should make recovery protocols part of your overall training plan.

“Good” vs “Too Good”

You've heard the phrase "too good to be true". In this case, it's more like "too good to be real food". What are "too good" foods and why should we avoid them? The PN experimental team, aided by very small lab assistants, investigates.

Here’s why you’re always hungry.

If you often grumble about not being full or always being hungry, you may have beachfront property in the world of negative dietary displacement. Are you relying on fake foods to meet your nutrient and satiety needs?

All about lectins:

Bean sprouts aren't just for hippies. There's method in that madness -- reducing the harmful effects of lectins, substances found in many foods. If you're experiencing GI distress, lectins may be the culprit. Read more about these ubiquitous substances, and how to control their effects.

Expert Tip: Family dinners

Social support is essential to success. Family plays an important role in our social support networks. Are your family dinners helping or hindering your goals?

All About Measuring Compliance

If you have a set of directions for constructing a desk and you only follow 50% of the instructions, what happens? Well, the same is true when you have a set of directions for getting lean and healthy, and you only follow half of them. To succeed in any endeavour — whether furniture or body recomposition — you must be able to measure your progress and the outcome of your efforts.

Expert Tip: Tempt yourself

Why does temptation always have to be bad? Here's how to make temptation work FOR, rather than against, your fitness goals.

All About Breakfast

"Part of a nutritious breakfast." This line has been used to excuse all manner of horrors: purple sugar Os, granola bars, toaster pastries... Find out what the so-called "most important meal of the day" should really include. Hint: No Captains, Counts or Tigers.

All About Cancer and Nutrition

Cancer is a major cause of premature death. Yet cancer is treatable. Cancer is preventable. Good nutrition and avoidance of overweight are two of the most important strategies for keeping this killer from striking.

All About Glutamine

Should you supplement glutamine? Well, double check: are you lying in a hospital bed? Are you sitting at your Polish grandmother's dinner table? In those cases, the answer may be yes. If not, you may want to save your money.

Secret to nutrition success?

Have you ever wondered why you aren't succeeding despite "knowing" what to do? Maybe you've read every nutrition textbook in the library and aren't lean yet. The problem might not be how much you know... it might be what's around you.

All About Eating On the Go

Feel like you "don't have time" to eat well? What you probably don't have are good strategies. Whether you're hitting the road for vacation or business, busy at work, or just feel like you "don't have time" to eat well, try our handy tips.

All About Vitamin D

Vitamin D, aka the "sunshine vitamin", is crucially important for the body. And yet most of us are probably deficient. Grab the convertible or get on your bike and head to the beach!

Good nutrition starts in school

Kids these days, with their rock music and Frosted Flakes! Mr. Andrews learns 'em good.