KHF Consults with Nutritionist Chris Mohr

By Kim Brohm

In theory, the secret to good health is really not that difficult: Eat right, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest and exercise. But still, we all could use a little help when it comes to knowing exactly what it means to eat right.

With all the different trends and diet gurus bombarding us with what it means to eat right, determining which is correct can be confusing. One day it may be low calorie the next day low-carb, high protein then low fat, or the portions change from several small meals to a few large meals. So which one is better?

It's these questions that Chris Mohr tries to answer for his clients by teaching about good nutrition and avoiding yo-yo dieting. Mohr is a nutrition consultant and recently started his own consulting company in Louisville called Mohr Results, Inc. He is also a new KHF columnist and member of the Magazine's editorial advisory board.

A registered dietitian, Mohr has studied fitness and nutrition throughout his collegiate career, earning a bachelor's degree in nutrition at Pennsylvania State University and graduating with a master's of science degree in nutrition from the University of Massachusetts. In August 2005, he received a PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh.

While studying, Mohr has worked on various consulting projects across the country. He has written articles about general nutrition for national publications such as Men's Fitness and Men's Health and Fitness . Since earning his PhD he has consulted with people on several writing projects. One is a book that focuses on sports nutrition for unique populations, such as those with diabetes and women who are pregnant or going through menopause. For another book, called “The Platinum Body,” Mohr consulted with rapper LL Cool J and his trainer.

Born in New Jersey, Mohr claims he developed an interest in sports nutrition when he was a young kid playing football. The rules required each grade to have a specific weight limit. In order to meet the weight requirements, Mohr would always play with kids a grade ahead of him. When entering the eighth grade he was once again over the weight limit with nowhere to turn. He would either need to lose 20 pounds or not play at all.

“I told my mom I wanted to play and she helped me loose the weight by eating right and not starving myself,” said Mohr. “I was kid that could afford to loose a few pounds. I went from 155 to 135 pounds and was able to play with my normal class.”

Mohr stuck to those nutrition tips his mom gave him throughout high school, playing football and swimming. While receiving his master's at the University of Massachusetts, he was the nutrition consultant for all the university's sports teams. After earning his PhD, the 29-year-old decided to start his own nutrition consulting company, Mohr Results, Inc.

“I've always wanted to work for myself and build my own company,” said Mohr. “I knew I didn't want to focus on academics full time. I like change and talking to people in group settings.”

Since moving to Louisville with his fiancée, Kara Gallagher, a professor of exercise physiology at the University of Louisville and his business partner, Mohr has continued working with corporations across the country. Mohr does consulting work with the Discovery Health Channel writing scripts for their medical shows. He works with Clif Bar, makers of Luna and other nutrition bars, by evaluating the company's product lines and making suggestions. He is also consulting with the makers of Windsor Pilates by creating the meal plans for the new Windsor Nutrition website.

On the local scene, Mohr has even worked with a company called Brandenburg Nutrition to create supplements with nutritious ingredients. He is also a regular on WHAS radio every Thursday morning during the Tony Cruise show and occasionally makes an appearance on WHAS TV news at noon as a nutritional guest expert.

Mohr has also worked with small groups and individuals. Five years ago he worked with a 55-year-old woman in Pittsburgh. She has since lost 60 pounds.

“Athletes are fun to work with but they are also pretty fit. It's everyday people like that when you can really measure the results,” said Mohr.

His newest project is the start of a 12-week weight loss program offered through his company. The group currently has 13 people and ranges from men and women of all ages. The group meets once a week to listen to Mohr and his fiancée educate them on proper nutrition and exercise. Although this is his first weight loss program in Louisville, Mohr hopes to work with at least 100 people.

“My goal is take 1,000 pounds off of Louisville,” said Mohr. “We try to teach general health information and how to make a lifestyle change. We don't inflict a diet but focus on how to live a healthy lifestyle.”

One tip Mohr gives is on how to grocery shop and read labels. When grocery shopping he suggests doing 90 to 95 percent of the shopping around the store's perimeter. Most grocery stores have a layout around the perimeter that includes vegetable and fruits, meats, and dairy products. It's all about making changes in people's behavior.

“The biggest mistake people make is following every single fad that comes out,” said Mohr. “People tend to go to extremes when they should focus on moderation. Some foods are better than others but balance is the best, a quality diet that focuses on what to include instead of what to exclude. Sometimes people just make it too difficult.”

When not working, Mohr enjoys weight training and doing any type of outdoor activity. He likes to fish, hike, and recently took up cycling.

KHF readers can look for upcoming articles by Mohr with topics on general nutrition, fad diets, and obesity. His company Mohr Results, Inc can be found at www.mohrresults.com.

Kim Brohm is a graduate of Spalding University with a Bachelor's Degree in English where she was a three-sport athlete. Kim has a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Louisville. She can be reached via e-mail at kimbrohm@hotmail.com.