Biography
She achieved her Human Nutrition & Post-graduate Degree in Dietetics at The University of Otago and then went on to achieve first class honors at Massey University for her Master’s Degree thesis in Nutritional Science and Hydration. This led to Nikki working with many high performance athletes and she continues to care for athletes at overseas universities on sports scholarships as well as many recreational and elite athletes here in NZ.
Her special interest in hydration has also allowed her to collaborate with the beverage industry where she has advised and provided information on non-nutritive sweeteners, electrolytes and carbohydrate formulation. Nikki also worked as the nutrition advisor on a beverage designed to help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in people undertaking long distance air-travel. It was her professional associations with the experts in the Food Science and Exercise Physiology departments of the University of Otago that allowed the product to be scientifically tested and validated.
An interest in Functional Gut Disorders and the relevance of certain short chain carbohydrates lead to Nikki completing the introductory and advanced FODMAP diet courses at Monash University 2010. This specialty has lead to a huge increase in GPs and Gastroenterologists referring to Nikki for assessment and for her advising the food industry on product formulation to optimize digestive health.
In conjunction with the Food and Grocery Council of New Zealand Nikki also created and delivered nutrition videos based on the Ministry of Health’s Food and Nutrition Guidelines. With the rise in social media anyone can claim to be an expert, so the information provided was to create greater food literacy and to dispel nutritional confusion and myths.
She created the nutrition content for Sir John Kirwan’s Groov Mental Health App during Covid-19 Pandemic so that all New Zealanders could access safe and practical nutrition information to help keep them and their whanau healthy.
Nikki is also a member of UNA NZ and is helping advise businesses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically Goal 2 – Zero Hunger and Goal 12 Responsible Production and Consumption.
Nikki uses critical thinking and understanding of nutrition and food trends to not only help individuals achieve optimal health outcomes but also to the food industry to help design and create products that are valid and robust and most recently she has been appointed to Fonterra’s Global Expert Nutrition Panel 2023.
Nikki gives individualised, science based, common sense advice. I would 100% recommend her. I was struggling with some menopausal changes (especially round my middle), I got to eat more! And it worked. She taught me all sorts of tips and tricks. Always positive and upbeat, an appointment I look forward to. Thanks Nik, you’re 5 star in my book
We love Nikki (my whole family goes to her) She knows her stuff and provides great and healthier alternatives to a well balanced lifestyle
Without Nikki Hart I would never been able to get to the finish line of 18 Ironman’s, including the World Champs in Kona and over 40 marathons, plus all the races in between. I have NEVER had a gastro problem and have always followed her pal the week before, the night before and during the race. She is the secret sauce to racing and being able to finish what you set out to achieve.