Sudha Raj

Education

• Ph.D., Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
• M.S., Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, . Major: Nutrition Science
• M.Sc., Bombay University, Bombay, . Major: Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics
• B.Sc., Madras University, Madras, . Major: Nutrition and Dietetics

Specialization

• Vegetarianism, cultural food practices, consequences of global nutrition transition

Teaching

Notable Courses

Food as medicine (now Integrated Food and nutrition therapy)
Vegetarian nutrition
Introduction to Integrative and Functional nutrition
Food, culture and the Environment
Introduction of an Interprofessional Education course for graduate students in Dietetics track.
South Asia- Food, Family, Culture and Healthcare systems.
Leadership and Management,

Currently Teaching

• NSD 555 - Food, Culture and Environment
• WGS 555 - Food, Culture and Environment
• NSD 490 - Independent Study
• NSD 637 - Integrative and Functional Nutrition
• NSD 225 - Nutrition in Health

Published Scholarship

Publications

• Raj, S., Guest, N.S., Landry, M.J., Mangels, A.R., Pawlak, R. and Rozga, M., 2025. Vegetarian Dietary Patterns for Adults: A Position Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, [online] 125(6), pp.831-846.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2025.02.002.
• Landry, M.J., Senkus, K.E., Mangels, A.R., Guest, N.S., Pawlak, R., Raj, S., Handu, D. and Rozga, M., 2024. Vegetarian dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk factors and disease prevention: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, [online] 20, p.100868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpc.2024.100868.
• Guest, N.S., Raj, S., Landry, M.J., Mangels, A.R., Pawlak, R., Senkus, K.E., Handu, D. and Rozga, M., 2024. Vegetarian and Vegan Dietary Patterns to Treat Adult Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Advances in Nutrition, [online] 15(10), p.100294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100294.
• Bellows, A.C., Raj, S., Pitstick, E., Potteiger, M.R. and Diemont, S.A.W., 2023. Foraging Wild Edibles: Dietary Diversity in Expanded Food Systems. Nutrients, [online] 15(21), p.4630. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214630.
• Noland, D. and Raj, S., 2019. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 2019 Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Nutrition in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, [online] 119(6), pp.1019-1036.e47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2019.02.010.
• Misra, R., Balagopal, P., Raj, S. and Patel, T.G., 2018. Red Meat Consumption (Heme Iron Intake) and Risk for Diabetes and Comorbidities? Current Diabetes Reports, [online] 18(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-018-1071-8.
• Misra, R., Balagopal, P., Raj, S. and Patel, T.G., 2018. Vegetarian Diet and Cardiometabolic Risk among Asian Indians in the United States. Journal of Diabetes Research, [online] 2018, pp.1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1675369.
• Patel, R.M., Misra, R., Raj, S. and Balasubramanyam, A., 2017. Effectiveness of a Group-Based Culturally Tailored Lifestyle Intervention Program on Changes in Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes among Asian Indians in the United States. Journal of Diabetes Research, [online] 2017, pp.1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2751980.

Presentations

• Raj, S. et al., 2025. Enhancing Nutrition Through Cultural Adaptation- Perspectives and Realities in AAPI, Black, Latino & Asian Indian Communities. In Annual Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Raj, S., 2025. Protein deficiency in South Asia- The Nutrition Dialogues - Session 7. In The Nutrition Dialogues. U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) – South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA) region.
• Raj, S., 2025. Integrative & Functional Medicine Approach to Manage Diabetes and co-morbidities. In Madras Medical College. NUTRIFEAST 2025- Policy, Principles and Practice of Nutrition. Symposium and Skills Development Workshop. Institute of Diabetology & Indian Institute for Nutritional Sciences.
• Raj, S., 2025. Trauma informed nutrition care- Food and nutrition issues addressing conflicts. In Virtual. A Five-Day Virtual International Faculty Development Program on *NARRATIVES OF CHANGE: STORYTELLING FOR INCLUSIVE FUTURES. School of English, Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science, Coimbatore, India.
• Guest, N.S., Mangels, R.A. & Raj, S., 2024. Exploring the Rewards and Challenges of Vegetarian Diets: A Fresh Look at the Academy’s Position. In Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo. Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticss.
• Raj, S., 2024. Re-thinking Dietary Diversity in Food Systems that include Wild Edibles. In International Congress of Nutrition and Dietetics. ICND.
• Raj, S., 2023. Asian Indian dietary practices. In Food and Culture class at Case Western University Nutrition department. Case Western University.
• Raj, S., 2023. Eating for the Brain. In Continuing education workshop. Office of Mental Health.
• Raj, S. et al., 2023. Relationships between vegetarian and vegan diets and incidence of cardiovascular disease in the general population: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.. In Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Raj, S. et al., 2023. Relationship between vegetarian or vegan dietary patterns and BMI in the general population: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. In American Society of Nutrition.

Active Service

Professional Service

• Nutrition Science Mentor, Physical medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist VA Hospital, Syracuse, NY, Nutrition Science Mentor for Dr. G. Henderson.
• Reviewer/Referee, American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, BMC Public Health (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, Diabetes care and Education Practice Group newsletter (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, International Journal of Pediatrics (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, Nutrients (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, Patient Education and Counseling (active since: 2014)
• Reviewer/Referee, PLoS ONE (active since: 2014)

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

• Medallion Award, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (received: 2025)
• 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (received: 2024)
• 2023-2024 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award for Continuing Excellence, Syracuse University
• 2023 Indian in Nutrition and Dietetics (INDMIG) Excellence in Service and Leadership award, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM-DPG) “Excellence in Service” award (received: 2018)
• Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM-DPG) “Excellence in Practice” Award (received: 2013)
• Vegetarian Nutrition (VN DPG) “Excellence in Service” Award (received: 2013)
• Faculty of the Year award, College of Human Ecology

Memberships

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• American Society of Nutrition

Recent Media Mentions:

• How to become a Vegetarian or simply eat more plants (22 May 2024)