About Catalyzt Nutrition
Cheryl Zonkowski, MS, RD, CSSD is the Founder and CEO of Catalyzt Nutrition LLC, a performance nutrition company dedicated to helping individuals optimize cognition, energy, physical performance, recovery, and long-term health. Through comprehensive nutrition assessments, biomarker analysis, personalized nutrition strategies, and evidence-based supplementation recommendations, Cheryl empowers clients to achieve sustainable results while building confidence in their relationship with food and their body's natural hunger and satiety signals.
Founded in 2016, Catalyzt Nutrition has grown into an industry-leading practice that seamlessly integrates personalized nutrition coaching with chef-prepared meal solutions. In 2021, Cheryl expanded the company by opening Catalyzt Café & Meal Prep Kitchen, creating a unique model that bridges nutrition science with convenient, customized meal preparation.
Before launching Catalyzt Nutrition, Cheryl spent nine years as a Performance Dietitian supporting Naval Special Warfare operators on both the East and West Coasts. During her tenure, she championed and implemented several transformative nutrition and performance initiatives that continue to benefit the special operations community today. Prior to her work with Naval Special Warfare, Cheryl served as Director of Sports Nutrition for the University of Florida Gators, where she led nutrition programming for more than 750 student-athletes. There, she developed and delivered evidence-based fueling, recovery, and performance strategies that established the foundation for the science-driven approach she continues to employ with clients today.
Cheryl holds a bachelor's degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a dual major in Psychology, as well as a master's degree in Exercise Physiology. She is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), and previously held the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential for nearly a decade. She is also an active member of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association.
Outside of her professional work, Cheryl is passionate about cooking, fitness, and the outdoors. An avid endurance athlete, she has completed multiple marathons, an ultratrail race, and several Spartan races. She enjoys surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and spending time with family and friends. Among her favorite training partners are her two fox red Labrador Retrievers, Coeura and Ari, whose enthusiasm and energy continue to keep her on her toes.
Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates are your body's gateway to energy. Carbs are your body's primary fuel source at moderate to high intensity exercise, but are also critical to how effectively your body burns fat and low intensity for day to day activities and functions.
Carbohydrate source rule of thumb: anything that originated from the ground/grew from the earth at once point in time (fruit, vegetables, grains, bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes, etc.)
Catalyzt Nutrition meals are designed with intention to regulate blood sugar levels and optimize digestion. We balance macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) to provide sustained energy levels and mental clarity to fuel and focus on whatever you choose to conquer next in your day. Our goal is well-rounded, balanced nutrition. Meals are thoughtfully designed to include an array of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are essential for overall health, decreasing inflammation, and optimizing digestion. We are here to support your active longevity for performance throughout a healthy life. *
The Science Behind Our Meals
You body prefers to use protein very minimally for energy. Protein building blocks (amino acids) are your body's preferred structural components. They are crucial for enzyme and organ production & function, in addition to hormone production. Amino acids give definition and structure to everything that you are comprised of: hair, nails, eyelashes, skin, muscles, etc.
Protein source rule of thumb: anything that is an animal or comes from an animal. Protein (amino acids) are also found in smaller amounts in grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds. .
Protein:
Fats:
Fats are your body's primary fuel source at low intensity (though fat is burned at all intensity levels). Your body requires dietary fat as a macronutrient for optimal health. Once ingested, not only is fat used for energy, but it also supports immunity, cell signaling, mood, hormones, and brain health.
Think oils and toppings, what you cook with, marinate in, or add for flavor. This includes oils, butter, tallow/lard, sauces and dressings, and avocados (avo mash, guacamole).
Performance Dietitian - Approved Quality Standards
Our meals and add-ons follow strict nutrition and ingredient guidelines designed by credentialed nutrition experts.
Our registered dietitian is credentialed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). We use nutrition research to set standards for all meal ingredients and add-ons. Our dietitian collaborates with our chef during the ingredient selection and recipe development process. After creating new meals, our dietitians review and approve ingredient sourcing and overall nutrition quality. As a team, they continually enhance the taste and nutrition content of recipes based on customer feedback and the latest scientific eveidence.
Fresh. Clean. Purposeful.
At Catalyzt Kitchen, we use only the highest quality ingredients. Our meals are crafted with avocado, coconut, and olive oils, and are dairy, gluten, peanut, and soy free (eggs used unless noted).
All beef is grass-fed and free of antibiotics, fish is wild-caught, and produce is organic when possible. Sauces and seasonings are made in-house with no fillers or added sugar, using locally sourced honey as our natural sweetener.
From microgreens to hydroponic lettuces, every ingredient is chosen to fuel your body and support your performance.
It’s our mission and our pleasure to nourish you.
Individual Consultation
Individual consultations help individuals determine their calorie needs, ideal weight, assess the nutritional adequacy of current daily eating habits, and receive coaching on the necessary Quality and Quantity of food in order to optimize performance and body composition.
In an individual consultation you will learn exactly what your needs are, set goals you can achieve, receive educational tools to help you make changes, and receive an example menu showing you exactly how you should be eating on a daily basis.