She also completed a sports nutrition internship at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., before she began working with the pros in Kansas City.

How did you break into the sports dietitian business?

I started my career in San Francisco. I decided I wanted to have my own business, and I started working for a lot of athletes.

In 2001, you and your husband, Washburn Rural High School graduate Antoine Dulan, had your first child and decided to move back to Kansas. Why did you come back, and how did you begin working for the Chiefs and the Royals?

My mother was very ill at the time. I called the Chiefs and met with them and started in 2002. In 2004, the Royals called me.

Do you enjoy your job?

I have always been a Chiefs fan. Even when I lived out in California, I went to a Raiders/Chiefs game with my Chiefs sweatshirt on. I know the games pretty well.

What does your job entail?

For the Royals, I go to spring training twice a year, have team presentations for major league teams and minor league teams, meet individually with the players. I've even taken players on grocery store tours. I try to help them gain or lose weight or improve their energy level or performance. I've helped find personal chefs for players in off-season, given presentations to Royals players' wives and go to the ballpark every home game.

With the Chiefs, I go in during the offseason to meet with players. During the season, I go in over lunch to set up lunches and work with restaurants to cater the food. I've met with players' wives, too.

Are all athletes healthy?

Many of the guys can be high-risk. They can have a family history of heart disease, hypertension or have high triglycerides. A lot of them are eating out a lot. Fast food is common.

What are some of the most common questions you get from players?

They want to know what to eat. They want to know specifics. Mostly they want to lose body fat. Some are fine with their weight, but they want to get leaner. The most common question is, ?Is this OK to eat?' One of the biggest things I see is players drinking too many calories from juice. Some players are drinking 1,500 calories per day in juices. I tell them ?Your body is your job.' They are what they eat. They need to put the best fuel in their bodies. Some of them are million-dollar bodies.

Any advice on eating right?

I suggest that they have whole grains on their plate (whole wheat pasta, whole grain breads), a lean protein source (fish or grilled chicken or beans), and the rest of the plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. Expand your plate with vegetables and fruits. I think food should be an enjoyable part of our lives. Practicing portion control is very important.

Do you take care of yourself?

I have done some of the same workouts (as the players). I do triathlons, play tennis and go to the gym. I have to take care of myself so they know that I practice what I preach.

Ann Marie Bush can be reached

at (785) 295-1207

or ann.bush@cjonline.com