Through the dietetic internship at McNeese, we are exposed to many experiences around the community. The Partnership for a Healthier Southwest Louisiana is an initiative composed of many programs that aim at helping people in the Lake Charles area. It raises awareness of the resources in the community to help people make healthier choices. Through the LSU AgCenter Extension, I was able to attend one of the programs set up by the Partnership. The K.I.S.S Project is for women, with emphasis on African Americans, who are in low-income households with the desire to lose weight. This group of women meets about three days a week to work out and attend nutrition classes. Each week, a new nutrition lesson is presented based on MyPlate. The week that I went to the K.I.S.S Project meeting, my preceptor presented on dairy and protein and I presented on whole grains. I used food models, posters, and handouts to inform the women about making the best choices in terms of whole grains. I explained the difference between fortified and enriched and reviewed reading the nutrition label. The women stayed very involved in the class by asking questions, sharing ideas, and responding to my questions. About twenty women attended the meeting and door prizes were given at the end. These women were motivated, open to new ideas, and determined to make healthier choices. I felt very fortunate to attend this meeting and help with the Partnership for a Healthier Southwest Louisiana. Through this class, I was able to see the benefits of the Partnership and what it is doing for the community.
Tis the season of everything PUMPKIN! Pumpkins don't just make a great latte or the perfect Fall decoration for your front porch, they're full of nutritious goodness too. Below are just a few of the health benefits you can reap by adding pumpkin to your favorite dishes this Fall (and year 'round)-
Here's a perfect recipe for a great pumpkin Fall treat and an easy way to take advantage of all of the goodness pumpkins have to offer.... Enjoy!
Pumpkin No Bake Energy Bites: Ingredients: - 8 oz (about 1 packed cup) chopped dates - 1/4 cup honey - 1/4 cup pumpkin puree - 1 Tbsp. chia seeds or flax seeds - 1 tsp. ground cinnamon - 1/2 tsp. ground ginger - 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg - Pinch of salt - 1 cup old-fashioned oats (dry, not cooked) - 1 cup toasted coconut flakes - 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) Method: - Combine the dates, honey, pumpkin puree, chia (or flax) seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until smooth & combined. - Transfer mixture to a large bowl & stir in the oats, coconut flakes & toasted pumpkin seeds until evenly combined. Cover & refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. - Once mixture is cool (& easy to work with), use a spoon to shape it into balls 1-inch in diameter. Enjoy! - Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Nutritional Information: - Serving Size: 2 Balls - Amount per serving: 103 Calories 4.1g Total Fat 2mg Sodium 151mg Potassium 16g Total Carbohydrates 2g Fiber 2.5g Protein
Finals week is coming up and to many this means lots of ‘cramming sessions’ and late nights! What do you reach for first to get you through these study sessions? Energy drinks, coffee, whatever is in the nearest vending machine?
These seem to be staples to any college student’s diet during finals week. With all of the energy claims and convenience it is easy to see how these items sound appealing. That is until you read the nutrition label. Hey I’m young and healthy why should I care about this? - Interestingly, a study surveying 136 students at a large southern plains university found that decreased energy drink consumption was associated with increased academic performance. This could be related to the possibility of students procrastinating and then increasing energy drink consumption for stressful events such as exams or final projects. Researchers have found students perform best when they approach academics with “distributed” versus “mass” practice and when they engage in healthy habits. Healthy habits include adequate nutrition, maintenance of exercise, sufficient sleep, etc.1 It is up to you to read the labels and make the decisions! For convenience, I have seen some stores carry single serving packages of a vegetable, a slice of cheese, and almonds. This is a great snack and so easy to pack in your bag! They can be found in the produce section. You could always make this on your own if you happen to find a few minutes to spare (from your crazy studying!) to cut some veggies and cheese. Water. This is the best way to hydrate. It is easy to become dehydrated and this can lead to sluggish thinking. This is probably especially important to you this week. If you find yourself at a vending machine, water or vitamin waters are better options over sugary drinks which may make you ‘crash’ later. Or go the less expensive route using your own reusable water bottle. Granola bars can be a good snack option but they can also like consuming a candy bar. Read your labels and shoot for ones which are lower in sugar. Granola bars higher in protein and fiber can help keep you feeling fuller longer – definitely a benefit during your long study sessions! Packing a fruit is an easy and quick way to pack some nutrition (brain food) in your day. An apple and peanut butter is a tasty combo and the protein from the peanut butter can help satiate you longer. An apple or grapes and cheese are also a good option with the same concept. Easy packable fruits include: apple, orange, grapes, bananas If you find yourself hungry and forgot to pack a snack, here are some good choices that can be made at the vending machine suggested by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
Reference List 1Pettit M. Perceived Stress, Energy Drink Consumption, and Academic Performance Among College Students. Journal Of American College Health [serial online]. April 2011;59(5):335-341. Available from: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 28, 2014. All of the dietetic Interns got together to host a pot-luck dinner after our first week of rotations. Our favorites were prepared to showcase a taste of home . Items included: raw oysters on the half-shell, homemade king cake, avocado potato salad, New Mexico hatch green chilies, black bean burgers, crawfish bread, fruit salad, spinach salad. It was a great time full of food, fun and new friendships!
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