Kent State Interns

  Well that depends on which allergy you have, how severe your reactions are, and how good about food allergies the restaurants are in your area. These days not everyone has the skills to cook, and eating out may be one of the only options available to someone, even with a food allergy, to eat.   If you’re eating out… Be aware that some restaurants may not have the largest selection of entrees that are allergen-friendly, but they are great at identifying allergens on their menus. Some of those places go the extra mile, and have a designated area with equipment used only for allergen friendly items such as salads. Build-Your-Own places such as Chipotle and Core Life Eatery are great because you can tell the staff exactly want you want in the entrée and nothing else will be added to it. Special shout-out to Chipotle, though, as if you tell them you have issues with Gluten, the staff will replace all of the utensils with new ones, and will all change their gloves to a...

Spring Fruit Smoothie Bowl Springtime brings many emotions, like the changing of weather and the blossoming of flowers. It can also bring a positive mindset that helps you feel inspired for beneficial health changes. An easy breakfast dish that can help you spring into positive changes is a fruit smoothie bowl. The recipe includes different springtime fruits that are fresh and is easy for you to make. From this recipe, you can get many different vitamins and minerals that are good for you! Ingredients : Kiwi : Vitamin C, Vitamin K, B-Vitamins, Copper, and Fiber. Strawberries : Vitamin C, Manganese, Folate (B9), and Potassium. Pineapple : Potassium, Vitamin C, B-Vitamins, Iron, and Fiber. Apple : Fiber, B-Vitamins, Vitamin C, and Copper. Honey : Low-Fat. Greek Yogurt : Protein B12, Riboflavin (B2), Pantothenic Acid (B25), and Vitamin A. Oats : Fiber, Iron, and Vitamin B6. Milk : Vitamin D and Calcium. Vitamin A: Important in vision, immune system, and organ function. B-Vitamins: Importa...

With today’s society being all about the hustle and bustle to get that bread, we can sometimes forget one very important question:   What do I eat? So, then we start to think of the next question: How am I going to have time to eat? And then we think of this other important concept: HeAlThY eAtInG- whatever that means?? And of course, there’s the billion and one ways we could find time to eat such as meal prepping and eating during meetings or getting some of those frozen foods…. Hey, wait, frozen foods could work! I don’t have to meal prep, and I can use my microwave! Not having to meal prep and being able to use the microwave are enticing selling points, are they not? However, with so many choices out there, there are some facts to consider if you’re looking for something “healthier.” According to an EatRight.org article by Esther Ellis, MS, RDN, LDN (2022), things to look for in a “healthier” frozen food in general are, “…lower in saturated fat, added sugars, and salt and higher...

For Kent State Students, Spring Break is here and that means warmer weather is around the corner. This means fun in the sun and time spent with friends inside in outside. With more outdoor activities to partake in, it is vital to stay hydrated and fueled throughout the day. Here are some snacks and drink pairs that will keep you energized. LADYBUG VEGGIE TRAY   Just olives and tomatoes placed in the shape of a ladybug, this snack is low calorie and the perfect grab and go pool side snack. Add cheese, nut butter, yogurt, crackers, and other veggies around the ladybug for extra fun and variety. Adding cheese and nut butter or yogurt can be a good way to increase the nutrient density of this snack to leave you and your friends feeling fueled longer. Pair this with an ice water with red raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries to fit the ladybug theme.   Freeze the berries to get a nice frozen snack in the water as well! EDIBLE INSECTS These little critters are the only...

   One of the challenges of apartment dwelling (other than the parking, lots of steps, and wildly close neighbors) is the difficulty in have a garden. I mean…..who doesn’t want to be able to grab something handmade to add to your dinner plans? While having a full out garden may be dream, there’s no reason not to be able to have some fresh herbs. Here’s some ideas to make your herb possibilities a reality.   For those who are looking for something super easy but more on the pricey side is the Aerogarden kits. It comes with a base to hold the herb pods, fixed with a light, and makes it easy for those that forget to water (with a built-in reminder). For 6 pods-kits run around $130. The plants grow pretty quickly and the system is fairly simple to maintain.              Maybe you want a kit system but without that higher price tag. Amazon sells Urban Leaf herb kits for just about $30. The kit comes with seeds, soil d...

Nutrition is not a substitute for seeking help, seeing a therapist, or taking the necessary medications that your body and mind need. Quality nutrition is another tool in the toolbox to help with mental health alongside treatment.  Inadequate nutrition can result in poor energy levels, inability to think critically or concentrate, can exacerbate behavioral concerns such as anxiety and depression. I don’t want to spend too much time on foods to avoid; I want to discuss foods and practices that can help you feel better.  Practice Mindful Eating Practicing mindful eating is one of the steps to becoming a more mindful person as a whole. Practicing mindfulness has been strongly linked to decreases in stress, depression, and anxiety.  Practice taking deep breaths (belly breathing) before and after your meal. Think about your meal, where it came from, how it was prepared, and who prepared it.  Pay attention to your body’s cues before, during and after your meal to determine...

Happy (late) National RDN Day to my RDN’s and fellow RD2B’s! National RDN day was on March 9 th  where of course we celebrate all the amazing and cool things we do every day! We of course have seen, done, or heard of all the things we do, but how did the term Registered Dietitian and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist come to be? Today, I give you a brief history of us! source: eatrightpro.org First, we go back to Ancient Greece; back to the times of Homer, Plato, and Hippocrates where mentions of  diaeta  (“meaning mode of life”) are being sprinkled into many early writings such as those from Hippocrates, Plato, and Galen (Hwalla & Koleilat, 2004; Todhunter, 1973). Maybe the most noteworthy of the writings is from the Father of Medicine himself, Hippocrates’, in his quote, “Let thy food be thy medicine, thy medicine be thy food” where he emphasizes the connection of our diet and our health (Hwalla & Koleilat, 2004; Todhunter, 1973). Sound familiar? You’ve probably...

  Student Self-Care    As a dietetic intern, grad student, and graduate assistant, I know we can all often feel  drained and overworked. Professional self-care can be extremely beneficial to both your mental and physical well-being. But what does true self-care look like and how is it achieved? By having a healthy balance between your school/work life and personal life means you are practicing self-care. However, I know prioritizing your self-care over work can be difficult and take practice. So, here are a few tips on how to incorporate professional self-care into your day.     Start With Small, Attainable Changes Don’t jump into making huge changes to your routine too quickly. It’s okay to start by making small adjustments that you believe you can be successful at. As you set your priorities make sure you are caring for yourself during the work week.   Separate Work Time from Personal Time It’s helpful to set clear endpoints to your workday – yo...

Diet Culture 101 Diet culture is the worshiping of thinness and equating thinness to health and moral virtue.  This definition means you can spend the rest of your life thinking you're broken and unable to be   fixed just because you do not fit diet cultures   impossible thin "ideal". How does diet culture control people? Diet culture says that to attain a higher status, you must lose weight. This means you feel the need to spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and money trying to shrink your body, even though. Demonizes Certain Ways Of Eating While Elevating Others This forces you to be hyper-focused about your eating, be ashamed of certain food    choices, and forces you to be distracted from your pleasure, your purpose, and your power. Oppression Of Those Who Don't Match With It's Picture Of "Health" This oppression disproportionately harms women, femmes, trans individuals, people in larger bodies, people of color, and people with disabilities, dama...

  9 Benefits of Cooking at Home  There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal, right? Your time and hard work seem to pay off with a flavorful and delicious meal. Plus, you get to decide what goes into your dish. So why don’t you do it more often? Here are some reasons why you should consider cooking dinner for yourself tonight! 1.      It’s Healthier Restaurant meals typically contain higher amounts of sodium, fat, and overall calories than home cooked meals. When you cook at home, you will be adding more fresh ingredients, less processed foods, and less additives like salt and fat.  2.      You Save Money  Going out for meals isn’t cheap. Adding in the price for drinks and transportation and you’re looking at a bill almost as much as your whole grocery trip! It works out to be cheaper to buy your ingredients – or work with what you have at home than you eat at a restaurant. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs can also s...