two down, ONE to go!

We were on campus again today, which marks the start of our FINAL rotations before we’re finished. T minus 38 days until graduation…it’s getting real, folks. Seriously.

I am, however, seriously dreading my 5:30 a.m. wake-up for the next 4.5 weeks to be at Buffalo General Hispital at 7, but at least it will be the warmest and brightest (well, if spring will ever arrive) of my rotations.

I spent the last 5 weeks learning the ropes at a long-term care facility (a.k.a. nursing home), and doing what felt like never-ending projects. I researched freelance writing opportunities, wrote blog posts, got involved in the Western NY Dietetics Association, wrote a script for a couple food-related segments for the campus television station (we film next week), made a plan to revamp the blog (more on that later), and wrote a 23-page business plan. And I’m sure I’m forgetting some others. I also had a job at the campus health center and provided nutritional counseling to students on Wednesday afternoons; now that I’ll be at the hospital all day, another student is taking over. We got paid as ‘student assistants,’ but this could lead to an actual part-part time counseling position this fall when we’re actually RD’s. We’ll see.

I think my favorite project this past rotation was my business plan, despite it also having been the most work. I designed a business in which I provide nutritional counseling at a local wellness center and can accept insurance reimbursement. It’s something I could definitely see myself doing. Again, we’ll see.

Hittin’ the hay early tonight, 5:30 comes early…especially when you stayed up the night before watching the season finale of The Walking Dead!

meet the press

So, this happened:

I was recently featured in the Buffalo News! Being a ‘reporter’ myself, it’s so fun to be on the other side of the interview every once in awhile. I approached the BN Refresh (their Saturday Health and Wellness insert) editor, Scott Scanlon, awhile ago about contributing some guest blogs, and he offered to feature me in his ‘What Are You Eating?’ section. So far, I’ve contributed the National Nutrition Month blog and an ‘intro’ post on myself, which went live on the BN site yesterday. I’ve also written a post on our recent Paleo experience, which I’ll send to Scott soon. I’ll probably contribute a blog about once a month.

While I’m not getting paid for these pieces, I see this as a way to ‘break into’ the health/wellness/fitness/nutrition field. Writing for the Advertiser is great, but I need to start preparing for what I want to do long-term: freelance writing about food and nutrition. I’ve started researching writers’ guidelines for various publications and it’s overwhelming to say the least. My dear friend, Emily (who I’m visiting this weekend), advised me to slow down and try to actually enjoy the process of ‘building my business’ (whatever that may be), instead of focusing on where I want to be and the fastest way to get there. She’s a wise woman, that one. It’s such a relief to know it’s OK to take it one day at a time, one pitch letter at a time, one article at a time.

For now, I’m still just plugging along at the projects I have to do this rotation–most of which ACTUALLY pertain to my future as a writer/nutrition counselor–and counting the days until graduation…55.

National Nutrition Month

I realize I’m a little late in the game (like, 18 days late) for this, but it’s National Nutrition Month!

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) celebrates NNM each March and uses it as a campaign to educate anyone who will listen about healthy eating. For those who don’t know, it is AND (through their accrediting arm) that ‘registers’ dietitians. I’m a member now as a student, and will be an RD in just a few short months!

I actually wrote a blog post for the Buffalo News Refresh section (spoiler alert–I was going to write a separate blog post about that–it will be forthcoming), which will go live tomorrow. Again, better late than never.

Below is what I wrote, but be sure to check out the Buffalo News Refresh blog (toward the bottom) to see my post. I’ll have more soon on my blogging opportunities as well.

Also, be sure to check out the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ first Public Service Announcement promoting Registered Dietitians here!

Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle

Every March since 1973, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has dedicated time to increase awareness about making healthy choices and increasing physical activity. It began as a week-long campaign and lengthened to a month in 1980. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, also in March, recognizes RDNs as nutrition experts who are uniquely qualified to provide nutrition services to the public.

This year, National Nutrition Month’s theme is ‘Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,’ which encourages everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.’ Read on for easy, simple ways to incorporate healthier choices into your lifestyle!

Consume Fewer Calories

Weight gain, while influenced by multiple factors, does come down to simple math: if you take in more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight. Prevent that by finding ways to decrease your calorie intake.

-Consider counting your calories. If you don’t know how much you’re eating, it’s easy to go overboard. Click here to access MyPlate’s Super Tracker.

-Decrease your portion sizes.

-Drink a glass of water before meals and snacks. Often, we think we’re hungry when we’re simply thirsty.

-Start meals with broth-based soups, salads or veggies so you’ll have less room for the higher-calorie options.

-Eat fruit for dessert and keep cut-up veggies in the fridge for snacking.

-Don’t drink your calories. Switch from whole to 1% or skim milk, cut out sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Opt for fruit instead of juice when possible.

Make Informed Food Choices

Knowledge is power. Take charge of your health by being proactive about what you eat.

-Read food labels. Note serving size, calories and fat in each, and limit yourself to that serving size.

-Go the extra mile and learn what carbohydrates, fats and proteins are. Go to ChooseMyPlate for more information about each nutrient and the amounts recommended for you.

-Prepare your meals and snacks in advance so that you’re never caught without a healthy option on-hand to grab when you’re in a rush.

-Look at online menus before going out to eat to find healthier options at your favorite restaurants.

Get Daily Exercise

It’s recommended that adults get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, and 60-90 minutes to prevent weight gain.

-Get a pedometer to track your steps; aim for 10,000 each day. For fun, team up with friends and compete to get the most steps.

-Have a dog? Get out and walk. Other good excuses to get outside include yard work and playing with your kids.

-Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

-Park your car at the far end of the parking lot to increase your steps each day.

-Find an activity you enjoy and do it. Not everyone enjoys running; your strength may be a Zumba class or spinning.

-Meet friends for a walk instead of coffee.

-Winter isn’t an excuse to stay inside—find an activity you enjoy. Snow shoeing, skiing, ice skating and even sledding burn calories, increase your heart rate and are fun ways to take advantage of the season.

For more information about National Nutrition Month, click here. Interactive quizzes and games are available online here.