Why I love participating in Health Fairs as a Dietetic Intern

 Written By: Mahnoor Amjad; SLU Dietetic Intern

Dear Readers,

I want to share a treasured part of my internship experience with you and hopefully inspire you through my lived experiences. I have had the opportunity to participate at several health fairs over the past year, every moment of which I have loved.

Health Fairs are a great opportunity to be involved in the community, meet new people, and have a great learning experience, particularly as students and aspiring health professionals. Health Fairs are interactive events intended to provide free health education, basic preventative medicine, and disease screening to the people in the community. They are a great way to raise awareness about health issues and refer people to see their healthcare providers as deemed necessary. Not to mention all the free goodies you get to take home with you.

I enjoy the community aspect of dietetics, the extent of which I realized when I started tabling at health fairs. Through health fairs, I engage with people of all ages and professions, which gives me insight into what the nutrition needs of the community are. I get to educate people on nutrition basics and hear differing nutrition viewpoints. Through health fairs I have learned to communicate with community members and to adapt my conversations on nutrition to meet their needs. I also learn about other community organizations through health fairs, which I can refer my clients to as a future dietitian.

There is a sense of pride in being able to share your knowledge with the community and contribute to making it a healthier place, especially communities with limited access to healthcare facilities. Every experience has been exciting and every time I have learned something new.

These are some of the health fairs I have participated in over the past year:

● SLMPD Police Academy Health Fair

I was nervous about this health fair and felt intimidated when I walked into the police academy but it turned out to be really fun. A lot of it involved talking to police officers at the academy about healthy eating on the go and on different schedules.

● Scifest: Health and Safety Expo at the Science Center

This event was at the Science Center so it was amazing (obviously). It was for children of all ages visiting with their parents. I talked about making smoothies as a fun way to encourage fruit and vegetable intake AND we had a smoothie bike (see image)! Let me tell you, kids love smoothie bikes. They got to ride the bike and then enjoy the smoothie they made. This was a fun way of teaching about physical activity and healthy eating.

● Education Day Fair at Chaifetz Arena

This event was intended for all primary and middle schools in the area. We had a smoothie bike station because kids love smoothies and bikes. This event was also very exciting and the supply of smoothies was endless.

● Arbor Day Health and Community Gardening Expo by ESHD

This was a big event organized by East Side Health District with many vendors in attendance. I had a smoothie bike station but mainly for adults this time. They loved the smoothie bike and enjoyed the smoothies afterwards. Later, I helped with packing and distributing grocery bags that ESHD was giving out to the community participants. (See image of me with another intern at the event).

● US Army Corps of Engineers Health Fair

I felt intimidated about this event as well but it turned out to be really chill. We talked to people about building healthy snacks and general healthy eating, and had some really great conversations.

● Special Olympics Missouri - Sport Zone 2023 at Lindenwood University

I had so much fun at this event with the other interns (see image). This was a fair for the children participating in the Special Olympics basketball match. I ended up at a station making DIY stress balls with the children, and I was covered in flour by the end but it was worth it!

● Tiny Smiles Dental Clinic

I dressed up as a strawberry for this event (see image)! Attendance at this event was part of a project for my graduate class. We had a nutrition clinic set up within the Dental Clinic. We were weighing our pediatric clients, measuring their height/length and plotting them on a growth chart. Then we would talk to their parents about healthy nutrition for the children. A lot of the time, the parents were speaking in different languages so it was interesting trying to communicate with them effectively.

● ESHD and National Kidney Foundation’s Diabetes and Kidney testing fair

This was the latest event I attended with the rest of the DI class. I was at the urinalysis station - the most exciting station for sure. There were other screening stations as well including blood glucose and A1c testing, anthropometrics and blood pressure, and nutrition education. It was an amazing experience seeing the screening process for diabetes and kidney disease.

The things I have learned from being a part of these health fairs are endless and I could write an essay on it. But I am glad I got to share my experience in the hope that my readers will be inspired to participate in community health fairs to benefit the community and to learn from the community in return.

Until next time!

Xoxo Mahnoor

Tags: Health Fair, Dietetic Intern, community, health

Delicious Watermelon Recipes

 Written by: Alison Sikorovsky; SLU Dietetic Intern

Watermelon is a delicious, mouth-watering summer fruit that has many health benefits. This post will talk about the benefits of watermelon and provide three recipes to incorporate watermelon into your summer parties and events! 

According to the USDA, one cup of diced watermelon contains 46 calories, no fat, 1 mg of sodium, 9 g of sugar, 10 mg of calcium, 12 mg of vitamin C, 15 mg of magnesium, and 139 g of water. With 170 mg of potassium per cup, it is also a healthy source of potassium, which supports muscle and nerve function and improves the body's fluid equilibrium. Moreover, watermelon includes large quantities of vitamin A. 

Due to its high water content and vitamin content, watermelon has a number of possible health advantages. The following are some advantages of eating watermelon:

1. Watermelon is a fruit that is refreshing and hydrating because it contains over 90% water. Maintaining physical processes, controlling body temperature, and promoting general health all depend on staying hydrated. 

2. Rich in nutrients: Antioxidants like vitamins A and C, which are found in watermelon, help guard the body against cellular damage. Additionally, it includes lycopene, a potent antioxidant linked to a number of health advantages, and potassium, which is crucial for maintaining healthy heart and muscle function. 

3. Heart health: Lycopene, which is present in watermelons, has been associated with possible cardiovascular advantages. It might enhance heart health, lower inflammation, and cut cholesterol levels. 

4. Watermelon includes beta-carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A to support eye health. Age-related macular degeneration and other vision issues may be avoided using vitamin A, which is crucial for preserving good vision. 

5. Exercise performance and hydration: Watermelon can be a cooling and hydrating snack, especially when engaging in physical activity, due to its high water content and natural sugars. It might support greater exercise performance by replenishing fluids and electrolytes lost through perspiration. 

6. Fiber in watermelon can help with a healthy digestive system and regular bowel motions. 

Individual outcomes and health benefits may differ, so it's crucial to keep in mind that. It's also always advised to eat a balanced diet that includes a range of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. 

The three recipes listed below are watermelon cucumber salad, marinated watermelon with whipped feta, and watermelon margarita served in a watermelon. All of these are perfect for a summer party or to have as a snack or with a meal. Watermelon is the perfect refreshing treat to give to you and your family! These recipes can elevate a barbecue, graduation party, or Fourth of July party.

A Spin on my Abuela's Recipe of Ropa Vieja

 Written By: Samantha Reyes; SLU Dietetic Intern

My name is Samantha Reyes. I am a Dietetic Intern at Saint Louis University. I am a first generation Cuban American. Growing up I remember always helping my Abuela in the kitchen. One of the dishes that I love is ropa vieja with rice, black beans, and fried plantains. Ropa vieja is a popular dish in Cuba that is similar to stew. It is delicious and loaded with flavor. The most common version of ropa vieja is made with shredded beef, onions, and bell peppers, slowly cooked in a tomato sauce. It also consists of tons of garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. Ropa vieja is generally easy and affordable to make, however, it is a long process. It takes a while for the meat to be soft and tender and then you have to shred the meat once it is cooled. Lastly, all the ingredients need time to come together to make this dish as flavorful as possible. This dish is a great source of protein and is rich in vitamins and minerals. As delicious as this popular dish is, the name ropa vieja does not hint at ingredients you would expect to get from this dish. The name literally translates to ‘old clothes’. There is an interesting story behind the name. The legend states that a poor man struggled to put food on the table for his family. He had no other way to feed his family, so he took his old clothes, shredded them and placed them in a pot of hot water. He prayed while the clothes were in a pot of boiling water and a miracle transformed it into a meat and vegetable stew so he could feed his family. This recipe was created over 500 years ago by the Sephardic Jews from Spain and made its way to Cuba.

We all have vivid kitchen memories that stay with us because of the emotions we felt in the moment. Every time you smell or taste the food of your youth, you’re immediately brought back to your childhood and memories of your loved ones. This Cuban dish reminds me of my childhood, spending time with my family at parties and holidays, and enjoying the time we had together. My Abuela would always make this dish for the events we had. This dish would bring my family together around the dining room table. I have great memories of my family and I laughing, everyone telling stories, and the association with the feeling of being loved and nurtured by our grandmother as a child.

Foods represent our cultures and they become core parts of our identities. Culture influences the foods you eat, your religious and spiritual practices, and your perspective on wellness, healing, and healthcare. Recipes are passed down through generations. The taste, smells, and sights of meals connect us back to our ancestors. Eating foods that remind you of your heritage are very important even when one might have a dietary restriction. Traditional meals and cultural foods should be integrated into healthy eating. It is important as a student who is studying to become a dietitian to realize that not everyone eats an American diet and many people enjoy foods from their culture. The field of dietetics still has a lot of work to do to ensure cultural competence. A lack of cultural competence creates a barrier to communicate effectively with the patient and tailor to their specific needs.

During my Dietetic Internship I have interacted with a patient from China. This was during my cardiovascular rotation. The patient recently had a heart attack. When I was doing my assessment, I asked her what kind of foods she likes to eat and she brought up foods from her culture. When I went back to give her education on a low sodium diet I tried to talk about those types of foods and how she can modify those dishes while still limiting her sodium intake. I tried to be respectful of her culture and still wanted her to enjoy the foods that she loves.

Instead of taking cultural foods out of your diet, you can modify and add ingredients to make it a well-rounded dish. For example, for this dish, you can use a tomato sauce with no salt added instead of a regular tomato sauce to reduce the amount of sodium in the dish. Reducing the amount of sodium in your diet can help lower your blood pressure. This can reduce your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Another way to modify this recipe would be by replacing the beef with a lean meat like chicken or turkey. Chicken and turkey will be less in saturated fats than the red meats. Saturated fats tend to stay solid and can cause cholesterol to build up in the arteries. Eating too much saturated fats can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol in your blood. A high level of LDL cholesterol in your blood can also increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. The dietary guidelines for Americans recommend limiting saturated fats to 10% or less of your daily calories. You can also grate other vegetables such as carrots and zucchini to add more fiber. Fiber helps keep you full longer, is great for your digestion and makes it easier to pass stools. Other great sources of fiber are whole grains, whole fruits, legumes and nuts. For the side dish, you can do baked plantains instead of the fried plantains. This will be lower in fat and calories. The baked plantain chips will also retain more of their nutritional value because when you fry food, some of the vitamins and minerals are lost in the process. Plantain chips are great sources of vitamins A and C, fiber and potassium.

This Cuban dish I have learned to make over the years connects me back to my heritage and my ancestors. I love making it for others to enjoy and give them a little taste of my culture. One day I will be passing this recipe to my kids and teach them the history of this dish. I hope to share the stories that my Abuela would tell us and keep this tradition going.