by Brooke Smars, Past State Officer

Q: What do you feel is the biggest problem with teens and nutrition?
A: I would say that the biggest problem is too many empty calories in soda pop -- usually Mt. Dew. I see a fair amount of teens for clients. Some drink as much as 60-80 ounces of pop per day. That is as much as 800 - 1000 calories as pop. Other concerns I have is that frequently teens (and adults too) skip breakfast and the low intake of fruits and veggies. The Food Guide Pyramid recommends 3-5 servings of veggies per day and 2-4 servings of fruits per day. So the "5 a day for fruits and veggies" is really the low end of the recommended intake.

Q: What are some of the benefits of being a nutuitionalist?
A: There is such a wide variety of career opportunities in our field. You can work with people, you can do research, you can write for magazines, you can write books. In addition, you can work in health clubs, hospital, private clinics, for food companies, for the Beef or Dairy Councils and so forth. The career lends itself to so much variety!

Q: What advise would you give to a student wanting to pursue a career in a field related to yours?
A: If you are interested in dietetics, I would encourage students to talk to RD's in your area. Talk to them about what they do and what your interests are. Look at the career information on the ADA website - www.eatright.org. They have a great sight that looks at career opportunities in dietetics. Look into the dietetics curriculum requirements at state or local colleges.

Q:  Why should teens be aware of nutrition?
A: Because nutrition affects lifelong health - much like exercise/activity affects lifelong health. Good nutrition can reduce the risk of so many diseases - diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity. Nutrition and health habits formed now will affect their lives as they grow, mature and age.

Q: Do you feel there is an issue or issues that should be addressed by high school teachers (perhaps a Family and Consumer Science teacher) so that students are more aware of a problem?
A: The link between good nutrition and good health and poor nutrition and poor health should be stressed. Courses should cover ideas on how teens can fit good nutrition into a busy schedule/lifestyle.

Q: Who benefits from seeing a nutrition counselor?
A: I am of course biased, but I think anyone could benefit from seeing a dietitian to review eating habits. Those who may benefit the most would be teens that have a strong family history of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or cancer. Research shows that good eating habits can decrease risk of these diseases! Eating healthy can improve an athlete's performance too. Eating healthy can just make you feel better!

Q: Describe a typical day. 
A: I work in an outpatient setting. I see patients for 15-60 minutes. New patients I see for 60 minutes, and for follow up I see them 15-30 minutes. I also teach group classes for executive nutrition programs and group diabetes classes. I work primarily in the family medicine area and I work in Pediatric Diabetes clinic a couple days a month. I like the variety family medicine has to offer. I might have a 2-year-old who is failing to gain weight, a 45 year old with high cholesterol, and a 80 year old with congestive heart failure all in the same morning. I like the smaller setting in a community-based practice. When I work at Kasson (near Rochester), I feel like I get to know the doctors and nurses better and we can treat the patients with a team approach.