Leaving Her Overweight Past Behind and Changing Lives as a Pediatric Nutrition Advocate
As a child, I was close to becoming one of the three children who is considered overweight or obese. Cheesecake for breakfast, pizza for lunch at school, almost a whole box of wheat thins for a snack, and a carbohydrate filled dinner were usually my daily food choices. These poor food choices followed me to college where sugar filled study snacks and late night pizza were the norm. Luckily, it was my during my sophomore year at the University of Iowa where I took my first nutrition class. I was amazed at how integral nutrition was to one's health and wellbeing. At that moment, I decided to take my nutrition and health into my own hands. I began decreasing portions of my favorite higher calorie foods while increasing my fruit, vegetable, lean meat, and low fat dairy intake. I not only lost weight, I also lost the baggage of the insecure elementary school girl who was concerned that her classmates would make fun of her weight. I knew there were other little insecure girls and boys who needed nutrition counseling and education so I aimed to became a pediatric registered dietitian. Over the past four years, I have dedicated thousands of hours as a nutrition educator and counselor, cooking instructor, gardening leader, scientific researcher, and motivational speaker working to improve the nutritional status of America's children and families. As a registered and licensed dietitian, I have the necessary background, tools, and personal experience to successfully motivate Minnesota's citizens to improve their health. Today's children may be the first generation who do not outlive their parents due to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. No parent should have to bury their child due to a preventable disease. Take a stand with me and the Let's Move Campaign to go beyond fruits and vegetables and help to truly motivate and teach Minnesota's families to make healthy and sustainable nutrition and lifestyle choices.