Wellness

@ Moraine Valley

Archives for March 2021

Why I Became a RD!

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Happy National Dietitian Day! I thought I would share with you why I decided to go into the field of nutrition.

Kelly at the national nutrition conference in Georgia pre-covid

Most people have no clue what they are going to major in or what they want to be when they grow up. I was one of the lucky ones who knew at the young age of 16 what I wanted to be.. a sports dietitian! How on earth did I even know what that was you’re thinking? That’s because I had to see one!

Back in high school (Go Providence Catholic!), I was a cross country, track runner and basketball player (my first love). As a freshman in high school, I starting “dieting”, reading magazines, cutting back of calories and most definitely on fats. I assumed, if food had fat in it, I would ” get fat”. As my low fat diet progressed, I went down 2 sizes in pants, but I was tired and cold all of the time, my energy levels were quite poor which lead to some endocrinology issues.

When I was 16 my mom had me go to the doctor she worked for, a pediatric endocrinologist, where they ran blood work and some tests to figure out what was going on. This lead to MRI’s, Dexa Scans, you name it. While I didn’t know it at the time, they were actually looking for tumors, as they suspected I had cancer. Thankfully, all tests came back great except my blood work (still) and body fat percent. It was determined that because my diet was so low in fat, it was causing all my blood work and hormones to be off. Not only was my body fat too low to get my period but it was also causing other abnormalities as well.

I was referred to a Registered Dietitian at University of Chicago whom I met with that next week. She educated me on the importance of fat and gave me examples of where I could add in healthy fats in my diet. (I’ll never forget the suggestions so here were some of hers: Brummel and Brown butter and peanut butter on my morning bagel (previous to that it was eaten dry), peanut butter and crackers after school before basketball, butter on my potato or vegetables at dinner, etc). (Huge shout out and thanks to whoever that RD was who gave me those suggestions! She knew exactly how to handle a young, uneducated girl afraid to add in too many calories and fats into her diet. You rocked.)

My energy levels rose, I gained a few pounds (I assume by the way I looked from Sophomore year basketball to Sophomore year track), my energy levels were great. Performance wise the effect was even better. I was able to PR in both the mile and 2 mile run that track season and I ended up winning MVP of Varsity track that year as a sophomore. Just because I added in some fat in my diet. Blew my mind! I decided then and there that I was going to learn everything I could about nutrition and that someday, I would become a Registered Dietitian. (I went a step further, and declared I wanted to be a Sports Dietitian. Which was why, when I passed my board certification in 2010, it made me the happiest person in the universe! I can now proudly call myself a Board Certified Sports Dietitian.)

Not everyone is inspired at such a young age to choose what they do with their life. But I believe things happen for a reason and that this profession is what I was called to do. My food philosophy may change as time goes on and as new research is released, but my passion for nutrition and wellness will never change!

To quote Marc Anthony, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

~Kelly

Moraine Valley Wellness Coordinator

8 Tips to a Healthy Lifestyle!

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March marks the start on National Nutrition Month!  Here are 8 tips on how to dedicate you, and your family, to a healthier lifestyle.

National Nutrition Month 2021 Blogger Badge

1. Eat Breakfast. There’s no better way to start your morning than with a healthy breakfast. Include lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk, sliced almonds and berries, or top a toaster waffle with low-fat yogurt and fruit. Find more quick breakfast ideas at www.eatright.org/nutritiontipsheets.

2. Make Half Your Plate Fruits and Vegetables.  Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture plus vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate. Make 2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables your daily goal. Don’t let cost stop you from enjoying produce.  Frozen and canned are great alternatives. See “20 Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables” at http://www.eatright.org/nutritiontipsheets.

3. Be Active!  Regular physical activity lowers blood pressure and helps your body control stress and weight. Start by doing what exercise you can for at least 10 minutes at a time. Children and teens should get 60 or more minutes of physical activity per day, and adults should get two hours and 30 minutes per week. You don’t have to hit the gym—take a walk after dinner or play a game of catch or basketball.

4. Drink More Water.  Drink water instead of sugary drinks and let thirst be your guide. A healthy body can balance water needs throughout the day. Drink plenty of water if you are active, live or work in hot conditions, or are an older adult.

5. Dine Out without Ditching Your Goals.  You can dine at a restaurant and stick to your healthy eating plan!  The key is to plan ahead, ask questions and choose foods carefully. Think about nutritious items you can add to your plate—fruits, veggies, lean meat, poultry or fish—and look for grilled, baked, broiled or steamed items.

6. Enact Family Meal Time.  Research shows that family meals promote healthier eating. Plan to eat as a family at least a few times each week in 2021. Set a regular mealtime. Turn off the TV, phones and other electronic devices to encourage mealtime talk. Get kids involved in meal planning and cooking and use this time to teach them about good nutrition.

7. Fix Healthy Snacks.  Healthy snacks can sustain your energy levels between meals. Whenever possible, make your snacks combination snacks. Choose from two or more of the MyPlate food groups: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean protein or nuts. Try low-fat yogurt with fruit, or a small portion of nuts with an apple or banana.

8. Explore New Foods and Flavors.  Add more nutrition and eating pleasure by expanding your range of food choices. When shopping, make a point of selecting a fruit, vegetable or whole grain that’s new to you or your family. Try different versions of familiar foods like blue potatoes, red leaf lettuce or basmati rice.

For more free info and tip sheets for National Nutrition Month, visit http://www.nationalnutritionmonth.org/nnm/

Kelly Devine Rickert, Moraine Valley Wellness Coordinator