Hi everyone! My name is Brooke Lantier. I’m a Sodexo dietetic intern at the New York campus. My concentration is wellness, which to me, means helping people live a healthier lifestyle and be the best version of themselves. During my food service management rotation at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, NJ I had an amazing opportunity to represent the hospital at a health fair for high school student and senior citizens. The fair was filled with great health-driven booths. There was a chiropractor, free coconut water, and an eye doctor, just to name a few!
The booth I was in charge of focused on getting the students to eat healthier. To draw them in, I offered samples of a quinoa bowel. The day before the event, I did all of my food preparation. I sliced the grilled chicken, diced the tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions and made the quinoa and homemade cilantro lime dressing! Incorporating a food sample into the booth was not only a great way to grab people’s attention, but it also allowed the students to try a new healthy food without having to go buy it. I also had handouts titled “Healthy Living Supermarket Roadmap,” “Making Healthy Food Choices with a Healthy Plate,” and “ Snack Attack: The Guide to Snacking the Right Way”. I also had a game on the table; they had to guess the spice just by smelling it! There was even a sign on the table “Talk to a Nutritionist” and everyone came up and asked questions! It was especially fun educating teenagers about making healthy food choices. A lot of the students were athletes and a popular question they kept asking was what type of foods should they be eating before and after practice.
Organizing and working the booth was a little stressful at first, but then I got the hang of it and had so much fun! I really loved talking to the public and giving them tips and tricks to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to participate in more events!
The booth I was in charge of focused on getting the students to eat healthier. To draw them in, I offered samples of a quinoa bowel. The day before the event, I did all of my food preparation. I sliced the grilled chicken, diced the tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions and made the quinoa and homemade cilantro lime dressing! Incorporating a food sample into the booth was not only a great way to grab people’s attention, but it also allowed the students to try a new healthy food without having to go buy it. I also had handouts titled “Healthy Living Supermarket Roadmap,” “Making Healthy Food Choices with a Healthy Plate,” and “ Snack Attack: The Guide to Snacking the Right Way”. I also had a game on the table; they had to guess the spice just by smelling it! There was even a sign on the table “Talk to a Nutritionist” and everyone came up and asked questions! It was especially fun educating teenagers about making healthy food choices. A lot of the students were athletes and a popular question they kept asking was what type of foods should they be eating before and after practice.
Organizing and working the booth was a little stressful at first, but then I got the hang of it and had so much fun! I really loved talking to the public and giving them tips and tricks to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to participate in more events!
