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Hello everyone! My name is Gina and I am an intern with Sodexo’s Philadelphia campus. Since starting the dietetic internship, I have learned so much about the clinical aspect of nutrition, just finishing my advanced clinical and staff relief rotations. The past few months have been packed with so much excitement and learning opportunity. During my advanced clinical rotation, I was able to work at four locations; St. Luke’s Hospital in Quakertown, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, and St. Luke’s DaVita Hemodialysis Center.
While each site allowed me to acquire new information in different areas, such as pediatrics, nutrition support, and end stage renal disease, I felt that I was really able to make a difference during my time working with the DaVita hemodialysis center. During my hemodialysis rotation, I was able to make two bulletin boards, distribute kidney-friendly recipes and cookbooks, and further understand the science behind nutrition & end stage renal disease.
When a patient is on hemodialysis, some of the functions their kidneys are unable to do properly include excrete waste & electrolytes, produce adequate erythropoietin for red blood cell production, and adequately activate vitamin D for calcium absorption. Since the kidneys are losing these functions, secondary hyperparathyroidism and abnormal bone mineralization are prevalent in these patients. One way this can happen is by overstimulation of the parathyroid gland to absorb more calcium when phosphorus levels are too high. My preceptor and I discussed and educated patients on the crucial role phosphorus plays in pulling hydroxyapatite crystals away from bone structure when there is too much phosphorus in the blood. Chronic high phosphorus levels can result to a severe itching feeling caused from calciphylaxis, or the hardening of calcium deposits in blood vessels and skin throughout the body.
Along with many learning and educational opportunities, I was also able to create two “Frozen-themed” motivational bulletin boards and cook a delicious kidney-friendly pretzel recipe. The bulletin boards were a fun and encouraging way to get patients to remember why they keep coming to hemodialysis and who or what motivates them in their daily life. I put their thoughts and motivations on snowflakes so every time they come in for treatment, they can see their motivations in front of them. The pretzel recipe was a super bowl snack hit & sodium free! I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me as I head into my wellness concentration rotation.
Addictive Pretzel Recipe
Serving size: 1oz. or 8 pretzel pieces
Portions: 32
INGREDIENTS
32 oz. bag of unsalted pretzels
3 tsp. garlic powder
3 tsp. dried dill weed
2 tbsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix
1 cup canola oil
PREPARATION
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories: 184
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fat: 8g
Sodium: 60mg
Potassium: 43mg
Phosphorus: 28mg
Fiber: 1g
While each site allowed me to acquire new information in different areas, such as pediatrics, nutrition support, and end stage renal disease, I felt that I was really able to make a difference during my time working with the DaVita hemodialysis center. During my hemodialysis rotation, I was able to make two bulletin boards, distribute kidney-friendly recipes and cookbooks, and further understand the science behind nutrition & end stage renal disease.
When a patient is on hemodialysis, some of the functions their kidneys are unable to do properly include excrete waste & electrolytes, produce adequate erythropoietin for red blood cell production, and adequately activate vitamin D for calcium absorption. Since the kidneys are losing these functions, secondary hyperparathyroidism and abnormal bone mineralization are prevalent in these patients. One way this can happen is by overstimulation of the parathyroid gland to absorb more calcium when phosphorus levels are too high. My preceptor and I discussed and educated patients on the crucial role phosphorus plays in pulling hydroxyapatite crystals away from bone structure when there is too much phosphorus in the blood. Chronic high phosphorus levels can result to a severe itching feeling caused from calciphylaxis, or the hardening of calcium deposits in blood vessels and skin throughout the body.
Along with many learning and educational opportunities, I was also able to create two “Frozen-themed” motivational bulletin boards and cook a delicious kidney-friendly pretzel recipe. The bulletin boards were a fun and encouraging way to get patients to remember why they keep coming to hemodialysis and who or what motivates them in their daily life. I put their thoughts and motivations on snowflakes so every time they come in for treatment, they can see their motivations in front of them. The pretzel recipe was a super bowl snack hit & sodium free! I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me as I head into my wellness concentration rotation.
Addictive Pretzel Recipe
Serving size: 1oz. or 8 pretzel pieces
Portions: 32
INGREDIENTS
32 oz. bag of unsalted pretzels
3 tsp. garlic powder
3 tsp. dried dill weed
2 tbsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix
1 cup canola oil
PREPARATION
- Preheat oven to 175°F.
- Spread pretzels out flat on two 18”x13” cookie sheets. Use whole, bite-sized braided twist pretzels or break large-sized pretzels into pieces.
- Mix the garlic powder and dill together. Set aside half of the mixture. With the first half, add in the dry salad dressing mix and ¾ cup of canola oil. Pour the combined ingredients evenly over the pretzels and use your hands to evenly coat.
- Bake for 1 hour flipping the pretzels every 15 minutes.
- Remove the pretzels from the oven. Let the pretzels cool for 5 minutes and then toss with remaining garlic powder, dill weed, and oil. Enjoy!
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories: 184
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fat: 8g
Sodium: 60mg
Potassium: 43mg
Phosphorus: 28mg
Fiber: 1g
