Hello Everyone!
My name is Madalyn Vasquez and I am a Sodexo intern through the Allentown, PA campus. I recently completed my long-term care rotation. I will be finishing my Diabetes concentration through RWJ Barnabas Health. My internship has been by far the most unique experience an intern could ever ask for. While encountering numerous opportunities with dietitians and interdisciplinary teams, I realized how our profession is evolving and I was able to experience it through several of my rotations. I was able to observe a Barium Swallow evaluation, Bariatric surgery, wounds round, and participated in a diabetic foot examination. Through my diabetes concentration the clinic’s pharmacist has worked closely to teach me how to use a glucose meter and understand the different classes of medications.
I have discovered my passion through this internship. Currently I work alongside an RDN CDE who exemplifies diversity and inclusion in her practice work. Her goal as a diabetes educator has been to empower individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds to manage their diabetes. I think it is amazing to see a dietitian take a different approach when it comes to diabetes self-management. Food is a huge part of an individual’s life especially when it comes to enjoying their cultural foods. Diabetes should not limit individuals from avoiding their favorite cultural foods. Taking a different approach instead of the traditional route while still offering medical nutrition therapy and combining culinary arts to better understand the patient’s cultural background to provide long-term diabetes management and lifestyle changes.
Dietitians now rarely focus on the diabetic exchange list and are leaning more towards the plate method, carbohydrate counting, and portion control. After dietitians determine the amount of carbohydrate each meal should consist of, along with snacks, this brings patients to ease. I have noticed that many patients under eat due to fear of uncontrolled blood sugars and start to eliminate carbohydrates from their diet without realizing the vital role it plays in their body. Diabetes can be difficult to manage because while food plays a large role, medication, exercise, and the physiology of the disease also impact outcomes.
When starting my basic clinical rotation, I realized my passion for diabetes. It allowed me to understand the essential role medical nutrition therapy plays in our diabetic population, especially since a majority of them suffer from two or more comorbidities; cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease being the most prevalent. It is important to recognize how a clinical foundation will develop skills to become a counselor and educator.
For Diabetes Day, I featured a diabetic friendly recipe with a mixed berry quinoa parfait. Through my cooking demo, I had the opportunity to educate individuals and reinforce the importance of whole grains, portion control, and protein with meals. Patients were eager to enjoy a simple recipe without having to worry about elevated blood sugars. If a person is suffering from diabetes, I encourage visiting an RDN, CDE. It will help individuals better understand the vital role nutrition plays in successfully managing diabetes.
My name is Madalyn Vasquez and I am a Sodexo intern through the Allentown, PA campus. I recently completed my long-term care rotation. I will be finishing my Diabetes concentration through RWJ Barnabas Health. My internship has been by far the most unique experience an intern could ever ask for. While encountering numerous opportunities with dietitians and interdisciplinary teams, I realized how our profession is evolving and I was able to experience it through several of my rotations. I was able to observe a Barium Swallow evaluation, Bariatric surgery, wounds round, and participated in a diabetic foot examination. Through my diabetes concentration the clinic’s pharmacist has worked closely to teach me how to use a glucose meter and understand the different classes of medications.
I have discovered my passion through this internship. Currently I work alongside an RDN CDE who exemplifies diversity and inclusion in her practice work. Her goal as a diabetes educator has been to empower individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds to manage their diabetes. I think it is amazing to see a dietitian take a different approach when it comes to diabetes self-management. Food is a huge part of an individual’s life especially when it comes to enjoying their cultural foods. Diabetes should not limit individuals from avoiding their favorite cultural foods. Taking a different approach instead of the traditional route while still offering medical nutrition therapy and combining culinary arts to better understand the patient’s cultural background to provide long-term diabetes management and lifestyle changes.
Dietitians now rarely focus on the diabetic exchange list and are leaning more towards the plate method, carbohydrate counting, and portion control. After dietitians determine the amount of carbohydrate each meal should consist of, along with snacks, this brings patients to ease. I have noticed that many patients under eat due to fear of uncontrolled blood sugars and start to eliminate carbohydrates from their diet without realizing the vital role it plays in their body. Diabetes can be difficult to manage because while food plays a large role, medication, exercise, and the physiology of the disease also impact outcomes.
When starting my basic clinical rotation, I realized my passion for diabetes. It allowed me to understand the essential role medical nutrition therapy plays in our diabetic population, especially since a majority of them suffer from two or more comorbidities; cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease being the most prevalent. It is important to recognize how a clinical foundation will develop skills to become a counselor and educator.
For Diabetes Day, I featured a diabetic friendly recipe with a mixed berry quinoa parfait. Through my cooking demo, I had the opportunity to educate individuals and reinforce the importance of whole grains, portion control, and protein with meals. Patients were eager to enjoy a simple recipe without having to worry about elevated blood sugars. If a person is suffering from diabetes, I encourage visiting an RDN, CDE. It will help individuals better understand the vital role nutrition plays in successfully managing diabetes.
