Hello! My name is Kami Zdanowicz and I am currently finishing up my Clinical Nutrition Management and Food Service Management Rotations at Capital Health Medical Center near Trenton, New Jersey. Capital Health has served as my home-base site throughout the dietetic internship. I have completed my Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Staff Relief Rotations with them. Additionally, I have spent many community hours planning and promoting National Nutrition Month for both of their campuses at Regional and Hopewell. Even though National Nutrition Month has come to an end, I thought it would be beneficial to share the topics and materials I utilized at each event table throughout the month.
I was in charge of organizing, promoting, and presenting four event tables for each week of National Nutrition Month. Sarah Crowley, another Philadelphia Dietetic Internship student, and I coordinated two topics of which we presented at each campus in the hospital cafeteria during lunch hours.
I was in charge of organizing, promoting, and presenting four event tables for each week of National Nutrition Month. Sarah Crowley, another Philadelphia Dietetic Internship student, and I coordinated two topics of which we presented at each campus in the hospital cafeteria during lunch hours.
- Topic #1: “Power Up with Breakfast”. Our first theme revolved around breakfast and really encouraged employees and visitors to start their day off right by making time for breakfast. Our table was filled with easy nutritious breakfast recipes (i.e. blueberry baked oatmeal, breakfast burritos, etc.), as well as quick grab-and-go breakfast options. We provided samples of 5-ingredient granola bars that consisted of the following: oats, honey, peanut butter, raisins, and almonds. They were a huge hit!
- Topic #2: “Rethink Your Drink”. Our second theme was based on how small lifestyle changes can lead to big results with long-lasting health benefits. We targeted the sugar in popular drinks by demonstrating the amount of sugar in each. To promote our theme, we offered samples of our own berry-mint infused water and provided handouts of other infused water combinations to try at home. Additionally, we had a free clementine give-a-way and offered a raffle with a chance of winning a ShopRite gift card for participating at our stand.
Overall, National Nutrition Month was a huge success at both campuses and I was pleased with the amount of people interested in what we were providing! As future RDs, I believe it is important to stay in the public eye and show the community what we have to offer!
