March Events for Nutrition Month
Students lead Nutrition Education events in March to promote Healthy Aging
Canada celebrates March as “Nutrition Month”: this year’s theme is “We are the Dietitians.” Registered Dietitians play important roles in diverse healthcare setting - assessing nutritional needs, providing evidence-informed nutrition interventions, and facilitating client-centred goal setting through nutrition counselling. Dietitians also work with communities and populations live a healthier life through nutrition education programs across the lifespan, and engage in health advocacy related to food insecurity and health equity.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in healthy aging. Aging is associated with increased nutritional demands, changes in appetite, and increasing health risks. Older adults may face various social, personal, and environmental barriers to maintaining their well-being. Balanced dietary patterns and healthy habits can make a difference: reducing chronic disease risk (Canada's Food Guide), slowing down disease progression (for example, Parkinson’s Disease), changing your microbiome, and maintaining daily energy and strength.
The BC Brain Wellness Program works closely with older adults by offering evidence-informed wellness programs such as exercise classes, nutrition webinars and research programs. These programs are tailored to improving the existing knowledge and health of older adults with various social programs.
Since January, UBC Dietetics students have been working with BC Brain Wellness participants individually to support their nutritional goals. In March, we hope to reach a wider audience through a variety of interactive educational events.
Come join us in celebrating Nutrition Month!
1. Wellness Wednesday Mar 6th, 2024
Wellness Wednesday:
Join Registered Dietitians Yolanda Nuanyan Wang and Anna Brisco on Wellness Wednesday to learn learn how to get the essential nutrients you need by planning and making balanced meals and snacks.
2. Student-led nutrition workshops
The co-presenters of these student-led nutrition workshops are second-year graduate students in the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics program at UBC. They are excited to share their growing knowledge and passion for food, nutrition & health!
These student-led sessions will include engaging activities, practical tips, and easy recipes, so you can confidently take steps to improve your nutritional wellbeing. Each session will end with a short Q&A, moderated by a Registered Dietitian, Anna Brisco.
*Note: This is a live interactive workshop that will not be recorded. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration so others are able to attend.
These student-led workshops have a small capacity: just 20 participants each.
So that students can reach more Brain Wellness Program participants, we ask that you register in just one of the three available workshops, based on the topic that is most interesting to you.
The workshops date and time are as follows:
1. Cooking for One or Two
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, 11:00 am - noon
Speakers: Jenn Appiah, Kiara Gaspari, Kiana Gibson, Jen Ying
2. Protective Aging with Protein Foods
Friday, March 15th, 2024, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Speakers: Jessica Fletchner-Klein, Simran Sappal, Kailee Wark
3. Exploring Plant-Based Meals
Friday, March 22nd, 2024, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Speakers: Shelby Cender, Tanvir Jassal, Alicia Walch
Nutrition Moments
Throughout the month of March, you may see students at your online and in person exercise classes. These students will offer tips and encouragement around specific nutrition topics.
Students will be creating supporting materials for their workshops and nutrition moments. This will be available from the UBC Dietetics Wiki
