National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign celebrated each March to educate on making informed food choices, developing healthful eating patterns, and forming physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month® started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, and it became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition!
The Nutrition Team put together a series of events to celebrate National Nutrition Month on campus! Students had a number of opportunities to participate in free activities hosted by our team of Registered Dietitians throughout the month of March.
The first event, Painting & Herb Planting at Edison Courtyard, was hosted by our dietetic intern, Rylie! At this event, students could paint a pot, plant their own herbs, and learn more about the benefits of incorporating fresh herbs into your diet! Learn more about caring for your herbs here.
Fresh herbs can add eye-appeal and depth of flavor to a dish. Fresh herbs also add color and flavor to water, which might encourage someone to drink more water throughout the day!
WashU Nutrition Team
The second event, Energy Bites at the Bear’s Den, was hosted by one of our Registered Dietitians, Amanda! At this event, Amanda led students on how to make their own energy bites. These delicious bites made of heart-healthy ingredients come together quickly with ingredients commonly found in the pantry!
The third event was a cooking class for hosted by Amanda and The Bear’s Den Executive Chef, Nacho Rodriguez! At this event, Chef Nacho and Amanda led students on how to make Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles with Sautéed Greens! Students learned how to bread and deep fry chicken, make homemade waffles, and work with friends to prepare a meal from start to finish. We host cooking classes twice per month in The Bear’s Den!
Our cooking classes provide an enjoyable and engaging experience for students! Students gain reliable culinary skills from our skilled chefs and learn about the importance of balance within their diet. Our approach to cooking embraces diversity, preparing delicious and memorable dishes aligning with our philosophy of inclusivity, where every type of food is welcome at our table!
Amanda Hagedorn, RD, LD, CLC
WashU Dining Registered Dietitian
The fourth event was a Mindfulness Meal led by another one of our Registered Dietitians, Gretchen! At this event, Gretchen led students through a mindfulness activity in a group eating environment. Students had pizza, salad, and dessert. They practiced slowly down to eat, checking in with their bodies, and focusing on signals their bodies were receiving about hunger and fullness. View the Mindful Meal Activity here.
The Emotion Wheel, pictured above, was used in the activity to explore internal experiences while eating food.
National Nutrition Month is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of healthy habits. Stay tuned for more nutrition related events from our Nutrition Team this April and May for Reading Week! For more information about how you can make informed food choices, visit our Nutrition Section on our website or schedule a free consultation with one of our registered dietitians!