As fall approaches, there are many in season produce packed with nutrients you can add to your diet.
These fall superfoods include items from apples to butternut squash to pomegranates and pumpkins.
Registered dietitian Natalie Allen talks about superfoods and highlights a few good choices for the fall. She’s also clinical assistant professor in the Department of Public Health and Sports Medicine at Missouri State University.
The Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition recently gave an award to Dr. Daniela Novotny, a registered dietitian and senior instructor in the department of public health and sports medicine at Missouri State University. This award honors a Missouri health professional who finds innovative ways to help Missourians improve nutrition and physical activity for better overall health.
Novotny created a Teaching Kitchen (TK) program for MSU employees and their families. It took place in summer 2021. The program emphasized improving behaviors that affect physical and psychological health through quality health education; the development of new skills; a supportive and safe environment; and exposure to horticulture opportunities in the local community.
During the program, Novotny created and led education sessions based upon health behavior theory that focused on building nutrition knowledge and encouraging general health principles. These sessions were paired with weekly cooking classes facilitated by MSU dietetics students to increase practical skills and cooking confidence. Novotny provided guidance and mentorship to the students, which allowed them to gain experiences in nutrition education and health promotion.
Additionally, the program consisted of field trips to community sites: a vegetable garden, an urban farm, a farmer’s market tour and a food pantry. Finally, woven throughout the program were activities to emphasize social connectedness, which is associated with improved health outcomes and longevity.
“In my many years of serving as a registered dietitian, this program is at the top of my lists of successes as it allowed me to co-create an experience that addressed social, community and environmental factors related to healthy lifestyles,” Novotny said.
“We can say all day long ‘eat healthier foods and be active,’ but education alone will not bring about change. Pairing educational programs with hands-on activities that promote confidence and self-efficacy with new behaviors has a much better possible outcome.”
Novotny added that the best part about creating the program was working with her students.
“I had an amazing group of students, led by Stephanie Urich, who took on the cooking classes with enthusiasm and creativity. This was 100% a team effort, and without our students volunteering their time and effort, there would be no program. I’m honored for this award, but the true gift for me was being able to share this experience with some amazing students.”
Data from the program suggested the TK led to improved health behaviors: participants reported increasing their intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; making more meals from basic ingredients; and placing a greater emphasis on eating at home. Cooking self-efficacy, comfort in the kitchen and general well-being were also improved among participants.
Furthermore, feedback suggested that the group camaraderie and support were essential for the integration of new behaviors. By taking the initiative to implement comprehensive wellness programming, Novotny provided an environment for laughter and learning—and the encouragement to prioritize health goals amid the pandemic.
Cassidy McCandless, MS, RD, is the sole champion of the 2022 PAS Student of the Year, determined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).
McCandless received this honor in May 2022 at a conference attended by hundreds of PA students and professionals from across the nation.
When she initially had been told that she won, McCandless couldn’t believe that it was real.
“I was on campus in one of the study rooms. I returned a missed phone call from a random number and was convinced there had been a mistake.”
The first person she called to share the news? Her PAS advisor, Nathan Miracle.
“I had been stressing out about the whole process for so long and all the while he was in my corner, constantly cheering me on,” McCandless said. “So were my family and friends, of course, but my advisor had a front-row seat the entire time.”
The AAPA PA Student of the Year is chosen at the end of a lengthy selection process.
In order to be considered, students must:
There are over 280 PAS programs throughout the United States with the average class size being roughly 30 students per program. In any given year, there are about 10,000 PAS students per class.
“There are so many unique and talented people within our program. It easily could’ve been someone else,” McCandless humbly stated.
“I’m in no way the best PAS student. I just happened to meet the requirements for the AAPA board’s criteria and had some luck. With that being said, I’m thankful that I was chosen.”
The craziest thing to happen since being chosen? The recognition she’s received within her local and PA community.
“My friends came up to me and told me that I was on the front page of a local newspaper,” McCandless shared. “I had no idea where to even buy a newspaper. I found a stack at my nearest gas station and ended up buying three because I was so excited.”
McCandless was also rendered speechless upon meeting Hayley Arceneaux, one of her idols. Arceneaux was the medical officer on the 2021 SpaceX flight, an astronaut PA, and the youngest American to fly in space.
With this prestigious honor under her belt, McCandless has had many new doors open to benefit her career as a PA.
“I’ve been contacted by so many people and presented with some amazing job and volunteer opportunities after being recognized for this award.”
McCandless began her medical career as a dietician. Her hope is to blend her new career as a PA with her background in dietetics.
“Everybody always assumes that if you change professions, there’s something wrong with it. But for me, it was the opposite. I want to further my impact to reach a larger community.” McCandless said. “I wanted to learn more and become more involved with patient care.”
The AAPA Student of the Year award gave McCandless the platform she needed to shed light on the issues with nutrition in healthcare, as well as the need for greater diversity within the world of medicine.
“Becoming a PA allows me to share my nutrition background with my colleagues and patients,” McCandless said. “I hope to open the door for a more nutritious approach to medicine.”
Bread is a staple food around the world and there are many different types. Some are healthier than others.
Registered dietitian Jaime Gnau offers some insights about choosing the healthiest types of bread to INSIDER. She’s also a clinical instructor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University.
