Carrie McLendon
The Troy University Nutrition Club hit the main quad last Friday with a thirst and a hunger to draw attention to the new nutrition major.
The event was successful in highlighting the new major as well as the importance of nutrition among college students. The event even grabbed the attention of several off-campus visitors, as well.
“We all deal with nutrition on a day-to-day basis, every single human being, and it’s great to have the right education on that,” said Lacey Gilliam, president of the Nutrition Club and a senior exercise science major with a concentration in nutrition.
Dr. Teresa Johnson, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at Troy University, agrees. She said she believes it is important to promote healthy nutrition and eating behaviors.
“There’s not a single person who is not affected by their own health behaviors, be that good or bad,”Johnson said.
The club believes that as college students are just starting to live on their own, it is important for them to understand how to properly nourish themselves. Students were given essential information on eating nutrient dense foods instead of calorie dense foods.
“Especially as a college student, you’re very prone to eating a lot of fast food, a lot of snacks,” said Sommer Cornelius, a sophomore majoring in nutritionfrom Luverne, Alabama. “I think it’s very important to know what you’re actually putting into your body.”
Students were also able to experience some components of the Alabama A&M Mobile Nutrition Lab. Educational materials were centered on topics such as general nutrition and meal planning, as well as wise food purchases and choices.
On-campus food initiatives, such as Campus Kitchens and Trojan Pantry, were also represented at the event.
Johnson also wants students to know that majoring in nutrition can open up many career paths.
“If you have nutrition in the title of your degree, there are certain jobs you can get with the state or federal government,” she said. “The jobs for dietitians and people in nutrition are expected to grow faster than average over the next few decades.”
Johnson invites any student on campus or online to consider the degree and help spread the word that it is now available.
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