 Post Contributed by Katia Zogg, SNDA Public Policy Committee Leader
I attended the Public Policy and Advocacy 101: How to Get Things Done! webinar last week hosted by the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and wanted to share a few notes about what I learned and how you can advocate for public policy issues that impact the field of nutrition and dietetics and our nation’s health. Brenda O’Day, MS, RDN, CNSC, the Vice President of Public Policy for the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was the webinar speaker and she provided great insight and resources that we can take advantage of to advocate for public policies that will affect the future of the dietetics field and the health of our nation’s population. Getting involved and advocating for policies related to nutrition, food, and health can positively change our nation’s well-being and our careers. You may be wondering, why does advocacy matter? Can I make a difference? Advocating gives a voice to those that are vulnerable who may not be able to speak for themselves. Their rights, views, and wishes will be considered when decisions about their lives are being made. Last month at the 2018 Public Policy Workshop in Washington, DC, over 1,400 nutrition professionals attended the event--the largest turnout yet! They spoke to members of congress about malnutrition and how it is impacting the aging population and our health care system. Their message was for inclusion of diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition as part of high-quality health care. By coming together, we can influence the future of our nation’s health and the future of our profession and give those that are vulnerable a chance to be heard. How the Academy advocates for public policy
How YOU can advocate for public policy and get involved
I encourage you to take action! You can send action alerts for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and for prevention and treatment of malnutrition. We know that obesity is on the rise and the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act will allow for treatment through intensive behavioral therapy, allow for quality care at a low cost, and increase patient’s access to obesity treatment. Additionally, diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition can improve patient’s strength, quality of life, and decrease length of hospital stays. There is strength in numbers and these small actions can make huge changes! Resources: https://www.eatrightpro.org/ https://www.dietitian.org/bay-area/ California State Capitol Museum (n.d.). Capitol Side [photograph]. http://capitolmuseum.ca.gov/
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 THE SNDA Spotlight looks into the lives of different individuals within the field of nutrition and dietetics! These spotlights will expand our mind to the diverse experiences & advice that they have to give! Our first SNDA spotlight is SFSU Alum Sandra Chavez who not only completed her internship but is now an RD! Check out her Instagram @nourishednerd!
Name: Sandra Chavez Internship: Morrison Healthcare DI What guided you into the field of dietetics: I've had many facets of health and nutrition send me on my path but the most impactful was my grandfather. He had Type 2 diabetes with several complications including an amputation. He passed away when I was 5 from those complications. I wanted to help others understand that T2DM can be managed with dietary modifications and a bit of hard work. What did you love about your internship: I loved the opportunity to see a wide range of clinical nutrition applications. My facility included NICU and eating disorders. What did you find challenging: Note writing is very different from school. It's even different based on each facility. You just have to go with the flow on that. What was the most memorable moment of your internship: Planning and executing a Chef's table event in a corporate cafeteria. I got to share my love for food and sell a few dishes to the customer. What is the one piece of advice you would give a dietetics student: never be discouraged from asking questions. There's so much to learn about dietetics, hospitals, and other facilities that it's better to ask than make assumptions. Your preceptors won't get annoyed, trust me. What class(es) at SFSU prepared you the most for your internship: MNT 2. I STILL refer back to my notes if I'm not sure about something. If the notes aren't the same as my hospital's policy the notes at least guide me in the right direction. Now that you're done, how are you gonna celebrate!: Oh man, my internship ended back in April so I traveled with my husband before getting down to studying for the exam  Post Contributed by Tiffani Horn, SNDA Web and Social Media Coordinator
The CA wildfires are not only affecting those directly in the area but has continued to affect those in the Bay Area. While the fire is being contained, the smoke has drifted to residents all over Northern California and has caused respiratory issues to increase. While we can do our best to stay out of the smoke and remain indoors there are a number of precautions that we can take in order to boost our immune system and lung health. Keep your Environment as Fresh as Possible In order to maintain fresh air when you are indoors, make sure that all air filters have been cleaned or changed to ensure the freshest air possible and limit any build up from outside smoke/particles. Other ways to keep your home as an ideal environment is to limit any smoking, burning (wood, candles, etc.) and cooking. When the air quality begins to decrease, it is also best to wait to vacuum since the movement could cause particles to rise into the air. Make Sure You're Wearing The Right Mask One common misconception is that as long as I cover my face, there is no way the smoke can harm me. Although the thought is correct, paper masks (surgical/dust) don't protect you from the particles of the wildfire. Since the particles are immensely small, these masks won't do you justice! Invest in a "particulate respirator" mask which can be found at hardware stores or pharmacies. Keep words to look for are NIOSH, N95 or P100. These masks typically have two straps securing the mouth and nose from a majority of particles. Nourish Your Body The fastest and easiest way to protect your body from the harmful smoke in the air is by having a diet that supports your immune system and lungs during this high stress time. Some key factors to remember include
Links to Ginger Recipes: Honey Lemon Ginger Chicken 15 Min Sesame Ginger Noodles Ginger and Turmeric Carrot Soup Links to High Vitamin C Recipes: 30 Min Stuffed Bell Peppers Sauteed Broccoli & Kale With Toasted Garlic Butter High Protein Strawberry and Mango Smoothie References: time.com/4976882/wildfire-smoke-safety/ https://truhealthmedicine.com/healthy-living/wildfire-smoke-inhalation-detox |
