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Teaching Culinary Creations

Until recently, I have spent my career in the Clinical nutrition setting completing assessments, recommending supplements and diets, and of course educating patients on diet modification. I felt so smart using big words, calculating out meal plans, and rattling off a list of foods to eat more often. It wasn’t until my current position with Redner’s Warehouse Markets, when I realized that I need to help my clients implement what they are learning. Up to this point, I knew very little about the products that were being sold in the grocery store and had just enough culinary skills to make a handful of staple dishes that I loved. Now that I spend countless hours walking up and down the grocery store aisles, I have become more knowledgeable about new products and have expanded my horizon with ingredients that I use in my kitchen. As much as we preach this to our clients, we really can save money and our waistline by cooking at home and actually have fun doing it!

Although it’s great to say, “eat whole grain bread, use sodium-free seasonings, select low-fat cheeses”; it’s not that easy for our clients. Grocery stores are jammed pack with thousands of products, all boasting their claim to fame. Our clients ask us “What should I eat?” Well let’s tell them and let’s tell them how to make it themselves!

Keep It Simple
Although my culinary skills have increased greatly over the past few years, I still panic when I see a long list of ingredients or worse, unfamiliar ingredients with unheard of culinary terminology. We know that cooking should be quick, easy, and nutritious. Using seasonings is one of the best ways to add flavor to basic ingredients. Since I have not mastered the fine art of herbs and spices yet, I tend to take the easy way out and use blends. Recommending Mrs. Dash® to my customers at Redner’s is one of the easiest things I can do. Most customers are scared to use spices because they are unsure how to use them, plus most single spices range $4 - $6. With affordability being on the forefront of shopper’s minds, Mrs. Dash® is an inexpensive and healthful way to give clients the confidence they need in the kitchen. With tips for use right on the bottle, there’s no need to search endlessly for a recipe just to get dinner on the table.
 

Allow For Substitutions
When searching for a recipe, 9 times out of 10 there is an ingredient that I don’t like (or don’t have). Be prepared to share alternate ingredients with your clients with the recipes you suggest.
 

Provide the Resources
Everyday I find a new great resource to use in my practice. Keep a list of these resources and organize them according to category. When I receive questions from customers, I can quickly respond and also give them many great resources to tie in with their question. The Mrs. Dash website, www.mrsdash.com, is a great place to start when providing resources to our clients. Not only can you get heart healthy eating tips, but each month you can print out recipe cards and try new healthful dishes. I also make sure to order samples on a regular basis from the Mrs. Dash Dietitian Center (www.dietitiancenter.com). I hand these out at health fairs, store events, and community functions. This is just another great way to give our clients a “hands on experience” to start eating healthfully at home.

It’s OKAY to Not Know Everything
Unless we spend every minute of our day doing literature and internet searches, it is impossible to stay current on all of the latest and greatest nutrition info. If a client approaches you with a question regarding unfamiliar territory, it’s okay to take some time to research. I have spent many days beating myself up and feeling like a failure because I cannot spout everything off the top of my head, but let’s face it, our field is HUGE and growing! So give yourself a break.
 

It’s Even Okay to Be Human
I feel confident to say that it’s a standard (and accurate) stereotype that Registered Dietitians are perfectionists. Although we probably strive for our own definition of “perfect”, we are not, even when it comes to eating! (My co-workers are proud of themselves when they “catch” me eating a chocolate chip cookie. They feel like they have just seen a lunar eclipse.) Our clients need to know that we don’t have every meal planned perfectly 100% of the time. We do the after work dinner dance too and try to throw anything together to make a meal. I like to provide examples of my most hectic days and what dishes I throw together (literally throw!). My fastest meal: frozen mixed vegetables, a bag of pre-cooked brown rice, low sodium soy and teriyaki sauce, one egg and you have a meal for 2 in less than 7 minutes. Throw in pre-cooked chicken for extra protein.

The bottom line is, we know the science but providing practical food and nutrition advice is priceless. Giving our clients the tools and the know-how of preparing food is essential to moving toward a happy and healthy nation!
 

Meredith Mensinger RD, LDN
Corporate Dietitian
Redner’s Warehouse Markets
www.rednersmarkets.com
 

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