I’ve had several people ask me recently some version of the question, “After learning all that you’ve learned in your program, what can you just not eat now??” I think they are expecting me to share something along the lines of the “horrors” of McDonald’s, added sugar, or processed foods. My attempts to answer this question got me thinking about how going through a master’s program in nutrition has actually increased my flexibility with eating and confidence that a healthy diet can incorporate all foods – hence, there is nothing that I, as a nutrition professional and enthusiast, “can’t eat now!”
So, I thought I’d share a few key takeaways of what I learned from my time in school. I’d love to hear what resonates with you!
As I get started with the blog, I wanted to give a life update in terms of what I’m currently up to. It’s crazy to believe it’s my last semester of school (likely ever)! As you may know from reading the About page, I am in grad school at the University of Michigan School of Public Health studying to be an R.D. I will finish my Master’s degree in nutritional sciences this spring, and then will start my dietetic internship in July. Once I finish my internship (which will take about 8 months or so) and take the R.D. exam, I will officially be licensed and able to start working as a dietitian!
Despite my program being totally online the past year due to COVID, it has been a really great experience overall. Thankfully, the material and work that we learn/do in nutrition is relatively transferrable to a virtual format (since we aren’t trying to do any labs or much hands-on work). While I’ve missed the in-person interaction with my professors and classmates and being on campus in general, there have been a number of positives to working from home. I’m definitely more efficient working from home and feel like I spend less time overall working on school than I used to. I also used to have about a 45 minute commute (I live only about 6 miles away from campus but would take the bus since parking is so expensive/frustrating) so that also saves a lot of time. That being said, while school still keeps me quite busy, I’ve appreciated the extra time that I have to devote to other areas of my life!
New desk setup with desk riser to help avoid back pain from sitting so much!
