Learning Lounge
Join experts and thought leaders in the Learning Lounge for quick, high-level discussions on a variety of thought-provoking topics. Ranging from snapshots of future trends to quick tips and tricks to closer looks at emerging movements in food and nutrition, these 15-minute talks are sure to pique your interest! The FNCE® Learning Lounge is a space where participants can discover, share and learn about the innovations and challenges transforming the food and nutrition industry through smaller, short-format talks. Learning Lounge discussions are a showcase for high-level discussions on hot topics — plus meet and greet friends, peers and colleagues from around the world.
Sunday, October 6
- FNCE® First-Timers: Navigating your First Conference as a RD2Be | 9:35 - 9:50 a.m.
- Adapting Nutrition Education for Youth with IDD | 11:40 - 11:55 a.m.
- What to Eat for Better Sleep | 12:20 - 12:35 p.m.
- The Importance of Multiple Revenue Stream for RDN Entrepreneurs | 1 - 1:15 p.m.
- Untangling Uncertainty: Evaluating Associations in Epidemiological Evidence | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m.
Monday, October 7
- HIIT or Miss? The Effects of Sustained High Energy Training on Cortisol | 9:35 - 9:50 a.m.
- Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom | 11:40-11:55 a.m.
- Addressing Malnutrition in Bariatric Surgery Patients | 1 - 1:15 p.m.
- Rethinking the Renal Diet: Undoing the One-Size-Fits-All Approach | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8
FNCE® First-Timers: Navigating your First Conference as a RD2Be
Sunday, October 6 | 9:35 - 9:50 a.m.
Many assume that professional conferences such as FNCE® are exclusive to established practitioners. However, these events should be accessible to students and aspiring RDs (RD2Bes) as well. This session aims to guide first-time student attendees on maximizing their experience and gaining lasting benefits from FNCE®, ensuring they are well-prepared and continue to attend in the future.
Jenna is the Managing Director and Podcast Host of RD2BE as well as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Health, Nutrition, Food, and Exercise at Virginia Tech. Within her role at RD2BE, Jenna engages with aspiring registered dietitians and practicing RDs, focusing on fostering students' professional development through networking, podcasting, mentorship, and career planning. Jenna's commitment to bridging the gap between students and practitioners extends to her involvement within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, where she currently serves as the Student Representative for the Political Action Committee and is a past Student Representative of the Member and Student Advisory Committee.
Adapting Nutrition Education for Youth with IDD
Sunday, October 6 | 11:40 - 11:55 a.m.
Children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk for obesity and subsequent co-morbidities, which has implications for life expectancy, independent living and overall quality of life. Unfortunately, this population has limited access to resources and opportunities to engage in programming that appropriately address their needs.
Thus, the development and adaptation of nutrition education materials, curricula and opportunities are a critical need to support this population's adoption of a healthy lifestyle. This presentation will review key strategies for creating or adapting nutrition education efforts to meet the needs of youth with IDD.
Linda Bandini, PhD, RDN is a Professor in Pediatrics at the E.K. Shriver Center/University of Mass Chan Medical School and Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Boston University. Her research is focused on health promotion for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has conducted studies on dietary intake, physical activity, and weight management in this population and is the Principal Investigator of the Healthy Weight Research Network for Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
What to Eat for Better Sleep
Sunday, October 6 | 12:20 - 12:35 p.m.
It's estimated that only 28% of U.S. adults wake up feeling well-rested most days of the week. When you consider the importance of restful sleep for mental and emotional health, metabolism, immune system function, disease risk reduction, and more, we really should be counseling our patients on what to eat for better sleep—and doing what we can to help ourselves get the quality shut-eye we need.
In this Learning Lounge presentation, Jessica will share how nutrition can play a role in sleep quality. Jessica will touch on a few key nutrients that research has shown to be important for restful sleep and share a few ideas for dinner and bedtime snacks to support better sleep quality and duration.
Jessica Cording, MS, RDN, CDN, INHC is a registered dietitian, health coach, and author with a passion for helping people simplify their wellness routine by building sustainable healthy habits. She is the author of The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety and The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep (Viva Editions). Cording is a part of the mindbodygreen Collective and a frequent contributor to various media outlets such as Forbes, SHAPE and more.
The Importance of Multiple Revenue Stream for RDN Entrepreneurs
Sunday, October 6 | 1 - 1:15 p.m.
RDNs will discover the keys to unlocking unlimited earning potential, creating passive income streams and ensuring financial security through diversification. Learn how embracing multiple revenue streams provides financial flexibility and independence, empowering entrepreneurs to navigate market fluctuations with confidence.
Gain valuable insights into the ability to scale faster by leveraging diverse income sources, allowing your business to thrive in today's dynamic landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to business sustainability and growth.
Amy Goodson is a registered dietitian and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She focuses on overall health, wellness and sports nutrition. Amy has worked with the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, TCU Athletics, FC Dallas Soccer, the NBA G League, many PGA Tour players, as well as with thousands of high school and endurance athletes.
Untangling Uncertainty: Evaluating Associations in Epidemiological Evidence
Sunday, October 6 | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m.
Are you confused about associations (often contradictory) resulting from epidemiological research, especially where the evidence grade is low? One potential reason is that many studies are riddled with confounders, many of which are highly significant.
For example, consumers eating the most ultra-processed foods (UPFs) or refined grains also show high scores on many dietary and lifestyle factors associated with increased risk for chronic and communicable diseases, and the converse is true. So, are intakes of UPFs or refined grain causing the observed associations, or are these due to impacts of significant confounders and interactions?
Various examples will be discussed to aid practitioners, especially as many have little time to evaluate the research in depth, in interpreting such findings for their practice.
Julie Miller Jones, PHD, CNS, CFS, is an emeritus professor of foods and nutrition at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She is a fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), American Association of Cereal Chemistry International (AACCI), and International Society of Cereal Chemistry and Technology (ICC). She has been active in many organizations serving as international president of the AACCI, and chair of the joint the IFT, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society of Nutrition's (ASN) Task Force on Food Solutions and the IFT Nutrition Division.
HIIT or Miss? The Effects of Sustained High Energy Training on Cortisol
Monday, October, 7 | 9:35 - 9:50 a.m.
Women have a tendency to over perform cardiovascular exercise. This can often raise cortisol levels, and due to the increased stress, fat loss is often inhibited.
This talk will encourage women to participate in low intensity exercise, particularly walking and strength training. Learners will leave with an understanding of the effects of cortisol and their role in the body, which will allow dietitians to better aid in patients meeting their goals.
Kelley became a dietitian in 2011, and she has worked in many different clinical roles since that time. Diabetes education and management holds a special place in her heart, and she has been a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) since 2015. As a reformed "cardio queen", Kelley has began researching the impacts of high versus low impact exercise upon our hormone levels. She informs women how to best exercise for their body, as well as their goals.
Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
Monday, October 7 | 11:40-11:55 a.m.
In the past few years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded. A concern expressed in higher education is that the widespread and easy accessibility of AI leads to increasing cheating.
One method to address this potential concern is to educate students on the acceptable use of AI by allowing them to explore it within the classroom setting. This exploration may help students understand the strengths and limitations of AI and help both the educator and student set boundaries for its use.
Dana Scheunemann, PhD, MS, RDN, CD Assistant Professor at Mount Mary University (MMU) for the Master of Science in Dietetics and the Integrated Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. At MMU, she teaches MNT 1 & 2, sports nutrition, and has guided many graduate students through the four-course research series. In addition to working at MMU, Scheunemann teaches basic nutrition to non-nutrition majors at Colorado Christian University. Dr. Scheunemann has successfully used AI in her classroom as a teaching tool that supports (not replaces) student learning.
Addressing Malnutrition in Bariatric Surgery Patients
Monday, October 7 | 1 - 1:15 p.m.
Bariatric surgery comes with a lot of benefits, but it is not without the risk of complications. Though widely understudied, malnutrition in the setting of complications from surgery often leads to these patients requiring parenteral or enteral nutrition support.
This presentation aims to describe this situation that to many clinicians seems unfathomable, but is a worst case scenario.
Danelle is an advanced practice dietitian who specializes in outpatient parenteral and enteral nutrition support at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She earned her undergraduate degree in dietetics at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, completed a dietetic internship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and her master's in clinical nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is actively working to continue the conversation, and the body of research, on this population of patients who are not well understood.
Rethinking the Renal Diet: Undoing the One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Monday, October 7 | 3:10 - 3:25 p.m.
The overly restrictive, low-nutritive value renal diet is recent history and has given way to more healthful whole grains, plant-proteins, and varied fruits and vegetables. Despite the updated guidelines being published over 4 years ago, most practitioners have not yet implemented these life-changing concepts into practice or apply a one-size-fits-all approach to patient recommendations, even when not supported by the literature, such as in the elderly, polymorbid, or hospitalized patients. There is growing evidence that restrictive diets cause harm and malnutrition in hospitalized patients with chronic conditions.
Rachael is an assistant professor of nutrition for the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. She has over 20 years of experience in dialysis, including creating patient education materials, writing medical nutrition therapy guidelines, and educating dietetic interns, RDs, medical students, Nephrology nurses, fellows, and physicians. She has served on the executive committee of the Renal Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition Dietetics for over 15 years and led the revision of the National Kidney Diet (formerly the National Renal Diet).
Dietitians vs. TikTok: Practical Nutrition Tips for Parents of Gen Z
Tuesday, October 8 | 9:40 - 9:55 a.m.
As clinicians are being called on to work with adolescents and their family to reduce the hazards associated with social media, this program will highlight the reality of how powerful social platforms are in driving Gen-Z decisions about food, fitness, wellness, body image and mental health.
From statistics on the accuracy of information from nutrition influencers on popular platforms to the dangers of some popular food and nutrition trends and more, attendees will see that in order to guide parents and teens, it's critical to stay on top of what's trending.
You'll leave this session better equipped to aid parents in feeling confident not only in understanding the risks of social meeting and their child's true nutrition needs, but also in providing their kids with relatable educational sound-bites and exciting, nourishing meals and snacks.
Kelly Jones is a board certified sports dietitian and owner of Kelly Jones Nutrition, a performance nutrition consulting and nutrition communications company, as well as private practice. Kelly consults with national sports organizations and global corporations, has created nutrition and medical fitness programs for nationally recognized fitness clubs, and her businesses work with athletes at every level as well as parents and active families. Kelly also founded Student Athlete Nutrition, which provides practical, evidence-based nutrition programming and resources to student athletes and their parents, who often lack access to in-house sports dietitians and performance nutrition programs.
Rebuilding Trust: Patient-Centered Care to Counter Unqualified Nutrition Advice in Oncology
Tuesday, October 8 | 11:10 - 11:25 a.m.
Adverse encounters with healthcare providers can steer individuals away from conventional western medicine, leading them to pursue care from non-credentialed health advisors. Consequently, patients might turn to unqualified nutrition consultants who provide sensational advice that is not backed by research.
This is commonly observed in the oncology setting where patients seek out "holistic providers" when they feel their personhood has been overlooked. Patient centered care serves as an avenue to foster connection with patients and improve patient buy in to evidenced-based nutrition guidance by ensuring patients are seen and heard.
With over 15 years of experience in clinical practice, Meghan Laszlo is a dedicated oncology dietitian committed to enhancing the lives of cancer patients through individualized nutrition care. In addition to her clinical work, Meghan actively participates in nutrition research to further the understanding of dietary impacts on cancer. She also teaches cooking classes that equip patients with practical skills to prepare healthy meals and leads a lecture series on nutrition for cancer survivorship, fostering a supportive community for those navigating life after cancer treatment.
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