10/18/24: Spotlight: Drew Hemler - Canadian/US RD; #Sponsored Resources from IFIC; 4 Things You May Have Missed & more
"Nutrition News You Can Use"
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💡Spotlight:Drew Hemler-Canadian & US Dietitian
Education Specialist, Consultant & Speaker
Connect with Drew Hemler, MSc, RD, CDN, FAND on LinkedIn
Q#1: What do you like most about teaching/what's your favorite class to teach?
“…I absolutely love to share my knowledge and experience about several topics that are critical and/or emerging in our profession, including professional practice in social media, AI in dietetics, leadership, gender affirming dietitian service considerations, communications, and education planning. I don’t have a favourite class that I teach…but my favourite part of being an educator is connecting with fellow dietetic practitioners, hearing their pain points relative to the session topic I provide, then helping them feel and be more competent so that they can make an even bigger, more positive impact through their professional roles and responsibilities, including the clients and communities they serve….”
Q#2: If you saw a social media post by a dietitian that seemed to be violating ethical standards what would you do?
“First, I recognize that everyone’s approach can differ, and the (U.S.) code of ethics emphasizes respecting autonomy while carefully weighing the benefits and risks of our actions.
When deciding how to react, I see a fork in the road. To the left, you can approach the individual directly—privately or publicly—to discuss the issue. Private conversations are often more effective and less confrontational, so I typically lean toward that route. I remind my students and audiences to consider three questions in these situations:
1. What’s my intent—is it to blame or to inquire?
2. What’s my tone—am I using empathetic, descriptive, problem-oriented language or something more evaluative, dogmatic, and superior?
3. Who am I approaching—are they open-minded or known for blocking differing viewpoints?
Then there’s taking a right at the fork: reporting.
I usually reserve this option for when a direct approach isn’t effective and when I see the issue being severe. Reporting could involve using platform tools, contacting their regulatory board, or reaching out to the Academy if they’re U.S.-based. Overall, I prefer to start with a humanistic approach, fostering understanding, but I’m not afraid to take further action if needed.”
💻#Sponsored by IFIC-Science Communication Resource
Link for the resource hub HERE
4️⃣Things You May Have Missed
1.Substack: “Well to Do” by Rina Raphael
A Growing—and Problematic—Wellness Sentiment
Quoting Dr. Jonathan Stea on Dr. Mark Hyman, “…Hyman’s jargon echoes the pseudoscientific, patient-blaming and pill-shaming rhetoric that has always defined alternative medicine propaganda. We just don’t know if he’s aware of the script…..like the most skilled health gurus, he takes a kernel of truth and embellishes it with all kinds of pseudoscientific bells and whistles.”
2.LinkedIn: Pepsi: Unshrinking Shrinkflation
Tostitos and Ruffles shrank their bags of chips. It backfired
3.Last DGA (Dietary Guidelines for Americans) Advisory Committee Meeting
“The seventh and final meeting of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. This Scientific Report Meeting can be viewed online via livestream and will be recorded for later viewing.
Link to REGISTER
4. Do Food Drives Make the Most Sense?
Making the Most of Your Food Drive – Reintroducing justice and dignity to the fight to end hunger - Anina Estrem
“Food banks (and some pantries) have significantly more buying power than the average individual, which means donated funds can buy much more food than an individual in their local grocery store.
One of the most efficient ways to maximize capacity is through virtual food drives– where neighbors donate funds, or even choose to buy specific items which ensure the food bank gets the best rates as well as the foods they most need.”