Text version of video - STEM Career:  Nutritionist

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Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

STEM Career Connections

(nutritionist narration)

Hi, I'm Angela Ginn-Meadow, a registered dietician nutritionist.  I work for the University of Maryland/Center of Diabetes and Endocrinology.

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A nutritionist helps someone that wants to manage their chronic disease or stay healthy by seeing what the foods they eat.  So it's really analyzing food, nutrition, health and wellness. 

So as a registered dietician nutritionist, you're part of the healthcare team and you're a healthcare provider. So some patients come directly to you to see whatever issues it is their doctor would like for you to work on to improve their eating habits if it's a weight-related condition. 

And it's really understanding what's going on in their life.  I'm really working with what their goals are.  I want to see what blood sugar goals, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure. We really need to see what we need to work on, and how food can improve that.

When you're making over a meal, it's all about where that person is.  Depending if they say, "You know what?  I love the food, but I just wanted a healthy preparation."  That's a small modification.

And if they say, "You know what?  I want a overhaul, I want to do something really new and drastic." Then we'll say, "You know what?  Let's add more fruits and veggies.  Let's switch out the milk from, you know, whole milk to skim milk, even throw in some tofu for a lower fat option for protein source."  So, it really depends where the person is, but it's just small simple steps to make a healthy meal.

(nutritionist talking to client)

We’ll just make sure that you try to add more non-starchy vegetables and less of the starchy vegetables, okay?

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You use STEM on a daily basis when you're working as a nutritionist. 

First thing is science, and when you are actually in college, you basically minor in science.  And, the science is really how your body's functioning, also, how food is broken down, how there are enzymes and how carbohydrates are broken down, how you calculate everything. 

Technology for my aspect of diabetes, we use glucose monitors, we use pumps, insulin pumps.  So there's a lot of technology going on with managing someone with diabetes. 

Engineering is we're always coming up with creative ways to make life easier for people when they're trying to live a healthy lifestyle. 

And math, is tons of math.  We're always adding, dividing, multiplying, just figuring out a lot of formulas to making someone healthy. 

I think people are starting to know that in order to live a long life you have to eat healthier. 
So, through all the different programs that are out there now, nutrition is a big -- it's a big part, and I think we continue to grow.