I have spent the last week with about a thousand Texas dietitians for the 2015 Texas Academy Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo.  I am thankful and lucky to be part of such a profession that I am truly passionate about – and that there is so much to learn.  The continuing education piece to my yearly registration dues as a dietitian is legit- the nutrition field is constantly changing.  For example.. coffee was boosting my metabolism on Tuesday, but by Friday morning they say it is bad, bad, bad.  Kind of like the weather in Texas.  You don’t like it at the moment.. just wait.  It will make a shift.  The difference is, making sure these nutrition tips and tricks you are learning about are from credible sources:)  
>>end soapbox<<  

The opportunities at FNCE are endless.  The mornings are early with sponsored
breakfasts and go late with dinners and receptions.  The daytime hours are
filled with informative educational sessions, and a couple tours through the expo
hall, not to mention the networking with fellow dietitians ranging in all types of field interest.

So, with my bags packed, me and this belly made the short trip to Houston for a week long stay of learning about the latest news on nutrition and human health and then wandered the expo sampling the newest food products to hit supermarkets – my favorite part, don’t you know.  Lots of gluten free items from Whole Note Foods, and around the corner was Mission Tortillas handing out packages of corn-whole wheat blend tortillas and offering out samples of goat cheese and spinach quesadillas (get in my belly).  The Texas Beef Council was a sponsor (dietitians eat beef!) and I went back for a second sample of the homemade zesty lentil gazpacho.

This week was nutrition-rich as far a knowledge goes- I wish I could have sat in on every single session..and my notebook is full.  Instead of sorting through every single bullet point I jotted down throughout this last week, I figured I would share of few pictures and hit the highlights that really struck my dietitian heat strings.

1. Food Service Dietitians and nutritionists are basically the equivalent to rockstar status when it comes to feeding our kids – both in and outside of their school walls.  The amount of effort and thought that goes into these healthful meals nearly knocked me to my knees.  Getting to hear Dayle Hayes, MS, RD speak at the opening session made me want to get more involved with the school lunch programs in my area.

   

10. Being a supermarket RD is still my one TRUE dream and desire in this profession.  The ladies at HEB proved that for me this week.