SHOP TALK - The ADA Convention
I'm on my way home (still on the plane) from the national American Dietetic Association convention in St. Louis and I have all sorts of thoughts racing through my sleep-deprived head.
I don't get out much so maybe it's just me but wht happened to the concept of paper toilet seat covers? You know the ones that are a total hassle to lay just perfect on the toilet seat but you do it anyway for fear some sort of germ might be transmitted upon contact. When I was younger I used to do the "snow plow" skiing position which would allow you to go to the bathroom without actually touching anything (I've seen some pretty scary bathrooms). My airplane lacked this travel option and so did the bathrooms in the convention center and St. Louis Airport...Did I miss a toilet seat cover memo or something? Are they not environmentally correct? Just let me know and I'll go back to the snow plow position.
On a more important note though, I met many lovely dietitians in the past four days. These were what I call dietitians in the trenches--working in hospitals or elderly care facilities...I even met a dietitian turned yoga instructor (she was very calm). The fact that they were very genuine and full of heart and soul came across after mere moments of meeting them. I found this completely refreshing! If you have ever been around a large group of dietitians two things will be quickly unmistakable--they can be quite a polite and positive bunch of gals! (I know there are male dietitians too, I'm just generalizing). Sometimes a little too polite and positive if you ask me (but that's another blog). A little Valley of the Dietitian Dolls...(just kidding).
The other thing I noticed was the constant presence of corporate America (for example Ronald from McDonalds made an appearance on the last day and dietitians were taking pictures with him--clearly dietitians who haven't read Fast Food Nation--which I by the way haven't read either). Companies were mentioned as sponsors for every seminar I attended. Some company's name was on the bag carrying our registration materials. There was a HUGE expo filled with all sorts of exhibitors too...Was it my imagination or did the big player food companies get the prime expo exhibit locations? Trust me though I was really happy to see that Coca Cola booth in the the middle of a LONG morning...I was thirsty and tired and and all I had to drink all morning was a warm bottle of water. I may have frightened the lady at the booth when I lunged toward her and frantically asked, "What do I have to do to get a cold diet coke?" I think I would have even taken a picture with Ronald McDonald I was so desperate (just kidding).
Some dietitians I spoke to (the ones in the trenches) questioned how closely tied the association seemed to be to big business. I'm putting words in their mouths but it was as if they were wondering, While it might be wise to invite these companies to the dinner table...it's something altogether different to invite them to the bedroom. Where is that line between dinner and dancing?
Related Topics: Fast food, fat kids, Food companies role in obesity
I don't get out much so maybe it's just me but wht happened to the concept of paper toilet seat covers? You know the ones that are a total hassle to lay just perfect on the toilet seat but you do it anyway for fear some sort of germ might be transmitted upon contact. When I was younger I used to do the "snow plow" skiing position which would allow you to go to the bathroom without actually touching anything (I've seen some pretty scary bathrooms). My airplane lacked this travel option and so did the bathrooms in the convention center and St. Louis Airport...Did I miss a toilet seat cover memo or something? Are they not environmentally correct? Just let me know and I'll go back to the snow plow position.
On a more important note though, I met many lovely dietitians in the past four days. These were what I call dietitians in the trenches--working in hospitals or elderly care facilities...I even met a dietitian turned yoga instructor (she was very calm). The fact that they were very genuine and full of heart and soul came across after mere moments of meeting them. I found this completely refreshing! If you have ever been around a large group of dietitians two things will be quickly unmistakable--they can be quite a polite and positive bunch of gals! (I know there are male dietitians too, I'm just generalizing). Sometimes a little too polite and positive if you ask me (but that's another blog). A little Valley of the Dietitian Dolls...(just kidding).
The other thing I noticed was the constant presence of corporate America (for example Ronald from McDonalds made an appearance on the last day and dietitians were taking pictures with him--clearly dietitians who haven't read Fast Food Nation--which I by the way haven't read either). Companies were mentioned as sponsors for every seminar I attended. Some company's name was on the bag carrying our registration materials. There was a HUGE expo filled with all sorts of exhibitors too...Was it my imagination or did the big player food companies get the prime expo exhibit locations? Trust me though I was really happy to see that Coca Cola booth in the the middle of a LONG morning...I was thirsty and tired and and all I had to drink all morning was a warm bottle of water. I may have frightened the lady at the booth when I lunged toward her and frantically asked, "What do I have to do to get a cold diet coke?" I think I would have even taken a picture with Ronald McDonald I was so desperate (just kidding).
Some dietitians I spoke to (the ones in the trenches) questioned how closely tied the association seemed to be to big business. I'm putting words in their mouths but it was as if they were wondering, While it might be wise to invite these companies to the dinner table...it's something altogether different to invite them to the bedroom. Where is that line between dinner and dancing?
Related Topics: Fast food, fat kids, Food companies role in obesity
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