Body image. Anemia. Stress eating around exam time. Eating on the fly. Food insecurity. Carb confusion.
That’s just a taste of the broad range of topics that dietitians at McGill’s Student Wellness Hub address as they offer nutritional guidance to students – many of whom may be cooking for themselves for the first time.
From individual nutrition counselling to social media reels with cooking tips, such as how to safely use a chef’s knife, registered dietitian Anette Gruenberg, BSc(NutrSc)’00, and her colleagues focus on prevention, early intervention and awareness.
We spoke to Gruenberg recently in the Hub’s Healthy Living Annex about the support her team offers to McGill students.
Q. What eating or nutrition challenges do students raise most often with you?
For students living on their own, often for the first time, we frequently see concerns with meal planning or difficulty with access to food, sometimes in terms of food insecurity. We noticed a need for meal and food preparation skills, for instance, so we put together some nutrition bite reels that we share on social media featuring basic cooking skills and nutrition tips.
We also try to foster a healthy relationship with food, like encouraging eating with others to avoid isolation. Our guidance is catered to the lifestyle of a university student. For instance, how do you make sure that you're getting the proper nutrition when you're studying for exams all night and waking up at two in the afternoon?
Q. What do you and your colleagues focus on when working with students?
We help students make informed choices about nutrition, and tailor their meal plan to their situation. Sometimes it's to help facilitate better nutritional intake. Sometimes there are specific needs like a referral from a doctor, for instance, because their iron level is low.
Whatever the nutrition care plan, we promote mindful eating because it fosters a healthier relationship with food. It's being present in the moment with your meal and enjoying it. We also do community outreach, health promotion and workshops.
Q. You mentioned food insecurity. What if a student is struggling to buy enough food?
One of the roles we play is helping them maximize nutritional intake with the limited financial resources they might have. We give them ideas about foods to purchase, how to put meals together. We also have resources around campus that students aren't always aware of that can help with their budgetary needs. For example, at the Midnight Kitchen students just bring their own container and can have a vegan meal offered to them.
Q. In your time as a dietitian at McGill, have you noticed an evolution in students’ knowledge or interest in nutrition?
In the past, students weren't reading up on everything as much as they are now. They often come in with information they've Googled. In some ways, that's helpful. But we also debunk a lot of myths. Carbohydrates are an example. They’re an important macronutrient and an immediate source of energy for the body. Where students get information is important. Sometimes it's misleading, or sometimes it's accurate but doesn't necessarily apply to their situation.
Q. What are your top tips for students regarding healthy eating?
With classes, exams and studying, students sometimes skip meals or grab a meal at the last minute. It's important to make time and factor in some kind of meal plan. We often remind students that there's room for all foods in a diet – balance is key. We're not looking for perfectionism.
Q. Do you see any McGill athletes in your practice?
We see quite a few, actually. They come for different things. Sometimes an athlete will say ‘I'm having trouble getting enough energy for the amount of training that I'm doing.’ We help guide them in terms of meal planning and work on preventative measures with them. We're not going to wait till low iron happens, for example.
Q. What kind of supports are available to students at the Hub and beyond who struggle with disordered eating?
We talk a lot about disordered eating because we commonly see it among university students, whether someone had a history of it or is presently struggling. We have a multidisciplinary team and support group. We try to support the student as much as possible and connect them with outside resources as needed. Dietitians at McGill are also specialized in eating disorders.
Q. What do you like the most about your job?
I love working with students and I love seeing the Student Wellness Hub blossoming and evolving. It’s really fostering an environment to help students grow and thrive. When students leave my office I often say ‘happy eating!’ and they smile.