ETAMU Nutrition Programming Helps Students Become Independent and Healthy

Campus Rec Magazine recently published a video interview featuring East Texas A&M staff member Kara Nemethy. In the interview, Nemethy shared some of the innovative nutrition programming she has implemented at East Texas A&M. Nemethy is a senior dietitian with Campus Recreation at ETAMU.

Nemethy has implemented pop-up events around campus where she distributes healthy snacks or drinks, providing nutrition facts and giving cooking demonstrations for hands-on learning. This has helped students learn how to incorporate protein, vegetables and whole grains into their meals and to experiment with what works for them. This has also taught students to follow a recipe and customize it to their liking, which helps them gain more confidence and feel a sense of community through the shared experience of learning how to cook.

“Nutrition really is a huge component of overall well-being, which is a huge cornerstone of campus recreation,” Nemethy said. “Our programming addresses the person as a whole.”

Nemethy allows students to become independent in the kitchen by guiding them through recipes and teaching them how to prepare their food through cooking classes that teach basic culinary and knife skills. 

Nemethy said word of mouth draws students into the nutrition programming offered at ETAMU. When they hear about their friends' experiences and the chance to win prizes, they are inspired to participate. She said prizes consist of cooking utensils, portable blenders, cookbooks for college student meals or other similar kitchen items that boost student participation.

Read the article and view the video at Campus Rec Magazine.