Nutrition Clinic Offers Healthy Help for Cooking, Weight Management

Two programs provide opportunities for improving health and learning more about good choices

UM Nutrition Clinic offers several programs to help you achieve your healthy goals

The UM Nutrition Clinic offers several programs to help participants achieve health goals.

OXFORD, Miss. – Remember that New Year’s resolution you made to eat better and lose weight? The University of Mississippi Nutrition Clinic has classes to help you stay on track.

During February, Mary Roseman, a registered and licensed dietitian and UM associate professor of nutrition and hospitality, and Gillon Wells, graduate assistant, will conduct a series of healthy cooking classes. The focus of the classes is to encourage healthy eating habits among individuals and families.

“This class is great for those wanting to know healthy cooking techniques and better understand nutrition in a fun, relaxed setting,” Roseman said. “And it can be useful for those who never or rarely cook but would like to.”

The cooking classes are scheduled for Tuesday evenings at Lenoir Hall, running 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25. They address a variety of topics, including increasing fruit and vegetable intake, healthy substitutions, food safety and more. The classes are hands-on, and participants will cook a variety of recipes, try new foods and learn how to make healthier decisions.The classes are open to UM students, faculty and staff, and the public, but space is limited. The fee for all three classes is $125 per person, which includes all food and supplies. Registration is required by Friday (Feb. 7), and may be completed by contacting the Nutrition Clinic at 662-915-8662 or sending an email to mroseman@olemiss.edu.

The clinic is also launching its spring 2014 weight management program, which runs Feb. 12 through April 23. Weekly meetings are scheduled for noon Wednesdays, during which participants discuss their food and nutrition journals, learn more about portion sizes, participate in private weigh-ins and receive additional support. The program also provides body composition analysis, a grocery store tour and one-on-one consultations with a registered dietitian.

“The program is a terrific way for participants to receive support while learning healthy habits that will help them lose weight and improve their health,” explained Janie Cole, registered dietitian and UM education and training specialist. “Weight loss is a really personalized issue, but it’s not the only indicator of good health. We focus on the total body composition, and our participants have seen improvement via lost inches, improved muscle mass and better measurements related to diabetes and high blood pressure.”

The weight management program takes place in Lenoir Hall and is open to the public, but space is limited. The fee is $150 for the 10-week course. Participants may register by calling the Nutrition Clinic at 662-915-8662 or by sending an email to umnutritionclinic@olemiss.edu.

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