Culture day [a photo essay]

Culture day at the dietetic internship. Someone was excited.

Our internship director requested that we each bring a cultural dish to share. My family is Swedish and Dutch, but another intern and I decided to go with our Asian heritage and make kim bap, also known as sushi.

At least it looked sort of pretty. Definitely needed a healthy dose of sweet chili sauce for flavor, though.

Some of my internship class [there are 34 interns in SLU?s program!].

Of course, energy bar Dan showed us all up with his vegan culinary creation: Cajun-Creole-Spiced Tempeh Pieces with Creamy Grits. Good enough to make you want to turn vegan.

More creative dishes. Kelly S. promised that Za?atar would make us smarter.

Of course, tasting the food was a super fun part of culture day, but we also learned details about kashrut or Jewish dietary laws. I didn?t know much about the various restrictions and customs practiced, and it was interesting to hear about an entirely different culture of eating.

We also learned about conducting nutrition counseling through interpreters (which I got to experience during my WIC rotation).

I think understanding differences in diet among various cultures is important because you never know what type of patient you?ll encounter in a hospital or outpatient setting.

And obviously, you?re going to seem pretty offensive if you suggest that a person who practices kashrut consume a glass of milk with every meal.

We also participated in a poverty simulation and were given characters. My partner and I were ?Rick Rhodes,? a disabled man who made $350 a month and worked part time. After paying rent for the month, he was left with $1 per day for food and was ineligible for food stamps because he made > $300/month. One of the interns was a pretty tough grocery clerk, so we ended up stealing extra food since $1 would only buy us fruit + cookies. Oops.

I think it was eye-opening to see how difficult it can be to get government aid. And how there are many obstacles in the process.

How have you been exposed to differences in culture where you work/study?

From the questions I got in response to the vegetarian/vegan post, I think that many of you have questions about soy and alternative protein sources, as well as B12. I?ve been in RD exam review for the past 2 days (sitting 8 + hours per day?it kind of drives you crazy), and I?m at the Missouri Dietetic Association?s annual meeting today and tomorrow, but expect a post (and a giveaway) soon!

p.s. Happy Earth Day!