Written By: Juanita Barr Intern, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Master’s in Nutrition Sciences Approximately 35 million Americans have diabetes. Within that group,  90-95% of Americans have Type II Diabetes. Type II Diabetes is most common in people over the age of 45, and even more common among non-Hispanic blacks. The number of children with Type II Diabetes is lower than adults but the number has increased over the years. Before I talk about Type II Diabetes in detail, we will need to learn about insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas; an organ located behind your s ..read more

In the midst of all the chaos with COVID-19, it is important to keep ourselves and our families happy and healthy. The best way to do that right now is to keep a diet that is healthful to our bodies and our immune systems. The best vitamins and minerals to support immune function are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Zinc. But where do we find these vitamins and minerals in every day foods that we now have stock piled in our kitchens? You probably stocked up on canned foods, frozen fruits and vegetables, and wide variety of snacks (let’s be honest, we all have a sta ..read more

There is a new monster under your child’s bed and its name is Obesity! Now this monster isn’t particularly big or hairy, but it sure is scary. Obesity loves to give children type 2 diabetes, joint pain, shortness of breath; and that’s just to name a few. Now parents, no need to fear because I am about to share one way you can scare Obesity right out of your home. Ok now listen closely, it’s ensuring your children get adequate sleep at night. Read on to learn more about how sleep has an effect on childhood obesity. What is the recommend amount of sleep? According to the National Sleep Fou ..read more

Hello there! Alicia Simpson here. Last year, when I turned 38, I made a commitment to myself that by the time I turned 40 I would be healthier than I was when I was 30. Little did I realize when I made that commitment that when I turned 30, I made a commitment to myself to be healthier than I was when I was 20! So here I am, now 39, staring down a commitment I made to myself to be healthier at 40 than I was at 20. A lot of things have changed since I was 20 and since I was 30. I have followed a plant-based diet for over 18 years, am a single mother of a vibrant 8 year old, founded a non-p ..read more

Ever been out and about and gotten so hungry you can’t see or think straight? No one is ever there best self when they are hangry, that’s why snack bars are a great option to have in your bag at all times. Not just any snack bar though, you want a bar that has the perfect combination of protein and carbs, limited added sugars, and minimal ingredients. You always want a snack that includes protein and carbohydrate so that you feel satisfied and have sustained energy afterwards. Sometimes it just isn’t reasonable for us to be able to pair some carrots and hummus, or peanut butter and apples for ..read more

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-hicks-910382153 Name: Jordan Hicks School: Georgia State University Major and Degree: Dietetics/ Master of Science in Health Sciences Expected Graduation: December 2019 Where are you originally from? Athens, GA What made you decide on your chosen career path? I was originally a Nutrition Science major in undergrad in order to fulfill science requirements for PA school, but the nutrition classes I took made me realize my passion for nutrition. I soon switched my major to dietetics so that I can work on the preventative side of medici ..read more

Pregnancy is a time in a women’s life when there is an increased need for many vitamins and minerals, particularly iron. Iron is an essential micronutrient necessary for the development of healthy red blood cells and to transport oxygen throughout the body. Additionally, iron is necessary for growth, development, cell function, and the synthesis of some hormones. During pregnancy, iron needs increase (recommendation of 27 mg/day) to support the increase in blood plasma associated with the growing baby and placenta, and for the physiological changes occurring in the mother. Due to these increas ..read more

Our August Internship Spotlight is on GSU Nutrition student Sallay Jabbie. You might have seen here around the office snuggling with babies, laughing over tea or quickly jotting down notes absorbing all she can about the world of pediatric nutrition, maternal nutrition and lactation support. Get to know Sallay as we have over the last month! LinkedIn: https: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallay-jabbie-a7856a6a/ School: Georgia State University Major and Degree: Nutrition/ Health Science – Masters Expected Graduation: December 2020 Where are you originally from? Atlanta, GA ..read more

About Us: Pea Pod Nutrition and Lactation Support, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the nutritional health of Georgia families. We specialize in family nutrition including maternal health, pediatric nutrition, and chronic disease prevention through medical nutrition therapy.  The mission of Pea Pod Nutrition and Lactation Support is to empower families through evidence-based nutrition and lactation education, counseling and support to reduce the risk and prevalence of lifestyle related chronic diseases in Georgia families. Looking for Board Members who have t ..read more

As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to tame the tornado of stressors that comes with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Supplementation of omega-3’s have been thoroughly discussed to help improve behaviors related to these conditions. Since both ASD and ADHD are neurodevelopmental disorders, it would stand to reason that a supplement such as omega-3, which is linked to brain health and development, would be a viable option to reduce these symptoms. There’s no need to meet the wizard, just read below to learn ab ..read more