Are you nuts about nutrition? Then check out the nutrition and dietetics club, open to everyone interested. The club meets every second Tuesday of every month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in HC101.
The nutrition and dietetics club is focused on helping college students build healthy habits when it comes to lifestyle and eating choices.
Co-founded by Junior Nicolette Papandrea, President, and Junior Morrgan Damia, Vice President of the club. Papandrea and Damia started the club based on their love of nutrition and healthy lifestyle during the fall 2023 semester.
“The nutrition and dietetics club turned into an amazing place where people come together with the same interest of nutrition that we are extremely proud of today,” said Papandrea.
Papandrea is responsible for setting and monitoring the goals of the club, running meetings, and delegating tasks.
Damia is responsible for taking attendance with the club secretary, presiding club meetings in the absence of the club president, and watching over assisting committee chairs.
The club provides a space where students can go and talk about nutrition and learn to build a better and healthier relationship with food, exercise, and the environment.
Junior, Cailey Ziegleris, Treasurer for the Health and Dietetics club at the university said, “this club has opened many doors for me to be able to not only be involved in the SHU community but in the local community as well.”
Zeigler oversees the financial aspects of the job. Taking care of the finances and monitoring the financial records of the club. She was informed about the club by the club’s advisor, Tina Miller who connected her to Papandrea and Damia.
During a typical meeting, members of the executive board speak on a certain food-related topic such as healthy eating in college. After discussing their main topic on the agenda, the E-Board goes over “housekeeping slides”
Housekeeping slides are general updates, upcoming volunteer opportunities, and events for the nutrition and dietetics club.
One of their highlights as a club was having Liv Jordan, a fitness influencer come and speak to the club about her business she has created for herself.
“This club is something that I hold very close to me, and I think that it was one of the best decisions I ever made to join. One of the goals that I have for this club is to continue its growth in not only size but in heart,” said Zeigler.
Some events they hosted included their Celsius and Chobani giveaways, Little Words Project, and nOURishment Bridgeport.
Little Words Project creates bracelets and gives 25% of net proceeds to various non-profit organizations. nOURish Bridgeport is a non-profit organization that gives back to the community through direct service programs such as food pantries.
The club aims to host a smoothie bike program that will allow students to make their own smoothie while they are riding a bike.
In the future, they hope to volunteer at local schools for after school snacks, collaborate with other clubs, have more guest speakers, start committees such as volunteer and fundraising committees, and finally make our club more known on campus.
Their next event is at Panera Bread on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 4-8 p.m. at 065 Main Street, Trumbull CT. Use the code FUND4U online or in-store for a discount.