May Issue 2024

Mother’s
Day Recipes
with easy-to-follow,
step-by-step instructions!
Lunch Box Focus:
Iron, B12, and Folate!
CLOSING
REMARKS FROM
NUTRINEWS’
GRADUATING
SENIORS
SPECIAL FEATURE
Vitamins & Minerals:
Prenatal Health
Edition

Table of Contents
“ N A T U R E D O E S N O T H U R R Y , Y E T E V E R Y T H I N G I S
A C C O M P L I S H E D . ”
-Lao TZU
NUTRITION RESEARCH
Nutrient Needs During Pregnancy
WOMEN’S GESTATIONAL HEALTH
Understanding Prenatal Vitamins and Nutrients 06
SENIOR FAREWELLS
Advice and Memories from our Graduating Seniors
10
THE LUNCH BOX
Creamy Chicken and Spinach 13
FETAL NUTRITION
The Impacts of Nutrition on Fetal Health
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Labyak 20
MYTH BUSTING
Eating for Two
05
16
23
MONTHLY HACKS
For Pregnancy Nutrition 26
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH
UNF Nutrition Department is Looking for Participants
30
NUTRINEWS STAFF
Get to Know Our Staff!! 31

NUTRITION RESEARCH
DISCUSSING NUTRIENT NEEDS DURING PREGNANCY +
NUTRIENTS’ ROLES IN MATERNAL HEALTH
Ensuring adequate nutrition during
pregnancy is essential to facilitating the
child's growth and maintaining the parent’s
health. Nutrition's role in pregnancy can also
determine the chances of the offspring
developing chronic diseases later in life.1
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
proposes four general components of a
healthy pregnancy: “appropriate weight gain,
regular exercise, appropriate and timely
vitamin and mineral use, and a balanced
diet.”2 Generally, a balanced diet involves a
variety of nutrient- dense foods, such as
fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains,
and legumes. Some important nutrients to
highlight that are present in these food
groups are folate, calcium, vitamin D, protein,
and choline.
It is recommended that pregnant women
consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium per
day.3 Calcium is well known for
improving and maintaining bone and
teeth health. However, it is also
important for lesser- known functions
like supporting “circulatory, muscular,
and nervous system” functions. Dairy
products are an excellent source of
bioavailable calcium. Other good sources
of calcium include broccoli and kale, as
well as fruit juices and cereals that are
fortified with calcium.3
Folate or folic acid is recommended in
600- 1,000 micrograms daily throughout
pregnancy.3 Folate is a B vitamin that
substantially decreases the risk of fetuses
developing detrimental problems in the
brain and spinal cord. Good sources of
folate are dark leafy greens, “citrus fruits,
dried beans, peas, and lentils.” Fortified
cereals are great sources of folic acid.3
5

WRITER | MADI CASHMAN
WOMEN’S HEALTH
UNF NUTRINEWS
MAY 2024
GESTATIONAL GUIDANCE:
Understanding Prenatal Vitamins and Nutrients
6

PREGNANCY, VITAMINS,
AND NUTRIENTS
Pregnancy is a journey made up of countless changes,
both for the mother and her child. Among the
adjustments and considerations that need to be made,
ensuring proper nutrition stands very high up for a
healthy pregnancy. This is why prenatal vitamins have
stood as very important when going through pregnancy,
as it provides a concentrated source of essential nutrients
tailored to support maternal and fetal health (1).
“Prenatal supplements contain higher
concentrations of certain nutrients that
are crucial during pregnancy”
WHAT ARE PRENATAL VITAMINS?
Prenatal vitamins are specialized multivitamin supplements
formulated to meet the unique nutritional demands of
pregnant women and those planning to conceive. While also
resembling standard multivitamins, prenatal supplements
contain higher concentrations of certain nutrients that are
crucial during pregnancy. (1)
WHY TAKE PRENATAL VITAMINS?
Prenatal vitamins are specialized multivitamin supplements
formulated to meet the unique nutritional demands of
pregnant women and those planning to conceive. While also
resembling standard multivitamins, prenatal supplements
contain higher concentrations of certain nutrients that are
crucial during pregnancy. (1)
How Well Do You Know
the Key Nutrients?
KEEP READING TO FIND OUT!
3
7

“Prenatal vitamins... should complement a balanced diet rich in fruits,
vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains”
KEY NUTRIENTS IN
PRENATAL VITAMINS
Prenatal vitamins typically contain a variety of essential
nutrients, but several stand out for their important roles in
supporting pregnancy; folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D,
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Iodine.
FOLIC ACID
This B vitamin is crucial for cellular growth and development
and significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects, such
as spina bifida, in the developing fetus. It is recommended
that women take prenatal vitamins containing at least
600 mcg of folic acid daily during pregnancy. (1)
IRON
This plays a central role in blood production, crucial for
meeting the increased oxygen demands of both the mother
and the growing fetus. (1) Pregnant women require
approximately double the amount of iron compared to nonpregnant
women to support this increased demand.
CALCIUM
This is vital for bone and teeth formation in the developing
fetus, calcium also supports maternal bone health. Sufficient
calcium intake during pregnancy helps prevent maternal
depletion and the risk of osteoporosis later in life. (1)
VITAMIN D
This is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
Vitamin D also plays a role in immune function. (1) Taking a
proper amount is vital for fetal skeletal development.
DHA
This omega-3 fatty acid supports fetal brain and eye
development. While not always included in prenatal vitamins,
supplementation or dietary intake of DHA-rich foods, such as
orange juice or shrimp, are recommended during pregnancy. (1)
IODINE
This is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis, and critical to
fetal neurological development. Proper maternal iodine helps
ensure optimal cognitive function in the developing child. (1)
8

MEETING
NUTRITIONAL
NEEDS?
While prenatal vitamins serve as a convenient means to
strengthen and support nutrient intake, they should complement
a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and
whole grains. Additionally, women with specific dietary
restrictions or medical conditions may require
tailored supplementation to address individual needs. (1)
References
1. March of Dimes. Vitamins and other nutrients during pregnancy.
Marchofdimes.org. Published 2020. https://www.marchofdimes.org/findsupport/topics/pregnancy/vitamins-and-other-nutrients-during-pregnancy
9

Delaney Tindal, Editor-in-Chief
M A J O R : N u t r i t i o n a n d D i e t e t i c s
F A V O R I T E M E M O R Y : T w o o f m y
f a v o r i t e m e m o r i e s i n c l u d e t h e i n - p e r s o n
e s c a p e r o o m c a s e s t u d y f o r M N T I I a n d
t h e t i m e i ’ v e s p e n t w i t h m y p e e r s . T h e
D P D p r o g r a m h a s g i f t e d m e w i t h l i f e l o n g
f r i e n d s h i p s t h a t I a m i m m e n s e l y
t h a n k f u l f o r .
B E S T A D V I C E : M y b e s t a d v i c e i s t o f u l l y
e n g a g e i n t h e p r o g r a m b y a c t i v e l y p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n
e x t r a c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s a n d a t t e n d i n g p r o g r a m e v e n t s .
A d d i t i o n a l l y , m a k e t h e m o s t o f o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o c o n n e c t w i t h
y o u r p r o f e s s o r s a n d c l a s s m a t e s . T h e s e e x p e r i e n c e s n o t o n l y
e n h a n c e y o u r l e a r n i n g b u t a l s o o p e n d o o r s t o n e w p e r s p e c t i v e s
a n d c o n n e c t i o n s .
10

Bailey Taylor, Publisher
M A J O R : N u t r i t i o n a n d D i e t e t i c s
F A V O R I T E M E M O R Y : M y f a v o r i t e
m e m o r i e s r e v o l v e a r o u n d t h e b o n d s
f o r m e d w i t h n e w f o u n d f r i e n d s . I a m
f o r t u n a t e t o h a v e c r o s s e d p a t h s w i t h
s u c h i n c r e d i b l e i n d i v i d u a l s d u r i n g m y
t i m e a t U N F .
B E S T A D V I C E : G e t i n v o l v e d ! I h a v e h a d a n a m a z i n g
e x p e r i e n c e w i t h p r o g r a m s o n c a m p u s , i n c l u d i n g b e i n g a
p u b l i s h e r f o r t h i s m a g a z i n e a n d a s a t e a m l e a d e r a t M e a l s
o n W i n g s .
Carole Stringfield, Publisher
M A J O R : N u t r i t i o n a n d D i e t e t i c s
F A V O R I T E M E M O R Y : M e e t i n g a n d b e c o m i n g
f r i e n d s w i t h a g r o u p o f t r u l y w o n d e r f u l
p e o p l e t h a t s h a r e t h e s a m e i n t e r e s t s
t h a t I d o .
B E S T A D V I C E : L i f e h a p p e n s a n d s o m e t i m e s
w e g e t c a u g h t u p i n w a n t i n g t o b e p e r f e c t o r
s u p e r h i g h a c h i e v e s o i t ' s d e v a s t a t i n g w h e n
w e e x p e r i e n c e a s e t b a c k . G i v e y o u r s e l f t h e
g r a c e a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g y o u w o u l d g i v e
o t h e r s . Y o u d e s e r v e i t !
11

Andrea Butler, Writer
M A J O R : N u t r i t i o n a n d D i e t e t i c s
F A V O R I T E M E M O R Y : M y f a v o r i t e m e m o r y
o f N u t r i N e w s a n d t h e N u t r i t i o n p r o g r a m
i s g e t t i n g t o k n o w m y c l a s s m a t e s .
T h e y ' v e b e c o m e w o n d e r f u l f r i e n d s a n d
h a v e h e l p e d m e t h r o u g h a c a d e m i c
c h a l l e n g e s a n d l i f e c h a l l e n g e s . I
c o u l d n ' t a s k f o r a b e t t e r g r o u p o f p e o p l e
t o l a u g h w i t h a n d m a t u r e a l o n g s i d e .
B E S T A D V I C E : O n e p i e c e o f a d v i c e I ' d g i v e t o u p c o m i n g s e n i o r s
i s t o e n j o y y o u r l a s t y e a r . F i n d t i m e t o h a n g o u t w i t h f r i e n d s ,
g o t o a s p o r t s g a m e a t U N F , t r a v e l i f t h a t ' s s o m e t h i n g y o u ' r e
i n t e r e s t e d i n , b u t j u s t e n j o y y o u r l a s t y e a r . Y o u o n l y g e t t h e
t i m e t h a t y o u h a v e o n c e s o s p e n d i t w e l l .
Congrats Seniors!
12
12

The Lunch Box
Creamy Chicken and
Spinach
By: Jace Brown
Finding a fulfilling purpose is one of the most pressing
pieces of reality for individuals. For many in recent
generations an ideal life path centers around a bustling
corporate career. In turn, making Mother’s Day all the
more special as we celebrate women of all vocations
who are pursuing the extra self-sacrifices and joys of
parenthood.
Becoming a mother, no doubt, comes with a steep
learning curve. To help lessen its slope we’ve provided a
simple recipe that will help to ensure the health of new
mothers and their children.
Creamy chicken and spinach is an easy to make meal,
that provides many vitamins essential to the mother and
her unborn baby. Arguably one of the most important
vitamins for pregnant women is folic acid, also called
vitamin B-9. Folic acid helps ensure the proper
development of the spinal cord, DNA, and neural tubes
within the unborn baby, according to the American
Pregnancy Society. It also reduces the risk of
cardiovascular disease, according to Mayo Clinic. In this
dish, spinach provides high amounts of folic acid.
Another vitamin imperative during pregnancy is iron. As
is common knowledge, iron will be found in the chicken.
Mayo Clinic shows that an iron deficiency during
pregnancy increases the risk of a premature birth,
postpartum depression, and a low birth weight. To
counteract this potential deficiency, the chicken in this
recipe will provide high levels of iron.
The last vitamin covered here is B12. Having stable B12
levels can promote the proper development of red blood
cell formation, DNA production and nerve function
within preborn. Within this meal it is found in the Swiss
cheese.
Ingredients:
• 2 Chicken Breasts
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 2 tsp Rosemary
• 2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Onion
• ½ a Tomato
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• ¾ Cup of Chicken Broth
• ¾ Cup of Heavy Cream
• ¼ Cup of Swiss Cheese
• ¾ Cup of Spinach
Instructions:
1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper,
oregano, rosemary, and 1 tsp garlic powder.
2. Cook the chicken in a pan coated with
olive oil until there is no pink in the meat.
3. Remove the chicken and place on a
separate plate.
4. Dice onion and tomato before placing in
the same pan used for the chicken.
5. Add chicken broth and heavy cream into
the pan.
6. Add garlic powder, Swiss cheese, chopped
spinach as well as salt and pepper to taste.
7. Cook until the onions are translucent, and
the sauce has the desired texture.
8. Reincorporate the chicken.
13

Happy Teacher
Appreciation Week
May 6th - May 10th, 2024

NUTRITION AND ITS IMPACT ON
FETAL GROWTH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
BY ANDREA BUTLER
Nutrition plays an important role in
fetal health, as it supports the
growth of the baby throughout
pregnancy.
H
Having adequate stores of zinc,
iron, folate, and B12, as well as
nutrient-dense foods that meet the
high metabolic demands of fetal
development, ensures a positive
outcome for the mother and child.1
Nutrient-dense foods that are crucial for
pregnant mothers to consume include
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean
meats, fish, nuts, and seeds.2 While a diet
high in nutrients can positively impact
fetal health, certain foods can negatively
affect the growth of a baby.
A diet high in sugar, saturated fat, and
sodium can contribute to obesity,
diabetes, and heart disease for the mother
and increase the risk of a low birth weight
for the baby. In addition to food intake,
food environment can impact the health
of infants.
16

Living in a food desert, for example, can lead to an
increased reliance on processed foods that are
easier to preserve, convenient, and require little
preparation. When the pregnant mother mostly has
access to foods low in nutritional quality, there is a
high likelihood of excessive gestational weight gain
and, consequently, birth of large for gestational age
babies (LGA). This impacts the subsequent growth
and development of the newborn into childhood
and may even progress into adolescence.2
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that enables
skeletal growth, immune function, cell proliferation,
and calcium homeostasis in the form of vitamin
D3.3 Therefore, maternal vitamin D deficiency has
been implicated in causing rickets, fractures in
newborns, diabetes, and obesity. For pregnant
women, the RDA for supplemental vitamin D3 is
600 IU/day. Kwon et al investigated the impact of
maternal vitamin D concentrations on fetal
growth.3 The study enrolled 48 expectant mothers
in weeks 22 to 25 of gestation. Each participant
took an immunoserological test to quantify blood
levels of vitamin 25(OH)D3. Hematological and
serological parameters, as well as the presence of
sexually transmitted pathogenic bacteria, were
analyzed according to their serum vitamin D
concentrations.
In terms of the sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs), there were 12 bacteria that underwent
analysis, including gonorrhea and herpes simplex
virus. Since vitamin D influences the immune
system and deficiency is associated with adverse
pregnancy outcomes, the researchers investigated if
vitamin D plays a significant role in STDs.
Furthermore, the correlation between maternal
bone mineral density (BMD) and maternal vitamin
D concentration was assessed by examining the
bone densities of the spine and femur based on
reproductive age groups. The groups were classified
as 20-30 years of age and 31-40 years of age.
. As for the results, the participants were
categorized into vitamin D deficient, insufficient,
and sufficient groups based on their blood vitamin
D concentrations and hematologic factors. The
distribution of the data showed the following: 20
patients had vitamin D deficiency in their 22nd
week of gestation, 11 patients had vitamin D
deficiency in their 23rd week of gestation, and 17
patients had vitamin D deficiency in their 24th
week of gestation.
The vitamin D deficient and insufficient groups had
similar levels of WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, and Plt. The
vitamin D sufficient group possessed levels of these
factors that were not significantly higher; however,
there was a slight increase in WBC and Plt counts
demonstrated in the deficient and sufficient groups.
17

In addition, no significant correlation with vitamin
D was found for changes in serological values
between the deficient, insufficient, and sufficient
groups. Furthermore, STDs of clinical significance
were not detected and showed no correlation with
maternal serum vitamin D concentrations.
However, a correlation between vitamin D
concentration and vaginal flora was detected. Lastly,
based on serum vitamin D concentrations, 7
participants in the 20-30 age group were
characterized as having vitamin D deficiency, and
no participants in that group had vitamin D
sufficiency.
The 31-40 age group had 14 participants with
vitamin D deficiency and at least 7 participants with
vitamin D sufficiency. Overall, maternal vitamin D
deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were
strongly correlated with the cord blood vitamin D
level of the fetus. Therefore, maternal vitamin D
intake had a positive effect on the newborn after
pregnancy. According to Kwon et al, future studies
are needed to examine the effects vitamin D and
calcium levels on skeletal development during
pregnancy, as the number of current available
studies is small. The combined supplementation of
calcium and vitamin D could significantly impact
fetal growth during pregnancy, as well as during
lactation and childhood.3
As previously mentioned, the quality of the
maternal diet is an important determining factor in
the health of babies since it may influence birth
weight outcomes.4 According to de Andrade et al,
diet is a modifiable factor that plays an important
role in balancing pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory
cytokines and adipokines. Evidence
suggests that a diet full of antioxidant-rich fruits
and vegetables can contribute to high chances of a
birth weight in the appropriate gestational age
(AGA).
18
To investigate this claim, de Andrade et al
conducted a cross sectional study with 784 pregnant
women between 24-39 weeks of gestation. All the
participants were adult pregnant women with no
history of diabetes or another disease that alters
food consumption. Information on birth weight was
obtained from the SINASC and classified in
percentiles according to the curves established by
Intergrowth 21st. Infants weighing below the 10th
percentile of the curve were classified as small
gestational age (SGA), infants weighing above the
90th percentile were considered LGA, and infants
between the 10th and 90th percentile were
classified as AGA.
In addition, two 24-hour dietary recalls were used to
estimate the diet of the pregnant women. Blood
samples were obtained after 8-12 hours of fasting
and at 1 and 2 hours after ingestion of 75g of
glucose. Furthermore, the DII score was used to
evaluate the effect of nutrient and food intake on
various inflammatory markers: interleukin -1β (IL -
1 β), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and
C-reactive protein. The DII is composed of 45
dietary components that classify the diet as antiinflammatory
or pro-inflammatory. Of the 45
components, the researchers had the participants
add 36 to their diets in order to estimate their DII
scores.
The components that were excluded were garlic,
onion, ginger, cloves, turmeric, saffron, pepper,
oregano, and rosemary. The E-DII tertiles were
estimated by converting the dietary parameters
from dietary intake to the amount of intake per 100
kcal. The results showed that the pregnant women
in the first tertile of the E-DII score had a higher
intake of vitamin B12, B6, C, E, D, β-carotene,
flavones, flavanols, and flavanones. Pregnant
women in the third tertile had diets with higher
total energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake.
Regarding the association between E-DII and birth
weight outcomes, participants in the third tertile
had higher odds of having LGA babies compared to
those in the first tertile.

While nutritional status and a healthy diet are
important to monitor during pregnancy, current
research has also emphasized the importance of
providing adequate nutrients during the
periconceptional phase for optimal early fetal
development.5
However, there was no association between E-DII
tertiles and the birth of SGA infants. Thus, the data
from the study indicates that pro-inflammatory
maternal diets are associated with a higher risk of
LGA infants.4
The periconceptional phase includes the processes
of gametogenesis, embryogenesis, and placentation.
Due to the fragility of these processes, an unhealthy
diet and poor lifestyle behaviors can increase the
risk of congenital defects, miscarriage, and preterm
deliveries. To reduce the risk of these adverse
outcomes, a Mediterranean diet may be used as an
intervention during the periconceptional phase.
Due to its low intake of meat products and
abundance of vegetables, whole grains, fish, and
olive oil, the Mediterranean diet has a high methyl
donor content for one carbon metabolism, which is
vital for the growth, development, and
programming activities that occur during the
periconceptional period.
Çobanoğullari et al conducted a literature review
on how the Mediterranean diet impacts gestation
and fetal health. One study found that higher
consumption of animal proteins before pregnancy
was linked to an increased risk of gestational
diabetes, whereas high consumption of plant-based
proteins lowered the risk of metabolic disorders.
Other studies discovered that the Mediterranean
diet protects against gestational hypertension and
pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, studies that examined
the effect of diet on neonatal and fetal development
showed that children of women who had a
Mediterranean-style diet while pregnant had lower
risk of developing congenital limb defects and SGA.
Additionally, some studies found that women who
strictly adhered to the Mediterranean diet had
lower risk of infertility, as high consumption of
whole grains, vegetables, and fruits was positively
associated with fertility outcomes.
However, a few of the researchers who conducted
those studies discovered that the high content of
vitamin B6, folic acid, and vegetable oils in the
Mediterranean diet negatively affected fertility
outcomes. Some of the studies’ results were also
inconclusive, and further research is needed to
determine how some aspects of the Mediterranean
diet affect pregnant women during different
trimesters. As demonstrated by the evidence
gathered by Çobanoğullari et al, inadequate intake
of nutrients during the periconceptional phase
negatively affects pregnancy outcomes. Therefore,
maternal nutrition, both before and during
pregnancy, is fundamental for creating the best
quality of life for infants, children, and onward.5
References
1.Owen MD, Baker BC, Scott EM, Forbes K. Interaction between Metformin, Folate and Vitamin B12 and the
Potential Impact on Fetal Growth and Long-Term Metabolic Health in Diabetic Pregnancies. Int J Mol Sci.
2021;22(11):5759. doi:10.3390/ijms22115759
2. Victor A, Gotine ARM, Falcão IR, et al. Association between food environments and fetal growth in pregnant
Brazilian women. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2023;23(1):1-661. doi:10.1186/s12884-023-05947-1
3. Kwon KW, Lee YH, Yeo MH, et al. Maternal and Fetal Effects of Gestational Vitamin D Concentration.
Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(16):2325-. doi:10.3390/healthcare11162325
4.de Andrade Miranda DEG, Santos IDS, Silva CA, et al. Pro-inflammatory diet during pregnancy is associated
with large-for-gestational-age infants. Nutr Res. 2022;100:47-57. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2022.01.003
5.Çobanoğullari H, Ergoren MC, Dundar M, Bertelli M, Tulay P. Periconceptional Mediterranean diet during
pregnancy on children's health. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2 Suppl 3):E65-E73. Published 2022 Oct 17.
doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2748
19

Years in the field:
S T A F F S P O T L I G H T
Dr. Corrinne Labyak
She has been in the field of dietetics for 26 years.
What brought her to UNF?
She is originally from Jacksonville. After she
graduated from FSU she began looking at different
schools for her MSDI and found UNF to be the
perfect fit. In 1998 Dr. Labyak graduated from
UNF’s MS DI program.
What are her roles/titles here - what classes do you
teach?
D r . L a b y a k i s a p r o f e s s o r i n t h e N u t r i t i o n a n d D i e t e t i c s d e p a r t m e n t . S h e
h a s 3 k i d s a n d u s e d t o b e a n i n d e p e n d e n t c o n t r a c t o r . I n t h e f i e l d o f
n u t r i t i o n s h e d o e s a v a r i e t y o f t h i n g s i n c l u d i n g l e a d i n g a p a r e n t g r o u p
w h i c h f o c u s e s o n c h i l d r e n t h a t a r e o v e r w e i g h t a n d / o r o b e s e . A l o n g w i t h
t h a t , n o w , s h e f o c u s e s o n t h e
e l d e r l y , s p e c i f i c a l l y , s h e f o c u s e s o n d e m e n t i a .
She began teaching as an adjunct but has been a
professor since 2012. She is also a registered and
licensed dietitian and has taught many undergrad
classes. Some of the courses include advanced
nutrition and community nutrition.
By: Kaley Morrissey
What do you like best about being a professor?
Helping the students and seeing them progress.
What made you want to pursue the career/degree that you have?
She had no idea what she wanted to do going into college. However, she had taken a career
exploration class. In this class, she had to research 3 different careers and found that
dietetics interested her the most because she knew she excelled in the sciences.
What do you feel has been the biggest challenge in this field?
20
Dr. Labyak says that protecting the registered dietitians” In other words protected our
credentials. People in other professions may try and give nutrition advice where it is not in
their knowledge to do so

W h a t a d v i c e d o y o u h a v e f o r t h o s e c u r r e n t l y p u r s u i n g a
d e g r e e i n d i e t e t i c s ?
For building a good future for yourself the best thing you can do is
communicate with your professors and try to get to know them. This will help
you with reference letters and get more contacts in the field. Another thing
that can help you is real-world experiences like volunteering
or being a part of research projects.
C a n y o u t e l l u s a f u n f a c t a b o u t y o u r s e l f t h a t m a n y p e o p l e
m a y n o t k n o w ?
Dr. Labyak has attended all the big North Florida schools. (UF, FSU, and UNF)
21

Happy World Red Cross day
May 8th, 2024

BY KATIE ALJIAN
Myth Busting:
Eating For Two
23
The notion that pregnant women are 'eating for two' is a common saying, yet it
oversimplifies the complexity of nutrition during pregnancy. There's a wealth of
information about maintaining a balanced diet while expecting, for both maternal
and fetal health. Pregnancy is a time when nutritional needs increase, but it's not
about doubling your intake. Quality over quantity becomes key as you nourish
both yourself and your growing baby. So rather than simply indulging, it's about
consuming nutrient-rich foods that support and optimize both maternal and fetal
health.

Carrying women do not need an extreme amount of extra calories at the beginning of
their first trimester. There is a need for more calories, but not an additional 2,000. The
caloric intake differs from each individual and their eating habits. The nutritional needs of
a woman and growing fetus will vary during the pregnancy, with the need increasing over
time. Proper nutrition during pregnancy is essential to have a healthy baby. 1 There are
many risks that can come about if proper nutrition is not considered for pregnant women.
1 If insufficient weight is gained during pregnancy your baby could be at risk for
premature birth, which can lead to lung and heart complications. Beyond the 'eating for
two' myth, there are other misconceptions about weight gain during pregnancy. One
common belief is that increased weight helps during delivery.
However, it's important to
recognize that a healthy
pregnancy involves adequate
fat storage rather than
excessive weight gain. Fat
storage is used as energy
during labor and breastfeeding.
1 Monounsaturated fats are a
good source of healthy fats
that can be consumed during
pregnancy. These fats include
avocados, nuts and seeds. 2
Starting off on the right track
can be helpful on this journey. If
you are concerned about the
caloric intake and not knowing
how much to eat and which
foods are best, there are many
resources available to help
easy the difficulty of finding
what is best for the mother and
fetus. The Mayo Clinic calorie
calculator is a good tool for
understanding the calorie
intake your body needs while
not pregnant. 3
24

The minimum number of calories
a non-pregnant woman should be
consuming is 1,600 calories. This
number can range depending on
your weight, height, age, and
activity. In the second and third
trimesters, you should be
consuming an additional 300-340
calories everyday 1,4,5 . If you
were to be eating an average of
2,000 calories based on your age
and weight you would need to
start consuming a total of 2,300
calories. For each additional baby
you are holding you should add an
additional 300 calories per baby.
If you are carrying twins, you
should be consuming a total
additional 600 calories.
You may not be eating for two, however, it is good to remember you should be eating twice as
healthy for your baby. Having a well-balanced diet will aid in your baby’s development. Nutrition
for two is a healthier way to think of the additional calories needed. 6 While you do need to
increase your caloric intake, indulging in less nutritious processed foods is not the best course
of action. Every person's body is different along with nutritional needs. Therefore, it is
imperative to consult your doctor on proper nutrition for you on this adventure.
Works cited:
1. American Pregnancy Association. Pregnancy Nutrition. American Pregnancy Association. Published April 27, 2012.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/pregnancy-nutrition/
2. American Heart Association. Monounsaturated Fat. www.heart.org. Published June 1, 2015. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthyeating/eat-smart/fats/monounsaturated-fats
3. Mayo Clinic. Calorie Calculator. Mayo Clinic. Published 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/calorie-calculator/itt-
20402304
4. UCSF Health. Eating Right Before and During Pregnancy. ucsfhealth.org. Published March 14, 2019. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/eatingright-before-and-during-pregnancy
5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Nutrition During Pregnancy. www.acog.org. Published 2022. https://www.acog.org/womenshealth/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy
6. Nutrition During Pregnancy. www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-preventio6.n/nutrition-duringpregnancy#:~:text=Dietary%20and%20Caloric%20Recommendations%20To%20maintain%20a%20healthy
25

M onthly
onthly H
acks
Pregnancy Nutrition
By Sophia Harris
Making sure that one is on top of their
regular nutrition plan can be
overwhelming enough but when they are
pregnant their nutrition plan can change.
When someone is pregnant, their servings
may change, and they may need to focus
on certain nutrients for the baby.
Be sure to consume the vital nutrients
to support healthy baby development!
Iron and Folic Acid (Folate)
Iron is a nutrient that is important to
keep on top of as the fetus absorbs
iron from the pregnant person. (1)
Some food items that can replenish
one’s iron stores include: meat,
poultry, seafood, dried beans,
lentils, and leafy green vegetables.(1)
It is also worth noting that iron is
easier to absorb when paired with
foods that contain vitamin C. (1)
One other important nutrient to
pay attention to in the diet is folate
or folic acid. Folic acid is necessary
to diet because they prevent any
neural tube defects as the fetus
grows. (1) Foods that contain folate
include: asparagus, dried beans,
chickpeas, cabbage, leeks, and
orange juice just to name a few.
26

Iodine and Vitamin D
Another essential nutrient that
pregnant people need is iodine.
Iodine is usually added to salt, but it
is also found naturally in foods like:
seaweed, seafood, eggs, meat, and
dairy. (1) Iodine is needed to
produce the thyroid hormone and
promote growth. Without iodine, it
could result in mental impairment
and congenital hypothyroidism.(1)
Vitamin D is healthy for both the
baby and the pregnant person as it
supports bone health and has
positive pregnancy results. You can
get it from the sun naturally, but
you can also get it from your diet
from eggs, oily fish, margarine, and
milk fortified with Vitamin D. (1)
unique scenarios
“Multivitamins
are not always
necessary, but not
all pregnant
people need them”
If they are following a
vegan or vegetarian diet,
teenagers who do not eat
enough food, those who
abuse substances, and
overweight pregnant
people who do not want
to gain more weight.
27

Subsiding Side-Effects
With pregnancy, there are also
other unexpected symptoms like
nausea, constipation, and
heartburn. To handle constipation,
they should consume high fiber
foods, drink plenty of water, and get
some exercise. Foods rich in fiber
include: fruits, vegetables, legumes,
and whole grains.
The last symptom a pregnant
person is most likely to experience
is heartburn. This occurs because
there is more pressure in the
abdominal area. You can manage
heartburn by not eating late at
night, bending, lifting, or lying down
after meals; and limit how much
coffee and tea they drink as well.
Nausea is another common
symptom that pregnant people
experience and can be managed by
eating bread, biscuits, or cereal
before getting up in the morning;
avoid swift movements when
getting up in the morning, drinks
liquids between meals to prevent
bloating, avoid large, greasy, and
highly spiced meals; suck on sour
foods, get as much fresh air as
possible, and eat food or drinks that
contain ginger. (1)
Hopefully these tips can
help you make sure that
one is consuming the vital
nutrients to support
healthy development of the
baby and the pregnant
person as well and handle
some common symptoms
that may occur during the
pregnancy progresses.
Resources
Better Health Channel writer. Pregnancy and diet. Better Health Channel
website. Accessed April 1, 2024.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancyand-diet#rpl-skip-link
29

5 May 2024

During this study, participants may be asked to:
•Complete questionnaires online
•Provide samples of stools (The expenses will be covered)
•Participants will receive a total of $200 in gift cards during the study
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
email: alireza.jahan-mihan@unf.edu
email: j.leftwich@unf.edu
email: n00128399@unf.edu
Call:904-620-5359
Call: 904-415-4288
Call: 904-413-3031

Meet the Team
Editor in Chief
Delaney
Tindal
Co-Editor in Chief
Leigh Anne
Vanzant
Head Publisher
Ashley
Demmery
Media Manager
Maddie
Levenson
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Alireza
Jahan-Mihan
Treasurer
Grace
Scoggins
28

Meet the Team
Secretary Flyer Creator Publisher
Izzy
Kaitlin Bailey
Vicario Fredrick Taylor
Publisher
Carole
Stringfield
Publisher
Mary Elizabeth
Hayes
Publisher
Sarah
Turner
29

Meet the Team
Publisher Editor Editor
Katelyn
Giovanna
Cagayan
Faria
Hailey
Pond
Editor
Sophia
Sardella
Editor
Ali
Walker
Editor
Marshall
Thompson
30

Meet the Team
Writer
Andrea
Butler
Writer
Tavianna
Brooks
Writer
Madison
Cashman
Writer
Katie
Aljian
Writer
Jace
Brown
Writer
Sophia
Harris
31

Meet the Team
Interviewer
Julianna
Gilbert
Interviewer
Kaley
Morrissey
32