This past Monday, the first edition of campus’s new nutrition newsletter, “The Hungry Scholar,” was sent out to the student body by Dean of Students Moe McGuinness. Created by Chelsea Hough, Bucknell’s on-campus dietician, “The Hungry Scholar” will be a monthly release aimed at providing the Bucknell community with nutritional tips, updates and insights. The Bucknellian interviewed Hough for more insight into the newsletter itself.
- What gave you the idea for the Nutrition Newsletter? How did you go about getting it started?
“I’ve been looking for ways to reach more students and help with spreading nutrition education around campus. Nutrition can often feel overwhelming, with so many voices claiming to have the “best diet.” There is a reason the diet industry has become a multi-billion dollar business. I wanted to create a way to give guidance to students and not have it be overwhelming. Sometimes it is not easy to find the time to come meet with your campus dietitians, so I thought maybe a quick read could provide some help! I want students to get back to the basics and feel confident in their food choices. Eating should be simple, nourishing and enjoyable.”
- How did you decide what information you wanted to cover in the newsletter? Is there seasonal relevance? Locational relevance (specific to Bucknell)?
“Nutrition education applies to all aspects of life! For this first edition, I wanted to focus on eating during the holidays, since that’s the season we’re in. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when going home for the holidays and worry about overindulging. I want to help students build healthy habits around eating—especially during times like these. Future editions will cover topics such as how to create balanced meals when eating out or shopping in retail settings, as well as seasonal themes like which fruits and vegetables are in season.”
- How did you narrow down what ended up on the final newsletter?
“I started with the basics. Proper nutrition begins with eating balanced meals that include a source of carbohydrates, a source of protein and some color from fruits and vegetables. To me, the basics are all about knowing how to build a balanced plate, no matter where you’re eating. It starts by looking at your plate as a whole, then breaking it down to make sure it includes all the key components for a well-balanced meal.”
- How often can we expect to see a newsletter moving forward (ie, once a month, twice a semester, etc)?
“You can expect to see the Newsletter every month! Each month will cover a new topic. Whether it is a “caf-hack” or just different nutrition education. I want this newsletter to be different every month and provide new information or just some guidance to every student. And I hope that students look forward to reading it each month!”
- What will be your approach to topics for future newsletters? Will there be student involvement?
“The topics for each newsletter will be based on a variety of factors. Some will focus on seasonal themes—like eating during the holidays, staying healthy during flu season, hydrating in the hot months or recovering after a tough workout. Other topics will come from student feedback and interests, such as tips for eating healthy in retail settings or debunking popular fad diets. I’d love to hear from students about what topics they’d like covered in future editions. Since this newsletter is just getting started, my goal is to see how students respond and adjust based on that feedback.”
“Ultimately, I want to provide simple, approachable nutrition education that doesn’t feel overwhelming. Eating is an essential part of everyone’s life, it connects us through shared meals and gives us the energy to take on each day. For many students, college is the first time making independent food choices, and it’s an important stage for building lifelong habits. Establishing healthy patterns now will benefit you well into adulthood. Eating should be enjoyable and empowering, not stressful or confusing. I’m here to support every student and help in any way I can!”
