Many dietitians fall into the field of nutrition because of their love of science, helping others or interest in health. To many, the dietetics profession does not outwardly scream “creative.” However, celebrated dietitian, chef and host Ellie Krieger challenged us to think otherwise during her “Mission in Motion” keynote session.
As a New York Times best-selling author, two-time James Beard Foundation award winning author of seven cookbooks and weekly columnist for the Washington Post, Krieger led an inspiring session on the power of creativity. She asked the audience if they considered themselves creative. Many raised their hands, but others stayed silent. She went on to tell the audience about her humble beginnings in guitar and singing, and the inspiration she gets from the painters and poets in her family. It is this creative arts foundation, she said, that shaped her successful dietetics career.
Krieger emphasized how being creative can enhance cultural competencies, lead to more effective communication, and allow dietitians to possess better problem-solving skills. Her unique perspective on bridging the gap between creativity and dietetics highlighted a new way for practitioners to further enhance their skills as dietitians.
The session closed with Krieger sharing a FNCE haiku showcasing her light and refreshing personality. For any dietitian who might feel stuck or for those simply seeking new energy, this session provided actionable strategies for cultivating creativity in everyday life and equipped dietitians with new ways to think, connect, and lead.
Alyssa Smolen, MS, RDN, CDN, is a community dietitian, communications cochair for the NJAND, and nutrition content creator on Instagram. She has been quoted as a nutrition expert in Food Network, Forbes, Parade and US News and World Report. Her account, @arugalyssa, promotes simple recipes and is a source for myth-busting nutrition misinformation.
You can connect with Alyssa on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn
