Notes from the Scientific Department

VRG In the News

VRG Nutrition Advisor Suzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, RD, was interviewed for a story in the magazine Oxygen about the pros and cons of eating a vegan diet and for another about the benefits of eating breakfast. She was also interviewed for a story in The New York Times Magazine about raw foods diets and by the Raleigh News & Observer for a story about the most and least nutritious foods for your money. VRG Food Service Advisor Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD, was on the nationally syndicated Michael Reagan Show. Nancy was invited to present the pro-veggie point of view on the topic of vegetarianism, and an RD for the Beef Council was speaking "against" veggie diets. Nancy managed to get the other dietitian to admit that a beefless diet could be healthy! And that adolescents who decide to eat veggie do not have eating disorders! Nancy also wrote an article for Food and Health Communications (a newsletter for RDs and health care professionals) on mainstreaming the vegetarian lifestyle.

Vegetarian Summerfest

VRG hosted a booth at the NAVS Summerfest, providing over 500 attendees with samples of Vegetarian Journal and other educational materials. At the conference, VRG Nutrition Advisor Suzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, RD, presented sessions on careers in dietetics for vegetarians, vegetarian diets for individuals with special needs, the influence of interest groups on national school meals policies, and ways to break into freelance writing.

Food Service Outreach

VRG Food Service Advisor Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD, presented a seminar in conjunction with the American Culinary Federation in Los Angeles on incorporating exotic produce on the menu by offering fruit and veggie items as center-of-the-plate entrées. She shared the stage with Fritz Sonnenschmidt, one of the few master chefs in the country. Nancy is also working with the distance learning division of the Los Angeles Community College District to offer a vegetarian nutrition online course as part of a group of courses for the California Correctional Officers Association.