Virtual Nutrition Fair aims to help public stick to healthy resolutions

If you started the year with plans to make some lifestyle changes, but are struggling to stay inspired as February looms into sight, a nutrition fair being run by University of Chester students might be just what the doctor ordered.

From 11am to 12.30pm on Wednesday, February 3, students from the University’s Department of Clinical Sciences and Nutrition will be encouraging visitors to forget the fads and discover different ways to stay healthy at the virtual Nutrition Fair 2021.

Streaming live over Microsoft Teams, the event will feature a variety of stands where Human Nutrition and Nutrition and Dietetic students will offer food and drink advice, host interactive games and share top tips to encourage people to think about ways they can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Students with the most creative and inspiring stall will also be presented with the Innovation Prize, sponsored by Morning Foods.

Stalls at the Nutrition Fair 2021 will include:

The Gut Girls – aimed at promoting a diverse microbiota in adults

Alternative Five a Day – helping families with young children from low income households achieve their ‘five a day’, using alternatives to fresh fruit and vegetables

Cut the Sweet Stuff – raising awareness of the high sugar content in drinks that are often consumed by children

Alcohol Awareness – educating people on the nutrient content of alcoholic drinks and the effects this can have on health

Food for thought: Are we sufficiently feeding our brains? Educating the public on the importance of Omega-3 in relation to brain function

Wonderful Weaning – providing education and information around safe weaning methods through a range of interactive activities, cooking sessions and discussions

Healthy Hearts – raising awareness of cardiovascular disease

No Dairy, No Problem – helping people seeking dairy alternatives to make educated decisions on what to buy

Lean Greens – sharing information on the importance of adequate protein intake and benefits of plant-based protein sources

Think Globally, Act Locally – educating visitors about the sustainability of their diet, where their food comes from, and the impact this has on the environment

Snack Smart + Regular Exercise = Improve Health – hosting activities and demonstrations to help families make quick and easy healthy snacks

Cooking for One –  sharing resources to help students cook a nutritionally balanced diet with minimal waste and cost

Nutrition MythBusters – helping the public to identify evidence-based dietary information and discard unreliable food and nutrition advice

Healthy Packed Lunches – supporting parents in making healthy packed lunches with innovative ideas, recipes and games.

Seóna Dunne, Lecturer in Nutrition and Health, said: “The students have pulled out all the stops to deliver the Nutrition Fair 2021 in this extraordinary year and should be very proud of themselves. They’re addressing some fundamental health, wellbeing and environmental issues and concerns, which especially relate to today’s society, illnesses and diseases. They’ve made the science fun and informative, practical and achievable for everyone. Using digital technology to deliver health interventions is an emerging tool and our students are really embracing this method of blended learning.

“It has never been more important for us to think about our health and wellbeing and we really hope that visitors to this online event will be inspired and take away some practical ideas that can make them some positive changes to their health and the world around them.”

Find out about more about what’s in store, and to join the virtual stall via Teams head to https://events.chester.ac.uk/nutritionfair/ where you can also view flyers and videos from the stall holders.

For more information about the Nutrition Fair 2021, contact the Department of Clinical Sciences and Nutrition by e-mail: clinicalsciences@chester.ac.uk or call 01244 513090.

Pictured - Students at last year’s Nutrition Fair 2020.