I’m sure you are all dying to know what a Dietitian conference is like. If you’re picturing women sitting around talking about salads while eating salads, you wouldn’t be wrong, but there is also so much more to it than that! Dietitians are the biggest foodies I know!
This year’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) was in Minneapolis! I was very grateful to be granted a press badge for the second year in a row. (A press badge means that I was given free registration as “press.” I still paid for my own travel otherwise.) As Hungry Hobby continues to grow and more opportunities like this come along, I can’t be anything but humbled. I’ve worked to build up Hungry Hobby for over a decade, and sometimes, the opportunities I get surpass even what I could have imagined. Thank you to those on the email list and to those who follow me on social media, etc. Without you, none of this would be possible!
So, this post is going to be part travel recap and part FNCE! Starting with the fact that there were no direct flights from Dallas Love (Southwest) to Minneapolis, so I stopped in Chicago – Midway. A two-hour layover became a four-hour layover, which was fine because they had a new lounge there that I was actually able to use. I’ve had a priority pass through my Amex card forever, and every time I pull up the app, the only lounges available are not in the terminal I’m in. Midway is a small airport, so the lounge was easy to access, and they let me hang out a little longer than I was “supposed to”.
Lululemon Super Soft Sweatsuit
Bag service took forever because there were a bunch of band kids on my flight. I ended up changing at the airport before heading to an event. It was a little colder than I anticipated, but I was fine!
The event I attended was FNCE Friday, hosted by Janice Bissex (@janicebissex). I got to reconnect with some of the most amazing Dietitians in media I know and meet new ones!
@melissajoyRD @nevardld
And, of course, @mandyenrightRD, who I met almost ten years ago at IDEA blogfest!
Outfit brought to you by Stitchfix –> Kaileigh Raina Ruffle Straps Knit Bodysuit |Just BlackScissor Cut Hem Slim Bootcut Jean
Got to try this new milk product from Silk. The profile mimicked the nutrition profile of cow’s milk with 8 grams of protein and added DHA/Choline, and I loved the taste.
I was really surprised the Applegate Turkey Pepperoni didn’t need to be refrigerated until after it was opened. I honestly think I’ll buy some more and throw it in my bag for some protein for the kids to share.
In the morning, I headed over and got my badge, then stopped for some coffee.
I also had a bagel sandwich, which was delicious, but the insides only filled half the bagel. I ended up getting the same sandwich multiple mornings and had the same thing happen, so I’m not sure about that! But it was still good. The coffee was perfectly roasted; I can see why this place is all the rage!
Favorite Conference Sessions
More Stitchfix Clothes –> 41 Hawthorn Lany Knit Dress | Blouse is from Nordstrom Rack a billion years ago |Vince Blare Sneakers
Harnessing Nutrigenetics: Practical Solutions for Enhancing MNT
It was so great to see an integrative functional medicine topic up. I actually got a chance to talk to one of the speakers (Sara) at the DIFM, Dietitians in Functional Medicine meet up. This session was a really great intro to nutrigenomics and really highlighted the importance of considering genetics when tailoring nutrition plans. If I understood correctly, the speakers actually didn’t recommend testing SNP (gene sequences) right now, though, which I find interesting since I definitely use testing like 3X4 Genetics in my practice, and the company Nutrigenomics is relatively popular with RDs. I’ll have to look more into that and review the presentation again.
Reclaiming Our Influence: Navigating Social Media with Authority and Credibility
This presentation was PACKED. I thought Andy, Kylie & Joan did a fabulous job breaking down the current media landscape and why it’s so important for RD’s to have a voice. Their presentation had many valuable nuggets, but one that stood out to me was that Instagram users are much more likely to trust a Dietitian than other creators. That’s huge because, for a while, it was like the Dietitians were the “food police,” and no one wanted to hear from us. A few big names really went hard at Dietitians, stating that we were outdated and, despite our best intentions, couldn’t help people (and that’s why you should buy their paleo/keto program, etc.) It was nice to see their data show that despite those hits, it didn’t sink in with the general public. In fact, I started highlighting more and more on my Instagram Andy and Kyle were very encouraging during their presentation and even shared some “cringy” videos they made and posted in the past to illustrate the point that we all have to start somewhere. They also shared tips and experiences dealing with negative feedback. This session gave me a lot to think about in terms of being a Dietitian and owning that!
Legal Risk Every Nutrition Communicator Needs to Know
This session was also absolutely packed. By packed, I mean most of the chairs were full by the end, and most of the walls were lined with people sitting on the floor. And for a good reason: Melissa and Eric did a great job navigating the landscape of how just one tiny word change can make a big difference in the implication, meaning, and risk level. They also discussed our code of ethics and our responsibility to communicate nutrition information with evidence-based information. I’ve been to many of these media-related ethics seminars over the years, back when they focused on blogging more than social platforms, but this one was hands down the most informative one I’ve ever been to. I also now feel like I need five types of additional insurance on top of my liability insurance. So that’s fun. Add that to the to-do list.
Sessions I want to listen to the recordings for:
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Fueling the Brain: Nutrition in Neurological Disorders ( I went to another session instead)
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The Hormone Story: A Dietitian’s Role in Optimizing Reproductive Health (I had a hard time finding this session, by the time I got there I guess they had reached capacity. It was a bummer!)
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Is There a Healthy Way to Compete? Exploring Nutrition and Mental Health in Physique Competitions – I only caught the end of this one because I spent so much time looking for the Hormone one and then went to this one after I wasn’t allowed into the hormone one. I used to work with bodybuilders at LifeTime, so I find this topic super interesting, but I feel like I need to watch the first half before I can give a better summary.
Chobani Breakfast Session
I was invited to a media breakfast with Chobani about their product line, particularly the new one they were sampling at FNCE. I won a Yeti Chobani Tumblr for knowing that Chobani started in 2005!
Sadly I didn’t get a photo of their booth or their new yogurt, but it’s Chobani 20g line! The cup is a little bigger, and it’s ultra-filtered to create a delicious product with 20 grams of protein in every cup. I actually immediately ordered it on Instacart when I got home. However, the shopper said there was literally only one cup left. So, I think it’s already pretty popular! It’s kind of a bummer it’s not at Sprouts yet, I ordered through Kroger.
Pork and Partners Lunch
This lunch was by far one of the best FNCE events I’ve ever been to.
We learned from Chef Yia Vang about how important pork is to the Hmong culture. He shared that Hmong people are mountain people, and pork is their main meat source as pigs could be raised and live with them in the mountains. He also shared about some of the hardships of the Hmong people and how refugees came to America. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room after. Plus, the food was, of course, AMAZING. If you are even in Minneapolis I would strongly recommend visiting one of his two restaurants: Union Hmong Kitchen or Vinai (which is the name of the refugee camp he was born in.)
EXPO
The expo was kicking this year! There are so many fun booths and samples, and it is a great time to connect and run into people! I’ve always loved the diversity of the expo. You have all kinds of brands, both small and big, sharing new products and passion. There are food brands, supplement brands, software brands, commodity boards, non-profits, RD education opportunities, universities/colleges, and more.
I won a whole supplement pack from Life Extension!
Exploring Minneapolis
I was determined to see the Mississippi River. Someone told me it would be faster to visit on a scooter, but I had never ridden a motorized scooter before ha ha. Luckily, my friend Alec from Tomato Wellness (@tomatowellness) took pity on me and came with me.
Also, pretty sure the scooters aren’t supposed to off-road. But it was an adventure!
After the off-roading adventure, we met with Mandy (@mandyenrightRD) at Britt’s, which had an amazing rooftop bar area. We went on the perfect day because it was a nice 80 degrees. One of my favorite parts of FNCE is exploring a new city, even if it’s just an hour of two of checking out a local restaurant or park/recreation center.
A few more local eats:
I also ate steak at the Hilton one night. It was just okay.
The Argentinian pizza that a friend ordered at the hotel bar (after service was closed)was probably way better than the expensive steak; I’m so sad I didn’t get a picture. The sauce was kind of sweet, but it was good!
DPG Events & Media Events
Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of the events I attended beyond FNCE Friday. Once you walk in, it’s all talking to people, and I got distracted from photo-taking! I did get this one picture of the tacos from the DIFM (Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine) DPG (Dietetic Practice Group)
I’m also a member of Nutrition Entrepreneurs and have been for years, I even served on the exec board during COVID. However, the meeting was at the same time as DIFM, and I chose to go to DIFM since I’m new to that group and wanted to meet some new people!
I also attended:
- Foodminds Event
- Eat Well Global Cocktail Hour
- Master the Media (hosted by Amy Gorin)
- Healthy Project Family (organized by Chef Julie) – we won the trivia game and a 150 Amazon gift card (although we is a strong word I was mostly moral support, I’m terrible at Trivia.)
Lots of fun stuff!
Swag Haul
I remembered to bring an extra bag for all the swag!
Yes, that’s my kids eating McDonalds the day after I got home on the right side of this picture. While we try not to make a habit of it, I’m not afraid of having McDonalds occasionally to save my sanity.
The kids found the candy in the bag immediately of course!
And now I’m looking forward to Nashville in 2025!
Past FNCEs I’ve attended:
- FNCE 2023- Denver
- FNCE 2020-2021 were online
- FNCE 2019 – Philadephia
- FNCE 2017 – Chicago
- FNCE 2014- Atlanta
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