My colleague who is a POC brought his lunch in. before he started eating he apologised to me to say he was going to eat with his hands. I asked him why are you apologising? He explained to me at his last placement when he ate his own cultural food with his hands the dietitiansContinue reading “Confession #8”
Author Archives: Christabel Menezes
Ken
University of Saskatchewan BSc, ’21 Hi! My name is Ken (he/him). I’m transgender and queer. I’m also a nutrition student at the University of Saskatchewan, currently doing practicum! I’ve never seen myself represented in dietetics. It took me years to build up the courage to come out and transition. I thought I had to chooseContinue reading “Ken”
Confession #7
I was talking to another dietitian about opportunities for students, and she said it was good for students to have experience working with people who are underprivileged. I asked for clarification since that word can mean many different things to different people, and she said, “oh, you know, like volunteering in Africa” as if theContinue reading “Confession #7”
Kegomoditswe Thibedi
RD, CDE Optifast Dietitian Hi, I’m Kegomoditswe Thibedi, a Registered dietitian in South Africa . I obtained my bachelors degree in dietetics at the university of Pretoria. I’m currently working for the government in Brits District hospital in the North west Province and I am based in the paediatric ward. I have a passion forContinue reading “Kegomoditswe Thibedi”
Confession #6
I did my dietetic internship in the Midwest, 19 years ago. During my renal rotation, my preceptor told me she could not take me with her to visit a clinic in a rural town. She apologized but matter-of-factly said “The people there are old-fashioned and won’t accept you.” I’m Indian, and this was a yearContinue reading “Confession #6”
Rukayyah Abdus-Samad
Ryerson University, BASc ’23 Hi everyone! My name is Rukayyah Abdus-Samad and I was born and raised in Toronto. I have a Guyanese (West-Indian) background and I am identifiably a Muslim. I am currently a second year nutrition student at Ryerson University. I am completing a certificate in food security along with my degree. MyContinue reading “Rukayyah Abdus-Samad”
Confession #5
Our clinic ordered Indian takeout and I (Indian) was sitting with another RD (white). My plate was stacked high with butter chicken, samosas and naan. She turned to me and said how unhealthy and rich Indian food is, and how she doesn’t like it. I told her “not all Indian food is the same, andContinue reading “Confession #5”
Coral Dabarera Edelson
MS, RD Hi my name is Coral Dabarera Edelson, and I grew up just outside of Boston, MA, USA. I am a first generation American, and I am Black, and Sri Lankan. It was my parents’ dream for me to take advantage of the amazing educational opportunities that the US has to offer, and twoContinue reading “Coral Dabarera Edelson”
Confession #4
I’d like to preface this by saying that I talked to this individual and explained why her actions are incredibly harmful but since then, no changes have been made. And in the age of the Internet, it’s your OWN responsibility to educate yourself and become a better ally. I came across a dietitian that brandedContinue reading “Confession #4”
Nat
RD TRIGGER WARNING: Sensitive Content Hey, folx! I’m Nat, a queer white settler living in K’jipuktuk, part of the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. Looking back on my journey to becoming a dietitian is difficult—while I see a lot of joy and learning, I also see a lot of trauma and naivety. It is nowContinue reading “Nat”
Nutrition Diversified 