Sodexo RD Leads Wellness Seminar for Nicholls Bridge to Independence

Nicholls State University's Bridge to Independence Program and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Tommie Landry, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CNE introduced and piloted a weekly Health and Wellness program during the 2024 fall semester, offering students practical skills to support healthier lifestyles.

Each week, Bridge students attended presentations and participated in activities focused on a range of health and wellness topics, including healthy eating and making healthy choices, stress reduction, accessing health services, and disease prevention.

The Healthy Eating/Healthy Choices presentations covered a range of topics, including balanced eating, healthy snacking, and maintaining wellness during the holidays, all led by Sodexo’s campus dietitian, Abbey LeBoeuf, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC.

The Healthy Eating/Healthy Choices series began with a class on building a balanced plate and included a guided dining hall tour to help students identify nutritious meal options. In the next session, students learned how to prepare easy and nutritious snacks, such as Greek yogurt dip with sliced apples and a custom trail mix. The final class focused on strategies for staying healthy during the holidays, such as maintaining exercise routines, managing stress, practicing portion control, and mindful eating.

Throughout the seminar, students were encouraged to try new foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, and incorporate them into their daily routines. Hands-on activities and tastings made the lessons engaging and actionable, with participants frequently reporting their successes in making healthier food choices.

Rebecca Templeton, Education Specialist for the Bridge to Independence Program, highlighted the impact of Abbey’s involvement: "Having our campus dietitian's expertise as part of our Health & Wellness presentations has been a great asset to our collaborative efforts to incorporate health and wellness education into the Bridge Certificate class offerings this semester. Abbey’s passion and knowledge, combined with the unique hands-on activities she planned for Bridge students, have made learning about this important topic fun and accessible. Students now often report on the new healthy foods they incorporate into their meals and healthy food choices they are making as a direct result of the knowledge and encouragement they received this semester from Abbey."

This seminar enriched the students' knowledge of nutrition and fostered a sense of community and belonging within the Nicholls State University campus. It represents an important step in enhancing the overall educational experience for Bridge students by equipping them with life-long skills for better health.