If you are not a member of AND-STL, purchase a downloadable link to register for our August meeting HERE! If you are an AND-STL member, check your inbox, as you have received this link to register at no cost.

Topic: Growing Adventurous Eaters: How to Get More Plants on the Plate and in the Belly

• Presented By: Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, RYT

  • Tuesday August 26th

  • Time: 6 pm

  • Place: Virtual, Zoom link will be provided upon registration

Description: This inclusive session will highlight evidence-based strategies for expanding children's vegetable and plant-based food acceptance through practical, family-friendly approaches. Participants will discover how to transform mealtime battles into opportunities for culinary exploration and learning techniques that build positive relationships with nutritious foods. The session covers developmental considerations, sensory factors, and environmental influences that impact eating behaviors, while providing actionable methods for gradually introducing new plant foods. Additionally, this session will discuss the basic nutritional knowledge that all dietitians should have in order to effectively counsel parents and provide applicable tips for feeding plant-based kids/families. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe 4 ways to add more plant-based foods to kid-friendly meals.

2. Discuss how to adequately meet the nutritional needs of infants and children with a plant-based dietary pattern. 

3. Identify three evidence-based techniques for introducing new foods to children, including timing, frequency, and presentation methods.

4. Identify 3 components of the PB3 Plate for meal planning 

Speaker: Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian, Plant-Based Chef, owner of Delish Knowledge and author of Fresh Italian Cooking for the New Generation. Her award-winning blog, Delish Knowledge, focuses on making whole-food, vegetarian eating deliciously simple. She is part-owner and Nutrition Director of rootberry, a plant-based food company in St. Louis, MO. Additionally, Alex is the recipe developer behind the New York Times bestselling books: The Fiber Fueled Cookbook and Fiber Fueled. 

Alex is the co-founder of Plant-Based Juniors, an evidence-based platform that helps parents navigate the world of plant-based prenatal and pediatric nutrition. She is the co-author of the bestselling book, The Plant-Based Baby + Toddler. Additionally, she is the co-director of the Learning Center, an educational platform that provides evidence-based, comprehensive courses on a variety of nutrition and feeding topics for both professionals and parents.

Bring the Whole Family! AND-STL Networking Event

Join us and invite others to our AND-STL Family-Friendly Networking Event at Rockwell Beer Garden in Francis Park on July 26 from 10 AM to 12 PM! Enjoy delicious food and drinks on the patio while connecting with St. Louis-based dietitians and students, with pickleball courts, tennis courts, and a playground nearby for added fun. Feel free to bring business cards, flyers, or information about your company or organization to share as you network and make meaningful connections!

Virtual AND-STL Meet & Greet
Let's Connect!

Tuesday, June 24, 6-7pm via Zoom

Join us for an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - St. Louis District (AND-STL) Meet & Greet! This event is your chance to connect with fellow RDNs, dietetic technicians, and students in a welcoming virtual space. Whether you're a long-time member, new to AND-STL, or considering membership, this event is designed to help you network, engage, and grow. Discover opportunities for collaboration, share your goals, and learn how AND-STL can support your professional journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your fellow local dietitians, interns, and students and shape the direction of our 2025-2026 calendar year!

Click HERE to REGISTER!

Tickets Available Now!

Join us May 7th for our Annual May Dinner Event!

Hosted in collaboration with the MOAND Northeast Region

Topic: Achieving Food Safety in Production and Processing: Industrial Food Safety Fundamentals

Presenter: Eric Iserman, MS, CCS, Deli Star Corporation Senior Food Scientist

Time: 5 - 8 pm CDT

Place: Deli Star Food Discovery Center

Menu:

• Mini Sourdough Subs featuring a variety of Deli Star Premium Deli Meats

• Green Vegetable Salad with Quinoa and a Lemon Basil Vinaigrette (Gluten Free)

• Berry Cobbler with Vegan Whipped Cream (made from Aquafaba)

• CONFLUENCE Kombucha (Gold Kiwi Mosaic Hops, Watermelon Blue Spirulina)

Price:

$30 for Northeast Region / AND-STL Members

$40 for non-members

Ticket includes CEU, dinner, and 5 raffle tickets. Buy tickets HERE!

Live-virtual silent auction and raffle door prizes will be available, including but not limited to:

• Free pizza for a year from MOD pizza

• Med spa treatments from GloWithSamantha

• Fruit and veggie themed yoga gear

• Gift basket from The Petal & Bow - a handmade dog boutique

• Hair makeover from Salon 210

• Products from 1st Phorm and Supplement Superstores

• The American College of Lifestyle Medicine CPEU Opportunies

Do you have a product or service to promote at our May Event? For raffle/silent auction inquiries reach out to AND-STL Chair-Elect Paulina Shetty at paulina.m.shetty@gmail.com

Please select the correct category when checking out. Tickets are limited and will be first-come-first-served! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to sldapresident@gmail.com

If you are not a member of AND-STL, purchase a downloadable link to register for our April meeting HERE! If you are an AND-STL member, check your inbox, as you have received this link to register at no cost.

Deadline to register is April 18th!

Topic: Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture & What it Means for Our Health

• Presented By: Lexi Linsenman, RD, LD - Development Director at Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture and Owner/Farmer of the regenerative farm Small Circle Harvest

  • Tuesday April 22nd

  • Time: 6 pm

  • Place: Virtual, Zoom link will be provided upon registration

Lexi will touch on what it means to be a regenerative farmer in both a rural and an urban setting. She will identify partnerships that have made her successful in these realms, how taking care of the soil is directly related to higher nutrients in food and how the public can access these nutrients through programs she works with.

Bio of speaker: Lexi is a Chef, Dietitian and Farmer in Columbia, MO. She likes to educate others through colorful, nutrient-dense dishes and recipes to fuel your body. Her and her fiance, Tanner, practice regenerative agriculture to grow sustainable and tasty ingredients for community members. She currently has 45 chickens, 1 goose and a herd of 15 cattle. Follow her on Instagram to keep up with the farm and new recipes @Chef_Lex .

If you are not a member of AND-STL, purchase a downloadable link to register for our February meeting HERE! If you are an AND-STL member, check your inbox, as you have received this link to register at no cost.

Deadline to register is February 25th at 12pm.

Topic: Nutrition in Eating Disorder Care: Essential Knowledge for RDs

• Presented By: Taylor Larson, RD, CSSD, LD, CEDS

  • Wednesday February 26th

  • Time: 6 pm

  • Place: Virtual, Zoom link will be provided upon registration

This presentation offers an introductory overview of the development and treatment of eating disorders and the dietitian’s role in providing nutritional care and counseling. During our time together, we will discuss behaviors of concern, levels of care and options for treatment, and practical ways dietitians can support individuals in accessing the care they need to pursue recovery.

Learning Objectives of Presentation:

Following this presentation, learners will be able to 

1. Identify at least 5 behaviors that might indicate an individual is struggling with their relationship with food

2. Discuss with a patient your concerns surrounding their eating behaviors to facilitate greater access to support

3. State the levels of care available in the treatment of eating disorders and the essential members of a treatment team

4. Describe the general process of and nutritional considerations for refeeding from a state of malnourishment 

5. Identify ethical considerations in providing care for those suffering from eating disorders

Presenter:

Taylor Larson, RD, CSSD, LD, CEDS

Sports Dietitian and Eating Disorder Specialist

Organization: The Victory Program at McCallum Place Eating Disorders Centers in St. Louis, MO 

Professional Bio: 

Taylor Larson, RD, CSSD, LD, CEDS is a St. Louis, MO-based nutrition counselor specializing in sports nutrition, eating disorders, and intuitive eating. She works both in her private practice, Strong Roots Nutrition, and as the Sports Dietitian for the Victory Program at McCallum Place Eating Disorder Centers. With over a decade of experience working with athletes and individuals with eating disorders, Taylor is passionate about helping people understand the wisdom and complexities of the human body to cultivate self-care and better align their relationships with food, body, and movement with their values and long-term goals for wellbeing.

If you are not a member of AND-STL, purchase a downloadable link to register for our January meeting! If you are an AND-STL member, check your inbox, as you have received this link to register at no cost.

Deadline to register is January 3!

Topic: MCAS: Diagnosis, Medical Treatment, and Diet

Presented By: Dr. Leonard B. Weinstock

Tuesday January 7th

Time: 6 pm

Place: Virtual, Zoom link will be provided upon registration

Mast cell activation syndrome is a common, yet rarely known disease by physicians and the general population. Accordingly, patients suffer for decades and see specialists after specialists. Physicians often remain in their own silo of medical skills and rarely see the big picture. Diet plays a big role in therapy.

Learning Objectives of Presentation:

MCAS symptoms

Cause and triggers for MCAS

Treatment of MCAS: role of medicine and diet 

Nutrigenomics

Presented by Sarah Amidon, MS, RDN, LDN

Sarah Amidon is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) specializing in chronic health conditions and sports performance utilizing targeted evidence-based testing, counseling and nutrition strategies.

Sarah’s background in dietetics and athletics combined with her personal experience in nutrigenomics, thyroid disease, food sensitivities, chronic infections, infertility, fatigue, IBS, nutrient deficiencies, gut imbalance issues and autoimmune conditions shed light on the “why” of unresolved health conditions over the “what” that so many healthcare providers focus on today.

If you are an AND-STL member, you have already received the registration link in your email. If you are a non-member interested in attending, please purchase our downloadable link here for $10.

Deadline to register is December 3rd at 12 pm

Journal Club: Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Feeding Disorder

Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction. Conservative evaluations estimate that PFD affects more than 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 in the United States each year. For these infants and children, every bite of food can be painful, scary, or impossible, potentially impeding nutrition, development, growth, and overall well-being.

Feeding disorders are increasingly common in children, especially as medical advancements improve the life expectancy of children born with prematurity and complex medical conditions. The most common symptoms include malnutrition, refusal to eat and drink, food pocketing, disruptive feeding behavior, slow feeding, food selectivity or rigid food preferences, limited appetite, and delayed feeding milestones. A unifying diagnostic definition of pediatric feeding disorder has been proposed by a panel of experts to improve the quality of healthcare and advance research. Referral to specialized care should be considered when feeding problems are complex or difficult to resolve.

Come learn how to identify, evaluate, and manage this complex disorder in our upcoming live, virtual presentation.

Presented by April Clark, RDN, LD

April Clark, RDN, LD has a Bachelor’s of Science in Clinical Dietetics from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and worked for over 9 years in the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Health in Dallas. April is currently employed by Ajinomoto Cambrooke as a Clinical Specialist focusing on gastrointestinal and allergy nutrition. She is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, has participated in academic research and has a passion for improving the lives of those living with food allergies.

If you are an AND-STL member, you have already received the registration link in your email. If you are a non-member interested in attending, please purchase our downloadable link here for $10.

Deadline to register is October 16th.

Deep Level Self Care: Serving Others While Serving Yourself First 

Health professionals face some of the highest rates of burnout and stress, largely due to their dedication to caring for others. Our training often emphasizes the importance of prioritizing patients' needs over our own. However, healthcare professionals who master the art of self-care and prioritize their own well-being are more likely to thrive both personally and professionally. These individuals are better equipped to handle the stress and challenges that come their way.

In this one-hour seminar, Registered Dietitian Jen McDaniel will share her insights gained from her experiences as an entrepreneur, business owner, and mother. Jen believes that true self-care practices are adopted through lived experience, not just education. Through this collaborative discussion, she hopes to inspire you to explore new areas of self-care that resonate with you. Join us to learn practical strategies for integrating self-care into your busy life and enhancing your overall well-being.

Speaker Bio

Jennifer McDaniel, MS, RDN, LD, is the founder and owner of McDaniel Nutrition Therapy, a Saint Louis-based private practice specializing in personalized nutrition, customized meal planning, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness. As a nationally recognized nutrition expert and media spokesperson, she has contributed to prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, and The Huffington Post. She served a six-year term as a Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and co-authored The Mediterranean Table Cookbook.

Jennifer's expertise and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including being named Dietitian of the Year in 2015 by the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and recognition as one of St. Louis Magazine's top nutritionists in 2014 and 2021. She is a frequent guest on local television and radio, and actively develops wellness programs for the Saint Louis community.

From 2006 to 2011, Jennifer was the undergraduate director and instructor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Saint Louis University (SLU). In 2020, she was honored with the Alumni Merit Award from SLU. Jennifer holds a B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an M.S. in Nutrition and Physical Performance from Saint Louis University.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer is a dedicated wife and mother to three boys, who inspire her daily to foster a thriving, mentally and physically healthy family.

RSVP Here!

Room information:
We are meeting in the multipurpose room on the third floor in Doisy Allied Health building. We will have signs pointing you in the right direction!

Parking information:
Park in the Hickory East Garage across from the Doisy Allied Health building on SLU’s south campus. The parking garage is directly west of SLU’s track on Rutger street. To enter the garage you have to get a parking ticket. We will have vouchers for you so you don’t actually have to pay upon exiting.

Embracing Plant-Forward Nutrition: From Theory to Table

We are looking forward to our annual May dinner meeting, in collaboration with MOAND Northeast Region. We will be networking, enjoying a cooking demonstration with lecture and having dinner. Chef Ashok Nageshwar and Marie Gorski, MFN, RD, LD will be our presenters for the evening.

Our schedule for Wednesday May 29th:

5:30 - 6:30 PM: Registration, Networking, and Cocktail Hour

6:45 - 7:45 PM: Cooking Demo and Hands-on Experience, Embracing Plant-Forward Nutrition: From Theory to Table

7:45 PM onwards: Buffet dinner opens- Enjoy a delicious spread of dishes prepared by Chef Ashok Nageshwar. Continue networking and socializing with fellow attendees.

What is a Pediatric Patient? Nutrition Assessment Refresher

Presented by Kristin Kueper, MD, RD, LD and Marsha Flowers MHS, RD, LD

Practical and Emerging Technologies and Tools for Weight-inclusive Medical Nutrition Therapy

Kasuen Mauldin, PhD, RD and Giselle Pignotti, PhD, RD

The target audience of this educational program is clinicians who aim to practice using a weight-inclusive lens. This presentation will review the current research literature on practical and emerging clinical applications of technologies and tools used to collect non-weight-related data used in nutrition assessment, monitoring, and evaluation.

Our CEU meetings are open to everyone! AND-STL members will receive a link to register in the monthly newsletter.

If you are not an AND-STL member, there is a small fee. Please email ANDSTLCorrespondence@gmail.com to secure your spot.

Lessons Learned About Developing a Whole-hearted Practice for Patient Well-being

Cheryl Houston, PhD, RD, LD, FAND, CHES

Register: HERE

Identifying and Preventing Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome in Athletes

Theresa DeLorenzo DCN, RD

Link to register: Here

Treating Obesity in 2023

Join AND-STL in welcoming Chelsea Price, MS, RD, LD to discuss "Treating Obesity in 2023". Our meeting is being held virtually on December 5th at 7pm CST.

A zoom link will be sent out after you register.

Milk: The Real Deal

Speakers: Jessica Kassel and Maggie Cimarolli

Location: The Nook at EatWell Market in Chesterfield

220 THF Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005

Nourishing Connections: Bridging Professions in Nutrition and Dietetics - Panel Discussion 

Free for students and free parking in the Hickory East garage from 5:00pm to 8:00pm via the entrance (S. Compton, right on Rutger)

Location: Room 1040, in the Allied Health Building located at 3437 Caroline Street

Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring four accomplished dietitians, each working in diverse fields of nutrition and dietetics.

This dynamic panel discussion will delve into the experiences, challenges, and achievements of these dietitians and their students, offering invaluable insights into the ever-evolving world of nutrition and dietetics.

Speakers with their students/interns 

1. Clinical: Marsha Flowers, MS, RD, Clinical Manager, Pediatric Oncology Specialist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital 

2. Research: Dr. Maria Romo-Palafox, Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics, SLU

3. Community: Molly McGinnis, Nutrition Coordinator, Operation Food Search

4. Food Service: Meredith Fallert, Regional Dietitian, Chartwells K-12

Join us for our September meeting with CEU. Jenny Duez, MA, RD, LD will be presenting about toxic diet culture, myths/facts about fad diets, and current popular diets. Jenny will also share about disordered eating patterns that develop from diet culture, as well as intuitive eating practices.

St Louis Area Food Bank: 70 Corporate Woods Dr Bridgeton, MO 63044

Join us for our networking social! Learn about what we have planned for the upcoming year.

Rosalita's Cantina: 12796 Manchester Rd, Des Peres, MO 63131

RSVP HERE