Why My Food Safety Exams Made Me Skeptical About Eating Out

This week I was required to take certification exams for ServSafe and HACCP as a part of my DPD certificate program. What are these exams for exactly? ServSafe and HACCP are designed to teach employees of food service (for example restaurants or fast food vendors) the ways to protect people from foodborne illness.

These types of training programs are essential because they can help reduce the number of foodborne illnesses each year. This issue is a priority. According to ServSafe, millions of people are diagnosed with foodborne illness each year.

These exams cover many concepts: including how to properly handle food as well as how to maintain a clean work environment. Make sure to look for these key things next time you dine out. (more…)

Meet New Guest Blogger Stephanie Snell

My name is Stephanie Snell and I am a new guest blogger for The Plate Coach. I am currently a Master’s Candidate studying Nutrition Communication at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. In addition, I am finishing the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) certificate at Simmons College; the DPD is an academic requirement to become a Registered Dietitian. My previous degree from The George Washington University is a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science, which focused on exercise and its relationship to nutrition.

I recently moved to Boston for these two academic tracks, but I am also enjoying other opportunities within the city. Outside of school, I like to exercise, dance, explore Boston, and learn to cook new dishes. It is important for me to always be active and eat a healthful diet (with some room for indulgence). (more…)

Playoff Eating

Playoff baseball is in full swing here in Boston. The Red Sox are filling the city with hope, fear, excitement, sleepless nights and thankfully, a few deep exhales. Our beloved team is one big hard fought win away from winning a World Series title.

The stress of being a playoff fan can take a toll on the body and mind but in this case, the good outweighs the bad. Normal life is right around the corner. Enjoy the chaos while it lasts!

I decided to take an informal poll of my friends, family and co-workers about the influence of playoff baseball on their eating habits.

Here are the various types of playoff eaters. Can you relate? Feel free to add yours to the list.

Comfort food only: The game isn’t delivering fast enough relief. Bring on the chips, nuts, mac & cheese, nachos and beer. Your instant gratification comes in the form of food and drink.

Cereal for dinner: There’s no time to make a proper dinner and get in game-ready position on the couch. Your dinner preparation goes out the window. Cereal is foolproof.

Stress overeater: Your food-filled hand reaches your mouth over and over and the eyes stay firmly on the TV.

Steady stream of caffeine: You’re double-fisting Dunkin’ Donuts. All. Day. Long.

Too stressed-out to eat: Food, what food? The energy of the game provides you with ample nourishment.

Baseball food cravings: Your food choice is limited to hotdogs, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, pretzels, ice cream, beer and other highly nutritious food items found at ballparks.

Dial a dinner: Everything you eat is prepared and delivered by somebody else. Pizza is on speed dial.

Superstitious eater: The heck with variety. Stick with the food that you ate the night of the very first playoff win and DO NOT vary it. You might just be the reason why the team is winning. Oh, and your special socks. And your special chair. You’re clearly a big part of the reason for the winning season.

Status quo: You don’t do anything different from your normal routine. You’re asking how long this baseball stuff will go on. You could care less about sports and pretty much live under a rock to not understand what’s going on in Boston right now.

Go ahead; eat what you want and when you want. This is playoff baseball and it doesn’t happen all the time.

One more win. LET’S DO THIS!