My mother is so patient with me. For years she has listened to me loudly voice my concerns about the nutritional health of American children and what needs to happen to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. Last year, one of my holiday gifts to her was a subscription to Nutrition Action Newsletter, which, by the way, is one of the best sources of reputable nutrition information around. I think our discussions and this newsletter are starting to affect her, but in a good way. Recently my mom was at a local pharmacy checking out and the check out lady asked her if she would like to donate money towards the purchase of gummy bears for the children at a local charity. Without missing a beat my mom said, “I would gladly donate for books or art supplies for these kids. Why does it have to be gummy bears?” The check out lady paused for a moment and said, “Books are a great idea. I have no idea why we didn’t think of that.” These kids did not need any more calories, sugar and red dye 40 and my mom knew it. Maybe I should have bought my mom a bracelet for the holidays last year. She deserves a nice gift for listening to me all these years, but I have to think our conversations and that Nutrition Action Newsletter is influencing her to take part in the food and nutrition revolution America needs. She is doing her part. For the sake of our kids, do your part too. Speak up.
About Melanie Silverman
Melanie is a pediatric registered dietitian nutritionist (RD) and a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) working primarily in pediatric nutrition for well over 15 years.
She spent seven years as a clinical dietitian at The University of Chicago Medical Center in the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, adult and pediatric burn units, and high risk pediatric follow-up clinic. She also served as an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Chicago.
Melanie has presented at state and national meetings for the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), March of Dimes, Prader-Willi California Foundation, Texas Prader-Willi Association, Oklahoma Prader Willi Syndrome Association, Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) in the United States and Canada and the Prader-Willi Syndrome USA (PWSA).
She worked hard for her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Spanish from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center. A member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, California Dietetic Association, Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group, Women’s Health Group, Nutrition Entrepreneurs and an active member of the International Lactation Consultant Association.
