Better Beginnings Breakfast Bar Presentation

K-State dietitians present at national conference

K-State dining services' Better Beginnings Breakfast bar is the topic of a presentation to be given at the National Association of College and University Food Services national conference, taking place July 8-12 in Minneapolis.

Housing and dining services dietitians Melissa Schrader and Camille Korenek will host a session for food service professionals who are interested in adopting a more nutritious breakfast strategy at their own institutions.

The presentation, "Fuel 'Em Up to Learn," will identify the many ways students benefit from the items featured on our breakfast bar, such as Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, fruits, nuts and whole grains. Schrader and Korenek will review the current literature on dietary guidelines, and share purchasing strategies, cost controls and marketing information to help their audience implement the concept.

"We've found that a substantial number of students skip breakfast, which is disappointing because doing so can decrease their short term memory and ability to concentrate, and increase their likelihood of reaching for high-sugar, high-carbohydrate snacks later," Schrader said. "Eating a well-balanced breakfast is important to the regulation of the body's metabolism."

The National Association of College and University Foodservices' mission is to "promote the highest quality of food service on school, college, and university campuses by providing members with educational and training opportunities, technical assistance, scholarships, industry information and research." Members consist of more than 500 institutions of higher education from across North America, and nearly as many from the food, equipment and consulting industries.