Nina Ruiz
In Motion Staff Writer
As college students, it seems easier to visit a McDonald’s drive-through after a long day, rather than spend a few minutes cooking up something healthier, and smarter, to eat instead.
Daytona State College’s new nutrition club Healthy Roots made its debut last December and it can only grow, since it is still in its infancy. Zachary Cordell, a nutrition professor at DSC, began the nutrition club to establish a better sense of health and life within the college community.
Cordell is a Registered Dietitian who started instructing at DSC last fall. He previously interned at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he worked in inpatient/outpatient and community programs helping transplant, cancer, heart health and diabetic patients. He also worked with Yale University’s Student Health Department for University Health Programming. After completing his time there, Cordell earned his Master’s degree in Human Nutrition at University of Massachusetts.
“I wanted to make sure the DSC student body understood the importance of their lifestyles,” Cordell explained. “I want to talk about the food on students’ plates in a beneficial and uplifting way.”
Robert Sluman, a DSC student who is a member of Healthy Roots, shared his past of previously being 320 pounds and how he’s since learned to live a healthier lifestyle. Sluman knew it was time to make a change when his weight began effecting his personal life. He lost weight and embarked on a mission to help others lose too.
“I took the nutrition course and was encouraged to start Healthy Roots because I wanted to be healthy for myself and be a healthy dad for my children. Health plays a role in all areas of our lives,” Sluman said.
Worried that students may be intimidated by the assumed intensity of a nutrition club in itself, Sluman also stressed that the club is not made to judge, but to help students.
“A lot of people think learning about nutrition means being told what to eat and being told ‘no’ all the time. Here, we just want to help with what we can for not only students, but their whole families,” Sluman explained.
Healthy Roots has been working with DSC to make several positive changes to its campuses, in hopes to improve the availability of healthier options in snack areas like the Book Store.
The club welcomes all, and meets every first Wednesday of the month. Contact Robert Sluman about upcoming meetings and events for further details at robert_sluman@daytonastate.edu