Highlights from FNCE 2018 - Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo

​Here are some of the take away messages from FNCE in Washington. The most enriching experience for me is the networking with colleagues from all over the world and especially from my group of IAAND (International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). I still have to see the recordings of the sessions, but here is what I found most interesting for my practice:
1. "Prehabilitation" in pancreatic cancer: 2 weeks of physical training (individual by physical therapist) and nutrition intervention (individual by RD) prior to surgery, that includes: protein goal of 1.3-1.5 g protein / kg (combination of food and supplements) and also 5 days before surgery supplement with immunonutrients. This is part of an ongoing research at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. Awaiting results!
2. Prevention of metabolic adaptation in weight loss: avoid large calorie deficits (no more than 700 cal deficit) to prevent loss of fat free mass. In addition, resistance exercise has to be the main type of training, instead of cardio. Measure RMR (great variation if predictive equations are used) and also body composition, especially in those where the "eat less and move more" is not enough. With these data make prescription of calories and macronutrients (fat 20%, proteins 2-2.8g/kg of lean mass and carbs to complete). Food tracking (with apps like Fat Secret) is necessary for adherence and success. It was presented by colleagues at the University of Washington (GWU Weight Management and Human Performance Lab)
3. Presence, messages and image of the profession in social networks: common mistakes: sharing too much content or too little, or being inconsistent, mixing personal content with professional, not being real, telling all the time what you are doing, narcissism, not to establish a network both online and "offline" (in person), not to measure the results (with tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insight), not to determine who your audience is before publishing, not having a strategic plan. Appropriate your professional "brand", establish who you are and your VALUE (what sets you apart). The content has to be great and relevant to your audience.
4. "Food Porn" dilemmas: photos of foods that are closer to reality (instead of "perfect") are those that create a more sincere relationship with the audience. It´s important to be authentic, publish something REAL and simple. That does not mean that we take bad pictures, we can always improve. With a photo we can say a lot as nutritionists. There is a relationship between the use of social networks such as Instagram, Snapchat, etc. and eating disorders and body image distorsion.
5. Medical use of cannabis: here you can see the slides and why dietitians have to be competent in this topic. Presented by the expert colleague Janice Newell Bissex, founder of https://www.jannabiswellness.com where you can buy a variety of organic hemp products, with all cannabinoids (such as cannabidiol or CBD) and terpenes that are naturally found in hemp, but without the psychoactive component THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which makes it legal throughout the US and does not require a medical marijuana certification to buy.
6. How to evaluate the scientific evidence and translate the information: several sessions were about nutrition as a science and its controversies, how to interpret it and how to communicate it. Here part of the presentations: https://www.conferenceharvester.com/uploads/harvester/presentations/OIBKLZMD/OIBKLZMD-PDF-669463-512374-1-PDF.pdf
7. Baby led weaning (BLW) and its controversies: studies show that there is no more risk of asfixia with this method of complementary feeding vs the traditional one. In any of the methods, precautions must be taken to avoid chocking. If there can be more gagging with #BLW but this is different from chocking and asfixia. It is essential to educate parents on the part of nutritionists vs internet information.
8. Expo Hall: the expo as always is giant and with many foods and food products samples. Chickpea snacks, oatmeal "milk" drink, supplements for preoperative nutrition, nut from the Brazilian Amazon called Baruka, are some of the things that kept my attention as many of these are novelties in my country.