Episode 111: Accessible Nutrition – Let’s Not Complicate Food.
About the Podcast
On this week’s episode, Clancy speaks with registered dietitian and chef, Alicia Connor. Alicia does cooking classes, demonstrations, meal planning strategy sessions, and more. She has a YouTube series called “Quick and Delish” where she uses simple ingredients to make food that satisfies.
About Alicia Connor
Alicia Connor is a registered dietitian and chef, who supports clients with a variety of conditions. Teaching people how to simplify meal planning while eating nourishing Quick & Delish meals is her passion. She has low vision and values a healthy lifestyle which for her takes an intentional approach. At age 19, her eyesight began to decline. This experience has helped build a greater vision for her life. As the physical world in front of her blurred, she’s become crystal clear on what’s ultimately important and learned to rely on her gifts.
Discussion Takeaways
- Alicia is a registered dietitian, chef, nutrition counselor, and founder of Quick and Delish YouTube page. Her goal is to simplify people’s eating so being healthy becomes the easiest option. Alicia developed a meal planning guide to allow people to create their own eating pattern that’s suitable for them.
- Alicia developed low-vision later in life. This forced her to have patience with herself and to slow down. She uses the same tactics with her clients.
- Her meal planning program resources are available over email and on YouTube. But she’s moving everything to an app that’s smartphone and computer-friendly.
- Being disabled requires more tools and resources. Money might be allocated differently for someone who has low vision than it would be for someone who identifies as able-bodied. Because of that, food might not be a priority for those who are differently abled.
- To make nutrition resources more accessible for those who have low vision:
- Look for a disability, like vision loss, in someone’s medical chart.
- Ask if your current health education resource is helpful.
- Provide a feedback form or brochures that are simple.
- Use formatting and specific fonts, like Cambria or Calibri, that are easy to read.
- Keep handouts black and white or other high contrast colors for those who can’t see easily.
- Alicia creates meals that are nutrient-dense and satisfying. If we don’t eat in that way, it’s hard to have energy to get through the day. There is power in balanced meals and snacks.
Thanks to Tracy Williams from Tracy's Plate for recommending Alicia as a potential speaker on this podcast.
#1 tip to improve access to healthy food
- Keep handouts black and white or other high contrast colors for those who can’t see easily.
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