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Cook, Eat, Compete

June 2020

By Tram Le
ISU Undergraduate Student, Nutrition and Dietetics

I am an undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics student at Idaho State University. It is my passion to learn about nutrition, cooking, and helping others lead healthier and happier lives. Smart Cooking on the Run Every Day (SCORE) is a fantastic program managed by a sports dietitian, Natalie Christensen. The program aims to educate athletes on applicable nutrition information and healthful meal planning with delicious, easy recipes and ideas based on their individual nutrition needs.

During the Spring 2020 semester, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the SCORE program, helping the women’s soccer team prepare nutritious breakfast burritos in bulk! As a nutrition and dietetics student that is learning about cooking, it was fitting to help with the cooking class, including grocery shopping, preparing materials and cooking equipment, as well as the arrangement of space and assisting participants in the kitchen to ensure safety.

ISU women's soccer team learns healthy cooking

Three members of the ISU women's soccer team prepare a healthy meal in the ISU Foods Lab

It was also a great experience to know about their dedication and commitment to soccer, despite the tight schedule of early practices, classes, then homework. Some of them often skip meals simply because they do not have enough time in the day to cook, prepare meals and snacks, or sometimes relying on convenience bars and shakes for too many meals. As we all know, having a proper diet can help provide the energy for casual sport as well as intense competition. You are more likely to be tired and perform poorly during sports when the body does not get enough macronutrients, fluids, iron, vitamins, and other minerals.

I've really enjoyed watching and helping athletes learn skills that they can use for the rest of their life. I am looking forward to more cooking classes in the future! It is fulfilling to share my skills and knowledge with the athletes on campus. I enjoy answering questions and helping ISU athletes improve their diets for better performance on the field.