What is Sorghum?

Sorghum is a cereal grain that grows tall like corn and is one of the top five cereal crops in the world. Sorghum has been growing in Africa for hundreds of years.

Why do I Love Sorghum? 5 Reasons …

It’s so versatile. You can use sorghum in place of rice, quinoa and pasta.  You can find it at the grocery store in whole or pearled form, as a flour, syrup and bran, as a product similar to popcorn or even as flakes! It is a grain that you can get creative with — great for any meal or snack.

It’s very nutritious. Sorghum is a nutrient-dense food with many health benefits. It provides protein, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and fiber, all of which play a major role in helping various parts of your body — such as your digestive and cardiovascular systems — to function!

It’s naturally gluten-free. Sorghum is safe for people who suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Be sure to read the food label. Sometimes manufacturers mix a variety of ingredients with sorghum that may not be gluten-free.

It’s easy to use. You can prepare sorghum as a delicious side dish or as the base for a meal. Sorghum is easy to cook using an oven, stove top, slow cooker or rice cooker. It can even be frozen and then reheated without losing its great taste.

It has antioxidant powers. Certain types of sorghum are rich in antioxidants. Research suggests that it may help lower your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and some neurological diseases.

 3 Easy, Nutritious Ways to Give Sorghum a Try:

1. Boost your grain intake and sprinkle sorghum on your favorite salad!
2. Need something crunchy to munch on? Sorghum can be popped just like popcorn! So awesome.
3. It’s soup season. Make yours more nutrient-dense by adding sorghum!

Popped Sorghum Trail Mix

Serves 4

Ingredients

• ¼ cup sorghum
• ¼ cup coconut shreds
• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons hemp seeds
• ¼ cup walnuts

Instructions

1. To pop sorghum: Heat a pot with a tight fitting lid over medium high  heat. When hot, add sorghum and cover with lid.
2. Cook, shaking the pot often, until sorghum begins to pop. Remove from heat when there is more than 10 seconds between pops.
3. Combine all ingredients. Pack in airtight container or sealable plastic bag. The trail mix will keep for up to two weeks.

I hope I’ve inspired you to give sorghum a try. Don’t forget, it is very important to make half the grains you consume “whole.” Your body will thank you.

The post Sorghum, the Grain You Might Be Missing appeared first on HealthStylz.

The journey to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist is a years-in-the-making process that takes advanced preparation. One part you can't avoid — and which can make or break your future success — is getting successfully matched to an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. Here are nine tips for undergrads to help you position yourself as a future intern.

Volunteer and Gain Experience

Don't wait until your junior or senior year to get experience, start now! How will you know if the RDN path is for you if you don’t stick your foot in the door? Waste no time; start by shadowing a dietitian, get hours in a variety of settings that RDNs work in. Gain new skills such as professionalism, communication and multitasking. One more thing: Keep a log of your hours. You will need this record for the DICAS applications your senior year. If you expose yourself to a variety of settings, your internship rotations will be less intimidating. You can use the experiences you gain for the personal statement you will need to write. Search for unique experiences that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Study — GPA Matters

While 3.0 is the minimum GPA requirement for most dietetic internships, a higher number is better. GPA isn't the only factor considered by internship directors, but sometimes it is highly weighted. If your GPA isn't competitive, consider retaking courses. But don’t wait until the last minute — aim for As now.

Get Involved with Leadership Opportunities

Universities offer hundreds of organizations to get involved with on campus. Find one that sounds interesting to you. Then, take on a leadership role. As a campus leader, you have the opportunity to impact your community. This is also a great way to enhance your résumé and personal statement.

Learn Time Management

As dietitians would say when speaking to a patient, “It is all about balance and moderation.” Balancing school, work, volunteering and extracurricular activities may become challenging, but organization and time management are key. Day planners, calendars, sticky notes, to-do lists —find out what works for you and use it.

Build Relationships with Your Professors

They are there to help you become successful. If you are struggling in a class, don’t wait until the end of the semester to ask your professor for extra help. Instead, visit his or her office hours or email immediately. Also, keep in mind that you need several letters of recommendation from your professors for internship applications.

Use Breaks Wisely

Try to gain as much experience in the field of nutrition as you can during summer and winter breaks. Look for any undergrad internship experiences as they will be very valuable to your DI applications. This is also a perfect time to retake any classes you didn’t do so well in.

Join Your Affiliate

Network, network, network! What’s better than being around people who also love nutrition? You don’t have to be a dietitian to be a part of these associations; there are plenty of student opportunities, conferences, events and more.

Prepare for the Costs of Senior Year

From graduation costs to dietetic internship application fees, your final year of undergrad can be expensive. Start saving now. You won’t regret it.

Remember to Have Fun

The whole point of the tips above is to help you study and position for the future. But college is also about living the present. If you never have fun, you'll burn out. Make time for yourself: go for a run, bake cookies or hop on a plane to a sunnier climate!

The post 9 Keys for Dietetics Students Trying to Land an Internship appeared first on HealthStylz.