Janet Macon’s love of food has transformed into a career.
Macon is an instructor in Winona State University’s Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences department, where she has designed novel nutrition curriculum. She also serves as the clinical dietitian for WSU’s Health & Wellness Services, helping students with a variety of nutrition-related diagnoses and goals.
“I have passion for food and nutrition,” Macon said. “It is common ground, even among people who have nothing else in common. We all have deeply-rooted beliefs, preferences, habits, and emotional ties to our food.”
Macon presented “Too Much on Your Plate?” during Winona Health’s Way to Wellness Expo, in partnership with WSU and other community organizations, on Feb 27. She was joined by one of her nutrition students, Cortnie Schierman. Macon used interactive food portion activities to launch a discussion about intuitive eating. Schierman, a public health student, designed and led a mindful eating exercise with the audience. Macon concluded with tips for the audience to try at home.
Macon has invested her education in the health and nutrition of future generations. Before coming to WSU, she earned her Bachelor of Science in food systems and technology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, before eventually earning her Master of Science in nutrition from Iowa State University. Macon complete her Dietetic Internship at St. Luke’s Hospital/Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.
Macon has been an instructor of community classes that focused on nutrition at Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill. She has also worked at Hy-Vee in Davenport, Iowa as a Health Market Manager and Retail Registered Dietitian.
“There is a great deal of information and misinformation out there about our food. I enjoy helping people gain credible knowledge, so they can grow their confidence in their dietary decisions,” Macon said. “Americans are hungry for information about our food sources and systems so that they can make their own health values-based food decisions on fact, not urban myth or opinion.”
For more information on Macon contact University Communications at 507-457-5024.
