Meet Dash! She’s a registered dietitian and nutritional coach, who volunteers as a menu advisor and nutrition educator at Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels. In addition to helping certify our new kitchen partners, Dash contributes to our monthly client newsletter, writing articles and sharing tips about nutrition for our kūpuna clients. As we celebrate Dash’s 11 years as a volunteer, we sit down with her to learn more about her work and her passion.
How did you get connected with Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels?
In 2013, I was a student at the UH studying to be a nutritionist. Hawai’i Meals on Wheels came to a class, and I was so moved by everything they shared. I loved the personalized approach and the idea of delivering hot meals while checking on people’s well-being. I immediately started volunteering as a meal delivery driver. After I graduated, I continued writing for the client newsletter. I also began helping certify new kitchen partners who prepare hot or frozen meals for HMoW clients. I review menus, portion sizes, nutritional information, modified diets, and ask staff about their familiarity with modified diets, such as low sodium, low carbohydrate, and kidney friendly alternatives.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Nutrition on the surface can seem basic. But putting that into practice can be especially difficult for some people. It’s rewarding to help clients one-on-one and to help them long-term. Things change as we grow older; clients might come back with allergies or medical conditions. Many of our clients have chronic conditions. Others want to generally get healthier during a life transition. One-on-one coaching offers a unique opportunity to develop a relationship with each person and to help them practice strategies to meet their evolving nutritional needs.
What are you most passionate about today?
I enjoy teaching people practical ways to cook for themselves and their families. Many of my clients ask how they can make a favorite local dish healthier. It’s a fun challenge to look at the flavors and ingredients and come up with a modified version that tastes delicious.
What are some barriers to healthy eating for kūpuna?
Flashy tips you find online may not focus on older adults and what might be important to them. My goal is to share reminders about basic nutrition. I like to put a positive spin on it because seniors so often hear about what they can’t eat. I help them navigate how to make health approachable–by incorporating balance into a modified diet to support their quality of life. This could be an easy recipe for an low sugar antioxidant drink or practice tips for pairing protein with carbs for blood sugar control.
