Join the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and University of Illinois Extension for a series on a variety of health topics. Pick and choose programs based on interest.

All sessions are offered on Wednesdays at noon (CST) from September 23 - November 18, 2020. 

Sept 23 | Decoding That Diet You Saw on the Internet: Vegetarian, Vegan, and Paleo Diets

Are vegans always healthier? Are we supposed to eat like our ancestors during the hunting and gathering era? Join registered dietitian Ru Liu to learn about the vegan, vegetarian, and paleo diets, and gain the tools to decide whether those diets are for you.

Sept 30 |Taste the Rainbow: A Brief Overview of Carotenoids in Your Diet, Body, and Life

Nature and the foods we eat encompass a wide spectrum of colors. But what is responsible for the colors we eat? In this seminar, we will discuss carotenoids: what they are, where we see them in our daily life, their benefits for our health, and how to incorporate them into our diet. Join neuroscience PhD student Corinne Cannavale to learn more about these amazing nutrients!

Oct 7 | Healthy Habits: Building Budget-Friendly Meals and Tracking Your Progress

It can sometimes seem costly to incorporate healthy meals into your daily routine, but does it have to be this way? Recognizing the need for cheaper meals, health professionals have prioritized healthful eating and have increasingly used web-based and mobile apps to aid with building a healthier and more economical menu. Join nutritional sciences graduate student Jonathan Cerna to learn more about resources that can make it easier to eat healthy on a budget.

Oct 14 | Get the Facts on Nutrition: Know Your Labels

Do you ever feel confused by all of the nutrition information out there? Join Leila Shinn, MS, RDN, FAND to learn about how to read the Nutrition Facts label as well as important information on vitamins and supplements that you can use in making healthy diet choices for you and your family.

Oct 21 | Active Aging: Using Exercise to Maintain Health Across the Lifespan

Wondering how active you should be during your lifespan? Should we be running a 5k every morning or is it enough to go on a 10-minute walk? Join kinesiology student, Shelby Keye, to learn about the current physical activity guidelines for all ages and how they can be beneficial for you.

Oct 28 | Fermented Foods: What do they do?

Have you seen kimchi, kombucha, kefir, soy sauce, or probiotic supplements recently for sale at the grocery store? They might claim to improve your gut microbiome, help you think more clearly, and improve your health. Learn how to decipher fact from fiction with enthusiast, fermenter, and nutritional sciences PhD student Breanna Metras. Join us and learn how to run some experiments in your own home and understand what the science really says these foods can do for you.

Nov 4 | Block the Bite: A Guide to Commonly Encountered Ticks and How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Ticks suck...literally. But which ones transmit which diseases, and what are safe and effective methods to prevent them from biting? Tick ecologist Heather Kopsco will teach you when and where you can expect to find these potentially dangerous pests when outdoors, and simple ways to keep your family protected (pets, included!).

Nov 11 | Dietary Defense: How Nutrition Can Impact Immunity

COVID-19 has caused a sizeable increase to the already leading cause of mortality in the world: viral respiratory infections. Luckily for us, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk of contracting an infection and susceptibility to severe illness. Join nutritional sciences PhD student Noah Hutchinson as he outlines important evidence-based aspects of nutrition and day-to-day habits that can put you in the best position to maintain a healthy immune system and lower your risk of contracting an infection.

Nov 18 | Staying Sharp: Maintaining Brain Health As You Age

Aging is inevitable, but there are many things we can do to maintain brain health as we get older. Join neuroscientist Mickeal Key to learn about how and why the brain changes with age, how these changes can impact daily life, and what healthy habits can help you maintain brain health.

CEUs and CPDUs are available! 

CEUs available through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois - If you would like to purchase CEUs for each session, please register and pay for CEUs at this link: https://geroed.networkofcare4elearning.org/

These sessions are FREE, but registration is required.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of these programs, please contact Chelsey Byers at clbyers@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.