This coming Saturday marks the kick-off of the American Dietetic Association’s Food & Nutrition Conference in San Diego and guess what?? There is going to be a Paleo presence!!! Yep, “Robb’s Angels” (Sorry Charlie…), the paleo dietitian dream team, is heading to the conference. But, we’re not just going to the ‘big show’. Oh, no. Thanks to Victory Belt Publishing, (publishers of The Paleo Solution, Everyday Paleo, and the new (and totally awesome, get it if you haven’t already…), Paleo Comfort Foods); we’ve got an exhibit booth at the expo! That’s right, Robb’s Angels are on a mission to battle the conventional nutrition world and change the way Registered Dietitians around the country think.
We’re up against a pretty rough crowd – ‘big food’ is going to be bringing in some major artillery; General Mills, McDonalds, Coke, Pepsi, Kelloggs… armed with “FREE SAMPLES” full of whole grains and artificial sweeteners; but we’re ready and we’ll have copies of The Paleo Solution, Everyday Day Paleo, and Paleo Comfort Foods for sale, in our arsenal. With education sessions such as; “A Fresh Look at Processed Foods”, “Dietary Guidelines in the Real World”, and culinary demonstrations featuring Whole Grains and Quinoa; our mission is not going to be an easy one. We’re taking in some materials of our own to help lay some paleo misconceptions to rest and we will not go down without a fight!
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not all ‘gloom and doom’. There will be an entire section of the expo hall devoted to gluten free information, many produce groups will have booths, and there is going to be education sessions on sustainability, vitamin D, and many other useful topics. Our mission is not to make enemies, but to find allies in our fight to make the world healthy and change lives.
We will be providing daily updates from the conference and we’ll give you all the details of our excursion very soon. We’re strong, we’re educated, and we’re ready to take on anything that comes our way. “Mission Change Minds” here we come!
Anything that can take away from ‘big food’ is good in my opinion, good luck on your mission!
Hey Amy- sounds great! Maybe leave us a twitter hashtag to follow? Do you tweet? You should… 🙂 People seemed to love the #AHS11 feed. Either way, can’t wait to hear how this goes!
I do tweet! You can follow me – my name is AmykRD – I’ll update as time allows! I’m hoping we’re very busy!
We will be asking the RDs and students what THEY think Paleo means…. A lot of the push back is from people not truly understanding the premise.
Great that you are bringing along some reading for these folks. Wonder if it would be beneficial to find a sponsor to provide funds so you could give away a number of books to “experts” at this convention. People like free swag at these things. Just a thought.
You’re right Andrew- these crowds LOVE free stuff. Unfortunately, we don’t have a financially endowed sponsor (like Coke or General Mills… 😉 ) backing us. We’ll see how it goes this year and maybe next year we’ll get some ‘big guns’ in our corner!! 🙂
I was thinking maybe somebody like Whole Foods. While not directly affiliated with Paleo, the two definitely could benefit from each other. Just a thought.
Another thought would be to setup a “donation” paypal account or something. I work in IT and a lot of open source projects work this way. Call it the “Donate to help us buy books for MD’s/RN’s/etc so they can have free stuff and maybe get their head out of their…” fund 😀
Great thoughts Andrew! Planning committee member VIP for you!! 🙂
From your description, It doesn’t sound like the Broccoli Growers, or Grass Fed beef ranchers will be well represented in the trade show floor.
Have fun converting.
AS an RN of many years, I am delighted to hear this! Good work and keep on keepin’on. And thank you for your efforts and for sharing them. Persistence! Perseverance! Infiltration! 🙂
We’re going to do everything we can to make the paleo lifestyle mainstream!! Look out Food Plate! 🙂
Go “Robb’s Angels” Go! Thanks for representing and spreading the word. We know you can do it!
Game On!!! and ><'s!!!! 🙂
Good luck, I can’t wait to hear how it goes. You have more support than you can imagine!
Thanks Aaron! It should be interesting! We will definitely update everyone on the comments and questions we get.
Robb, you’ve overlooked an opportunity here – you should be giving out free bacon samples. perhaps Boars Head could sponsor you or set up their booth next to yours.
Next year!!! 🙂
I was thinking the same thing!
Brilliant; right into the enemy heartland. Go Paleo Dream Team Go!!! 🙂
Go get ’em!!!!
Maybe you should bring those little butane burners and cook up some tasty paleo eats for eating and sharing. Maybe put it in tubs marked “I can’t believe it’s not S.A.D.” Then again that might get you kicked out.
Awesome!! I think we may need you on the planning committee for next year!!
Good luck Robb’s Angles! It’s hard to fight against the ones who are doing the most harm. I know, I’m trying to help my husband and convince him that Paleo is the way to go. His glucose levels have increased. I have given him information, (wish he’d read the book) but he still enjoys that bagel. Breakfasts/snacks are harder for him. What to do, what to do………….AARRGGGHHH!
Janis, keep fighting! If you’d like me to try and convince him – just schedule a call and I’ll see what I can do!! 🙂
Thanks Amy!
Hi Amy,
Good luck down in my old hometown.
PLEASE have someone take lots of archival pictures… and if possible, some video of you and you team in action answering questions in the highest quality you can… believe me, it will be an invaluable resource for you!
CJ
We will betaking LOTS of pictures CJ. And answering questions is our main job. We’re taking a FAQ sheet to handout also!!
you and youR team that is…;)
Sweet!! Wish I could be there! Hmmm…maybe this could be a start to a traveling “Robb’s Angels” tour? Seek out nutrition conferences (especially those having to do with anything “national”) and begin to make a presence?? Actually, this gives me an idea….those of us who are involved with nutrition at our local gyms/affiliates, could start setting up “booths” wherever they have health fairs! Hmmm.
I like it!!! A Robb’s Angels tour!! That would be awesome! We’ll go where Robb needs us to be – he’s mission control!! 🙂
I’m game for the tour!
Totally down! Where should tour stop #2 be? Ohh the possibilities!
Bring a photo album of old yet healthy people from hunter-gatherer tribes. You can hand it to anyone who says cavemen lived to 30 on “that diet”.
What a great opportunity! Will look forward to hearing what kind of reaction you get from the other booth holders.
I wish you’d had a stand at the recent gluten-free expo I went to in Sydney. I was shocked at the nutrition and food that was being sold and promoted. The basic rule seemed to be: take out gluten; replace with any grain other than wheat, chemicals and a big serving of soy.
They are putting us in the ‘gluten free’ section. Rumor has it we’ll be next to Udi’s… We’ll see how that goes! Maybe Sydney next year!!
Good for you! And I’m sure just your presence there–fit, healthy–will attract people to the booth. Maybe you can have a flyer/handout with some of the amazing success stories–always impressive. Those of us down here in San Diego will be sending good vibes your way.
SO AWESOME!!!!! Really hoping I can make the trip with some school funds next year, definitely looking forward to updates on this one. I’ll be watching that twitter feed like a hawk.
The conference will be in Philadelphia, PA next year Oct 6-9th. Start saving and planning now 🙂 We will be there and would love for you to come join us!
oh Man I want to be there! I want to see McDonalds and Kellogs faces when you tell them in a very subbtle and nice way they’re literally doing wrong (even when they have the right)… you guys are going to rock out with your books out!! : ) Buena Suerte!
Thanks Chelo! Come with us!! The more the merrier!! 🙂
I think as soon as I hear the conventional nutritional board of “professionals” about how we should eat I might give birth!! I don’t think this places are set to have a birthing space for unexpected things like that hahaha, but maybe next year! : ) I’ll be cheering for you guys don’t forget to tweet tweet tweet!!!
Go get them, Rob’s Angels!!!
How about a video update from the battlefield?
We’ll see what we can do – lots of pictures for sure!!
Are yall going to take helmets?
We’re hoping to recruit – not fight!! 🙂
Kick ass! No mean it, kick ass while you’re there. I finally got my mother on the bandwagon. Just got a text from her today “I wish I would have done this years ago. I feel like a machine”.
We’re going to talk to anyone and everyone that will listen – sort of like a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesperson… Awesome work converting your mom! Keep it up!
Most people “familiar” with the paleo diet probably don’t realize any grains are included so the quinoa and whole grain demos are a great idea for dispelling misconceptions. I’m going to check out your blog now Amy.
We’re going to educate!! It’s really going to be an experience!
This is AWESOME news! This is a big step for the ADA in the right direction. When I hear of ADA I do not think about Coca Cola and Pepsi though. That is kind of scary! At least this is a foot in the door. Thanks guys for all your hard work!
Thank YOU for reading the blog and helping support the movement! We’re all in this together.
Absolutely Brilliant!
You guys are awesome… go in and STIR UP that big pot of conventional wisdom.
If it’s not too late, can you include a few diabetics on your team, ones that used to eat according to A.D.A. guidelines and now have far better glucose control eating a paleo diet.
“Paleo… the results speak for themselves”
Best of luck, looking forward to following along!
Sweet! (naturally, of course 😉
I wish I could be there. Will there be video! I hope Diane/Balanced Bites will be there helping with the de-progamming, er, I mean Education sessions!
Good luck!
Good luck! As a fellow RD I support your mission– I hope it goes well for you!
Thanks Sabrina!! Will you be there?
AWESOME! Go Robb!
Glad to hear, Good luck!
Just look over your shoulder every once in a while for the rendition teams…
Nice, representin!
Goodluck there, and I look forward to seeing the updates on how it goes.
I love people watching. A gathering like this is an opportune time make some observations about dieticians and see if they practice what they preach. Can we get your admittedly unscientific observations of a rough percentage of the attending dieticians that appear overweight or obese?
It won’t “prove” anything, but would be interesting.
Jon, there are some dietitians that do and some that don’t. It’s the same as in the personal training industry and medical industry – some doctors and nurses, smoke, etc… It’s hard to put a percent on it – but it’s a minority for sure.
Good luck you guys!! Have a blast and do some real educating!!
This is AWESOME news Amy! I’m an RD and am doing my best to educate others on a Paleo lifestyle, especially other RD’s. Wish I could be there to join you in your mission. Good Luck!!!
It’s not too early to start planning for next year! We wish you could join us as well!
This is awesome. I wish I could be there!! GOOD LUCK! I can’t wait for the updates!
Will be watching for the updates! Best to you in spreading the word!
Oh, look who else will be there! The Grain Foods Foundation, recently taken to deleting comments from their blog which point out their members’ financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry:
http://www.sixservings.org/2011/09/were-going-to-fnce/
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2011/09/eat-this-sixservings/
HA! shocker.
Woohoo! I can’t wait to here how you guys are received! I earned my RD in June and cannot bring myself to join the ADA. Does anyone know of any Paleo resources or groups in Colorado? Aside from CrossFit it’s tough to find any other like-minded individuals. Makes for lots of great education opportunities, but an alliance would be nice sometimes:)
Thanks!
Have you signed up on the paleo physician network?
I am attending Duke and have found them to be fairly open minded about the paleo diet. I can’t wait to hear your tweets!