Peer Supporters Have Lunch with Special Guest

Tuesday, December 13—Wellness Department Head Amanda Santos Valenzuela arranged for a special guest to come to campus. A former student of Ms. Valenzuela, Bonney Couper-Kiablick received her M.S. in Nutrition Science at Simmons University. Before joining Peer Supporters for lunch, Ms. Couper-Kiablick visited the Healthy Decisions class and spoke to Class VI. Students are currently examining the social determinants of health, identifying an issue that is important to them, and then exploring an organization that strives to make change. Since Ms. Couper-Kiablick works for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as a Nutritionist, her work is directly relevant to student’s classwork. Ms. Couper-Kiablick spoke about her career path, WIC, and providing women, infants and children with nutrition support. 


Afterward, Peers Supporters gathered in the Trustee Room with lunch trays and met with Ms. Couper-Kiablick and Ms.Valenzuela. The group spent time discussing positive food culture and the Health At Every Size® (HAES®) movement. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions and they didn’t waste any time jumping into difficult conversations such as, “What are ways you suggest we can stop negative talk about food and body image, especially when you hear it from a friend?” and “How do you know the difference between ‘we should work on this’ or ‘my friend needs help’?” 


“Honor your hunger,” said Ms. Couper-Kiablick, “Eat what you want so you don’t feel good or bad about food.” She acknowledged that “a lot of our first experiences with food are negative, like being told to clean your plate. Instead, check in with your hunger cues.” She also encouraged students to stop conversations that turn negative and tell people when something isn’t helpful. “Bringing it up isn’t always welcome, but it’s always valid.”