Close Up Radio Spotlights Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson

Fargo, ND – Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson is a food and nutrition specialist for the NDSU Extension Service and a professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at North Dakota State University, where she develops and coordinates nutrition and food safety research and education projects throughout North Dakota for children through adults.

Driven by a love of nutrition, Dr. Garden-Robinson is an expert in food preservation, food preparation and basic food science, nutrition and technology.

Dr. Garden-Robinson says a great way to start healthier habits is to simply be aware of what you are eating and what you are not. The biggest issue in nutrition is probably inadequate fruits and vegetables in the diets of most children and adults.

“Any fruit and vegetable is a good addition to our diet,” says Dr. Garden Robinson. “In particular, any dark green or dark orange or gold vegetable will be highly rich in nutrients. It's better to eat more whole forms of fruit than fruit juice, and one of the best fruits you can have is apples. If people want to focus on something, I would say, eat more vegetables as part of a balanced diet.”

Of course, no one is a perfect eater, says Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson, but we can all work to balance nutrition with physical activity.

Dr. Garden-Robinson advocates for a program called “The Family Table” to encourage families to eat together more often. Families that eat together are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables and eat an overall, very balanced diet.

“I hope that I've made a difference in the lives of the kids and adults that I've reached,” says Dr. Garden-Robinson.

For more information, visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension/food