In a nation with a third of its adults considered obese, almost two million people being diagnosed with diabetes each year, and innumerable diet fads that all seem to contradict each other, what you choose to put into your mouth—a huge determinant of health—can sometimes be confusing.
“It’s really important that people know something about nutrition, it is incredibly foundational for health,” says Emily Samet, a part-time faculty member at CCV Springfield who teaches the subject there. “It’s the reason I love to teach it.”
In addition to holding a master’s degree in nutrition from Bridgeport University in Connecticut, Samet is a clinical herbalist and yoga instructor, as well as a student of the School of Evolutionary Astrology. She originally got into nutrition by way of herbalism and focuses on a science-based, holistic approach to the subject. She stresses the importance of the interconnectivity of our mental and physical health, and says her love of yoga helps to round out that approach.
“My yoga practice is pretty integral to my life,” she says. “Even though teaching nutrition is very different from teaching yoga, they inform each other. Teaching is a natural extension of the excitement, passion and interest you have for a subject.”
Samet didn’t necessarily see herself on the path to teaching—her parents were both school teachers and when asked if that’s what she would do the answer was always “no, definitely not”—but her longtime interest in nutrition eventually lead to the opportunity to share her knowledge at the college level.
“It’s such an important topic for everybody,” she says. “Everybody has to eat. So many of my students are feeding their families so it’s great to see that the topic has an impact on their lives, that it pertains to reality in some way.”
After spending some time out west, Samet moved back east to be close to family. Originally from Connecticut, she came to Vermont in search of a place that offered more connection with the natural world, in keeping with her interests and lifestyle.
“I just feel more comfortable up here, with the opportunity to live close to nature,” she says. “And there are so many people on the same path I am on as far as healing goes, so it’s a great place to be for that.”
She lives in Newfane and began teaching at CCV in the spring of 2012 after finishing up her master’s degree. She says each semester it gets better and better. As a yoga instructor for about a year and a half, Samet says being up in front of people and giving specific direction for their bodies has helped bolster her clarity and confidence in the classroom.
Keeping things fresh in the course, being open to different sides of what can often be controversial notions and sharing as many facts as possible are some of the strategies behind her lectures. And her favorite subject? Carbs.
“I love teaching about carbohydrates, they’re key to so many people’s health,” says Samet. “Sugar is just such a huge problem, I really like to be able to address the whole topic of healthy versus unhealthy carbs, and the link to diabetes.”
She adds that being at CCV has provided her with the chance to bring what can be life-changing knowledge to the community in a supportive setting.
“The atmosphere [at CCV] is conducive to learning,” she says. “It has been a wonderful experience to share my passion with a diversity of people who are motivated to learn and come from all walks of life to CCV to study together.”