Rutgers–Camden Dietitian Believes Healthy Eating Can Be Delicious
For many in college, a steady diet of ramen, pizza, and fast food is the norm. But Blanca Cats, RD hopes to change that, at least for students at Rutgers University–Camden.
I want to help students find balance—in what they eat, but also within themselves and in their lives. By creating awareness around nutrition and empowering students with the knowledge to make better choices, I hope to help them understand that healthy is more than just salads for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Blanca Cats
Dietitian
Cats joined Rutgers–Camden in April 2024 as the campus dietitian, but she has been interested in nutrition and the science behind it since she was a teen. She recalled seeing the documentary “Food, Inc.” as part of a class in high school. The film examines the modern food-industrial complex, raising concerns about the safety and quality of the food that is commonly available to most Americans.
"That movie opened my eyes," Cats said. "I came to understand that many people simply don’t have access to the information, education, and resources needed to make good decisions around nutrition and food.”
Cats studied nutrition and food science at Montclair State University, graduating in 2021. She initially took a position with a hospital because she had worked in a clinical setting throughout college. Before long, however, she realized she wanted to make a greater impact and connect with a wider audience on the importance of good nutrition.
“The opportunity to be a part of the Rutgers–Camden community came along at the perfect time,” Cats said. “Having the chance to counsel students and connect with the campus through nutritional health has allowed me to truly fulfill the vision I had for myself and my career.”
Cats also works closely with the executive chef and culinary team at Rutgers–Camden to provide healthy options and accommodate dietary needs. Her goal is to change some of the misconceptions people have about food and societal pressures around eating.
She encourages students to consider the complete picture of what they may be eating and its benefits, not just the disadvantages. For example, breaded chicken tenders and broccoli in cheese sauce may be higher in calories than grilled chicken and steamed broccoli, but the meal still has nutritionally essential elements like protein and vegetables.
"All foods give us nutrition, and eating healthy can look very different for different people," Cats said. "My goal is to help people be more aware of what they are eating and give them the knowledge to make active, conscious decisions—mindful munching, rather than mindless snacking."
Healthier Holidays: Staying on Track From Halloween to the New Year
The holidays are festive and exciting, but staying focused on health and nutrition during that time can be challenging. From Halloween to New Year’s Eve, parties, celebrations, and family gatherings create a veritable minefield of events that could derail even the most determined, health-focused individual.
“If you are concerned about going overboard during the holidays, one of the best things you can do is have a plan,” Cats said. “Being prepared ahead of time can help manage any situation you may find yourself in over the holiday season.”
One tool Cats recommends is “MyPlate,” offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This simple visual strategy ensures an individual is meeting standard nutritional goals from each of the various food groups throughout any given day. It is available both online and as an app.
“The idea of a plate is something most people can understand, and MyPlate uses labels and color coding to make it as easy as possible to know what you need to eat,” Cats said. “The website also has recipes, articles on nutrition, and other resources geared to help you understand how to do what’s best for your body.”
Spoiler alert, however: There is no holiday cookie food group.
