March is an important time for health care professionals to celebrate National Nutrition Month and more specifically Registered Dietitian Nutritionists on National RDN Day, March 14th! At Orgain we acknowledge and appreciate all that RDNs do to help their patients, and their communities, “Go Further with Food”. This year’s theme encourages nutrition professionals to help their patients achieve the numerous benefits healthy eating habits offer and Orgain is proud to be there to support RDNs in reaching this goal.

We’re constantly inspired and motivated by the hard work and dedication of the healthcare providers we meet, who work tirelessly to make sure their patients get the very best care, and the very best nutrition. This month’s practitioner highlight is a prime example of someone works diligently to make positive changes for her patients. We got to know Paige Fisher-Streno, RD, CSO, LDN, CNSC, an Oncology Dietitian at Duke Cancer Center Cary and Duke Women’s Cancer Care Raleigh, and learned about how she is using Orgain in her practice.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself personally and professionally so that our readers will be able to “get to know you”
A: I am a North Carolina native and yes, I really do love college basketball. I grew up on my family’s farm 20 minutes southeast of Fayetteville, NC. My family taught me that hard work is very important in most everything that I did, especially if I did not want to have to work on the farm the rest of my life. I received a BA in psychology from North Carolina State University. I completed dietetics courses at Meredith College, and then completed my dietetic internship through East Carolina University. I had an invaluable experience becoming a dietitian in eastern North Carolina. Not only did I learn clinical skills, but I also learned how to best teach MNT to diverse groups of people with different levels of education and literacy. Big words do not mean much if someone cannot understand them. Also, I have found that my psychology degree is invaluable for teaching and nutrition counseling. Feelings are often hiding in food.

I originally moved to Raleigh, NC in 2000, so I have seen the city and surrounding towns grow immensely. I love living here. The food, the music, and the beer are all top notch. And the weather is not bad either. I enjoy yoga and running terribly. I also regularly “go exploring” around the Triangle with my husband and our 4-year-old daughter. Most of our exploring is for food, which is my favorite type of exploring. The joy of watching your four-year-old eat crispy pigs’ ears is unparalleled. I am also a huge book nerd that adores a quiet afternoon of reading and lounging with our cat, Brenda, and our dog, Zoe.

Q: How long have you been an RD? Do you have any additional certifications/specializations/awards/publications you’d like to tell us about?
A: I have been a RD for 10 years, first starting at a community hospital where I was a jack-of-all-trades dietitian, working in the ICU, Step Down unit, Cardiac ICU, outpatient bariatric counseling and a sprinkling of lactation nutrition consulting for new mothers. Then, I gladly accepted the challenge of serving the adult inpatient oncology units at Duke, which included Hematology Oncology, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant, and Solid Tumor. It was a steep learning curve, but I loved that I learned new things every day. Also, I found it rewarding to develop a relationship with patients and caregivers instead of just meeting them one time, giving them a handout, then wishing them well. I became CSO certified in 2011. I also had the privilege with working with the amazing nutrition support team at Duke University Hospital. They trained me from the ground up to write TPN prescriptions and how to properly monitor and care for nutrition support patients. I received my CNSC in 2015.

Q: How did you initially find Orgain and what specifically prompted you to begin using with/recommending to you patients?
A: I first heard of Orgain through a former colleague whom acquired a sample at a conference. I thought that the product was a brilliant idea because oncology patients and caregivers were consistently asking me for an organic alternative to traditional oral nutrition supplements. I quickly contacted Orgain for samples for the outpatient Adult Bone Marrow Clinic in 2011 and I’ve been a fan ever since.

Q: What is your personal favorite Orgain product and flavor and why?
A: My favorite product is the Orgain Organic Protein plant based powder (vanilla bean or chocolate) mixed with ice, cold brew coffee, plain Greek yogurt, a handful of frozen fruit, a little honey, and maybe some baby spinach if I have it on hand. It sounds odd but it is tasty. The smoothie is very satiating and I can drink it during my morning commute.

Q: How are currently using Orgain in your practice?
A: I talk to my patients initially and follow them as they are going through treatment to see if they have any food allergies, sensitivities, or foods that are just not tolerable during treatment. Intake goals can change rapidly due to clinic status and side effects, but many patients tolerate oral nutrition supplements even when solid food is unbearable. Some patients have certain diet goals, such as avoiding certain foods, artificial dyes and sweeteners, or to implement a more plant-based diet. Orgain ready-to-drink shakes and protein powders meet those requirements for my patients. It is beneficial to have a vegan supplement to provide to my patients, and they are thankful for the vegan options as well.

Q: Please share a personal story about your experience with Orgain and how it has been beneficial with one or more of your patients.
A: I had a patient that was having an especially tough time after receiving AC (Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide). She was very fatigued and losing weight rapidly. My patient was originally from Korea and she ate a mostly vegetarian diet with minimal intake of processed foods, so she had a hard time with the cloying sweetness of other oral nutrition supplements. I met with her one day during a follow up visit for supportive care and I offered her an Orgain vegan sweet vanilla bean shake. She drank it there in the clinic and then inquired about where to get more. She began drinking the Orgain vegan vanilla shake regularly and her nutrition and clinic status improved. She was also reassured that she had something nourishing to drink even on the days that she felt the worse.

Orgain’s story started with a decision not to surrender—a decision our founder made as a teenager fighting an aggressive form of cancer who refused to accept that meal replacement shakes full of questionable ingredients were his only path to wellness. Watch this short video to learn more about Dr. Andrew Abraham and discover the inspiration behind Orgain’s line of nutrition products.

Plant-based, vegan diets have been an emerging “trend” in nutrition. Touting many health benefits as well as risk reduction for a number of nutrition related diseases. While Orgain Vegan All-In-One Nutrition Shakes are obviously perfect for vegans (you guessed it), they are also a fantastic option for individuals with certain food sensitivities, dietary preferences, or those just looking to incorporate more plant based nutrition into their everyday lives. The protein source is different, but much like our Organic Nutrition All-In-One Nutritional Shakes “original shake” the Vegan All-In-One Nutrition Shakes feature 16g of organic protein, a blend of 10 organic fruits and vegetables for added antioxidants, and 21 vitamins & minerals. Of course, true to Orgain fashion, this shake is free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners as well as soy, gluten, and GMOs.

You may have noticed that our Vegan All-In-One Nutrition Shakes now feature a new look as well as a slight change to the list of ingredients. At Orgain we are committed to an ongoing focus on quality improvement to consistently provide the best tasting and most nutritious products for your patients and clients. Orgain has made a conscious shift away from organic brown rice protein to organic pea protein due to an unstable global supply of organic brown rice protein. In addition, organic pea protein has a more favorable amino acid profile and has a decreased uptake of heavy metals from soil, making it a cleaner source of protein. Perhaps, the most important note about these changes is that we believe that our new & improved formula tastes better than it did previously which means your patients will be even more delighted!

Summary of changes:

• Organic pea protein has replaced organic rice protein as the primary protein source
• Organic hemp and flax proteins have been removed for a smoother mouthfeel
• Decreased potassium content (vanilla bean only)
• Removal of inulin (chocolate only)

We are proud to announce that all of our Plant Based Products including powders, drinks, and bars are now Certified Vegan by Vegan Action. While these products have always been vegan this certification adds a level of reliability and trust worthiness for practitioners and patients alike. Being Certified Vegan means: