Tom DO VAN LANH // Fun tutorials for better nutrition
Tom DO VAN LANH – 22 years old – Born in Paris (Val-de-Marne, 94) – Resident of Montpellier since 2015 – Currently pursuing a Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Human Food Science (NAH) atthe Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology (IUT)
“I want to work in nutrition in developing countries”
[ Could you introduce yourself in a few words? ] – My name is Tom Do Van Lanh. I was born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges in the 94 department, near Paris. I came to Montpellier to take this program because I hope to work in nutrition in developing countries in the future—a focus of this program that isn’t offered anywhere else.
“I love food more than anything! Preparing it, cooking it, and especially enjoying it!”
[ What are your passions? What do you do in your free time? ] – I have many! I love sports, especially track and field, which I practice at the MA2M – Montpellier Athletic Méditerranée Métropole; I do short sprints. I love the thrill this sport gives me, and it really helps me unwind after class. I love reading manga and watching Japanese anime—it was thanks to my older brother that I got into these books. And of course, given my field of study, I love food above all else! Preparing it, cooking it, and most of all, tasting it!
“A continuation of my training that allows me to expand my skills”
[ What are you studying? ] – I’m currently pursuing a professional bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Human Food Science at theMontpellier University Institute of Technology. Before that, I completed a BTS in Dietetics in the Paris area before entering the professional bachelor’s program (you can also enter it through a DUT in Bioengineering with a Dietetics track). It’s a continuation of my education and allows me to expand my skills in the areas of management, clinical research, nutrition education, prevention…
“Through Blabla’plat, I offer tutorials on sustainable eating”
[ To help students with their daily meals, you took part in the Blabla’plat project. Blabla-what? ] – Blabla’plat is a series of videos produced by students in our program. It helps students with their daily meals by focusing on four themes we selected:
> Comparison of store-bought meals vs. homemade meals,
> cooking with leftovers,
> using the microwave
> cooking with fruits and vegetables.
These videos were created as part of an intervention research project on the topic of “sustainable food”, supervised by Ms. Virginie Masdoua, our project advisor. It was funded by the French Fund for Healthy Eating and supported by various partners, including the DRAAF, the ARS Languedoc-Roussillon, and the University Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion.
“When it comes to nutrition, breakfast is a must!”
[ What's your typical day like? ] – Morning: wake up and breakfast is a must (especially as a diet student, you can’t skip it!): fruit juice, yogurt, and slices of fresh bread with jam.
I jump on my bike and head to the tram, then it’s off to a day of intense classes. Lunch is a quick meal at the IUT cafeteria, then after classes end at 6 p.m., three times a week, we head to the Phillipidès Stadium for a track and field (and interval) training session…
In the evening, we come back, enjoy a cozy meal in front of a good TV show, and of course, we study!
“The library… DVDs of recent movies and TV shows that you can borrow—and I’m all for that”
[ What’s your favorite place on campus? ] – The library on the Triolet campus—it’s a big space with lots of books and even DVDs of recent movies and TV shows that you can borrow, and I’m all for that!
“The Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful places, especially when the sun comes out”
[ What's your favorite place in Montpellier? ] – The Jardin des Plantes on Boulevard Henri IV, one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever visited; it’s especially pleasant when the sun comes out, with many varieties of plants I wasn’t necessarily familiar with.
Check out Tom’s Blabla’plat project : Eating Well on a Student Budget
Call for participants: If you’d like to join us in our presentation of students from the University of Montpellier, please contact us.