Tom DO VAN LANH // Fun tutorials for better nutrition

[Article] - Published on April 18, 2016 in Information, Guidance, and Career Placement

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 so many! I love sports, especially track and field, which I practice at the MA2M – Montpellier Athletic Méditerranée Métropole; I do short-distance sprinting. I love the thrill this sport gives me, and it really helps me unwind after class. I enjoy reading manga and watching Japanese anime—it was thanks to my older brother that I got into these books. And of course, in line with my studies, I love food more than anything! Preparing it, cooking it, and above all, enjoying 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 Dietetics at theMontpellier IUT. Before that, I earned a BTS in Dietetics in the Paris area before entering the professional bachelor’s program (you can also gain admission through a DUT in Bioengineering with a Dietetics track). This builds on my previous education and allows me to expand my skills in the areas of management, clinical research, nutrition education, prevention, and more…

“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’s designed to help students with their daily meals by focusing on four themes we’ve chosen:

> 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 Languedoc-Roussillon Regional Health Agency (ARS), and the University Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion.

“When it comes to nutrition, you can’t skip breakfast!”

[ What's a typical day like for you? ] – In the morning, I wake up and have breakfast (especially as a diet student—I never skip it!): fruit juice, yogurt, and slices of fresh bread with jam.
I hop on my bike and head out to catch the tram, then it’s off to a day of intense classes. At noon, a quick lunch 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 lactate) workout…
In the evening, we come home, 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 library resources and even DVDs of recent movies and TV shows that you can borrow, and I’m all for that!

“The Jardin des Plantes, 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