Shyla Davis-Cadogan '22 was just getting started on her fast track to success after graduating from AGNR with a Nutrition & Food Science degree. Along with becoming a registered dietitian, she has also become a full-time social media influencer known as “Healthy Shyla,” gaining huge followings on both Instagram and TikTok. Her educational videos about food, nutrition, and dieting inspire others to make healthy food choices.
What inspired you to become a dietitian?
I sort of fell into the career. I was vegan throughout high school, and although I didn’t apply to UMD to be a nutrition major, I eventually switched one year in because I thought I wanted to make everyone vegan. I actually applied to UMD for international relations. I quickly fell in love with nutrition and how nuanced it is, so, although by my junior year I was no longer vegan, I found a deeper appreciation for the nutrition field and plant-forward eating patterns.
What led you to move into the world of being a social media influencer?
I never thought I’d be one. I started out taking photos of my food through college and posting on Instagram, but I was too shy to do much else. I started to see a lot of misinformation floating around the internet, and recognized that I had a lot of knowledge to share. After some encouragement from family and friends, I decided to give it a try with educational videos and it worked.
Are there any basic health tips you have for our audience?
Simplify, simplify, simplify. Nutrition and wellness can seem complicated—as if it requires the next supplement, diet, regimen, etc. It largely just requires consistency with eating balanced meals (protein, fat, fiber), sleep hygiene, activity, etc. Also, don’t be afraid to opt for frozen fruits and veggies, they’re just as nutritious and give you more room for using produce and not worrying about expiration.
What are some common mistakes people make with their diet?
They over complicate food. Meals don’t have to be elaborate, super pretty, or take a lot of time to be nutritious. Many of my meals are really low effort, yet effective.
What are some healthy practices that you’ve committed yourself to that you feel others should consider following?
Movement after eating a meal. Whether it’s a 5 - 10 minute walk, cleaning your house a bit, or doing some other light movement. It helps with digestion and blood sugar maintenance.
If someone is having trouble getting themselves on track with healthy eating, are there some good initial steps you’d recommend they take?
Start small. Think “what’s a small change I can make?” Don’t expect to do it all at once, that can often make it even more difficult to make sustainable steps forward. Think of where you could throw in an extra veggie, or fruit, or protein, and build from there.
What are some common misconceptions about food (healthy or unhealthy) and dieting?
That healthy eating has to be miserable or not taste good. Not true! You can enjoy food, seasonings, and find delicious recipes that also pack in nutrition. Nutrition shouldn’t have a restrictive mindset, more so an additive one. It’s important to switch from “what can I take away?” to “what can I add?”
Is there a general philosophy you aspire to when it comes to eating, food, and diet?
If you can’t picture yourself doing it for the long haul, it’s not the right way of eating for you. Healthy eating should be sustainable, enjoyable, and reasonable for you.
Are there any other fun facts we should know about Healthy Shyla?
I can explain magnesium mechanisms to you, but I don’t know how to ride a bike!
by Andrew Muir
