REPULSE BAY - A pair of dietetic interns from Winnipeg, Manitoba, spent more than a month in Repulse Bay teaching the value of a healthy diet.

Angela Beaton, Sheri Bobrowski and Millie Dietrich, from left, helped bring the message of proper nutrition to momstobe in Repulse Bay during the past month. - Photo courtesy of Angela Beaton

Angela Beaton and Sheri Bobrowski arrived in Repulse on April 2, and spent about five weeks in the community conducting research with pregnant women and holding nutrition-education sessions.

Beaton said she and Bobrowski also prepared baked goods with Grade 10 and 11 students to sell at the Tusarvik school canteen.

She said the items offered a healthy alternative to chips and pop.

"All the proceeds stayed with the school and we sold out every night," said Beaton.

"We were certainly encouraged to see people buy the healthier snacks while, at the same time, raising a few extra dollars for the school."

Among the topics Beaton and Bobrowski covered with the moms-to-be were the Nunavut Food Guide, healthy and unhealthy food choices in local grocery stores, preparing healthy snacks, prenatal vitamins, and the importance of the food groups and nutrients to help their babies grow.

The interns also placed an emphasis on country food whenever they could during the sessions.

Beaton said seven women attended the evening sessions regularly.

She said the Repulse women really seemed to enjoy taking part in the discussions.

"They asked us the time and date of the next one at the end of the first session, so we took that as a positive indication early on.

"They all contributed to each discussion and nobody ran to the door at the end of a session.

"Everybody hung back and wanted to talk a little bit more."

Bobrowski and Beaton were the third team of dietetic interns to come to Repulse since the Northern Medical Unit, the University of Manitoba and the Nunavut government partnered on the project about three years ago.

Beaton described her time in Repulse as a great learning experience.

"Every Canadian should come to the North at least once to experience the lifestyle up here.

"I've certainly developed a great appreciation for the culture, and what people have to pay for food in the North."