Don Jacobson & Pam Whitfield, R.D.
He cooks food. She talks nutrition. They have traveled two different roads professionally, but now they are heading to the same “20”. Don
Jacobson and Pam Whitfield have been married long enough to complete each other’s sentences. And what are they talking about? Food.
Everybody knows how to eat, but how many know how to eat well? And how many know how important a good meal is to the quality of their
lives? Some say that the long haul lifestyle is a killer, but Pam and Don say that it is time for truckers to take control and recognize the
health consequences of what they eat.
Throughout a 20-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television producer, Pam produced programs including medical and science
documentaries for CBS, ABC and PBS. In the late 1990s, she decided to refocus her energies to helping people change bad food habits
that were reducing their quality of life. She returned to school, earning a B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics from Northern Illinois University.
Pam is now a Registered Dietitian with a Master's degree in Nutrition & Dietetics. She finds counseling people on meal plans targeted at
specific medical conditions in both clinical and out-patient settings particularly fulfilling. “People, truckers, want to do right by themselves.
They just don’t know how. They need a support network to help them succeed.” Pam teaches nutrition at Benedictine University and is the
Consulting Dietitian for Trucker's News 'Fit For The Road' campaign.
Don Jacobson has been involved in the materials handling industry for over 20 years. He has provided marketing support for companies
dealing with the freight and logistics industry. A writer and noted outdoor cook, Don is the author of four books including The One Pan
Gourmet, The One Pan Gourmet Cooks Lite and The One Pan Gourmet Galley Companion. He has also penned articles for Transport
Topics, Outside, Boy’s Life and Adventure West magazines. Currently Don is writing for the webzine EPIC http://www.exploreepic.
com/tips/april06/pack.shtml which reaches hikers and campers interested in staying current with the latest trends. Since his doctor
glanced at him one day and suggested that his cholesterol was “a bit” high, Don has restructured his cooking by eliminating salt and fat
wherever he can. “I give cooking demos to groups everywhere. Food is important to people. We are trying to help them make changes for
health while keeping meals enjoyable.”
Don and Pam met at Northwestern University’s radio station, WNUR. They have two children, Katie and Mike. Pam and Don are both firm
believers in maintaining good physical condition. To accomplish this, they are avid cyclists and also use the Pilates method of physical
conditioning. In addition, they hike and camp whenever possible. While not on the road anywhere near as much as professional truckers,
they have traveled enough to understand the complications of the truck stop lifestyle.
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