Real World Nutrition News You Can Use

There is a lot of misinformation about nutrition. And nothing in this field is black-or-white, yes-or-no, but many shades of gray and a lot of “it depends.” So, my goal is to help clear up some of that misinformation with some snark, entertainment, and facts (with some opinion thrown in). 

Many of these topics come from interactions with the public, friends, clients, and students. I see sheer misinformation about the science of nutrition, and I do my best to clear things up one blog post at a time. 

If you have a topic you are wondering about, let me know. 

Looking for a specific topic? Search to see if it is already here.

Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Is Blood Cholesterol Still Relevant?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 looks at many health issues and makes recommendations for lifestyle factors, mostly diet, to help improve the overall health and reduce the risk of chronic disease among Americans over the age of 2.

With American Heart Month in full swing, this article focuses specifically on blood cholesterol values related to risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) – also referred to as heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S, and about 18.2 million adults have coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease.

Hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, and high total cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Nutrition Facts Panel, Part 2: Fats, Cholesterol, Carbohydrates, and Protein

Continuing with part 2 of this series on the Nutrition Facts label covers the macronutrients: fat, carbohydrates, and protein. I also address the sub-categories of fat including saturated fat and trans-fat, cholesterol, and the sub-categories of carbohydrates including the newest addition to the Nutrition Facts - added sugars.

See why those numbers don’t always add up and why protein seems like an afterthought. It isn’t

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