Episode 161: Navigating the Beverage Aisle: Healthier Drink Choices

In Episode 161 of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, host Shelley A. Rael, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, wraps up the Mastering the Grocery Store Series with a look at the beverage aisle. 

Drinks can significantly impact your health, hydration, and daily energy levels, but not all beverages are created equal. This episode covers essential information on choosing water, flavored waters, juices, soda, coffee, tea, sports drinks, and even alcohol in a balanced way. Shelley discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each category, offers tips for reading labels, and shares practical advice on navigating this aisle with a health-focused approach. Whether you’re a soda lover or a coffee connoisseur, this episode will help you make smarter choices for hydration and health.  

Tune in to the Real World Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows, and learn to navigate the beverage aisle confidently!

Episode 160: Stocking Your Pantry for Success: Must-Have Staples for a Balanced Diet

In Episode 160 of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, host Shelley A. Rael continues her Mastering the Grocery Store series with a deep dive into the pantry aisle. Often overlooked, the pantry aisle holds the key to easily creating balanced, nutritious meals. Shelley covers how to stock up on essential staples like whole grains, canned goods, healthy oils, and spices to build a foundation for flexible and stress-free meal planning.

From choosing the right pantry grains for sustained energy to picking budget-friendly and nutrient-dense canned goods, Shelley provides practical tips on navigating this aisle to make healthier, long-lasting choices. She also shares advice on how to avoid overly processed options and read labels for the best quality items. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or looking to simplify your weeknight meals, a well-stocked pantry is the first step to success.

Tune in to the Real World Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows, and learn how to create a balanced diet with pantry staples!

Episode 159: Navigating the Canned Goods Aisle: Tips for Healthy and Informed Choices

In Episode 159 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley A. Rael, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, explores the canned goods aisle—an often overlooked section of the grocery store filled with convenient and nutritious options. Whether stocking up for a busy week or prepping for emergencies, canned foods can be a valuable part of your pantry.

In this episode, Shelley helps you confidently navigate the canned goods aisle. She discussed how to read nutrition labels to ensure you select low-sodium and low-sugar options, understand the benefits of BPA-free packaging, and identify which canned items provide the most nutritional value. Shelley also shares tips on incorporating canned vegetables, fruits, beans, and proteins into your diet without compromising taste or nutrition.

Canned goods are also convenient, have a long shelf life, and can be a practical solution for time-saving meal prep. Join Shelley as she debunks common myths and misconceptions about canned foods and provides real-world strategies for making healthier choices in this aisle.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

Episode 154: Smart Choices in the Snack Food Aisle: Tips for Healthy Snacking

The Mastering the Grocery Store series heads to the snack aisle. With so many options marketed as “healthy,” it’s easy to be misled by packaging claims. Shelley explains how to navigate this confusing section of the grocery store by teaching listeners how to read nutrition labels, understand serving sizes, and avoid common traps like excessive added sugars and unhealthy fats.