Episode 54: Carbohydrates vs Sugar This is part 1 of a series about sugar - starting with carbohydrates vs sugar. Sugar in the form of glucose is THE fuel for the brain, the fuel for all our cells, and the fuel for our muscles. So, when people make a blanket statement such as “sugar feeds cancer cells,” that is true, but only because sugar feeds ALL cells in the body. Get the scoop on carbohydrates vs sugar, a mini biochemistry lesson on sugars, the difference between carbohydrates and sugar, and simple vs complex carbohydrates.

Vitamin B? Something I see (and hear) is referring to “vitamin B” as a single nutrient. I am not getting enough “vitamin B.” I need more “vitamin B.” This food is a good source of “vitamin B.” If you know even a bit about vitamins, you probably already know that there is more than one B vitamin. There are eight, and some have more than one name. But do you need to supplement them - or are you doing okay?

Episode 52: Why Do Nutrition Recommendations Keep Changing?

Have you ever said or thought this: Nutritionists are constantly changing their minds? If people are allowed to change their minds, and dietitians are human, aren’t they given the same freedom as other humans? The field of nutrition, a science, is supposed to have the answers and never be allowed to deviate from the original recommendation or supposed solutions from the start. Nutrition is a science with biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry components. So, like many science fields, there is still a lot to learn and understand. Recommendations aren’t changed on a whim - I guarantee it.

Episode 51: Stop Judging Food Choices

Have you ever found yourself judging food choices? The food choices of others? Your own food choices? Both? This isn’t just observing what other people are eating but also commenting on their choices, either in your head or out loud. In today’s episode, I address why we should not shame people about their food choices and even consider how we judge our choices.

Episode 50: Why I Do the Real World Nutrition Podcast For this 50th episode, I have a different type of episode. I share a bit about where the content ideas come from, some of the things I have seen in my more than 20-year career, and how I serve people.

Episode 49: Do You Need IV Therapy?

Have you heard of IV therapy?

IV therapy is getting intravenous fluids outside a medical or hospital setting for therapeutic use and not for medical "need."

But recently, it seems like it is advertised a lot more. So what is it and is it beneficial>

Anyone who's ever been to the hospital, emergency department, or urgent care (or even seen this sort of thing on television) knows that an IV is a common way for the medical staff to deliver medications and assist with overall hydration.

IV therapy is available outside of this setting for apparently healthy people at medical spas, wellness centers, and even in your own home (not self-administered, but someone coming to your home to administer it).

Episode 48: What is Clean Eating?

Are you familiar with the term “clean eating” and what it means?

There is no official definition of clean eating.

Many "diets" or ways of eating are flexible, and the approach varies based on the individual. However, people generally consider "clean eating" as eating foods in their most natural state possible. At least, that's what I've gleaned from individuals and a search for this term on the internet.

The term "clean eating" is so vague it is difficult to quantify what it is AND if this is a healthier way to eat.

And based on these definitions and my experience, I find people who claim that they "eat clean" don't do it all the time. And will have a long list of exceptions.

I take a look are the various iterations of clean eating and whether it is healthier and sustainable.

Episode 47: Is Coconut Oil a Healthy Fat?

For many years, I’ve heard people spouting the benefits of coconut oil. There are all kinds of claims related to coconut oil and how it can prevent heart disease, treat Alzheimer’s disease, is antibacterial and antimicrobial, and can treat cancer. Even help hormone balance and cure diabetes? And help with hair and skin.

Coconut oil is the best oil under the sun, and we should buy it by the bucketful. Or should we?

Episode 46: What Food Group Does that Go In?

I recently was in a discussion group when someone asked, “when did corn become a grain?”

Many people may be confused by this and other food group classifications. So it is telling when a dietitian asks this question.

You see, not all foods fit nicely into one specific food group. Some foods don’t fit into the classic five food groups that we have today. And that is OK.

Learn more about these foods and what we do about them.

In episode 44, I addressed the many sources of protein, and that protein is found in nearly all food groups.

While most people don’t have difficulty getting adequate protein, there are two things I do see:

They don’t realize they are getting enough because they don’t know that it comes from so many food sources.

They aren’t eating it correctly.

So how much do you need? And what is the “right” way to eat protein?

Episode 44: Revisiting Protein

What are sources of protein? Besides meat?

It is not uncommon for people to think of only meat, which I am using as a term for any animal flesh that includes fish, poultry, and red meats.

But they are not the only source of protein in the diet. And even if someone doesn’t eat meat every day, likely, they are still getting enough protein.

Episode 43: What is the Health Halo Effect?

The health halo is this belief that food, product, or brand is superior for various reasons. It is often due to due to marketing and word-of-mouth. I find it is often related to assumptions by a consumer based on a lack of knowledge.

Is there anything wrong with this? Maybe. What is the harm if one assumes that organic peanut butter cups are healthier? Perhaps nothing unless someone decides that they can now eat MORE of them? But that isn’t harmful, just potentially unhealthy.

Episode 42: Snacking Smart

Were you ever told that you couldn’t or shouldn’t have a snack because it will “spoil your appetite”? Unfortunately, many people still have the mindset that we shouldn’t snack. I often tell people to include one or two snacks during their day. The “problem” isn’t that we snack, but what we choose to have as a snack.

Learn the why, why, how, and what for healthy snack options to help minimize overeating and get the foods you need.

Snack suggestions are also included.

Episode 41: The Magic of Ten Pounds

This episode is a bit different this week. This isn’t so much educational or informative. It is more of a thought-provoking question for consideration.

Despite what people may assume, weight loss is not the only thing that I address with clients. I share what I do with you in this podcast.

And the question is, what is the magic of the ten pounds when it comes to weight loss. Why are 10 pounds the number that comes up most often

Episode 40: Chicken Labels - What to Know

Much like eggs, the labels on chicken are misleading. Usually, the information is entirely accurate but still misleading.

Like eggs, chicken has similar claims such as free-range, no antibiotics – ever, natural, no hormones, no steroids, vegetarian-fed, non-GMO, gluten-free, minimally processed, etc. It is exhausting sometimes.

Are there some you should pay attention to and others you can ignore? Totally.

Episode 39: Egg Labels - What to Know

Many people still remember when eggs were a diet "disaster" long ago. Then, the message was we should avoid or limit eggs because they contain so much cholesterol and are bad for your heart.

We now know that demonizing eggs was a gross error, and they have significant benefits to our overall health, providing several essential nutrients.

Here is the low-down on eggs now (and for the past couple of decades) – they are NOT harmful, off-limits, and you don't need to throw out the yolk. That is where a lot of the essential nutrients are.

Episode 38: Eggs - Are They Okay?

Many people still remember when eggs were a diet "disaster" long ago. Then, the message was we should avoid or limit eggs because they contain so much cholesterol and are bad for your heart.

We now know that demonizing eggs was a gross error, and they have significant benefits to our overall health, providing several essential nutrients.

Here is the low-down on eggs now (and for the past couple of decades) – they are NOT harmful, off-limits, and you don't need to throw out the yolk. That is where a lot of the essential nutrients are.

Episode 37: Hormones In Your Food

Hormones In Your Food? Absolutely

Two things people often talk about when it comes to some foods: antibiotics and hormones.

Now when it comes to hormones, there is a LOT of misinformation.

I’ve heard people state as fact (even though it is not) that kids are going through puberty at an earlier age now (compared to past generations) because of the “hormones in milk.” Never mind that hormones have always been in milk. Always.

People will say that chickens are “pumped full of hormones,” so they are bigger now than in past generations. They aren’t.

While on the other hand, I often get how to eat to “balance hormones.”

What are hormones? And what foods have hormones, and which ones will affect us?

Episode 36: Antibiotics In Your Food

Antibiotics in Your Food? Not likely.

So many people will talk about antibiotics in food.

They will complain about antibiotics in some types of milk, egg, chicken, and meats.

But how prolific are they? Why use antibiotics in animal foods?

And do you really need to worry about them in your food?

Not likely.

Episode 35: Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fats

Most people are aware of omega-3 fats, but don’t know much more than that they “need to eat salmon.”

And others don’t even know about omega-6 fats. 

Why do we need these fats, why are they important, and do we need to supplement them?