Here’s a question I was asked during a recent interview:“How can nutrition help mitigate stress and improve mental clarity—especially for medical professionals working in high-pressure environments?” The answer starts with b…
As clinicians, addressing weight with patients is often necessary but can be met with challenges. A stigmatizing approach to weight can harm patient relationships, increase feelings of shame, and lead to worse health outcomes. Instead, a weight-neut…
In the evolving field of medical metrics for evaluating obesity and health risks, the Body Roundness Index (BRI) has emerged as an intriguing alternative to traditional measurements like Body Mass Index (BMI). Introduced in 2013, BRI takes weight ou…
A 5-step process to discussing prediabetes with patients: 1. Assess. What does the patient already know? Ask them, “What do you know about prediabetes?” This respects their knowledge and gives you a baseline for where to go next in the…
1. I’m struggling with fertility. Are there any foods that can help? While no food can guarantee fertility, evidence shows that certain diets and nutrients support reproductive health. A Mediterranean-style diet is strongly recommended, as it…
Clinical Vignette: Meet Lina, a 69-year-old vegan who’s been following a plant-based diet for over a decade. She’s generally healthy and has no surgical history but is on Levothyroxine. She’s always been health-conscious, stays ac…
"I heard fruit has sugar, can I still have fruit if I have diabetes?" How many of you have had a patient come into your office asking this exact question? 🙋♀️ (all of you better be nodding your heads) Here’s the truth- people with diabe…
I remember sprinting home from trick-or-treating, barely able to contain my excitement. My sister and I would empty our faded, floral pillowcases onto the dining room table, candy spilling everywhere. We’d be so hyped, eyeing our loot in a co…
Who else wishes they got more menopause training? 🙋 Patients often share that menopause feels like a medical blind spot—a stage of life that is rarely discussed during consultations. Let’s face it: menopause has a negative stigma. With …
Clinical Vignette: Meet Sarah, a 34-year-old vegetarian who has been following a plant-based diet for the past five years. She’s active and generally healthy, but recently, she’s noticed some concerning symptoms. Sarah’s do…
The term "plant-based" has become a buzzword in recent years, but what does it actually mean? In essence, a plant-based diet focuses on foods derived from plants—this can include vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. It doesn&r…
It’s safe to say that a favorite of many this time of year are those cozy, fall-flavored drinks! Hot chocolate, sugar, pumpkin spice, and everything nice! However while it is important to enjoy your holiday season, we should all&nbs…
We've all seen them: the bright labels proclaiming a food or drink to be "healthy." But what exactly does that mean? As a registered dietitian, I can tell you the truth is a little more nuanced than a single word. The "Healthy" Halo: A Double-Edged…
Did you know that more than 5 billion people worldwide aren’t getting enough micronutrients like iodine, calcium, or vitamin E? And over 4 billion people are lacking iron, vitamin C, and folate, according to this study in The Lancet Global Hea…
An epidemic is happening right before our eyes. New research highlights a growing concern: nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 18-39 have high blood pressure, with readings exceeding the healthy level of 130/80 mmHg. Even more concerning, about 14% of school…
Cheese is one of those foods that’s hard to resist. It’s creamy, versatile, and comes in endless varieties that pair well with everything from crackers to fruit to pasta. But, can cheese be part of a healthy diet? Maybe. Cheese is part…
The trend of drinking baking soda water has gained traction on TikTok, with claims that it offers various health benefits. This trend involves dissolving baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in water and consuming it, purportedly to improve health outco…
BMI has long been the go-to metric for classifying obesity. It's widely used by insurance plans to determine eligibility for bariatric surgery and has been a staple in medical organizations for assessing health risks. Typically, a BMI of 25 or great…
This question of 'what diet should I go on' often comes up at the end of an already rushed visit, and giving a quick answer doesn't benefit the patient one bit. Prescribing a diet usually doesn't lead to long-term results. Yes, some people can succ…
My 3 Favorite Questions These are my 3 favorite questions that help me really connect with my patients. (these are included in the 35 Motivational Interviewing Questions Cheat Sheet in the Behavior Change Toolkit) 1. “What do you alrea…
Some patients are curious about the healthfulness of consuming dairy foods – and come to us for advice. When their questions span subjects like safety with pregnancy, lactose intolerance, young athletes and inflammation, it can be overwhelming…
Mindful Eating vs Intuitive Eating ... You'll hear these terms tossed around a lot when it comes to solutions for emotional eating. But are they the same thing? And how can you incorporate their principles with the patient sitting in front of you…
Humans are complicated. And our emotions can lead us to do things we don't always want to do. It's like our brains say, "Oh, you're sad? This carton of ice cream will help." When in fact, it doesn't. Because our emotions, good or bad, are an emo…
Goals. We love to make them, but sticking to them is a whole other story. 43% of people lose momentum at the end of January. Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. Understanding why patients fail…