Dishing Up Nutrition

Fast food is everywhere and you don't always have time to treat yourself to a healthy, well-prepared meal - but convenience doesn't have to mean you're stuck eating unhealthy food! Join registered and licensed dietician Teresa Wagner and discover the smart food choices hiding in fast food chains and gas stations, wherever you may be.

There is a biochemical reason why you might be feeling down or anxious and we’re going to be talking about why that is and how to get back to feeling good. In this episode we’ll be covering sugar’s addictive properties and how it can relate to mood disorders like depression. Registered dietitians Leah and Brandy will discuss sources of sugar, why it’s addictive, how it impacts your brain and inflammation levels, how to handle sugar withdrawal, and ways to reduce your sugar intake for better moods.

Are you struggling with acne? It might be time to look at your diet! Tune into our latest episode of Ask a Nutritionist and join our very own Melanie Beasley, registered and licensed dietician, to understand how dairy, processed foods, and more could be impacting your skin health, and how nutritional changes can lead to glowing skin!

With high protein diets getting a lot of attention these days, we’ve received a question from a listener (that we also get in the nutrition counseling room) about digestive changes: “I recently upped my protein intake, but now I’m dealing with constipation. Any suggestions to help?” This is common, but constipation doesn’t need to be your new normal! There are simple solutions to help you get back on track if you are noticing being more constipated since increasing your protein. In today’s episode, we’ll cover why you might want to increase your protein, signs and symptoms of constipation, and tips to ensure you’re having one bowel movement every day.

How does sugar affect the aging process? Join Britni Vincent on this week's episode of Ask Nutritionist to fight that aging from the inside out, learn about sugar's hidden and inflammatory effects - and how reducing sugar with a few simple diet swaps can improve your health, enhance your skin radiance and boost your energy.

Are you a resolutions or goal person? As we jump into 2025 are you brainstorming, planning, or dreaming about how you want your year to look or what changes to make personally, professionally, emotionally, or health-wise? Today in our show, we’re going to tap into some of that energy of making traditional New Year’s resolutions and put a different spin on it: anti-resolutions! We tend to see an “all-or-nothing” mentality when it comes to making nutrition goals, so here are some ideas on simple practices that make a big impact and are likely to stick for longer.

Are you looking to simplify your time in the kitchen without compromising that healthy lifestyle? Join registered and licensed dietician Brandy Buro as she reveals her top-tier kitchen hacks, essential tools and appliances in this latest episode of Ask a Nutritionist!

After trying to lose weight in the past without much success, Cheryl joined our Nutrition 4 Weight Loss Foundations program, took the ongoing support classes, participating in our cooking classes, and worked with our dietitians. Two years later, she’s joining us on our podcast with her dietitian Teresa to share her story of achieving AND maintaining significant weight loss… and even better… finding peace with food, feeling good, and improving her health markers. Tune in to this episode to hear Cheryl and Teresa talk about the before, what she did to lose the weight, and what she’s doing now to enjoy and keep her health for the long haul.

Did you know what’s on your plate could be making your back pain worse—or helping it heal? In this episode, we uncover the surprising link between nutrition and back pain relief, sharing the best foods to eat and the ones to avoid for lasting comfort.

One of our most frequently asked questions on our website is: what are the symptoms of not digesting food properly? Undigested food is a symptom of poor digestion, so it’s on the top of people’s minds because of the uncomfortable digestive issues they experience daily. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about signs and symptoms of undigested food and what to do about them. We’ll address the function of all of your digestive organs, overall gut health, and medical conditions affecting the lower intestinal tract, as well as lifestyle factors like mindfulness practices while eating and ways to make improvements through simple changes.

Charley horses can strike at the worst times—like in the middle of the night! Join registered and licensed dietician Britni Vincent on this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist as she uncovers the root causes of muscle cramps and shares practical tips to keep them at bay.

Hosting a gathering can often feel stressful and overwhelming. Even if you’re not hosting a holiday meal, what if a family member, friend, or colleague invites you to a party and asks you to bring a dish? You may be wondering, “What should I bring? What if someone attending has a food sensitivity or allergy? How will I keep my dish warm (or cold) once I arrive?” In this episode, our nutritionists join forces with our chef to give you some tips and recipe ideas to help you feel less overwhelmed if you are hosting in your home or if you are assigned to bring a dish to a gathering. We’re keeping it healthy and simple for a festive holiday season!

Get inspired once again, this holiday season! Join registered dieticians Brandy Buro and Britni Vincent as they share their hand-picked wellness gift ideas in this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist. Tune in to the second of this special two-part series and discover even more ideas for holiday gifts to show your loved ones that you care.

No matter what precautions we take, we still might end up fighting off a pesky cold or flu bug this time of year. That’s why we want to help you be prepared to handle whatever comes your way this cold and flu season using real food nutrition. In this episode, we’re going to be focused on what to eat when you have the flu, easy recipe ideas to keep it simple, what foods to avoid to reduce your body’s stress when you’re sick, and a few key supplements if you’d like to keep them stocked in your medicine cabinet.

Unwrap wellness this holiday season! Join registered dieticians Brandy Buro and Britni Vincent as they share their hand-picked wellness gift ideas - from kitchen essentials to nourishing snacks - in this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist. Tune in to the first of this special two-part series and get inspired to find ways to bring joy and health to your loved ones!

In this episode, we tackle a dietitian’s wish list when it comes to getting your labs drawn! Registered and licensed dietitians Leah and Teresa go over common annual lab tests, what the numbers mean, and where you want them to be for optimal health. They cover tests like blood sugar, vitamin D, cholesterol, thyroid, and iron. Sign into your myChart or health portal to follow along or bookmark this episode for the next time you get your results back!

For a long time, we've believed that full-fat dairy products were bad for you. But are they really the enemy? Join registered and licensed dietician Amy Crum as she dives into the often-misunderstood topic of full-fat dairy products and sorts out fact from fiction. Discover why and how these fats are beneficial, crucial for health, how they can aid in weight management, and the importance of choosing quality dairy products on this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist!

Much of the spotlight in nutritional science is focusing on healing the gut and supporting the gut microbiome, meaning all of the little bugs that live in your intestinal tract. Your gut bacteria and the integrity of your intestinal tissues influence all areas of your health. In this episode, our dietitians will be discussing why probiotics can be an important tool for overall health, what the different strains of probiotics are good for, and how to make sure you’re taking the right one for you. They will cover food sources of probiotics as well as several types of supplement options we’ve seen successful in our clinical practice.

Can prediabetes be reversed? Does weight loss affect blood glucose levels? On this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered and licensed dietician Britni Vincent addresses several common questions about blood sugar management. Whether you're managing prediabetes, working on your weight, or simply aiming for better health, tune in to learn all about the small lifestyle changes you can make that can add up to a big difference.

In this episode, our dietitian (who also happens to have experience as a cooking class instructor and as a personal chef) joins forces with Katie Peterson, part of the third-generation of Peterson’s involved in Ferndale Market, a local Minnesota turkey farm who raises and sells free-range turkey. In their conversation, they’ll discuss the history of the family farm, best farming practices they follow, questions to ask your local farmers, why turkey is a great source of protein to add to your diet, and favorite recipes to give you variety and flavor. We hope you walk away from this episode with tips on how to cook the perfect turkey, appreciation for local farmers, and inspiration on new dishes and connections with food.

Are you or someone you know struggling with lymphocytic colitis or other forms of IBD (or Inflammatory Bowel Disease)? On this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered and licensed dietician Britni Vincent talks about the what IBD is, what it does to your body - and about real-food dietary suggestions, and gut-friendly supplements that can make a significant difference in managing these symptoms.

How often do we think about what's really in our food? Have you ever really thought about how many ads you regularly see for junk food and junk beverages? We are continuously being sold food that makes us sick and overweight, and in today's world we are living in a health crisis that's largely caused by poor diet. On this week's episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dieticians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent shine a light on the ultra-processed foods infiltrating our pantries and impacting our health, and how they connect and contribute to rising health issues like obesity, mental health challenges, and even cancer. Follow along and learn how to take back control of your health through identifying processed foods, making informed food choices, and taking simple steps toward embracing a real food diet for you and your family. Every bite matters!

Did you know that gallbladder health is tightly linked to your overall well-being? Join our host, registered and licensed dietician Leah Kleinschrodt, as she unravels the complexities of gallbladder care in this episode of Ask a Nutritionist and catch up on this often-overlooked organ. From dietary advice to preventing gallstones to understanding the role of bile in your digestive system, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their digestive health.

It’s the time of year when we are “catching bugs” that are going around, ranging from a mild and annoying cold, to more serious cases of influenza, Covid, or a virus called RSV. It is completely normal and natural for your body to get occasionally sick. Even with a healthy immune system, you may get catch something one to two times per year. But are you someone who tends to catch whatever is going around? Are you susceptible to illness and getting sick every month? If so, that can be a sign of a weakened immune system, and you can take steps to build up and protect yourself with the right nutrition and supplements.

If you haven't heard of bone broth and its many benefits, get ready. Looking to get better sleep? Want to strengthen your skins elasticity? Need an easy source of protein? Try some bone broth. Listen in to this episode of Ask a Nutritionist to learn about how you can improve your health by adding bone broth to your diet.

In our clinical practice, we see people at all stages in their surgical preparation and recovery. In today’s show, we’re going to focus on knees specifically. Our dietitians will help you think about how to optimize your nutrition before knee surgery and strategize your food plan for after knee surgery to give you the best recovery outcome possible. We’ll start by quickly covering the most common types of knee surgeries, then we’ll give you action steps to take for before and after your procedure.

Are nitrates helpful or harmful? Join registered and licensed dietician Brandy Buro in this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist as she breaks down everything you need to know about naturally occurring and added nitrates in your food.

Have you or someone you know suffered a concussion or some kind of hit to the head? Do you or the kids in your family play contact sports? If yes, this show is for you! Today’s episode features a conversation with our dietitian and a physician who has worked for Amen Clinics for over a decade. Our special guest, Dr. Kabran Chapek, is going to take us through the ins and outs of what happens to a brain in a concussion, discuss important chapters from his book Concussion Rescue, and share actionable things we can do to protect our brains and help them recover quickly and more completely after an unexpected injury, even if it’s been years or decades after a brain injury.

Do you struggle with digestive issues, fatigue, or skin problems? It might be time to consider whether gluten is the culprit! Join registered and licensed dietician Britni Vincent on this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist as she breaks down how gluten can impact your health - from explaining what gluten is and the hype around gluten-free diets to common gluten sensitivity symptoms and the importance of testing for celiac disease.

Since sugar consumption tends to increase starting at this time of year then leading into the holidays, we’re here today to talk about why we get sugar cravings that can really interrupt your health and how to get rid of them. From a dietitian standpoint, we have ideas that actually work to help your brain stop craving sugar. In this episode, we’ll cover the science behind sugar cravings, how the gut and blood sugar are an important part of the equation, and tips on what you can start doing today to knock down your cravings and sail through the holidays feeling good.

Can't stand certain foods anymore? You’re not alone! Join registered and licensed dietician Amy Krum and discover the surprising causes of food aversions and tips to tackle them and bring balance back to your meals on this week's episode of "Ask a Nutritionist."

Today’s episode features a special guest! Our very own Chef Marianne is joining our dietitian and nutritionist to give you simple ways to use food to support your brain and mental health. We’ll start with a conversation on what mental health is, some statistics on how many folks are struggling, and how food can make an impact on our stress resilience. Then we’ll share food and nutrient ideas that are easy and delicious to help you and your family feel better.

Nobody eats perfectly all the time. Multivitamins and supplements are great ways to ensure that nutritional needs are met and that the brain and the body will get what they need to function better. Tune in for this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist as Leah, a registered and licensed dietician, answers a listener's question about supplements that could support memory and manage blood sugar and joint pain.

The postpartum period is a time of a lot of hormonal chaos and rebalancing as a woman’s body needs to heal and replenish while she’s adjusting to new responsibilities and a different pace of life – all during a time of WAY less sleep. This can create a wide range of emotions experienced after having a baby and the most common diagnosis is postpartum depression. In today’s episode, our dietitians will cover what postpartum depression is, how many women are affected by it, and how nutrition can be one of the ways to support those early postpartum weeks and months.

Do you crave something caffeinated, sweet, and bubbly? You've heard that soda is bad for you, but is diet soda just as bad? Join registered and licensed dietician Amy Crum on this week's Ask a Nutritionist as she dives deep into the facts about sodas and diet sodas, and explores a healthy range of alternatives for when you want a sweet treat.

With everyone returning back to routines and structure after the summer, we often get asked how to help our kiddos eat healthy when they are back in a school environment. Tune into this episode of Ask a Nutritionist where registered and licensed dietitian Britni shares why we want our kids to eat in balance (especially in the middle of the day!) and easy, delicious, kid-approved ideas on what to have for a healthy lunch.

Dairy substitutes can be highly processed and often contain additives that may not be ideal for health, and it can be confusing trying to make sense of the available choices. Tune into this week's episode of Ask a Nutritionist in which registered and licensed dietician Brandy de-mystifies milk alternatives, helps identify the best quality substitutes - and even provides a recipe for a homemade, dairy-free milk alternative!

A question we often get is “what is the best diet for someone with MS?” Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a chronic disease affecting the nervous system. In today’s episode, our dietitians will cover what foods inflame and what foods support the nervous system. We’ll offer meal ideas and a helpful nutrient to get in supplement form if interested to support healing.

Are monk fruit and stevia good for you? How can you add them to a healthy meal plan? Join registered and licensed dietician Amy Crum as she dives into the myths and studies about the increasingly popular sugar substitutes.

In this episode on perimenopause (the transition to menopause), we discuss two of the most common symptoms that women experience when their hormones start to change: problems with sleep and increased anxiety. The show will cover, the definition of perimenopause, symptoms of how anxiety and sleep issues might present for women in this stage, how the changes of the two hormones progesterone and estrogen impact anxiety and sleep, and what nutritional solutions you can try to reduce anxiety, increase stress resilience, and wake up feeling rested.

Calcium is an important mineral for muscles and hormones, as well for supporting bone health and preventing osteoperosis, and calcium supplements are very popular. But recent concerns have suggested that while we may be protecting our bones with supplements, we may be doing our heart a disservice in the process. And one may wonder, is there any truth to this? Join registered and licensed dietician Leah today as she discusses the latest research, dietary options, and tips for safe supplementation - and learn how to find and get the most out of your calcium intake.

According to the American Lung Association, 1/3 of Americans have an environmental risk factor that may contribute to their asthma, COPD, lung cancer, allergies, and heart disease due to our current air quality. Since we can’t control air pollution or wildfires, we can try to reduce the burden on our lungs and to reduce our inflammation from the inside out. And since this is a nutrition podcast, we’re going to talk about foods and nutrients that can help keep our airways healthy and support our immune system. Join our two dietitians as they give some practical tips on supporting lung health!

Are you looking to get the most out of your cookware? Teflon and nonstick pans were once a staple of the midcentury family kitchen. But how did the manufacturers manage a nonstick coating? Learn about the risks of Teflon and the PFA chemicals used to treat these types of cookware - and discover the many varieties of safer coating alternatives with Monica on today's episode Ask a Nutritionist!

By now, you’ve probably heard the term ‘gluten free’ and know at least one person who is on a gluten free diet. Today we’re going to help you understand why gluten free diets have become so common, who could benefit from taking gluten out of their diet, and how to do it from a healthy, real food approach. In addition, we’ll be explaining why foods labeled ‘gluten free’ aren’t always a safe choice and actually might be doing more harm than good.

Pregnancy places a huge demand on a woman's body in almost every way you can think of. This also includes nutritionally. It's super important for the health of both mom and child for their bodies to have access to the right nutrients. Tune into this week's episode with Leah to learn all about what you should eat if you're expecting.

Preserving your muscle mass is a hot topic lately when it comes to maintaining a good metabolism and healthy weight. When you're losing weight, ideally you want to lose fat and not muscle. Eating protein is necessary to keep and grow your muscles, while having good muscle mass is crucial for your metabolism for weight loss. In this episode, our dietitians explain why protein is important for weight loss, what the best sources of protein for weight loss are, how much protein you need, and ideas on how to actually make eating protein doable.

Join us on this episode of "Ask A Nutritionist" as we learn the amazing benefits of Omega-3 fats and where you can find the best sources. Whether you're looking to boost your brain health, reduce inflammation, or improve your overall wellness, this episode has simple tips and delicious food ideas to help you get more Omega-3s into your diet.

Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that is estimated to affect more than 20 million Americans. In this show, we’ll start by explaining what neuropathy is and the common symptoms associated with the condition. Then we’ll cover what types of foods or beverages can make symptoms worse and what to include in your diet that may slow the progression and may help you find some relief.

Did you know that Americans undergo an average of nine surgical procedures in their lifetime? In today's episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered and licensed dietician Leah Kleinschrodt emphasizes the critical role of nutrition in post-surgery recovery to remain healthy and prevent unwanted weight gain. Join Leah as she highlights the importance of real foods that help your body heal, understanding the healing timeline to create a game plan for a faster recovery and meal prepping in advance to ensure access to nourishing food during the recovery period.

As women, our menstrual cycle is giving us a lot of information every month about what’s going on within our bodies. And while “fertility” is in the name of this show, this is not a show ONLY for women wanting to get pregnant. We are sharing information that will be helpful for ALL women in those reproductive years because having a healthy, fertile cycle is a good indication of your health. Nutrition can have a profound impact on all the markers of a healthy cycle and, in this episode, our dietitians will share practical action steps on ways to eat to improve yours, or someone you love who’s menstruating.