Dishing Up Nutrition

After considerable sleep research, sleep has been shown to be one of the most important and perhaps one of the least understood aspects of our life, wellness, and longevity. Our show topic this week is how lack of sleep slows your metabolism. The ideal amount of sleep for weight loss is between 7 ½ to 9 hours most nights, so if you aren’t getting adequate sleep, tune in! We are offering steps for getting better quality sleep by covering what foods and drinks cause us to wake up, sleep supplements many find helpful, research findings, and actions steps you can try right away.

It is estimated that 15 to 20 million Americans struggle with osteoporosis and 80% of those are women. 1 in 2 women by the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. With that staggering statistic, what can we do right now to maintain strong and healthy bones? What food should we eat, whether we are 70 years old or 50 or 30 or 20 or even a teen, to start changing those numbers for the better? We need strong but flexible bones - not hard and brittle bones. In today’s show, we’ll discuss what substances rob our bones of nutrients and what foods to incorporate to create those strong, flexible bones.

When many of us hear the word “menopause”, we might automatically think hot flashes, and yes, about 80% of menopausal women experience hot flashes. In addition to hot flashes, menopausal women can also experience insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, and depression, which are less likely to be talked about. During perimenopause when there is a fluctuation of hormones, mood swings can often occur and, usually, we can find a nutritional answer to alleviate symptoms. Today we will be discussing the hormone connection to depression and anxiety plus offer some nutritional solutions to consider.

In a recent Dishing Up Nutrition episode, we talked about how and why sugar has a hold on us. Today, we want to cover all the places sugar may show up in the foods around us. Some might be obvious sources of sugar and some might surprise you! Once you know what to look for, you’ll know what to avoid and what to eat instead to reach those health goals and reduce the hold sugar has on you.

It may surprise you that your body is well-equipped to rid your body of toxins and you don’t have to buy expensive detox formulas. When people want to make a quick change or shed those extra pounds, they look to a fast detox scheme. Sounds good, but in reality, it doesn’t work that way. To detox, our bodies need a high-quality, real food plan that will support our liver. In this show, we’ll talk about everyday foods available right in your kitchen that you can use to support the 3-step process of detoxing and what quick, simple, and delicious recipes you can start incorporating into your meals.

Does sugar have you hooked? Do you feel you are addicted to sugar, and you just have to have some to feel normal? Do you have a sweet tooth that always has you thinking about where to get your next treat? Maybe you have said to yourself, I could just ____ (insert your health goal), if I could just stop eating sugar. Why is something that tastes so good also be so bad for us? Today we want to explore some of the reasons sugar has a hold over many of us with two special hosts who share their personal connection to the sugar habit.

The last couple years have given us plenty to drink about, but how does alcohol play into our health? What are some of the common health risks of drinking? How does alcohol impact women specifically? Today, we’ll talk about why drinking can be detrimental to your health goals and give you some points to ponder when considering giving up (or limiting) this habit.

What is PCOS and why are so many women struggling with it today? PCOS stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome and is one of the most common hormonal disorders found in women from puberty to post-menopause. It is the leading cause of infertility and it can have many different symptoms. Today we are discussing what those symptoms are and the common causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome. The first steps in helping women overcome PCOS and infertility is to help them see the impact that their eating habits have on their hormones, so we’ll also cover nutritional solutions to help realign hormone balance and find relief from symptoms.

In the past 30 years, reams of research have been published about the damaging effects of gluten. Many people have cut out gluten because of their joint pain, heartburn, blood sugar issues, cravings for gluten-containing products, skin conditions, chronic diarrhea and other digestive problems, like intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut). While only 1% of people have been diagnosed with the genetic disorder of celiac disease, there are more folks with a gluten sensitivity, which can be challenging to diagnose. In this show, join three of our nutritionists as they discuss the research on gluten and insight into why eliminating gluten from your diet might be a good experiment for your family.

There are many common symptoms to perimenopause and menopause, one of them being weight gain. The first step in achieving a healthy weight during menopause is to get rid of that diet mentality and replace it with eating to nourish your metabolism, energy, and well-being. Many women come into menopause already nutrient deficient, with low energy, hormone imbalances, and extra weight, so tune in to find out what numbers to pay attention to (hint: not the ones on the scale!) and what steps to take to nourish the body as you experience this stage of life.

Do you find it hard to quit eating sugar? Most of us know that sugar is not good for us, but sometimes it feels like our cravings get the best of us! In this show, we’ll discuss the biological drivers of food cravings and what triggers the brain’s alarm system that leads to hunger and cravings. From a nutritionist and dietitian standpoint, we’ll cover compelling reasons to not eat sugar, share the lifestyle and eating habits that support sugar sobriety, and help you prepare your brain and body to not crave sugar.

Today we are sharing our insights about the importance of eating real, whole foods to help with recovery from long hauler symptoms after having Covid-19. As a relatively new health issue, about twelve million people nationwide are suffering from ongoing symptoms after recovering from the virus. We’ve dug into the current research that’s out there to find what those symptoms are and what you or your loved one can do nutritionally to support the healing process.

A study published in the January issue of The Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Review reported almost 50% of adults gained weight during the first year of the pandemic. If you have found that your body has gone through some changes over the last two years from the stress of Covid, you are not alone! Today, we share information on what slows down a metabolism and six steps to take to boost it. We have found clients need a metabolic healing plan to reset their metabolism. We teach a simple formula to restore muscle mass, control cravings, and support basal metabolic rate.

Do you find yourself having trouble recalling words? Have you walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there? Do you juggle a lot of tasks at work that you need to remember or have students in your household who are studying for tests? Unfortunately, researchers have not found the magic pill to restore memory, so we have to rely on food and lifestyle habits to support our precious brain. Today we talk about foods that will help you and your family with memory and foods to avoid to maintain long term memory. We’ll share what nutrients are essential for brain health and supportive habits to focus on for better memory.

Are you noticing your hair thinning or dull? Are clumps of hair coming out in your brush? Are you looking for ways to keep your hair looking lush and full? There are a variety of reasons why we might experience hair loss and our licensed nutritionists will cover what those reasons might be for you or someone you love. Tune in to learn what nutrient deficiencies can effect the quality of your hair and what nutrients to consume to give you vibrant health from the inside out. Walk away with meal and supplement ideas for a beautiful head of hair!

Are you having trouble dragging yourself out of bed because you are tired from not sleeping well? Can’t wait to get that first cup of coffee or looking for that pick-me-up mid afternoon? If you are a woman in perimenopause, menopause, or even post-menopause and are feeling down and out, let’s look to your diet. Our topic today is all about foods that rob your energy during menopause and foods that heal your adrenal function so you have good energy through the menopause years.

Most of us have been taught that to lose weight, we need to cut back on calories. As it turns outs, this old outdated theory of “calories in/calories out” really doesn’t work for most people. In this show, we’ll share some real life stories of folks who’ve successfully lost weight, not by counting calories, but by eating real food rather than processed foods and by decreasing insulin resistance.

Today we are excited to share some key information about how eating avocados can help control blood sugar and reduce cravings for sugar and processed carbs. Being mindful of monitoring and managing blood sugar levels, especially for those who are diabetic or have been cautioned by their doctor of being prediabetic, is really important and can be great data for making changes to your health plan. It is always fun to do a show about how eating REAL FOOD, especially a real fat like avocados, can support long-term health by having a positive effect on blood sugar control. We’ll also give examples of ways to incorporate avocados into your meals and snacks!

Today we are going to address a concern many parents have and that is sitting down to the dinner table with a picky eater. If you have a picky eater at your table, you are not alone because about 20% of children today are picky eaters. Therapists who specialize in picky eating behavior often suggest having a calm eating environment, desensitize food textures and taste. But the question we ask as dietitians is why did a picky eater become one in the first place? We look deeper at some possible causes and today we have several possible reasons a child or an adult may become a picky eater.

Do you find it hard to quit eating sugar? Most of us know that sugar is not good for us, but sometimes it feels like our cravings get the best of us! In this show, we’ll discuss the biological drivers of food cravings and what triggers the brain’s alarm system that leads to hunger and cravings. From a nutritionist and dietitian standpoint, we’ll cover compelling reasons to not eat sugar, share the lifestyle and eating habits that support sugar sobriety, and help you prepare your brain and body to not crave sugar.

Food companies have a product to sell and will use clever marketing to get their products sold. But will these foods support your long-term health? Tune in today to learn about which foods might be causing harm to you and your health goals based off of research findings and clinical experience. Our dietitians will share what to look out for and ways to incorporate better options.

There are many common symptoms to perimenopause and menopause, one of them being weight gain. The first step in achieving a healthy weight during menopause is to get rid of that diet mentality and replace it with eating to nourish your metabolism, energy, and well-being. Many women come into menopause already nutrient deficient, with low energy, hormone imbalances, and extra weight, so tune in to find out what numbers to pay attention to (hint: not the ones on the scale!) and what steps to take to nourish the body as you experience this stage of life.

If you’ve listened to Dishing Up Nutrition before, you know our message is a simple one: eat real food for better health. It’s a simple message that gets amazing results. Today we have two very special guests who experienced these amazing results by following the Weight & Wellness way. Tune in to hear how they have not only experienced long-term weight loss, but better health, energy, vitality, and mindset toward food and health. TJ & Anita share why they continue to return to the real food message and the Nutritional Weight & Wellness resources and community.

One half of the adult population struggles with cardiovascular disease and today we’ll touch on how cholesterol plays a role in heart health. We’ll discuss the damaging effects of inflammation as well as cover foods that cause that harmful inflammation and the foods that reduce inflammation. We help clients maintain a normal cholesterol range by choosing the beneficial foods and by eliminating the harmful ones, so if you’re struggling in this area, tune in!

The time of year is upon us where folks like to make resolutions, goals, or intentions for the coming year. It feels like a fresh slate and a new beginning. Deciding to make lifestyle changes especially in your food choices is never easy and sticking to new health habits for the long haul can be challenging. In this show we’ll share education and some ideas for support, personal data to pay attention to, and ways to set actionable health goals that will create real change in your life. Join dietitians Teresa and Kristi, with culinary nutrition educator Marianne, to hear lots of inspiration for 2022.

Acne can be an issue that spans many age groups, but is a challenging struggle no matter when in your life you experience it. Since there are foods that can increase acne break outs and foods that can calm the skin, we will dive into the nutritional connection to different types of acne, how hormones and inflammatory foods can affect skin health, and dietary solutions you can use starting today to help yourself, your teen, or anyone else who wants to add more glow to their complexion.

We all know for the next 4 weeks there will be an abundance of treats at family gatherings, at work, at neighborhood get-togethers and at shopping centers. There are so many more temptations and it is more challenging to avoid those treats and weight gain than during other times of the year. Today we will share how to get through the holiday season without gaining weight with habits for controlling cravings and providing an understanding of the biochemistry of weight loss and energy. Tune in to meet one of our new dietitians, Jolene Carlson, as she shares her own personal success story of maintaining weight loss, even through the holidays!

If you have been experiencing more anxiety over the past 20 months than you ever have in the past, you are not alone, because according to a new study by the CDC (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention) about 42% of U.S. adults reported having symptoms of anxiety and depression during this COVID-19 pandemic. That is almost half of the adult population! So what can you do personally to relieve some of your anxiety and depression? Today, as dietitians and nutritionists, we want to focus specifically on the anxiety piece to share at least three biochemical reasons your food choices have a major impact on your mental health.

Are you diabetic or at risk of becoming prediabetic? You might be feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to eat, but we are here to give you some ideas about foods that may increase blood sugar (like processed convenience foods) as well as foods that may help manage blood sugar (like fresh avocados). There is evidence that type 2 diabetes is controllable with proper nutrition and lifestyle changes. This show is sponsored by Fresh Avocados – Love One Today® a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados. As a science-based resource, Love One Today® provides turnkey solutions that make it easy for consumers as well as health professionals to stay on top of the latest research related to avocados.

Today we want to provide our listeners with some ideas about what foods will help them keep their brain and memory working smoothly and slowing down any cognitive decline. If you are concerned about your own memory or if one of your parents or grandparents struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, you may wonder if it possible to lower brain inflammation and oxidative stress while keeping the mind sharp and focused. As dietitians and nutritionists, we are always looking at research and have found the findings of a diet that shows some promising results. If you want to prevent dementia or slow down cognitive decline, choosing the right foods is one of the most important habits you can practice and, in this show, we’ll share the details of what to eat and what to avoid.

The past 20 months have been packed with stress and for many people turning to food, especially sugar and processed carbs, has been one way to cope. We all know that the pandemic has increased stress, but did you know that the sales of pre-packaged ultra-processed foods have also increased? The average diet in the U.S. has shifted from eating real food toward a processed food diet. If the COVID-19 pandemic has got you back on eating sweets, tune in to hear how sugar and processed carbs are also stress-producing and pick up some tips on how to reach for real food to help reduce stress.

Nutrition is involved in making every part of our body, including our bones. Today we are going to discuss what foods support strong and flexible bones and also the foods that can cause weak fragile bones. 15 to 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from osteoporosis and according to the Natural Osteoporosis Foundation while 44 million Americans have low bone density. A study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research from the Mayo Clinic found that in the last 30 years, forearm fractures have increased by 32 percent in boys and 56% in girls. If you are concerned about the bone health of you or a family member, we have a bone-building plan for you! We believe your bones will be stronger and you will not have to endure a fracture as you age or when partaking in your favorite types of physical movement. Listen in for what to eat and what to avoid!

Tune in as two nutritionists discuss ways to deal with chronic pain.

Our dietitians today will focus the discussion on how nutrition helps to develop a strong immune function. We have had many shows about the immune system, but we decided to take this show in a different direction with a little more science than some of our other shows and podcasts. Today we want to share some of the research findings about how you can support your immune system, particularly now during this seemingly endless COVID-19 pandemic. The flu and cold season is almost upon us, so we will share and recommend some valuable action steps you may want to start using now to begin strengthening your immune system.

Listen in as two nutritionist talk about digestions issues and how to treat them.

There are over 6,000 women in the U.S. who go into menopause each and every day, which means about 27 million women are menopausal. Many of the women we are seeing in clinic lately have menopause symptoms starting as early as age 35 and lasting into their late 60’s or early 70’s. Chances are you or someone you love has, is, or will go through menopause and we are on a mission to educate women (and those who love them), starting today. Finding a hormonal solution takes a well-thought-out nutrition, lifestyle education, and support plan, so the topic of this show is all about natural ways to get relief from menopause symptoms.

80% of Americans have acne at some point in their lives. It is the most common skin condition in the U.S. with 50 to 60 million Americans having a problem with acne. Is having acne a serious health problem? Perhaps not, but it can lead to a serious health problem and can be a source of stress for those who struggle with it. As dietitians, we want to look at the foods that can cause acne for many people, tips to help promote healthy skin, and key supplements to support you from the inside out.

As many of our young people head back to school, they may be looking for ways to perform better in whatever sport or activity they have signed up for. If an athlete’s nutrition does not support their energy needs, while practicing and conditioning, then they are not going to perform at their best during a game, a match, a meet or an event. In the past, for long-term energy and optimal athletic performance, loading up on carbohydrates or “carb loading” was recommended. But is this advice still the best way to go? Does research back up this recommendation? As dietitians, we want to focus our attention on the foods young people should eat to help them compete in whatever sport or activity they want to excel at, so tune in for ideas on what to eat, how much to eat, and ways to make it happen with busy schedules.

On many Dishing Up Nutrition shows, we have discussed how sugar and processed carbs make body fat, how nutrition or lack of nutrition affects your brain, how food affects menopause symptoms and digestion. Today, the question is what should I eat to maintain or make muscle? This is an important topic for whatever life stage you are in, but especially as we age. Carolyn and Melanie share research that reports eating sufficient amounts of protein is critical to prevent muscle loss and to promote muscle gain. Tune in for ideas and tricks that we have found to add more protein into your diet for more fat loss and less muscle loss.

High sugar or glucose levels in your blood can cause problems in many parts of your body, including your heart, your eyes, your brain and your kidneys. Did you know that nearly ½ of the U.S. adult population has a blood sugar problem? If you or a family member have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes and are puzzled over what to eat, this show will give you some ideas about foods that increase blood sugar and foods that help lower blood sugar. There is clear evidence that diabetes is controllable and even reversible with nutritional and lifestyle support and we want to help!

In today’s world of processed foods, it is not always easy to start and stick with a real food eating plan. As parents and grandparents, we often know the connection between our mental health and our food, but how do we personally put it into practice? And how do we help our teens, young adults, or grandchildren follow a plan to do reduce anxiety and depression? Today, we introduce you to a new nutritionist on Dishing Up Nutrition who shares her personal story as a teen and offers wisdom to help the teens in your life.

What goes in our gut may affect what goes on in our brain. Research has found that people who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) also have increased rates of depression. So if you or someone you love are experiencing anxiety, depression, low moods, chronic stress, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or other digestive or mental health issues this show is for you! Join Dar and Leah as they discuss the gut/brain connection and what you can do about.

Approximately 1 in 4 Americans experience arthritis. If you are one of the 55 million who have arthritis or if you are someone who experienced pain and inflammation frequently, you have to ask yourself, “what am I eating that is causing my pain?” In this show, we cover four food groups to avoid and eight anti-inflammatory food that would be beneficial to add in.

If you have anxiety or trouble sleeping, it may be related to your diet. Anxiety can be traced back to gluten and caffeine. It is also estimated that half of the country has a magnesium deficiency. Avocados and almonds are among the many foods in which you can increase your magnesium intake and get better sleep. In this episode, our nutritional specialists will provide tips and suggestions on what you can do nutritionally to avoid anxiety and sleep deprivation.

The National Cancer Institute predicts that almost 40% of the population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. With that statistic in mind, what can you do? What nutritional practices will help reduce your risk of getting cancer? In this show, we’ll cover facts about sugar, how it relates to cancer, and what you can do to decrease your risk.

Heard the buzz about buying local and shopping at farmer’s markets in the summer for your produce? Join us as two nutritionists and a culinary educator chef tackle the topic of how to shop the market and what to do with all those delicious veggies once you get them home.

Are you currently struggling with an autoimmune disease or do you know someone close to you who is? Almost 24 million Americans live with an autoimmune disease and there are actually over 100 different autoimmune diseases out there! In this show, we’ll share how the health of your gut microbiome is connected to these diseases, how to nourish your intestinal health, and what to limit to improve how you feel.

In today’s show, we are going to do an old-fashioned book review on the information-packed book The Dental Diet, written by Dr. Steven Lin, a board-accredited dentist and an author who practices dentistry in Australia. We’ll cover information on Dr. Lin’s findings about our teeth, our gums, our jaw structure and how they are connected to what we eat – our nutrition! We’ll share what role food and nutrition play in tooth decay, crooked teeth, and what nutrients are needed for strong healthy gums and teeth.

By 2030 it is predicted that Alzheimer’s cases will double if we continue to follow an unhealthy lifestyle and diet that studies have shown lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In this show, we’ll take a look at lifestyle habits that may be a health risk for developing memory issues and we’ll give you a prevention plan to protect your brain, memory, and quality of life through all your years.

Listen in to two nutritionists talk about men's health and how their diet effects certain aspects of their health.