Practical Nutrition

The AYB dietitians sit down with Melanie Morgan, dietitian at Convoy of Hope. Melanie has struggled with the tick-transmitted illness, alpha-gal, for the last year. She is committed to spreading awareness about the syndrome, helping people find resources to manage it, as well as offering tips for thriving while affected.

Veggies- some of us love them, some of us do not. What determines if someone likes certain foods in adulthood? What can you do if you're trying to expand your palate to accept new foods? The dietitians discuss the importance of veggies, practical tips for making veggies more delicious, and ways to improve your veggie variety!

Feeling like you don't trust your appetite cues? Not sure what "hungry" or "full" is supposed to feel like? Let's dive into the science behind hunger and fullness. What causes it? What can impact it? What are some practical ways to practice getting in tune with your appetite? The AYB dietitians break it down!

When most people think of creatine, they think of gym bros with big muscles or elite athletes in power-sport events. But what if creatine could be helpful for you too? There's a growing body of research showing that creatine could be beneficial for a variety of populations. Curious about safety, dosing, and health impacts? Listen to this episode to learn more!

Let's forecast some trends for 2025! Each year the American College of Sports Medicine puts out a trend forecast of fitness-related topics. Trainer, Adrianne, joins the dietitians for discussion of each topic. What will be most popular this year for you?

Did you know that AYB is one of few facilities in Southwest MO that offers a VO2 Max test? This test is regarded by many as the "gold standard" for cardiovascular wellness. The dietitians discuss the testing procedure, science behind the test, and how you can use the results to improve your training and your general health.

This episode is a continuation of the conversation with Coach John Perry about getting really good at the basics and establishing your fundamentals when it comes to your health journey. Amanda, Anthony, and Ryleigh talk about how these mindset shifts can be applied to wellness and how you can set yourself up for long term success when life gets hectic. We talk you through establishing your persona...

The dietitians and Maria sit down with special guest, Coach John Perry of the Nixa High School Football Program. John is a certified Mental Performance Coach, and prioritizes mental health in his athletes. He shares with us his journey through football, coaching, producing well-rounded and emotionally mature athletes, as well as his fundamentals for their streak of winning seasons. You don't want...

We have a special guest with us on the podcast today. Local Farmer Colt Hawkins joins Cassie, Maria, and Ryleigh to tell us all about his farm, his passion behind it, and how you can get connected. Colt has built his farm from the ground up and his tests many ways to bring unique, pesticide-free produce to the Ozarks. Check him out at Red Top Crops on Instagram and Facebook.

We often refer to food as fuel or medicine, but food can also have emotional ties. Emotional eating can be a major obstacle between feeling stuck and finding freedom from the restrictions of a diet mentality that effect your relationship with food. Ryleigh, Cassie, and Anthony unpack ways to help you take care of yourself and your feelings in practical ways and walk through an exercise to help you...

On this week's episode, Cassie, Ryleigh, and Maria are talking through some ways to navigate the back-to-school season. It's a time of year that requires some restructuring which can be intimidating. There are so many elements to factor back into day-to-day life and it's easy to put yourself and your goals to the side. We cover ideas for meal planning, time management, and how to fit p...

It's no secret that we live in a fast-paced, fast-food culture. But what would our wellness look like if we slowed down and connected with our food on a deeper level? Learn about the European origins of The Slow Food movement, and how it is impacting the world to create mindful connections between food production and food consumption. Check out their website: https://www.slowfood.com/

On today's episode, Cassie, Ryleigh, and Maria are revisiting a topic we have talked about before on the podcast but are diving a little deeper into. Weight loss medications have become really prevalent and accessible in the last several years, and they seem to be helping. Cassie talks us through how the medications work, the results we've seen, and some of the side effects. There is still...

Today the dietitians discuss hydration, dehydration, electrolytes, fluid needs, and how to stay in tune with the fluid balance of your body.

Cassie and Maria had the privilege of talking with Cross Kubik and his parents, Brian and Ashley, about his incredible battles against cancer. At just 2 years old, Cross was diagnosed with cancer, underwent treatment at St. Jude, and cancer free. He lived a healthy life during what he calls "the normal years," until he was diagnosed with cancer again at 16 years old. Throughout his entir...

Have you ever felt like you know what to do when it comes to healthy living but have a hard time making it happen? In this episode, Cassie, Ryleigh, and Maria talk through some ways we have been able to save time, money, and energy when it comes to meal planning. We cover some grocery shopping hacks, cooking tips to make healthy eating easier, and practical advice when it comes to planning out the...

On today's episode, we're talking about all things protein. With a "high protein" craze happening right now, it can be challenging to figure out how much protein is right for you. We talk through what the research says, why protein is important, good sources of protein, and discuss some ways to help you hit your daily protein goals.

Today, we have a conversation with the dietitian-owners of RD2GO. This is a new, local meal prep service owned and operated by 3 registered dietitians who put together weekly menus that utilize fresh, local ingredients for meals that are ordered online and can be picked up or delivered to your home. We talked with them about their backgrounds in nutrition, the inspiration behind RD2GO, how to orde...

Macros, weight, calories, steps, ounces, reps, sets... There are SO many things we're told we need to "track" in order to stay on-track in a health journey. But what would happen if you didn't "track?" How would your health journey change? Let's discuss the pros and cons of "tracking" while trying to reach your health and fitness goals.

What is the difference between motivation and discipline? Which one is most important in a health journey? How can you learn to increase these?

The feeling of biological hunger cues may be experienced in a variety of ways, with different sensations in different parts of the body. It can vary from person to person. People may assign different qualities to the experience. For example, feeling mildly hungry may be enjoyable, while feeling ravenous may be uncomfortable. The dietitians and Maria discuss the hunger-mind-body connection, ways to...

Wide-ranging research suggests that strong social ties are linked to a longer life. Having deep connections with others and a shared community can provide various mental and physical benefits due to improved sleep, emotional regulation, and making more healthful choices. In contrast, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poorer health, depression, and increased risk of early death. This br...

As humans, we naturally have a negativity bias: a brain that constantly sees the worst case scenario. This can serve as protection, but can also cause stress. How much time are YOU spending in fight-or-flight mode? How strong is YOUR negativity bias? How can we spend less time fight-or-flighting and more time resting-and-digesting? The dietitians and Maria discuss positive self-talk, empathy, self...

Ask yourself this question: What's the difference between loving your body and treating your body with love? What are some ways you are already doing these things? Which is more sustainable for you? What does this like like for your healthiest, ideal self? Let's talk about unpacking thoughts and feelings around body image and learn how to treat our bodies with love!

Today the dietitians and Maria discuss everything you need to know about the 75 Hard mental toughness program. What is it? What are the pros and cons? Is it right for you? Let's find out!