Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black | From nutrition to everyday habits—health made doable

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Sleep deprivation doesn’t just make you tired—it changes how your brain, body, and hormones function in real time. Even one or two nights of poor sleep can affect your mood, decision-making, and physical health in ways most people underestimate.  In this episode, I break down what actually happens when you don’t get enough sleep—from impaired focus and in...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Mental health is complex—but one piece we often overlook is food. What we eat every day directly affects how our brain functions, how we feel, and how we show up in our lives. In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Sravan Kakani to explore how culinary medicine is reshaping the way we think about mental health. We talk through the science behin...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Lowering your cholesterol doesn’t have to mean overhauling your entire life. In this episode, I walk through how small, strategic food choices can make a meaningful difference in your numbers—and your long-term heart health. I focus on what actually moves the needle when it comes to lowering LDL cholesterol through diet. We break down the most effective e...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Muscle loss starts earlier than most people realize — and it accelerates with age. The good news? You have far more control than you think. In this episode, I sit down with my personal trainer, Laura Coleman, to talk about why strength training becomes essential after age 30 — not for aesthetics, but for metabolic health, bone strength, balance, and long-...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Protein is everywhere right now. Protein soda. Protein chips. Protein pancakes. We’ve gone from worrying about fat to obsessing over protein—and the messaging is all over the place. So the real question is: are we eating too much… or not enough? In this episode, I break down what protein actually does in the body, how scientists determine how much we need...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. In this episode of Eat Your Greens , I’m joined by April Jones , a pediatric nurse practitioner and the creator of HealthQuest , a gamified, evidence-based wellness platform designed to help kids and families build healthy habits together—without shame, pressure, or perfectionism. We talk about why so many wellness programs fail families, how HealthQuest...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released earlier this year and are generating a lot of dialogue. In spite of this, many people don’t actually know what they are, who they’re meant for, or how they’re created. In this episode, I walk through what the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are, why they exist, and how they influence the food e...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. March 22 is National Broccoli Day — and somehow I’ve never done a full episode on one of the most powerful vegetables we have. In this Fun Facts episode, I break down why this cruciferous vegetable has earned its “superfood” reputation — from fiber and micronutrients to the powerful compound sulforaphane. I explain how broccoli supports cardiometabolic he...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Dietary fat is one of the most confusing topics in nutrition. One decade it’s the villain. The next, it’s the hero. Right now, social media is telling us that seed oils are toxic and beef tallow is a health food. In this episode, I break down dietary fat in a way that’s practical and evidence-based but not boring. I explain what fat is, why we need it, ho...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Carbs have a reputation problem. We’re often told they’re the reason for weight gain, blood sugar issues, and that afternoon crash—so the solution must be to cut them out. But that approach usually backfires. Not because people lack discipline, but because carbs are deeply woven into the foods we love, our cultures, and our daily routines. In this episode...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Sugar is one of the most confusing topics in nutrition — not because it’s inherently complicated, but because it’s often discussed in extremes. In this episode, I take a step back and focus on making the science of sugar clear, practical, and usable . The goal isn’t to eliminate sugar or label foods as “good” or “bad,” but to help you understand how diffe...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Is willpower really the key to success? Not according to neuroscience. In this episode, I walk you through what truly drives habit formation — and why biology, mood, stress, sleep, hormones, and environment matter far more than discipline. We’ll explore: Why habits are your brain’s “energy-saving mode” How repetition, context, and reward shape behavior Wh...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Most people who go on weight-loss diets regain the weight — and often gain back even more. In this episode, I explain why that happens and why it’s not a personal failure. It’s biology. I walk you through how rapid weight loss slows your metabolism, reduces muscle mass, shifts key hormones like leptin and ghrelin, increases cravings, and intensifies hunge...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Heart disease has been the #1 cause of death in the U.S. for decades — but it doesn’t have to be your future. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kelly Ratheal, a cardiologist and lipid specialist with a strong focus on prevention and lifestyle medicine. We dig into: Why heart disease often begins long before adulthood How family history influences your risk...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. In this short solo episode — a preview of Season 3 — Dr. Black shares a practical, uplifting look at how to live not just longer, but better. You’ll learn why chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver, and dementia are more connected than most people realize — and how that’s actually good news. Using evidence-based, doable strategies, Dr....

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. As we wrap up Season 2 and get ready for an exciting new year of Eat Your Greens , I wanted to revisit a few of my favorite episodes from the past — ones that still feel just as relevant today. Whether you’re hearing this for the first time or giving it another listen, I hope it reminds you how small, everyday choices can really add up to better health. S...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Season 3 of Eat Your Greens kicks off this January! In this short teaser, I share what’s coming next — new conversations, a renewed focus on real-world habits, and a fresh look at how to make healthy living simpler and more sustainable. Whether you’re new here or have been with me since the beginning, this season is all about turning good intentions into...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. As we wrap up Season 2 and get ready for an exciting new year of Eat Your Greens , I wanted to revisit a few of my favorite episodes from the past — ones that still feel just as relevant today. Whether you’re hearing this for the first time or giving it another listen, I hope it reminds you how small, everyday choices can really add up to better health. S...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. As we wrap up Season 2 and get ready for an exciting new year of Eat Your Greens , I wanted to revisit a few of my favorite episodes from the past — ones that still feel just as relevant today. Whether you’re hearing this for the first time or giving it another listen, I hope it reminds you how small, everyday choices can really add up to better health. S...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. In this Season 2 finale of Eat Your Greens , I dive into what the science really says about food and lifestyle choices that can lower breast cancer risk, improve survival rates, and support overall health . You’ll learn: The strongest evidence for plant-based foods like fiber, soy, whole grains, and omega-3 fats Which foods to limit or avoid for cancer pr...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Food reactions can be scary and confusing—especially when your child is the one experiencing them. Is it a true allergy? A sensitivity? Something else entirely? In this replay of one of my most popular episodes, I break down the real differences between food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities—what they are, how they happen, and why getting the rig...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Today on Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black, Chef Leah Sarris, MBA, RD, LDN, CCMS joins me to talk about the origins of culinary medicine, the creation of the Goldring Center at Tulane, and how the Health meets Food curriculum became a nationwide movement. We discuss how to build practical, equitable, food-as-medicine programs—from teaching kitchens to food b...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Longevity Isn’t Just About Living Longer—It’s About Thriving As You Age In this empowering episode of Eat Your Greens , I break down six accessible habits that not only extend your lifespan but also improve your healthspan —the number of years you feel energetic, strong, and mentally sharp. These strategies aren’t about perfection or extreme diets. They’r...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Mushrooms aren’t plants—and they’re definitely not boring. In this episode of Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black , I explore the fascinating world of culinary fungi: their nutritional power, unique biology, and why they deserve a starring role in your kitchen. I’ll take you through the different types of edible mushrooms (including a few you’ve probably never...

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments. Is fiber the unsung hero of your plate? In this fan-favorite re-release of Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black , I dive into the many surprising ways dietary fiber supports health—not just digestion! You’ll learn how fiber impacts heart health, blood sugar regulation, weight management, cancer prevention, and even mental health. I’ll also explore the gut micro...