Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN

Exam Room Nutrition: Where Busy Clinicians Learn About Nutrition

Health EN ↓ 168 episodes

As a clinician, your patients are asking:  “What should I eat for diabetes?” “How do I lose weight?” “My child is so picky. What do I do?” But here’s the problem—you probably didn’t learn much about nutrition in school. The National Academy of Sciences recommends 25 hours of nutrition education for med students. Most of us? We got maybe 5.   Enter Exam Room Nutrition. Hosted by Colleen Sloan, a PA and RD with over a decade of experience, this podcast gives you clear, actionable strategies to tackle those tough nutrition questions with confidence—even when you’re pressed for time. From picky ea...

Author

Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN

Category

Health

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

117 | What’s the Best Diet to Lower Cholesterol? 18.06.2025

Your patient says, “My neighbor’s on the carnivore diet and looks amazing. Should I try it?” Cue the internal panic. What do you actually say next? In this episode, Clinical Lipid Specialist Dr. Josh Wageman returns to unpack the dietary chaos surrounding lipids, low-carb diets, saturated fat, and the ever-elusive “best diet.” Whether your patient wants to reverse metabolic syndrome or just “get t...

116 | Total Gastrectomy at 31: Lessons from a Dietitian Who’s Been There 11.06.2025

Ilana Kersch was 31, healthy, and working as a dietitian—then she was diagnosed with hereditary stomach cancer and told she needed a total gastrectomy. In this powerful episode, Ilana shares what it’s really like to live without a stomach—from managing dumping syndrome and rapid weight loss to navigating survivorship and identity after cancer. As both a clinician and a patient, her insights will c...

115| Why RFK’s Med School Nutrition Mandate Sounds Good… But Isn’t 10.06.2025

RFK Jr. wants to mandate nutrition education in every U.S. medical school—or else schools risk losing federal funding. On the surface, it sounds like a smart move. But as a Physician Assistant and Registered Dietitian, I’m here to tell you: it’s not that simple. In this special Nutrition Newsroom episode, I break down what RFK got right, what he missed, and why nutrition education alone won’t fix...

114 | Seed Oils 101: The Evidence Behind the Claims 04.06.2025

If your patients are going through the social media rabbit holes about seed oils, you’re not alone. Claims like “pro-inflammatory” and “unhealthy,” are gaining traction—and showing up in the exam room. In this episode we tackle the seed oil confusion head-on. I’m joined by registered dietitian Charlotte Martin, spokesperson for the Soy Connection, to break down the science behind the most common c...

113 | Percentages Aren’t That Bad: How to Make Food Labels Less Confusing 28.05.2025

Ever skip the food label convo because it feels too complicated—or let’s be honest, you’re short on time? In this episode, I’m sharing a few clips from this month’s Nutrition Grand Rounds that’ll help you decode the label and teach it in a way your patients actually understand. We’ll cover what patients are really looking at, how to explain percent daily value, and why front-of-package claims like...

112 | Quick Nutrition Answers for the “One More Question” Patient 21.05.2025

In this week’s episode we’re sharing bite-sized answers to the nutrition questions your patients love to throw at you—often at the very end of the visit. My guest, Nina, is a registered dietitian who specializes in weight management, and she’s here to help you deliver fast, practical advice your patients will actually use. You’ll learn:  The 3 no-cook meals Nina recommends to the “I hate cooking”...

111 | HDL = Good, LDL = Bad? It’s Not That Simple. 14.05.2025

You’ve probably said it a hundred times: HDL is the "good" cholesterol, LDL is the "bad" cholesterol. But what if that explanation is oversimplified—and leading patients (and providers) to miss hidden risks? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Josh Wageman—a Clinical Lipid Specialist, PhD researcher, and author of The Home Security System and the Lipid Neighborhood —to break d...

110 | Is it a lack of willpower—or a limiting belief? 07.05.2025

You’ve probably heard it: “I love food too much,” or “I just can’t stick with anything.” These aren’t just excuses—they’re clues. And when we learn to spot them, we can uncover the deeper mindset blocks that keep patients from making progress. In today’s episode, I sit down with Emily, a registered dietitian and mindset coach, to unpack one of the most overlooked barriers to health behavior change...

109 | Is Pork More Nutritious Than You Think? 30.04.2025

If you’ve ever told a patient to “choose chicken instead of pork,” this episode might surprise you. Kristen Hicks-Roof, PhD, RDN, joins us to unpack the nutritional profile of pork — including which cuts meet heart-healthy criteria, how it compares to chicken, beef, and plant-based proteins, and the evidence behind its role in a balanced diet. We also dive into pork’s potential as a flavor vehicle...

108 | What Kids Should Drink (and What to Skip): New Guidelines 23.04.2025

Confused about what to tell parents when they ask, “Is oat milk okay?” or “How much juice is too much?” You’re not alone—it's confusing. In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Lott, MPH, RDN, Deputy Director of Healthy Eating Research. Megan walks us through the first-ever unified beverage guidelines for kids—developed by leading organizations like the AAP, AND, and AHA. We cover what to encour...

107 | “I Saw It on TikTok…” A Guide to Nutrition Trends 16.04.2025

Have you ever had a patient say, “I saw this thing on TikTok…”—and suddenly you’re on the spot, trying to weigh in on a wellness trend you’ve never even heard of? You’re not alone. And you’re not unqualified just because you don’t have an instant answer. In this episode, I'm joined by Leah McGrath, a seasoned supermarket and public health dietitian with a passion for busting nutrition myths a...

106 | Is That Detox Safe? Rethinking Detox Advice 09.04.2025

Ever had a patient come in clutching a bottle of "detox tea," asking for your advice? Or heard, “I need to reset after a bad weekend—what detox should I do?” If you're nodding along, this episode is exactly what you need. Today, I’m joined by Leonila Campos, a bilingual registered dietitian, to bust the biggest detox myths—and show you how to reframe the conversation into something...

105 | Eating for Endurance: Guide Your Patients to Race Day Success 02.04.2025

Ever felt unsure how to support patients chasing the marathon dream—or maybe you're even training for one yourself? Whether they're seasoned runners or beginners just lacing up, this episode might be the inspiration (and information!) you've been waiting for.  I'm joined by Starla, a registered dietitian and accomplished marathoner who breaks down the nutrition essentials for m...

104 | Why We Accept Body Diversity in Dogs but Not People 26.03.2025

Ever wonder why we're quick to admire a Great Dane or a Chihuahua for their unique sizes, but struggle to extend that same appreciation to ourselves and our patients? Today, we're unraveling this curious contradiction. In this episode, I'm talking with Tiffany Godwin, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, about why accepting body diversity in humans is jus...

103 | Toxic Superfoods: Are They Really Poisoning Us? 19.03.2025

Are oxalates quietly damaging our health? Could common foods like spinach, almonds, and berries be the real culprits behind everything from kidney stones to joint pain and brain fog? That’s the claim in Toxic Superfoods by Sally Norton—a book that has sparked concern among patients and providers alike. To separate fact from fiction, I brought in kidney stone expert and dietitian Melanie Betz to br...

102 | Blood Sugar Hacks: The Truth About Resistant Starch, Glycemic Index & The Glucose Goddess 12.03.2025

Can freezing rice make it healthier? Are cold potatoes better for blood sugar? And do viral blood sugar hacks actually work? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mindy Patterson, a registered dietitian and researcher, to break down the science behind resistant starch, glycemic index, and continuous glucose monitoring—and what actually matters for your patients. What You’ll Learn: ✅ What resistant...

101 | “I’m Barely Eating—Why Can’t I Lose Weight?” The Hidden Factors at Play 05.03.2025

It’s a struggle every clinician has heard: “I barely eat, but I can’t lose weight.” So, what’s really going on? In this episode, I sit down with registered dietitian Sarah Allison, RDN to unpack the hidden factors behind why patients feel this way—and why simply “eating less” isn’t the answer. We explore: ✅ The metabolic slowdown that happens with chronic dieting ✅ How underreporting calories an...

100 | From RD to PA to Podcaster: My Story + 10 Nutrition Lessons 26.02.2025

When I started this podcast, I had no background in podcasting, editing, or marketing—just a passion for helping clinicians give better nutrition advice. 100 episodes later, here we are. In this special milestone episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my journey. I’ll share the story behind my career as a dietitian-turned-PA, why I started this podcast, and the biggest lessons I’ve learned along...

99 | Brain Food 101: What to Eat for Mental Clarity & Focus 19.02.2025

If you’ve ever had a patient complain about brain fog, forgetfulness, or mental fatigue, you’re not alone. Cognitive health isn’t just a concern for aging patients—it affects everyone, from kids in school to busy professionals juggling a million tasks. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jenna Stedman, a Cognitive Performance Dietitian, who breaks down the science of brain health and what we can...

98 | Functional Medicine: Legit Science or Expensive Hype? 12.02.2025

Have you ever had a patient do everything right —take the meds, follow your nutrition advice—yet they’re still struggling with symptoms? Chronic issues like reflux, IBS, and fatigue aren’t always solved with a prescription. So what’s missing? In this episode, I sit down with Shefaly Ravula, PA-C , founder of Precision Gut Health, to bridge the gap between conventional and functional medicine. We b...

97 | Toxic Food? The Truth Behind Nutrition’s Biggest Buzzwords 05.02.2025

Patients are overwhelmed with nutrition misinformation—“toxic foods", hormone imbalances, and glucose spikes.  In this episode, I sit down with Barbie Boules, a Registered Dietitian who specializes in brain health and metabolic wellness, to bust the biggest myths your patients are hearing—and what you can say to set the record straight.  Here's what you'll learn: Why “toxic” and “ch...

96 | The Nutrition Newsroom: FDA Bans Red 3, New Food Labels & a Shocking Cholesterol Case 30.01.2025

Welcome to The Nutrition Newsroom - a monthly update on the latest nutrition headlines, breaking down what's trending, why it matters, and how to explain it to your patients. This week, we're covering three hot topics: FDA Band Red 3 - What's the real risk? Should your patients be concerned? The FDA's New Proposed Food Label - Will this front-of-package label actually help cons...

95 | Secrets from Nutrition Grand Rounds: Nutrition Strategies for Stronger Bones 29.01.2025

Step into the world of Nutrition Grand Rounds with this exclusive sneak peek! In this episode, I’m sharing handpicked clips from our latest presentation on bone health, featuring two dietitians, Grace Rivers and Stephanie Turkel. With over 30 years of experience, they’re sharing actionable tips and eye-opening insights to help you guide your patients toward stronger, healthier bones. If you think...

94 | Two Patients, Two Approaches: How to Personalize Weight Loss and Get Results 22.01.2025

Ever feel overwhelmed when a patient asks for weight loss advice? Whether it’s helping a perimenopausal mom with a packed schedule or guiding a retired man managing type 2 diabetes, personalized strategies make all the difference. In this episode, Colleen is joined by Whittany, Co-Founder of Alterra Health and a Registered Dietitian specializing in bariatric care and medical weight loss. Together,...

93 | Contaminated Protein Supplements!? An Expert Weighs In on the Truth 17.01.2025

Have you seen the headlines about disturbing levels of heavy metals in protein powders? If you're panicking about whether your shake is safe, take a breath. In this episode, we tackle the fear head-on and uncover what’s fact, what’s hype, and how to make informed decisions about your supplements. What We Covered: Understanding supplement regulation: Learn how the FDA and third-party testing a...

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