Exam Room Nutrition: Where Busy Clinicians Learn About Nutrition

Ever feel like you're just spinning your wheels with certain patients? You dish out all the right advice, but somehow the change just doesn’t stick? I've got some tough love for you: more information doesn't equal better results. Maybe that patient who just won't seem to change isn't noncompliant, they're just struggling with something. Grab the Behavior Change Toolki...

Whether patients ask or not, they may be wondering if there are any ways to make alcoholic beverages healthy? While alcohol is no superfood, enjoying a drink in moderation with good company can be part of a balanced lifestyle. In this episode, I unpack the nutritional content of popular alcoholic drinks, call out the worst choices, offer better options and provide some alcohol-free and mocktail co...

Does coffee stunt growth? This common misconception may have come from some clever advertising in the 1900s or from decades old research linking caffeine to osteoporosis. Whatever the source, many people are curious whether coffee is safe for kids.  In under 15 minutes you'll learn the science behind caffeine and growth, the health benefits and harms of caffeine, and safe limits for children...

What’s the deal with eggs? Are they good? Bad? Do they impact my cholesterol levels? How many can I eat? Welcome to Exam Room Nutrition's Summer Shorts -  bite-sized nutrition science delivered in less 15 minutes, so you can stay sharp without sacrificing those summer barbecues. Fill out this form to have your question featured on a future episode. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, because...

Should I take a protein supplement? Which one do you recommend? Welcome to Exam Room Nutrition's Summer Shorts -  bite-sized nutrition science delivered in less 15 minutes, so you can stay sharp without sacrificing those summer barbecues. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, because today Colleen is teaching you a simple framework for helping your patients choose the best protein supplement. T...

Colostrum supplements are gaining popularity, but are they worth it?  Welcome to Exam Room Nutrition's Summer Shorts -  bite-sized nutrition science delivered in less 15 minutes, so you can stay sharp without sacrificing those summer barbecues. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, because today Colleen unpacks the science behind bovine colostrum supplements and explores: The potential benefits...

Welcome to the first episode of Exam Room Nutrition's Summer Shorts - bite-sized nutrition science delivered in less 15 minutes, so you can stay sharp without sacrificing those summer barbecues. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, because today Colleen  unpacks the science behind a summertime staple - deli meat! Is deli meat bad for me? We'll dive into the research on processed meats and...

The impact of nutrition on wound healing cannot be overstated. The outcomes of a surgery are directly related to your patient's nutrition status prior to and after surgery. My guest and fellow Dietitian and PA, Erin Sherer, helps us understand the crucial role of nutrition and how we can help our patients on their road to recovery. Key Takeaways:  Focus on these wound healing nutrients : Prot...

Get the FREE guide to interpreting Growth Charts here : In this episode, we dive deep into the world of pediatric growth charts with Kat, the Failure to Thrive Dietitian. We explore how to effectively use growth charts, identify red flags, and provide sensitive and practical advice to families dealing with underweight and overweight children. Key Takeaways: Understanding Growth Trends: Focus on tr...

Have you ever been in the formula room in your clinic?  Do you ever feel like it's a sea of names and, if you're being honest, you have no idea what you're looking at? I completely understand. When I first started in pediatrics, I felt the same way. On today's episode, we are simplifying the world of infant formulas. You'll understand the science behind standard infant for...

This is part 2 of Ask the Dietitian: Cancer Nutrition. Today we welcome back Oncology PA, Dane Thomas and oncology Dietitian, Julie Lanford who continue the conversation about the crucial role of nutrition in cancer treatment and survivorship.  As more individuals live beyond a cancer diagnosis, the importance of dietary interventions to prevent cancer recurrence is on everyone's mind. And pa...

Welcome to a new format that I'll be bringing to the podcast occasionally. I call it, Ask the Dietitian, where I feature 2 guests. One is a medical professional with nutrition questions and the other is a Registered Dietitian ready to provide answers. Today's conversation is between Oncology PA Dane Thomas and oncology Dietitian Julie Lanford who discuss the crucial role of nutrition in...

A gluten-free diet is the definitive treatment for patients with celiac disease, but it's not so easy to follow. Patients might ask you, "What foods can I eat?", "What can't I eat?", "Will a breadcrumb harm me?", "Do I have to eat like this forever?", "Should I take any vitamins?" Today I'm joined by Selena Devries, a Registered Diet...

"My baby spits up a lot!" What the mom is actually saying to you as the clinician: "I'm really worried! Is something wrong with her?" and what the dad is saying, "Please, make it stop. I'm sick of being covered in vomit." Infant reflux is one of the most common concerns during routine well checks. Today I'm joined by Registered Dietitian and pediatric n...

Let's be real - getting a meal on the table after a long work day is so tough. Juggling an infant and a wiggly picky toddler makes the mealtime experience exhausting. But yet, study after study proves family meals are crucial to children's mental, physical and emotional heath.  In today's episode, we're joined by Registered Dietitian Sarah Schlichter to explore practical tips f...

Do you think carbohydrates or dietary fat affect the liver more? Are there any liver superfoods that support liver function? Should patients do a liver cleanse? These are real questions patients ask when diagnosed with fatty liver. I'm joined by fellow PA/RD, Cassidy Mccandless, to breakdown the nutrition facts for fatty liver disease management.  Key Takeaways: Focus on carbohydrates: Emphas...

Dealing with unmotivated patients can be one of the most challenging aspects of our work as healthcare providers. For today’s episode, I’m going to challenge this thought: are our patients unmotivated or are they just having a hard time getting started? Changing habits is HARD.  Change takes time, patience, and persistence. It’s easy for patient's to become overwhelmed when faced with a diffi...

What is a Registered Dietitian and what do they do? Maybe when you think of a dietitian you think of the food police, spoiling all the fun. Or maybe you imagine a lady wearing a hair net serving hospital cafeteria food. Or maybe you think they'll just put your patient on a diet and hand them a meal plan. Can we even trust dietitians? Or are they all set outs, getting paid by Big Food to recom...

Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are key to reducing cancer risk. However, when patients are faced with a recent cancer diagnosis or are undergoing cancer treatment, they are looking for answers. With over 1.9 million new cancer cases in 2023, the chances that you will care for a patient with cancer or one who is in remission from cancer is pretty high. There’s a lot of confu...

More than 1 in 37 children under age 5 in the United States have a pediatric feeding disorder.  Today, I'm joined by Bri, a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, to explore the common feeding challenges families face. We'll discuss the four domains of a pediatric feeding disorder and how one or all could be affecting a child's feeding skill. We als...

One in six couples struggle with fertility challenges. While determining the cause for infertility can be challenging, making the right diagnosis is crucial for proper treatment.  Chelsea Dishong, a Registered Dietitian with both professional expertise and personal experience,  joins us to explain the role of nutrition in overcoming infertility. With a particular focus on the misunderstood and oft...

"Oh by the way, he's really picky. What do I do?" Does your heart sink when you hear this question? If we're being honest, does it make you want to roll your eyes? Navigating picky eating is a massive topic and is such a challenge in the pediatric world. In this episode, pediatric nutrition experts Colleen and Amber equip you with solutions to help overwhelmed parents of picky...

I believe that for every setback there is an opportunity for both our patients and us to grow stronger and be more capable in the future. In today’s episode, we'll explore why diets fail and how we can help the patient refocus their mindset to learn that failures are an opportunity for growth. I’ll give you 10 ways to shift your patient’s mindset about themselves and their dieting journey. Wh...

I’d argue that postpartum is one of the most emotionally and physically challenging times in a woman’s life.  In this episode, we're joined by special guest, The Postpartum Dietitian, Taylor Leon, to tackle common myths surrounding post-baby body expectations and strategies to combat the pervasive "bounce-back" culture. We need to be advocating for self-care and embracing the unique...

Does the topic of nephrology and kidney function give you PTSD? For most of us in primary care, nephrology probably wasn’t your strong point in school. And even now in practice, if we’re being honest, we cringe if a patient asks us about a renal diet. What is a renal diet anyway? Is it the same as a kidney diet or a dialysis diet? Don’t worry friend, because today, I am joined by Renal Dietitian,...