Mayo Clinic on Nutrition

The five-second rule. Fruit and vegetable washes. The "yoga mat" compound. When it comes to food science and safety, misinformation (and bacteria) are everywhere. On this episode of On Nutrition, food scientist Roxi Smith (@Hydroxide. FoodScience) gives a crash course in kitchen tips, food contamination and how to properly handle leftovers. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us onl...

Eating disorders are much more than anorexia and bulimia. Many people — including men, older adults and people living with obesity — struggle with their relationship with food in ways that can be harmful to their health. In some cases, treatments such as GLP-1 medications may exacerbate or uncover an underlying eating disorder. In this episode of On Nutrition, pediatrician and eating disorder spec...

One in 10 U.S. adults has at least one food allergy. While many involve familiar triggers like peanuts or shellfish, more than 170 foods have been linked to allergic reactions. So why do food allergies seem more common than ever? And what should you do if one develops in adulthood? On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Sara Wolf answers common food allergy questions and shares how...

About one-fourth of U.S. adults have a diagnosed mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. And with the everyday stress of life, even people who don't have a diagnosis may be looking for a way to find some relief. Can we find a solution on our plates? Is nutrition an effective way to treat mental health? On this episode of On Nutrition, psychiatrist Brooke Resch, M.D., a nutriti...

Almost a fourth of the U.S. population lives with chronic pain, with treatment options including medication and physical therapy. But where does nutrition fit in? Is it possible to reduce chronic pain with food and weight management? In this episode of On Nutrition, Healthnix app founder Maja Mazur and registered dietitian Chelsey Hoffmann talk about the gut-brain connection’s role in pain, which...

Why do some people seem to shed weight easily while others don’t get the same results, no matter how hard they try? According to the theory of obesity phenotypes, the way each of us gains weight is different — and the best way to lose it may be different, too. On this episode of On Nutrition, bariatrician, gastroenterologist and internist Dr. Andres Acosta shares his research on obesity phenotypes...

Humans are living longer than ever — but longer life doesn’t always mean better health. More than half of U.S. adults are living with at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease or obesity. So what can we actually control to help prevent these diseases as we age? And what should we be eating to stay healthier, longer? On this episode of On Nutrition, cardiologist Dr. Stephen Ko...

Why are habits so hard to build — and even harder to break? And do they really have to be perfect to improve your health? On this episode of On Nutrition, Mayo Clinic dietitian Tara Schmidt sits down with health coach Jenn Trepeck to explore the science of habits and how small, realistic changes can lead to lasting results. From decision fatigue to mindset shifts, they break down why so many healt...

About 4.5 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with some form of liver disease, and some will go on to need a liver transplant. What interventions are available to help avoid that procedure? And if someone does receive a transplant, how can their diet support their new liver and help keep it as healthy as possible? On this episode of On Nutrition, transplant clinical dietitian Heather Bamlet ex...

Food is more than the sum of its parts. Nutrients in supplements act differently than the same nutrients in whole foods. The way those nutrients are packaged, bonded and processed all factor into what’s known as a food matrix. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Sally Cummins, a registered dietitian and senior vice president of nutrition affairs at the National Dairy Council. She shares...

Almost half of US adults have been diagnosed with hypertension, with the main culprit being a high-sodium diet. So how can we avoid being part of that statistic? And what food choices should we be making to keep a low blood pressure? On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Laurie Molina describes the DASH eating plan, methods to maintain a low-sodium diet, and the surprising benefits...

Stress, uncertainty and unmet emotional needs can influence eating patterns in ways that go beyond hunger. Research suggests that many adults turn to food for comfort when feeling tired, anxious, inadequate or lonely — a pattern often described as emotional eating. So how can we recognize these triggers and develop healthier ways to cope? On this episode of On Nutrition, holistic nutritionist and...

Are your New Year’s resolutions supporting your long-term health, or sending you back into another cycle of short-term diet trends? Before you commit to the latest plan, learn which nutrition strategies are supported by evidence and can contribute to lasting well-being in 2026 and beyond. In this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck is joined by Tara Schmidt, a registered dieti...

Almost half of U.S. adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease, and the effects can extend far beyond the mouth. Research has linked gum disease to more than 50 systemic conditions, including diabetes, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. So how can we help prevent oral inflammation and harmful bacteria from affecting overall health? On this episode of On Nutrition, dentist Alex Silvia, D.D....

Is it possible to run out of things to say about nutrition? Not at all! Coming up on On Nutrition: the oral-systemic connection, emotional eating, hypertension, and the food matrix. New episodes every other Tuesday.  Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.    Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.   Do you have feedback, questions or top...

Fatphobia affects more than social interactions; it can interfere with access to proper health care. But where do stigmas against larger bodies originate, and what can be learned from the space between diet culture and body positivity? On this episode of On Nutrition, “Weight For It” host Ronald Young Jr. examines his experiences in medical settings, the popularity of the “What I Eat in a Day” tre...

Experiencing a menstrual cycle — or the lack of one — can bring up a lot of questions. Why do I have more bowel movements during my period? How concerned should I be about gaining weight during menopause? And do I need to stop using plastic cutting boards so I don’t get PCOS? In this episode of On Nutrition, dietitian Danielle Cahalan discusses what the evidence shows about “cycle syncing,” offers...

Dementia is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and its most common form, Alzheimer’s disease, is increasing worldwide. Although some risk factors are beyond a person’s control, research suggests that certain eating patterns may support brain health. On this episode of On Nutrition, neurologist Bryan Neth, M.D., explains dietary approaches linked to brain health and offers pract...

It’s more common than ever to hear about gluten sensitivities and celiac disease. But is a gluten-free diet for everyone? How do you know if you need to eliminate gluten? And is the gluten overseas healthier than what we have in the U.S.? On this episode of On Nutrition, dietitian and nutrition influencer Gabrielle Palmeri talks through the different types of grains, common misconceptions and how...

Morning sickness, cravings and a long list of foods you can’t eat — no one said pregnancy was easy. So, how should you adjust your diet to grow a healthy baby and make the next nine months as smooth as possible? On this episode of On Nutrition, dietitian Kate Zeratsky shares which nutrients to prioritize, which types of cheese you’ll need to skip and what else to expect when you’re expecting. Sign...

You know you need to make a health change. You want to make a health change. But you don’t have to do it alone. In fact, having a social support system could mean the difference between success and failure. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Dr. Matthew Clark about the psychology behind making changes, how health changes can affect relationships, and how to navigate holidays, unsolicite...

You might have noticed that “seed oils” are all over social media lately — and not in a good way. So are they really as bad for you as influencers say? In this episode of On Nutrition, clinical scientist Dr. Jessie Burns explains the pros and cons of seed oils, the importance of balancing omega-6s with omega-3s, and why roasting your Brussels sprouts in canola oil isn’t the problem. Sign up to rec...

Cancer changes everything: your body, your relationships, and of course, what you eat. Nutrition can’t cure cancer (spoiler alert), but it can be a powerful tool to manage symptoms and side effects. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with oncology dietitian Peter Adintori about how to pinpoint nutrition solutions for specific symptoms, and we break down myths about the intersection of food a...

Tara Schmidt, M.Ed., RDN, LD is the lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, host of the Mayo Clinic On Nutrition podcast, and Medical Editor of the Nutrition & Fitness channel. Today she joins me for a holistic, evidence-based conversation about GLP-1s, where we cut through the misinformation around these drugs and offer information you can really trust. If you’re already taking Ozempic or Wegovy...

We know the general calculation for fueling exercise: more calories = more power. But how do we properly nourish ourselves while training to get the best - and healthiest - results? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with registered dietitian Alex Larson about the most important nutrients to target for endurance, the nuances of sports nutrition, and how to handle a plateau. Find us online at...