Mayo Clinic on Nutrition

Whether it's social media, traditional news, or our friends and family, we're constantly hearing about nutrition trends that may or may not be rooted in solid science. So how do we find reliable information? On this episode of On Nutrition, we brought back dietitian nutritionist Joy Heimgartner to talk about the hierarchy of evidence in studies, resources for fact-checking the headlines, and how t...

In this special episode, we'll hear On Nutrition host Tara Schmidt as a guest on Mayo Clinic Aging Forward! One in two older adults are at risk for malnutrition. While our physiology is changing, so are the body's nutritional needs; changing tastes, comorbidities, and financial insecurity can also play a role. So how can we optimize good nutrition as we get older, in order to fuel longevity? On th...

There's still so much to learn about the gut microbiome. For example, do we have any other microbiomes in our bodies? What comes first, a chronic disease or an altered gut microbiome? And do those home testing kits really work? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with gastroenterologist Dr. Purna Kashyap about why we need to keep our gut microbes healthy, the importance of fiber, and the pros...

Nowadays you can find protein added to almost anything - pancakes, popcorn, crackers, pasta, granola, and so much more. Many people, from bodybuilders to surgery patients, are intereted in designing their diets around getting "enough" protein. But is there a chance everyone is overdoing it? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with registered dietitian nutritionist Dr. Su-Nui Escobar about the...

Bright orange cheese puffs. Daffodil-yellow snack cakes. Lime green soda. These are clearly ultra-processed foods. But, what about your frozen veggie burger, your protein cookie, or even that whole wheat bread you buy at the grocery store? You might not think you eat ultra-processed foods, but unless you’re living 100% farm-to-table, you probably do. So, are ultra-processed foods as scary as they...

Alcohol can be a social lubricant at awkward happy hours, or a way to take the edge off after a long day. But over time, how can regular drinking lead impact our sleep, dispositions, or even our likelihood of developing cancer? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with registered dietitian and Culina Health founder Vanessa Rissetto about how to escape the cultural pressure to drink, and her ex...

One in three Americans has a pre-diabetes diagnosis -- and about 12 percent of the US population has some form of diabetes. What can be done to prevent it? Is it reversible? And are there any home remedies -- like cinnamon? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Gina Wimmer about how people with diabetes and pre-diabe...

When you're pulling an all-nighter, or driving a long distance, you may be tempted to grab an energy drink to stay alert. But once the caffeine has faded...what impact has it left on your brain, heart, and sleep quality? And is there a safe way to have an energy drink in moderation? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with cardiologist Dr. Anna Svatikova about her research on energy drinks, t...

It's common to have some sort of health tracker on your phone, wrist -- or even around your finger. But is recording all activity in our diet and exercise actually necessary? And can knowing ALL our health data ever be harmful? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with dietitian and nutritionist Ro Huntriss about our obsession with our own metrics, the ever-evolving world of AI, and how to pro...

One in six people struggle to conceive. Factors like age and irregular menstrual cycles are out of their hands -- but their diet, however, is completely under their control. That said, is there actually any correlation between what we eat and our fertility? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Ali Ainsworth about subfertility, supplements, and whether pome...

You did it: you found the right diet, exercise routine, surgery or medication to help you lose weight. Now what? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with nurse practitioner Julia Jurgensen about why keeping weight off is so difficult, what's worked for people who've maintained weight loss long-term, and the tools and teams available to help you along the way. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Pre...

If you were around during the 90's, you probably remember the low-fat and fat-free craze: skim milk, low-fat snacks... and god forbid you ate a plate of eggs. Today, we know a lot more about fat, and that certain types of fat are actually an important part of a healthy diet. So, how do you keep track of which fats you're supposed to eat, and which you're supposed to avoid? On this episode of On Nu...

In this special episode, we'll hear On Nutrition host Tara Schmidt as a guest on Mayo Clinic Health Matters! Ozempic. Wegovy. Mounjaro. Zepbound. You’ve probably heard the name of one of these drugs in the past few years—maybe you’ve even thought about taking them. Every day, more Americans are taking these drugs known as GLP-1s, either for chronic conditions like diabetes or, increasingly, for we...

Have you ever felt energized after a hearty salad, or sluggish after a slice of cake? Or maybe tomatoes upset your stomach, or alcohol triggers your migraines. Integrative nutrition is all about this connection between what we eat, how we feel, and the bigger picture of our health. And that's before we even get into all the supplements you can take. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Dr...

Everybody does it. And yet there seems to be an aura of shame around our bowel movements and potential complications, like anxiety poops, constipation, and IBS. Well, no longer! On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with gastroenterologist Dr. Iris Wang about the best way to poop, various tummy troubles, and how treatments like hypnotherapy might be able to help. Buy Dr. Wang's book, Boo Can't...

Many of us are aware of intermittent fasting, an eating pattern that involves taking breaks from food for certain periods of time. But what are the actual benefits of these brief fasts? What are the ideal times to stop eating? And who should - and shouldn't - try it? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with professor Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell about intermittent fasting's different schedules,...

Organic or non-organic? Fresh or frozen? Generic or brand name? The art of buying groceries is a delicate balance of finding food that's healthy, but won't break the bank.  On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with dietitian Kristen Blixt about the best strategies for calculating a food budget, choosing affordable items, and not wasting that last bit of spinach in the fridge. Mayo Clinic's Hea...

 You're probably used to thinking about your weight as some big, scary number that can influence how you feel about yourself. But what if weight was just a number? Simply a piece of information that had little to do with your actual health. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with family medicine physician Dr. Leslie Williams about the harm of centering weight in and out of healthcare, and ho...

Sugar - particularly added sugar - is in nearly all of our food. Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, it's important to know the benefits and consequences of all three kinds of sugar, and how we can adjust our relationship to them. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with dietitian-nutritionist Lisa Lammert about the history of added sugar, whether it's possible to have a sugar addiction, a...

You might not think about magnesium unless you're searching for sleep aids, but it's a mineral essential to your body's functioning. Without it, you'd quite literally fall apart. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with dietitian and nutritionist Joy Heimgartner about the magic of magnesium and how it's been so misunderstood. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness ar...

The phrase "meal planning" can immediately trigger a sense of dread. But brainstorming healthy recipes, cooking, and portioning out all your meals for the week doesn't have to be a slog. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Chef Jen Welper - author of the cookbook "Cook Smart, Eat Well" - about her favorite methods for meal prep. She'll share strategies for conquering the kitchen, from fa...

A snide remark from a coworker. Airplane seats that only fit a certain size. A provider’s insistence that your knee pain is due to overweight. More than 40% of U.S. adults have experienced stigma due to their weight. But where does it come from, and how can it come between you and your healthcare? On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with psychologist Dr. Afton Koball about the harmful impact...

Many of the eating habits we learn or adopt in childhood can continue into adulthood. So let's take a trip down memory lane. What was the nutritional advice when we were kids, and how has it changed or evolved? How do parents influence our eating and exercise? And is it actually fair to blame your parents? On this episode of Mayo Clinic on Nutrition, we talk with pediatrician and childhood eating...

The rise in diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's could have a surprising source: the gut. Scientists are still exploring the link between the gut and the brain, but there is evidence that a balanced holistic lifestyle could reduce stress, inflammation, and, potentially, the risk of neurodegenerative conditions. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with gastroenterologist Dr. Partha Nandi...

There’s this one weird trick doctors don’t want you to know… because it doesn’t work. It’s natural to hope for a one-size-fits-all, lose-weight-fast-and-forever solution. And if your sibling or friend is doing it or you saw it on TikTok, it can be tempting to just give it a try and see what happens. But what's the science behind these diets? Are some better than others? And will your nutritionist...