Sound Bites A Nutrition Podcast

The global health pandemic is making a big difference in our food system, and how consumers think about food. This shift in how we view food safety, value, and sustainability efforts will impact the future food landscape for years to come. Tune in to this episode to learn about: Why the current food system can decrease consumer confidence in food buying. How COVID-19 can impact consumer buying hab...

"Experts are advising food preparations should continue as normal, which includes washing produce under running tap water – no added soaps or detergents.  According to the CDC/FDA, there is currently no evidence to support transmission of COVID 19 associated with food or food packaging."   Tune into this episode to learn about food, nutrition and coronavirus including: how to handle food safely du...

Each year, the average family of four wastes an average of 1,000 pounds of food at home, resulting in $1,500 lost. Contrary to popular belief, consumers waste more food than farmers and grocers - households are responsible for over 40% of the food wasted in the United States. Dairy products and vegetables are estimated to make up almost 40% of the food wasted by consumers. Fruit, grain products, a...

Can We Really Eat Our Way Out of Climate Change? Tune in to this episode with Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor at UC Davis, to learn about: The global warming potential of methane vs fossil fuels How does agriculture impact global methane emissions? Why should methane be treated differently than "long-lived" greenhouse gasses? What is: carbon sequestering, methane "sinks", the biogenic carbon cycle...

The heterogeneity of obesity dictates that one diet, one plan, one approach simply does not and cannot work for everyone. Obesity and overweight are complex and therefore cannot be adequately addressed without comprehensive and diverse approaches to care. Tune in to this episode to hear a thought-provoking discussion about: Obesity care – what it is and why it is important How obesity care and bod...

More than 4.8 million people in the U.S. visit the emergency room every year to be evaluated for concussions and brain injury. The two biggest groups at risk are the youth and elderly, but everyone is at risk. Tune in to this episode to hear an in-depth discussion about: What is a concussion and what causes it? How did omega-3 essential fatty acids in fish oil first become effective in treating co...

"There have been controversies about omega 3s in the last decade or so where many of the more recent studies have not demonstrated the same benefits as the studies done 30 years ago – but there have been some very recent studies that have been very impressive regarding omega-3s." – Dr. Carl Lavie Tune in to this episode to hear an in-depth discussion about: Why are there seemingly mixed "reviews"...

Sustainability is a growing concern among consumers especially regarding their food and beverage choices. While historically U.S. consumers have believed individuals should be the source of solutions to our sustainability problems, there has been a big shift toward expecting governments and companies to be more responsible.  When it comes to sustainably produced food, consumers are coming to belie...

"Sweets, snacks and health overlap more than ever, making it easier for people to enjoy sweets and snacks while making smart choices." - Mindy Hermann, MBA, RDN Mindy Hermann is a food and nutrition communications strategist who provides services targeting food companies, trade organizations, and health professionals. She writes a series of trends reports for a global market research firm, Innova...

I was invited to attend a Produce Safety Media Tour last August in beautiful Monterey California with the Alliance for Food and Farming. We visited many different fruit/vegetable fields including strawberries, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, celery and artichokes. We learned about produce farming and production, food safety practices, pesticides/fertilizers, crop rotation and soil health, and in...

It is scientifically proven that customized approaches in weight management lead to greater engagement and behavior change than generic approaches. WW, formerly Weight Watchers, has a new program called myWW that includes an evidence-based personalized assessment asking a range of questions to guide you to a scientifically proven, customized plan that aligns with your needs. Gary Foster, PhD, is t...

Manuel Villacorta is an internationally recognized, award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist and the author of five books with his latest release: The Essential Cookbook for Men – 85 Healthy Recipes to Get Started in the Kitchen. Manuel is a well-respected and trusted voice in the health and wellness industry and one of the leading weight loss and nutrition experts in the country.  The Esse...

Over 20 years of research has shown what parents have known for a long time: regular family meals lead to long-term benefits, including higher resilience, self-esteem, and grade-point-averages, and lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, and depression. Guest Brianne DeRosa ,  MFA, is the Content Manager for The Family Dinner Project and co-author of their new book, "Eat,...

Consumers have never cared more, nor known less, about how their food is produced. The next 30 years are the most important 30 years there will ever be in the history of agriculture. That's why we need to get it right. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about food technology and consumer attitudes, behaviors and trends with Jack Bobo, CEO of Futurity - a food foresight company. Full showno...

Eggs are naturally nutrient rich - and the cholesterol stigma has been cracked! But did you know that eggs have important nutrients for cognition, brain health and eye health? And they fit into healthy eating patterns including plant-based diets. In fact, eggs can help you absorb nutrients found in plant foods, and can also help you meet daily protein needs to support healthy muscles and strong bo...

Food has become a battleground where marketing claims and misinformation are used to bully and shame people about their food choices. What if you could stop stressing about what other people think and make eating decisions based on your own needs and preferences? This episode takes a closer look at the misrepresentation of food and sheds light on fictitious nutrition and environmental claims to he...

This is part 2 in a 2-part series where we discuss what strength means to each of my three guests. We talk about physical strength but also mental and emotional strength. We discuss the "Four Cornerstones" of eating to support strength, some practical tips for tweaking your meals and snacks as well as simple cooking ideas and meal prepping advice – and we also talk about life on a cattle ranch and...

In this 2-part series, we discuss what strength means to each of my three guests. We talk about physical strength but also mental and emotional strength. We discuss the "Four Cornerstones" of eating to support strength, some practical tips for tweaking your meals and snacks as well as simple cooking ideas and meal prepping advice – and we also talk about life on a cattle ranch and how both the lan...

Popular diets seem to dominate the nutrition airwaves. On today's episode we share a basic overview of some of today's popular diets and discuss the pros and cons of each one. We touch on these four popular diets: Keto, Atkins, Paleo and Plant-Based. Today's guest is Dr. Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, CFS, FACN. He is Principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group and an Adjunct Professor in the Department...

Food brings people together for everything from celebrations to mourning - and feeds the soul for meaningful connection. It can help harness great power in our communities, but in today's world we are too often letting dietary differences shift us into polarized positions. Food is far too important to let buzzwords lead the conversation. And while misinformation may be unintentional, dis informati...

The latest numbers from the CDC suggest that nearly 1 in 3 adults have either prediabetes or diabetes. These are alarming numbers, and finding out that  you  are the one out of three can be even more alarming. Shock, denial, and confusion are not uncommon reactions. But there is a flipside to learning you have prediabetes. It can be scary, but it's also an opportunity—an opportunity to "reset," to...

Tune in as we discuss the role of human milk and the key microbial colonizer of the infant gut in shaping the gut microbiota in support of growth, development, and protection of the infant during this critical period that lays the foundation for health throughout life. My guest is Dr. Anthony Thomas, Director of Scientific Affairs for Jarrow Formulas.

Despite hearing about the health and wellness benefits of fruits and vegetables for decades, nearly 9 in 10 Americans still don't eat enough each day. Science continues to show that boosting consumption of these plant powerhouses can promote healthier, happier lives. Rooted in behavioral science and extensive consumer research, Have A Plant™ was created to answer consumers' call for a simple, stra...

Osteoporosis accounts for more days in the hospital than other diseases like breast cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and others. Multiple studies suggest prunes may help to prevent bone loss. In addition, prunes and prune juice contain fiber and naturally-occurring sorbitol, which contribute to digestive health. Shirin Hooshmand, PhD, RD is an associate professor and researcher who studies the effe...

Weight stigma is a global problem that can have negative impacts on emotional and physical health. Research is underway to find solutions to combat weight bias. Weight management is not just about eating less and moving more - it's about being in the right frame of mind. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices offer positive aspects for overall health and wellness and also lower levels of de...