FAQ

Over time, I’ve received a handful of the same questions from readers/friends/followers, so I compiled them all in one post for a comprehensive FAQ page! If you don’t find the answer to your question on this page, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to address it! 

food

Any advice on how to eat healthy on a budget?

  • Buy fruits/veggies that are in season, or shop at a farmer’s market. 
  • Coupons or weekly specials at the grocery store – I get emails from a couple grocery stores with deals and coupons throughout the week.
  • Go meatless for a few meals – a lot of times, meat/poultry can be a large portion of my grocery haul, so cutting back to a few meatless meals a week can help to save some money. Lentils, quinoa, black beans, and tempeh are all vegetarian options that are much cheaper than meat. Additionally, I’ve also found that canned wild salmon or tuna is a cheap protein alternative! This salmon burger recipe is an easy way to use a can of wild salmon!
  • Plan ahead. Even having somewhat of a plan going into the weekend can help; when you go to the grocery store with a set list, you’re more likely to buy only what you need, rather than buying something “you think you could eat”, that may or may not end up just sitting in your pantry/fridge until it spoils.
  • Buy the whole form of a food – whole apples versus pre-chopped/sliced, whole head of broccoli/cauliflower instead of the pre-bagged and cut kinds, block of cheese versus shredded, and bulk versions instead of pre-portioned packages. It will take a little more on your part to chop and prepare, but you can really save a lot of $$$ this way!
  • Frozen fruit and veggies! You can make an easy stir fry with frozen veggies, and I love to add frozen fruit to smoothies or heated up and put in my oatmeal in the morning – especially during winter months when they aren’t in season.
  • For more tips, check out THIS blog post for 13 more tips to eat healthy on a budget!

Tips on keeping fruits and veggies fresh throughout the week?

  • Wash fruits and veggies just before eating, this can help slow the growth of mold.
  • Some foods form ethylene gas, which leads to other foods ripening quicker if stored together. Store avocado, bananas, nectarines, pears, tomatoes in a separate container than your apples, berries, broccoli, leafy greens.
  • As unripened fruits begin to ripen, store in fridge to extend the life for 2-3 days (I do this with avocados!)
  • Store salad, leafy greens, and fresh herbs in tightly sealed bags with little to no air, and with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
  • Buy only what you need.
  • Don’t overpack your fridge.
  • If storing veggies in bags, make sure to poke holes to allow for airflow.
  • Don’t cut up fruits/veggies until you need them. If I’m snacking on red bell pepper through the week, I cut up enough for 1-2 days at a time.

How do you feel about FODMAP?

  • I think FODMAP is a great alternative approach for people who suffer from any type of GI intolerance or upset. FODMAPs draw water into the intestine, which is what leads to the feeling of “bloating”, and are also rapidly fermented in our large intestine which can lead to gas and abdominal/stomach pain. Not everyone is so sensitive to FODMAPs though, so I don’t necessarily think a low-FODMAP diet is best for everyone to follow. It’s predominantly recommended for those with IBD or IBS.  Additionally, it isn’t intended to be strictly followed “long term”. After an initial period of strict restriction of certain foods, you are able to reintroduce FODMAP foods into your diet to your personal tolerance. If you do have a condition such as IBD or IBS, I can’t recommend enough to find a practitioner or dietitian that is knowledgeable and well-versed on how to appropriately carry out a low FODMAP diet.

I’m a busy stay at home mom; I want to eat PFC (protein, fat, carb) but I’m finding it hard. What is an easy PFC snack or lunch idea that I can incorporate?

  • Sometimes i think it’s easiest to have lists of each nutrient, that way you can just mix and match with whatever you’ve got on hand!
    • Protein: eggs, grilled/baked chicken, turkey, beef, pork, salmon, shrimp; nitrate free deli turkey, plain greek yogurt, canned tuna/salmon, organic string cheese
    • Fat: peanut/almond butter, nuts/seeds like almonds, cashews, chia, hemp; avocado, ghee, butter, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil
    • Carb: fruit, sweet potato, bread, quinoa, veggies, lettuce/greens
    • Meal and snack ideas: crockpot chicken with salsa, baked sweet potato, avocado; tortilla pizza with marinara sauce, chicken sausage, veggies, drizzle of olive oil; hardboiled egg, toast, almond butter and fruit; greek yogurt, fruit, pistachios; chickpea pasta, pasta sauce and steamed veggies.

What is something I can do on a daily basis to calm my sugar cravings?

  • BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR – aim to have protein, healthy fats, fiber and carbs at meal times to blunt sharp rises in insulin (which leads to blood sugar crash and sugar cravings). Simply put, any time you are eating a carbohydrate, aim to pair it with protein and/or fat. 
  • Eat a hearty breakfast – something full of the aforementioned protein, healthy fats, fiber and carbs. When we skimp out on breakfast and lunch, we tend to get sugar cravings later on in the day. I reach for oatmeal with nut butter and fruit, eggs with half a sweet potato and avocado, nut butter and/or avocado toast, an omelette stuffed with veggies.
  • Get enough sleep, recommended 7-8 hours – when you skimp out on sleep, your hormones can get thrown off, and the hormone that stimulates your appetite is ramped up, while the hormone that suppresses appetite is diminished. When we are tired, we naturally reach for sweeter, high fat and carb foods.
  • Cut out added sugars already in your diet – it may help to do a type of diet recall, where you look at everything you eat over 24 hours to see how much sugar you are already ingesting each day. A diet recall can also help to determine where your meal pairing might be off – I encourage everyone to pair protein, fat and carbs at every meal or snack. It helps stabilize blood sugar (and thus, cravings) when we have protein and fat with carbs.

What is your favorite vegetarian recipe to serve up to vegetarian skeptics?

What is your take on paleo vs vegan?

  • Everyone is different. For me, I like to strike a balance between both. I can’t do extremes. I try to make the bulk of my diet vegetables/produce, and I like to have a protein at every meal, which usually is of animal origin. Vegan diets can provide enough protein, but I personally feel best when I have a moderate amount of animal protein in my diet. I eat some grains, so I’m not strictly paleo. I see the health benefits and claims of both, but have also seen downfalls of both when carried out inappropriately.

Do you track, weigh, or measure your food at all?

  • No. Okay, I “track” in the sense that I like to track how many servings of veggies I can get in a day, to make sure I’m getting a source of protein at each meal, and to keep tabs on the amount of sugar/sweets I’ve had during the week. But, BUT — I DON’T BEAT MYSELF UP if I don’t “reach” a certain amount. It’s really a more intuitive approach. I don’t count calories. Though I am aware of the amount I eat – I think that comes naturally when you work in the field –  I don’t have a goal that I must hit or stay under. The only times I measure are if I’m making oatmeal or some type of baked good or recipe. I don’t measure in terms of “I need to have 6 oz of protein at this meal”.

How to put on lean muscle/healthy weight?

  • Strength training and eating more. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are also the building blocks of muscle tissue. Carbs are also your friend. Every person is different, so I would recommend reaching out to a dietitian near you if you are seriously interested in more personalized recommendations!

Where do you get your inspiration for your recipes?

  • Other instagrammers, Pinterest, favorite restaurant dishes, and my own head!

Do you drink protein powder, and if so which type do you buy?

Do you meal prep every week?

  • To some extent, yes!! My schedule is hectic at the beginning of the week, so I like to start off the week having a plan and having things already cooked up to make the transition into the work week easier and a little less hectic! Meal prep also helps for busy evenings when I might get home late from a workout or afternoon plans with a hungry tummy.

What is your opinion on “The China Study”? (Compared to common/conventional views that governments and nutritionists usually recommend in terms of servings of meat, milk, yogurt, eggs, etc…

  • I’ve looked into it a little bit in the past, and I do see where they are coming from. I think the general population consumes far too much processed meat and animal products, without being sustainably sourced. Our diets have become riddled with packaged and processed foods, full of unhealthy fats and refined carbs. Many government and regulatory agencies are often “backed” or sponsored by some type of council or organization, which is where many of the recommendations can stem from. For example, many agencies and groups that support dairy/milk/cheese consumption are sponsored by the National Dairy Council. While I don’t follow The China Study to a T, I do agree with the findings it addresses, such as using nutrition to reverse, slow, or stop the spread of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and overweight/obesity. I do eat animal protein, however over the last couple years I’ve placed a much larger focus on making the “main ingredient” of my meals to be vegetables or plant sources. I aim for ¼ of my plate a sustainably sourced protein (grass fed or pasture-raised), while the rest is comprised of plenty of vegetables, fruit, the occasional whole grain, and healthy fats.

How do you keep your food for the week tasting “good” for the next couple of days?

  • Some foods definitely store well better than others! Salads keep pretty well when I remove the moisture for the lettuce greens. I’m a big fan of roasted veggies throughout the week, but I will admit they don’t always taste like they do when they are fresh out of the oven, but I guess I personally don’t mind! Shredded chicken stores pretty well through the week, as does soup/chili. Fruits store pretty well – I chop them the night before. If I’m snacking on raw veggies, I will chop just a few servings at a time, maybe for 2-3 days. If you are reheating something, I’ve found that reheating in a pan or in the oven helps to maintain crispness.

Do you think eating “junk” food is a terrible thing, or do you partake? Where would you think the line is between the stress of saying “no” to yourself being worse than just eating the food?

  • I’m a human – I do have “junk” food on occasion!!! Chips and guac, ice cream, a hamburger with fries…I have them! I believe that life is truly about enjoyment, moderation, and balance. I don’t go “all out” all day when I do have “junk” food. Rather, I’ll have a little bit for a meal or treat, but go on the rest of the day as usual. For example, I may have a hamburger, but trade out the fries for a salad or steamed veggie; or if I know that I want dessert, then I’ll aim to have a more well-balanced dinner. I’ve found that this is what works for ME, makes me feel my best most of the time without feeling deprived or restricted. When I have too much junk food, I feel my mood tank, which is a pretty big motivator for me to eat the healthful foods that I normally do. I’ve intuitively found a balance that works for me. I don’t think we should ever have to say “no” to a food to the point where it causes us stress, because that isn’t healthy mentally, and can just send you on a downward spiral of restriction, bingeing, and regret – it’s a dangerous cycle. Allow yourself to have the food. How I do this is by splitting it with a friend or with the table. Buy pre-portioned packages of “junk” food, if that helps you stop at just one serving. One that comes to mind is the little single serving cups of Ben and Jerry’s, versus the regular pint size. Additionally, there are growing numbers of new products on the market that are targeted at making “junk food” healthier. While a cookie is still a cookie at the end of the day, I do think the ingredients that go into the product can have a huge impact on how that food makes you feel.

How do you choose which meals to have?

  • I go by my cravings, what I’m in the mood for, my schedule during the week and what I have time to make.

I notice you don’t eat a lot of grains or dairy, is there a reason for that?

  • No particular reason for grains, I just don’t usually crave them! I have a good amount of oatmeal through the week, I have a soft spot for rye and sourdough bread, and at times I incorporate quinoa (even though it’s a pseudo-grain) into my meals. I’ve noticed that I break out pretttty severely when I have dairy, so I’ve been doing my best to omit it as much as possible. This has been a pretty recent discovery after I had a bout of food poisoning at the beginning of the year. Major buzzkill, because I love cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. I’ve not been a fan of cow’s milk for a while. If you’re looking to switch to a milk other than cow’s milk but can’t get used to the flavor/consistency, take a few weeks to wean yourself and blend the two together. Try 75% cows, 25% almond (or whatever type) milk for one week; 50% 50% the next week, 25% 75% the week after, until you get to only almond milk (or other milk alternative).

I would like to know a suggested breakfast, lunch and dinner plan to help target the below the belly button pooch. I workout every day but still have problems with bloating/puffiness. What kinds of foods should I avoid? Or run to? 

  • A lot of times, highly refined carbs, milk/dairy products, fibrous veggies, and beans/legumes can lead to bloating and puffiness. But waiiit, some of those are good for us!! I recommend gradually including more fiber-rich foods in your diet overtime (beans, legumes, fibrous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower), rather than adding in a lot all at once. Stay away from carbonated and sugary beverages!! Drinking from a straw can also lead to bloating. Foods high in salt can leave you feeling “puffy”. In general, focus on eating more “real” foods – fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains (if you tolerate them). It may also help to keep a journal of these healthy foods that still cause bloating; I don’t recommend cutting them out, but if you know that broccoli causes you to feel bloated, it can help to know that in case you’ve got a special event coming up and want to feel you best – you could try swapping out the broccoli and instead having another equally nutritious veggie!

fitness

How do you get your motivation to crush your 5 am workouts?

  • I’ll start off by saying that I am a total morning person!! It’s when I have the most energy, and I’ve always been an early riser. However, some things that aid me in my early wake-up time are: a ringtone that gets me pumped (you can customize from songs in your iTunes library!), some type of caffeine (I use Silver Fern brand Endurance Energy mix), a little gas in the tank (in the form of energy bites), a large gulp of water to hydrate, a GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, and workout clothes that fit me well (I continually reach for my lululemon ‘all the right places’ leggings)! It isn’t always easy, but I feel so much better, more energized, and more comfortable in my body once I get a little movement in, and many times the only time I have to do so is before the sun is up! 

How do you value sleep versus exercise when it comes to health?

  • Sleep will trump exercise, always. I aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep (I KNOW I should be getting 8, but that isn’t always possible) so that I can be well rested enough for a good workout before work. Anything less than that, I don’t perform well at the gym, and that spills over to my performance at work – not good!! If I know I’m going to have a late night (aka I realize I don’t get into bed until 10:45 or later), I tend to skip my morning workout, as I know my body well enough now to know the chances of me feeling alert will be slim. If I plan to workout in the morning, I always set my alarm; however, if that alarm comes and I’m NOT having it, I’m not afraid to snooze for another hour and wake up at my regular time. I’m able to distinguish between “tired, but can wake up” and “so tired that I can barely push the snooze button” 🙂

faith

What is your favorite Bible verse?

  • That’s hard to pick just one!! So, I’m sharing just a few that I frequently turn to.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
    • I love this one as it serves as a reminder that life isn’t promised to be easy. The Lord never promised that we would just float through life without troubles and hardships, however the hard times we face are never meant to destroy us. If we have the power of God within us (which we DO, if we’ve confessed that Jesus is Lord and that He died for the sins we commit), then we can rest in the assurance that He will be with us through literally everything. EVERYTHING.
  • Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you are working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”
    • I have this written on a sticky note that’s stuck to my computer screen at work, so I read it multiple times a day. When work feels mundane and when I feel unappreciated for what I do (mainly by patients that don’t care for any dietary help), I turn to this verse as encouragement. This might sound crazy and kinda dumb, but it makes me think: “How would I treat a patient if it was me? If it was my grandmother? But greatest of all – if it was Jesus?” Would I not want to give everything I have to make sure they prosper and are given the most thorough care? God created them, and He created me. However, this is also compleeetely relevant to school work, being a volunteer, being a stay at home momma, or any other type of work you are committed to while on this earth.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God in your body.”
    • Mmmmm, this one has been on my heart for about 7 years now, and it never fails to remind me to take care and honor my body, to feed it with healthy, nutritious foods, and give it regular exercise and physical activity. This isn’t to obtain the “picture perfect body”, but to take care of the body that the Lord gave me, so that I can go out and serve in His name without being held back by poor health. When I find myself getting distracted by worldly and personal reasons to workout, I turn to this verse to remind me it isn’t about me and my outward appearance.

Do you have a favorite devotional book?

  • It’s an app, but I LOVE First5 by Proverbs 31 Ministries. It goes through a book of the Bible with daily devotionals and personal applications, and also has a weekly recap video on Saturdays. You can make notes, bookmark days, and so much more. I’ve used it every single day since they started it back in 2015. You can also go back and do previous studies!
  • Additionally, there is an abundance of books that I’ve read by Christian authors that have helped to shape, mold, and draw my heart closer to Jesus: Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst, Love Does and Everybody Always by Bob Goff, Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst, Rooted by Banning Liebscher, The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, gods at war by Kyle Idleman, I’d Like You More if You Were More Like Me by John Ortberg, Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Warren, Wait and See by Wendy Pope, and Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller. 

What is your testimony??

  • Due to my long winded answer, this will be reserved for another, individual post. I will include the link when it is posted!

school/internship

How did you get interested in nutrition? How did you come to study nutrition?

  • The day that my first interest in nutrition sparked is still burned in my memory – February 8, 2009. I had eaten what felt like a whole sleeve of Oreos one night, and woke up the next morning and realized how they just didn’t make me feel great. I felt run down, sluggish, and just out of whack. I was by no means overweight at all, but began looking into “healthy eating” a bit deeper to find out what good nutrition could do for me, how well I could take care of my body…and I’ll be honest, how I could lose weight. I began searching online, digging into health and wellness magazines more (RDs write many of the articles in them!!), and committing more time to fitness outside of just my school sports. While I might not have started for the completely right reasons (i.e. a high school girl at a healthy weight that wanted to lose weight), my interest spurred what would become a genuine passion and endeavor for living a truly healthy lifestyle and taking care of myself – and wanting to encourage others to do the same! I found enjoyment in picking out healthy food options, and had several friends request that I make them a “meal plan” of healthy foods. I had no clue how to pursue a career in nutrition (why I didn’t ask an advisor, I don’t know…), so I went into college as an Exercise and Sport Science major, then switched to Health Promotion, before finally landing on Dietetics going into my junior year. I wrestled back and forth, trying to decide if the science classes would be worth it. I decided they were – I’d rather be miserable for a few years than feel complacent and wondering “what if” later on down the road. Needless to say, the few years of misery were well worth it – I’m getting to do what I did for fun 8 years ago 🙂

I want to know anything about school! How did you get into nutrition, schooling, and jobs after?

  • Schooling – I went to undergrad UGA, where we had a dietetics program. I changed my major a little late in the game (aka, going into junior year), so I had to play a little catch up and take summer classes, along with an extra fall semester. After graduating from undergrad, I went on to apply (and thankfully be accepted) to a dietetic internship. After completing that in May 2016, I applied to a PRN (aka “as needed”, or “fill in”) clinical dietitian job at a local hospital and got the job…which then turned into full-time within 2 months. That’s where I am now!

Can you talk about your DI and what your daily tasks are like as an RD at your current job? Overview on your DI? I’m transitioning into my internship, and I’m so nervous!

  • My DI – I completed a 10 month internship, where I have 14 weeks of clinical rotations, 8 weeks of community rotations, and 6 weeks of food service/management rotations. In my program, we also had a one month “intro” course in July, then followed up with meeting in class once a month with speakers and projects. In an internship, you are shadowing, and then eventually essentially doing, everything that the dietitian would do. I enjoyed my internship, but I won’t be around the bush — it definitely wasn’t the most “intense” or challenging one out there.
  • Daily tasks as an RD now – I work as a clinical acute care dietitian in a hospital, so I’m seeing patients that have been admitted to the hospital for some acute care condition. The bulk of patients I see are either dealing with heart failure, COPD, diabetes, GI problems, pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart problems and hypertension, and overweight/obesity complications. Additionally, I work with patients that require tube feeding or TPN (IV nutrition). For every patient, we calculate their estimated needs, take a look at the past medical history and what’s going on now, their weight status, medications, and then provide “medical nutrition therapy” and diet education while they are in the hospital.

How was your experience with schooling/internship?

  • I really enjoyed undergrad, for the most part. I thought the classes were interesting and as I got further into the program, I really paid attention to concepts more than I had before.
  • I had a good experience with my internship as well. My biggest complaint is that I wasn’t placed at a very large hospital during my clinical rotation, so I didn’t get to see a large number of high acuity patients and disease conditions, which has left me feeling a little inadequate at times in my job now.

Do you have any recommendations on where a student can volunteer with limited nutrition-related experience?

  • Food pantry or soup kitchen, join your school’s nutrition/dietetics club and they might have opportunities, virtual internships/volunteer opportunities with dietitians (I did this for Holley Grainger!!), don’t be afraid to ask to volunteer where you think you may be disqualified or inexperienced – you never know!!

work

What challenges have you encountered since you’ve started working as an RD?

  • Patients that just don’t care or have any desire to change. It’s much more common than having patients that DO care. That’s the beauty (read: harsh reality) of working as a dietitian in acute care. It can be disheartening and depressing; however, I try to focus on the patients that DO care, and aim to find at least one thing I can relate to with patients that don’t really care.

Is there anything that has happened that you didn’t expect or is it everything you hoped it would be?

  • Working as a clinical dietitian is a lot of sitting behind a computer, but I knew that going into the position. I don’t think anything has really surprised me, since I saw/experienced the gist of it during my internship. I won’t lie, it isn’t everything I hoped it would be, but it isn’t horrible! It’s a great learning experience, and I so enjoy the other dietitian I work with – coworkers are half the battle!

What do you plan to do with your RD?

  • I’m working as a clinical dietitian in a hospital right now, trying to focus on learning all I can and getting more experience in the field right now! I one day hope to have my own private practice and have a greater presence in the community around me.

What is your dream job as an RD?

  • Oh, my gosh. That’s a hard one. I get asked all the time, and truly I’m still not completely sure. I do know that I LOVE helping people live a healthier, better, more enjoyable life through food and fitness. I don’t like sitting at a computer, which I do for a large part of my work day now – I like to be active. Ideally, I’d love to intertwine nutrition and fitness together – whether that be opening up my own business, joining forces with other dietitians, or coming alongside a gym or fitness studio. I also love the general, healthy lifestyle realm – anywhere from nutrition education speaking engagements, working one on one with meal planning ideas and education pieces, to helping people realize and achieve their own health goals.

general

How do you prioritize with a busy schedule? How do you stay consistent with a busy schedule?

  • This is definitely where my Type A personality comes as an advantage! I look at my day split up into 30-60 minute chunks of time. I know I have work from 8-5, so I can go ahead and block out that time each day. Next, I prioritize my quiet time. I like to start my day off with at least 20-30 minutes, and I also end my day with 20 minutes. I always have small group on Monday evenings, and church on Tuesday evenings, so I also block of 6:00-9:00/10:00 for both of those evenings (that factors in driving time as well). I prioritize SLEEP- I try realllly hard to get 6 1/2 to 7 hours. I try to get in bed by 9:30-10; I wake up at 4:50 am on days that I workout in the morning.
  • Aside from my 8-5 work, I also use a planner and look at my weekly calendar at the beginning of each week to fill out any other additional work priorities, blog recipes, and other engagements/responsibilities I’ve got going on. I’m visual, so if things aren’t written out for me to see, I’ll forget.
  • I promise I prioritize friends and family, too, although not as much as I should. I see my friends in town on Monday and Tuesdays, and we’ll do something during the weekends. The majority of my friends all live in ATL (hi guys), so I keep up with them via phone or text. Same with my parents.

…and still keep up in faith?

  • See above 🙂 I love and greatly value starting off my day with some time reading my Bible and having some time to myself before I start the day. Likewise, I like to end my day the same way. I genuinely enjoy going to church during the week and on Sunday, so prioritizing those parts of my week isn’t even given a second thought.

How do you find time for insta, school, work, fitness, faith and life?

  • Well, thankfully I’m not in school anymore (well, for now), so that’s one less priority right now. Faith and work come first, fitness and life come second, then instagram. As I’ve started my full-time job, I’ve definitely dropped off the IG front more than I wish, but that’s just how my priorities fall. I LOVE connecting with everyone on IG and I love posting recipes and meals to inspire y’all, but I’m not as good at commenting and really connecting with other followers like I used to be. My days are busy!! I wake up and have quiet time, scoot to the gym, rush to work, get home and tend to any other activities/events I’ve got going on, then allot whatever time is left to IG. 

How do you stay motivated to keep eating healthy?

  • It’s really become a lifestyle that I enjoy and have really fallen into rhythm with. If I go a couple days “off the grid” or “cheat”, I feel sluggish and gross, both physically and mentally. I genuinely crave fresh foods, I have a desire to eat healthy, and I love knowing that I’m taking care of my body. It doesn’t just happen overnight though – I will admit that it may take your tastebuds a while to adjust, and to get in the habit of cooking more and eating out less!

What books, mags, blogs do you read to stay informed on all things nutrition? What are your trusted nutrition sources? I’ve heard many opinions on what the “best” is – like high carb/low fat diets, keto, etc., and it’s hard to know what to believe!

  • Okay, honesty hour: I’m a nerd in that I really do enjoy skimming over scientific articles for new research. I like to read books that are based on research from physicians and professionals in the field. I read blogs from other dietitians. I enjoy listening to podcasts as well.
  • Journals: International Journal of Sports Nutrition, Applied Physiology, Nutrition, & Metabolism; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition are three journals that I like to search around on when I’ve got time.
  • Books: I will admit, I haven’t really read any books related to health/nutrition lately! I’m always open to suggestions! 
  • Podcasts: The Cabral Concept; Health, Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Food Psych, Nourishing Women Podcast, and Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast are some of my favorite health/nutrition podcasts that I listen to for some up to date information, research and recommendations. 
  • I also still love magazines like Women’s Health, SELF, and Fitness – oftentimes they employ dietitians to write or contribute to pieces that are related to nutrition, so you can be certain the information is valid. These are a good way to keep up with current social “trends” that are big for the general public! 
  • Aside from reading on my own, I also love going to nutrition conferences to hear more about upcoming, cutting edge research, and I also complete Continuing Education courses (as all RDs are required to do!).

 

IF YOU’VE GOT ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, LEAVE THEM IN A COMMENT BELOW AND I’D LOVE TO ANSWER!!