Dishing Up Nutrition

Cold and flu season doesn’t have to mean endless sick days! In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, licensed nutritionist Kara Carper and registered dietitian Brandy Buro unpack common immunity myths and share what really works to keep your body strong. They highlight the everyday foods and lifestyle habits that build lasting immune resilience. Tune in for practical, real-food strategies that support your health year-round.

Intermittent fasting is everywhere right now - on podcasts, social media, and in books - but is it right for you? In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, Leah Kleinschrodt, registered dietitian at Nutritional Weight & Wellness, breaks down the research, shares real-world insights from her clients, and explains the potential benefits and drawbacks of different fasting methods.

Tired of the 5:30 p.m. dinner scramble? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians (and busy moms) Leah Kleinschrodt and Teresa Wagner share tips to make healthy weeknight meals doable. From quick meal planning and smart grocery shortcuts to batch-cooking proteins, sheet-pan suppers, and even fun "snackle-box" dinners, you’ll get practical ideas to feed your family well without the stress.

Amino acids are more than just a fitness buzzword - they’re the building blocks your body needs for muscle, mood, energy, and recovery. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietician Teresa Wagner explains the difference between essential and non-essential amino acids, how to meet your protein needs through real food, and when supplements like whey protein, collagen, or creatine might be helpful. Learn how amino acids support your metabolism, immune system, sleep, and more, and walk away with practical guidelines to fuel your body at any age.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Brandy Buro answer the top questions about prostate health, from why so many men struggle with frequent urination as they age to how inflammation, belly fat, and hidden estrogens play a role. They share simple food swaps, key nutrients, and supplement support to help protect the prostate, balance hormones, and improve quality of life — starting as early as your 30s. 

Bone broth has made quite the comeback - and for good reason! In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietician Britni Vincent explains why this nutrient-dense, time-tested food is more than just stock. From gut health and joint support to improved sleep and glowing skin, she discusses the numerous benefits of bone broth and collagen, then addresses listener questions about reusing bones, selecting a high-quality powdered broth, and creating nourishing broth from leftover rotisserie chicken. If you’ve been curious about bone broth or want practical tips to get more out of your cooking, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent share how true health goes far beyond the number on the scale. They share the real wins their clients experience — better sleep, steady energy, fewer cravings, clearer skin, less pain, improved mobility, and even stronger lab results. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by a stubborn scale, this conversation will help you recognize and celebrate the powerful non-scale victories that show your body is healing from the inside out.

If you’ve been noticing thinning hair, extra shedding in the shower, or even patchy hair loss, your body may be sending you a message about your gut. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietitian Brandy Buro explores the connection between gut health and hair health, explaining how issues like poor digestion, nutrient malabsorption, leaky gut, and chronic inflammation can all disrupt the hair growth cycle. She shares practical steps to support both your gut and your hair through real food, targeted supplements, and lifestyle strategies, while also discussing when testing or professional support may be needed. 

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, we’re making meal prep a breeze! Join dietitian Brandy Buro as she chats with her client Kristen, who reveals how she transformed her cooking routine into something simple and efficient. Discover how Kristen streamlined her process to save time and maintain consistency with real-food meal preparation strategies. She shares her journey of planning balanced, gluten-free meals and shares how she incorporates meal prep into her weekly rhythm with practical tips that make healthy eating feel attainable and sustainable. Whether you’re just starting out with meal prep or seeking fresh ideas, this episode is packed with realistic strategies to help you reduce stress, eat healthier, and seamlessly fit nutrition into your everyday life. Tune in and get inspired!

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Britni Vincent explains why zinc is essential for everything from immune strength and skin health to digestion, hormones, and even mood. You'll learn surprising signs of deficiency - like white spots on nails, poor wound healing, or changes in taste and smell - and learn how stress, gut health, and certain medications can lower your zinc levels. You’ll also learn the best food sources, when supplementation makes sense, and how small changes can make a big difference in your overall health.

Struggling with disruptive diarrhea? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, our dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent dive into the real food solutions that can help improve your gut health and restore your confidence. From the roles of gluten and dairy to sugar, medications, and probiotics, they break down the hidden culprits and practical steps to heal your digestive system. Whether you’re dealing with occasional urgency or chronic diarrhea, this conversation will give you hope and strategies to get your gut and your life back on track.

Do smoothies destroy fiber and nutrients, or are they a healthy way to get more fruits and vegetables? In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, registered and licensed dietitian Alyssa Krejci explains whether blending breaks down fiber, how smoothies compare to juicing, and what oxidation actually means for nutrient loss. She also shares practical tips for making balanced, high-fiber smoothies with protein, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies so you can enjoy them as a meal, snack, or even dessert.

In this uplifting episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitian Leah Kleinschrodt sits down with Mike and Marcia, two of our clients who share how small nutrition changes made a big impact on their lives. Hear about how they learned to stabilize their macular degeneration with real food, their shared stories of cochlear implants, and how they learned the value of working together toward their health goals.

Magnesium is essential for hundreds of functions in the body, but with so many supplement forms out there, how do you choose the right one? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietician Britni Vincent breaks down the differences between magnesium glycinate, citrate, chloride, and more. You’ll also learn about food sources, common deficiency signs, and why magnesium supports everything from sleep and relaxation to digestion and brain health.

Tired of being tired? Dietitians Britni Vincent and Brandy Buro share the real-food fixes and simple lifestyle tweaks that can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed. From balancing blood sugar to cutting late-day caffeine, plus smart supplement tips, this episode gives you the tools to finally get the restful sleep you deserve.

In this fresh and practical episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitian Britni Vincent, chef and culinary educator Marianne Jurayj, and licensed nutritionist Elizabeth Leppart share their favorite tips for shopping at local farmers' markets. From choosing vendors and identifying the best produce to easy meal prep ideas and family-friendly ways to get kids excited about vegetables, this episode is packed with inspiration for making real food simple, flavorful, and affordable. Whether you’re new to the farmers’ market or a weekly regular, you’ll walk away with recipes, smart shopping strategies, and a reminder that real food matters, especially when it’s fresh and local.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, our licensed nutritionist, Kara Carper, talks with special guest Kathy Irving about her real-life journey through perimenopause, gut issues, and sugar sensitivity. Hear how real food and our classes here at Nutritional Weight & Wellness helped her turn things around, and how small, consistent changes made a big impact. Whether you're just starting to explore real-food nutrition or looking for relatable inspiration to stay on track, this episode is full of real talk, actionable takeaways, and encouragement.  

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin," but for something so essential, most of us don’t get enough. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietitian Brandy Buro breaks down everything you need to know about vitamin D: why it matters, how to get enough, and how to understand your lab results. If you’ve ever wondered how much is too much (or whether that midwestern winter is messing with your levels) this episode is your go-to guide for staying in the sweet spot, all year long.

We’ve all heard that alcohol affects everyone differently, but did you know that women are biologically more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects than men? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitians Britni Vincent and Melanie Beasley dive into the science of how alcohol impacts women’s hormones, metabolism, sleep, bone health, and risk for disease—even at lower levels of drinking. You’ll hear eye-opening statistics along with practical, compassionate guidance for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol - so whether you're sober-curious, cutting back, or simply want to make more informed choices, this episode offers non-judgmental support, science-backed insights, and realistic tools for better health.

Looking for summer dessert ideas that won’t send your blood sugar soaring? In this episode, dietitian Amy Crum shares her top 10 favorite real-food summer treats, like protein whipped cream with fresh fruit, cottage cheese chocolate pudding, peanut butter banana bites, homemade popsicles, yogurt bark, fruit crisps, and more. Learn how to enjoy sweet snacks at gatherings or at home, all while keeping your energy steady and cravings in check. Plus, get tips for cool, refreshing summer drinks that satisfy without a sugar crash. Perfect for anyone wanting delicious, easy, blood sugar-friendly desserts for the hottest days of the year!