Sound Bites With Melissa Joy Dobbins

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 of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University. He is a regular guest on NBC and the Dr. Oz Show, bringing science and practical advice to the public. He is the Deputy Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dietary Supplements, editor of six academic textbooks, an author of over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, and author of the new popular cookbook, Sizzling Science. Dr. Taylor has been a paid consultant to Atkins. Visit the shownotes at www.SoundBitesRD.com/127 for more information. Resources: Dr. Taylor Wallace’s: NEW Cookboo

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, disinformation is deliberate and manipulative. In order to engage in more productive conversations, we need to 1) learn to listen better in order to find common ground, 2) employ storytelling to share important information and create a sense of wonder, and 3) be truly respectful of others’ thoughts and feelings. Today's guest is Janice Person, the online engagement director for Bayer Crop Science. She's a city girl turned 'agvocate' who has learned effective ways to engage in conversations online and offline, and connect people involved in farming and food.  “When I listen to people talk about food, it’s really easy to want to re

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 improve your health, and to get yourself in better shape than ever. Tune in to learn about concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of, or even reverse, prediabetes and diabetes with my guest, Jill Weisenberger - dietitian, diabetes educator and 4-time author. Prediabetes: A Complete Guide - Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses", will lead you through dozens of concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle reset, this comprehensive guide will allow you t

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, straightforward dialogue that speaks to their emotional food drivers and gets to the root of what all fruits and vegetables are – plants. Tune in to hear from Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, dietitian and CEO of PBH, about the exciting new campaign and how you can join the movement. Shownotes & Resources: www.SoundBitesRD.com/123

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 effects of bioactive compounds in foods on bone health. This episode is sponsored by Sunsweet Growers. Shownotes & Resources: www.SoundBitesRD.com/122 

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 depression, social anxiety, and psychological distress. Gary Foster, PhD, is the Chief Scientific Officer at WW, a psychologist, obesity investigator, behavior change expert and author of scientific publications and books. Shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/121 

“Assessing the health impact of the way we eat is exceedingly difficult and I think we need to be careful about recommendations that are based on science that is not all that solid. Making conclusions about what we should or should not eat based on dietary patterns is overly simplistic….and may actually be deleterious if we cut out all refined grains from our diet.” - Dr. Glenn Gaesser Glenn Gaesser, PhD is an exercise physiologist and the author of a study recently published in Advances in Nutrition journal: "Refined Grains and Health: Genuine Risk, or Guilt by Association?" Tune in to hear what the research really says about whole grains, refined grains and indulgent grains, plus recommendations for grain intake that are likely different from what you've been hearing. Full shownotes and resources at: www.SoundBitesRD.com/120 

"Pseudoscience can be a powerful weapon in the hands of those who know how to exploit it, primarily because it can sound so credible. This is especially true for food. Unfortunately, the demarcation between pseudoscience and science isn’t as black and white as some would like to believe." Kavin Senapathy is a writer and public speaker covering science, health, parenting and the intersection of these topics. She's also the co-founder of SciMoms, whose goal is to advocate for science and evidence-based parenting, and the co-host for the Center for Inquiry's Point of Inquiry podcast. Tune in as we discuss food, pseudoscience and tips for separating the credible wheat from the questionable chaff. Full shownotes here: www.SoundBitesRD.com/119 

Who we are is shaped by how we see the world, whether that is our faith, our community, our family. They all create our culture - and culture is not limited to race, geographic location, or socioeconomic status. Understanding someone’s culture can help you support them in making lasting health behavior changes. You do not need to be an expert in world religions to allow faith to be a part of your conversation around health and nutrition. Zach Cordell is a dietitian, professor, speaker, host of The Latter-day Saint Nutritionist podcast, and author of The Creation Code. We discuss food, nutrition, faith, science, culture, family and behavior change. Get the full shownotes at www.SoundBitesRD.com/118 

Snacking, once culturally taboo, is now a legitimate pattern of eating, changing the way we eat and how we are nourished. 50% of all eating occasions are snacks, and consumers have greater expectations for snacks – seeking nourishment, optimization and pleasure. Dr. Shelley Balanko is Senior Vice President with The Hartman Group, a food culture consultancy. In this episode, we explore all things snacking, including when people are snacking, what kinds of snacks they are consuming, the motivation for snacking, and snacking preferences. For more info and resources: www.SoundBitesRD.com/117 

“Everyone is different, therefore different approaches to weight management, or an overall healthy lifestyle, are to be expected.” - Courtney McCormick, MPH, RDN, LDN, Manager of Clinical Research and Nutrition at Nutrisystem.  Nutrigenomics is the study of how genes and diet interact to influence the way nutrients cause an individual’s body to function. According to research, the human body contains about 20,000 – 25,000 genes.  It is important to understand what health and weight loss strategies work best for you. Genetic testing can be used to recommend different strategies that may help you make more informed choices and achieve outcomes that contribute to overall health. Courtney McCormick is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a master’s degree in public health. Currently, she serves as the Manager of Clinical Research and Nutrition at Nutrisystem. In this role, she helps support the nutritional strategy and clinical research for both the Nutrisystem and South Beach Diet brands. Courtney has focus

Delve into the science, the psychology and the strategies behind good food and nutrition with Melissa, the Guilt-Free RD® - "because food shouldn't make you feel bad!" Melissa is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator. She has conversations with experts including researchers, academics, authors, dietitians and more on topics such as healthy diets, weight management, diabetes, agriculture, sustainability and more. Get credible information to help you make your own, well-informed nutrition decisions based on facts, not fear. For more information: www.SoundBitesRD.com   

Too many people fail in the pursuit of a "perfect" diet. So let's ditch perfection and focus on a diet that is "good enough" - one that helps keep you healthy but also allows you to enjoy your life.  Monica Reinagel is a licensed nutritionist, chef, and host of the Nutrition Diva podcast. Tune in to hear about her Nutrition GPA™ app and 30-Day Nutrition Upgrade™ program. For more info & resources visit: www.SoundBitesRD.com/115 

“No one should have to give up their ethnic food because they have diabetes. A registered dietitian can teach them how to incorporate heritage foods into their diet.” – Constance Brown-Riggs, an award-winning registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and the author of 3 books including her latest book, the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World. In this episode, Briggs shares tips and resources to help decrease the cultural divide between people with diabetes and healthcare providers. For more info & resources visit: www.SoundBitesRD.com/114

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is one of the most beloved and vilified ingredients in American history. Tune into this 3-part series on MSG & Umami to learn about the history, science and culinary applications from 4 different experts. Today’s episode features Chef Chris Koetke and Dr. Tia Rains. They discuss the past and current research on MSG and the culinary applications of MSG and umami. For more information and resources visit www.SoundBitesRD.com/113

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is one of the most beloved and vilified ingredients in American history. Tune into this 3-part series on MSG & Umami to learn about the history, science and culinary applications from 4 different experts. Today’s episode features registered dietitian Mary Lee Chin who shares insight into MSG’s connection to Asian heritage and health topics – including the question of headaches. For more information and resources visit www.SoundBitesRD.com/112

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is one of the most beloved and vilified ingredients in American history. Tune into this 3-part series on MSG & Umami to learn about its history, science and culinary applications from 4 different experts. Today’s episode features Sarah Lohman, a culinary historian and author of ‘Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine’. She shares how and why history has influenced our perceptions of MSG. For more information and resources visit www.SoundBitesRD.com/111

Amy Myrdal Miller is a culinary dietitian and farmer's daughter who has lived well with Type 1 diabetes for 40 years. She shares her insight and advice about the safety and culinary applications of low- and no-calorie sweeteners. “Low calorie sweeteners provide options for people with diabetes. Do you have to use them? No. But doing so gives you the opportunity to ‘spend your carbohydrates’ in other ways.” – Amy Myrdal Miller For more information and resources visit www.SoundBitesRD.com/110. 

With all the conflicting information about which foods to eat, which exercise regime is best, and how much sleep to get, becoming “healthy” can feel like an overwhelming chore or even an impossible feat. But it is possible to become healthier—all it takes is a closer look at what really matters and focusing your time and energy where it will benefit you the most. Dr. Nair’s book, Healthier You, breaks down a healthy lifestyle into proven, specific actions that make an actual difference, so you can ignore all of the expensive, time-consuming, inconvenient, and sometime dangerous practices and products that don’t.  Get more information and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/109.