Send Colleen a Text MessageThe impact of nutrition on wound healing cannot be overstated. The outcomes of a surgery are directly related to your patient's nutrition status prior to and after surgery. My guest and fellow Dietitian and PA, Erin Sherer, helps us understand the crucial role of nutrition and how we can help our patients on their road to recovery. Key Takeaways: Focus on these wound healing nutrients: Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc Amino Acids and Collagen Exploring ...

Send Colleen a Text MessageGet the FREE guide to interpreting Growth Charts here: In this episode, we dive deep into the world of pediatric growth charts with Kat, the Failure to Thrive Dietitian. We explore how to effectively use growth charts, identify red flags, and provide sensitive and practical advice to families dealing with underweight and overweight children.Key Takeaways:Understanding Growth Trends:Focus on trends over time rather than single data points.Significant changes in perce...

Send Colleen a Text MessageHave you ever been in the formula room in your clinic? Do you ever feel like it's a sea of names and, if you're being honest, you have no idea what you're looking at? I completely understand. When I first started in pediatrics, I felt the same way.On today's episode, we are simplifying the world of infant formulas. You'll understand the science behind standard infant formula, why there are so many different types, and how to choose a formula that's best for yo...

Send Colleen a Text MessageThis is part 2 of Ask the Dietitian: Cancer Nutrition. Today we welcome back Oncology PA, Dane Thomas and oncology Dietitian, Julie Lanford who continue the conversation about the crucial role of nutrition in cancer treatment and survivorship. As more individuals live beyond a cancer diagnosis, the importance of dietary interventions to prevent cancer recurrence is on everyone's mind. And patient's are asking:"what diet should I follow that will prevent my canc...

Send Colleen a Text MessageWelcome to a new format that I'll be bringing to the podcast occasionally. I call it, Ask the Dietitian, where I feature 2 guests. One is a medical professional with nutrition questions and the other is a Registered Dietitian ready to provide answers. Today's conversation is between Oncology PA Dane Thomas and oncology Dietitian Julie Lanford who discuss the crucial role of nutrition in cancer treatment and survivorship. They explore various dietary considerations a...

Send Colleen a Text MessageA gluten-free diet is the definitive treatment for patients with celiac disease, but it's not so easy to follow. Patients might ask you, "What foods can I eat?", "What can't I eat?", "Will a breadcrumb harm me?", "Do I have to eat like this forever?", "Should I take any vitamins?" Today I'm joined by Selena Devries, a Registered Dietitian specializing in celiac disease, to help us understand the gluten-free diet, the importance of preventing cross-contamination, and...

Send Colleen a Text Message"My baby spits up a lot!" What the mom is actually saying to you as the clinician: "I'm really worried! Is something wrong with her?" and what the dad is saying, "Please, make it stop. I'm sick of being covered in vomit." Infant reflux is one of the most common concerns during routine well checks. Today I'm joined by Registered Dietitian and pediatric nutrition expert Kristen Gooch to help us navigate infant reflux. Key Takeaways:Understanding Reflux: Learn about th...

Send Colleen a Text MessageLet's be real - getting a meal on the table after a long work day is so tough. Juggling an infant and a wiggly picky toddler makes the mealtime experience exhausting. But yet, study after study proves family meals are crucial to children's mental, physical and emotional heath. In today's episode, we're joined by Registered Dietitian Sarah Schlichter to explore practical tips for transforming family meals from stressful events into joyful experiences.Key Takeaw...

Send Colleen a Text MessageDo you think carbohydrates or dietary fat affect the liver more? Are there any liver superfoods that support liver function? Should patients do a liver cleanse? These are real questions patients ask when diagnosed with fatty liver. I'm joined by fellow PA/RD, Cassidy Mccandless, to breakdown the nutrition facts for fatty liver disease management. Key Takeaways:Focus on carbohydrates: Emphasize reducing added sugars and refined carbohydrates, while encouraging c...

Send Colleen a Text MessageDealing with unmotivated patients can be one of the most challenging aspects of our work as healthcare providers. For today’s episode, I’m going to challenge this thought: are our patients unmotivated or are they just having a hard time getting started? Changing habits is HARD. Change takes time, patience, and persistence. It’s easy for patient's to become overwhelmed when faced with a difficult task or one they think will be unpleasant. It’s human natur...

Send Colleen a Text MessageWhat is a Registered Dietitian and what do they do? Maybe when you think of a dietitian you think of the food police, spoiling all the fun. Or maybe you imagine a lady wearing a hair net serving hospital cafeteria food. Or maybe you think they'll just put your patient on a diet and hand them a meal plan. Can we even trust dietitians? Or are they all set outs, getting paid by Big Food to recommend highly processed foods?! To celebrate my 50th podcast episode (yay!), ...

Send Colleen a Text Message Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are key to reducing cancer risk. However, when patients are faced with a recent cancer diagnosis or are undergoing cancer treatment, they are looking for answers. With over 1.9 million new cancer cases in 2023, the chances that you will care for a patient with cancer or one who is in remission from cancer is pretty high. There’s a lot of confusion, thanks to social media influencers, around things like soy,...

Send Colleen a Text Message More than 1 in 37 children under age 5 in the United States have a pediatric feeding disorder.  Today, I'm joined by Bri, a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, to explore the common feeding challenges families face. We'll discuss the four domains of a pediatric feeding disorder and how one or all could be affecting a child's feeding skill. We also explain how to address gagging when introducing complementary foods and offer...

One in six couples struggle with fertility challenges. While determining the cause for infertility can be challenging, making the right diagnosis is crucial for proper treatment.  Chelsea Dishong, a Registered Dietitian with both professional expertise and personal experience,  joins us to explain the role of nutrition in overcoming infertility. With a particular focus on the misunderstood and often misdiagnosed condition of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA), in this episode, you'll learn the...

"Oh by the way, he's really picky. What do I do?" Does your heart sink when you hear this question? If we're being honest, does it make you want to roll your eyes? Navigating picky eating is a massive topic and is such a challenge in the pediatric world. In this episode, pediatric nutrition experts Colleen and Amber equip you with solutions to help overwhelmed parents of picky eaters. You'll learn practical tips, strategies, and food recommendations to help pediatricians empower families to...

I believe that for every setback there is an opportunity for both our patients and us to grow stronger and be more capable in the future. In today’s episode, we'll explore why diets fail and how we can help the patient refocus their mindset to learn that failures are an opportunity for growth. I’ll give you 10 ways to shift your patient’s mindset about themselves and their dieting journey. When patients find themselves stuck in a cycle of dieting failures, it's crucial for you to approach the...

I’d argue that postpartum is one of the most emotionally and physically challenging times in a woman’s life.  In this episode, we're joined by special guest, The Postpartum Dietitian, Taylor Leon, to tackle common myths surrounding post-baby body expectations and strategies to combat the pervasive "bounce-back" culture. We need to be advocating for self-care and embracing the unique postpartum journey for each of our patients. Key takeaways include: Shift the mindset: Foster self-love and...

Does the topic of nephrology and kidney function give you PTSD? For most of us in primary care, nephrology probably wasn’t your strong point in school. And even now in practice, if we’re being honest, we cringe if a patient asks us about a renal diet. What is a renal diet anyway? Is it the same as a kidney diet or a dialysis diet? Don’t worry friend, because today, I am joined by Renal Dietitian, Samantha Podob to break down the kidney diet and what role potassium, sodium and phosphorus have...

Help me make this podcast better. If you've got 30 seconds to answer 5 questions, you could win a $10 Amazon gift card .  According to James Clear, "bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change."  Today's episode will: Teach you how to guide your patients in creating a system for change, that will actually work. Show you how to lead your patient to set achievable goals. Learn the 7 traps of goal-setting...

“I realized the thing I was doing was going to be taken from me, and I felt out of control.” In this inspiring episode, we peak into the world of eating disorders, discovering the silent battles fought by patients behind closed doors. Hear of a brave young woman’s touching story of silence and secrecy to restoration and recovery. Her journey sheds light on this easy-to-miss disease to help clinicians reframe the way we talk about a patient’s diet and weight. This is a motivating story you...

1 in 36 children have autism. If you work in pediatrics, I can guarantee that you are faced with questions about selective eating and mealtime meltdowns. For today's episode, I brought the expert in feeding neurodivergent kids back on the podcast. Breta Alstrom provides useful strategies to help even the most cautious eater learn to try new foods. In this episode, you'll learn: How sensory progressions and food chaining can be used to expand the child's food preferencesWhat key...

What diet should I go on? Have your patients ever asked you this? As with most questions about nutrition, the answer, truly depends. Join me, Colleen Sloan, on the fifth episode of this 10-part series where I provide a review of the most common diets for weight loss. I'll help you determine which one would be appropriate for the patient sitting in front of you. If you're a primary care provider looking to enhance your nutrition counseling skills or simply seeking a refresher, join me as we...

In honor of American Heart Month, I am joined by Registered Dietitian, Michelle Rothenstein, to share invaluable insights and practical tips for healthcare providers to support patients with cardiovascular disease. From deciphering cholesterol levels to navigating popular diets like keto and carnivore, Michelle breaks down complex nutritional concepts into actionable advice. Key Takeaways: Understanding the nuances of cholesterol levels and how dietary choices impact heart health.Exploring...

Do parents ask you for advice for their picky eater? Do your patients say "yuck, I don't like that" when you suggest they try some broccoli? How would you answer a mom who says, "my child only eats 10 foods, what do I do?"  In this episode, Registered Dietitian, Veronica LaMarca, joins Colleen to discuss practical solutions for 5 of the most common nutrition challenges faced by parents and pediatricians dealing with picky eaters. Key Takeaways: Responding to "Yuck": Discover effective ways...