The Ultra Processed Foods Debate: Are They Causing Negative Health Outcomes? Research on ultra-processed foods (UPF) has greatly increased over the past few years as has media coverage on the topic. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) will address the scientific question: “What is the relationship between dietary patterns with varying amounts of ultra-processed foods and growth, body composition, and risk of obesity.” Tune into this episode with Dr. Joanne Slavin to...

This Sound Bites® Podcast episode is sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and Wendy Bazilian is a paid partner for the California Walnut Commission. Food trends ebb and flow but eating a plant-based diet has continued to trend and is likely to stick around for years to come. However, what exactly does a plant-based diet mean? What foods fit? And do people really understand how to implement it and reap the benefits? We will discuss the latest research on the effects that simple...

From Seed to Spoon Part Two Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company. Steven Dominguez and Danielle Dalheim are employees of Quaker’s parent company, PepsiCo. This episode will explore Quaker’s oat milling technology as well as the culinary versatility of oats, encouraging listeners to think beyond the breakfast bowl.  Tune into this episode with guests Chef Steven Dominguez and Dietitian Danielle Dalheim to learn about: ·       an overview of the oat milling...

From Seed to Spoon Part One Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company of which today’s guests, Kristin Stewart and Di Wu, are employees of its parent company, PepsiCo. This episode will dive into Quaker’s agricultural science expertise and industry leadership to breed new varieties of oats that deliver on nutrition, taste and sustainability. Tune into this episode with guests Dr. Di Wu and Dr. Kristin Stewart to learn about: ·       an overview of the...

Global communications consultancy Ketchum recently published a wide-ranging research study on the attitudes and beliefs of Gen Z about food. The report, “The Gen Z Say/Eat Gap,” expands on Ketchum’s legacy of food insights, intelligence and landmark research and provides guidance for food companies and communicators on how to connect with Gen Z successfully. Ketchum’s research also looked at Gen Z RDs and nutrition students and identified differences in motivations, preferences and behaviors...

The Truth About Diet, Weight & Fertility  While there are many factors that affect fertility, diet is one of the few things that we can modify. Various nutritious dietary patterns have been linked to improved natural conception and fertility treatment outcomes, and none of those diets restricts gluten, soy, dairy, or specific food groups. For those who are trying to conceive, or who are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding or managing conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis, dietary and...

This episode delves into the heart of modern farming with a goal of being more critical of sensational headlines. Join us as we explore the complexities of agriculture, separating fact from fiction by debunking myths and shedding light on the nuanced realities that shape the food production system today. Whether you’re a seasoned ag enthusiast or just curious about where your food comes from, this episode aims to help guide your understanding of the truths behind modern farming and...

The Mediterranean Diet has gained widespread recognition for its health benefits, supported by decades of medical research. However, many misconceptions about the diet persist. Tune into this episode to learn about the Mediterranean diet/lifestyle including: ·       the history ·       diet pillars ·       common misconceptions ·       health benefits ·       research studies ·       culinary aspects ·       success stories ·       incorporating cultural foods ·      ...

The Science Behind Intermittent Fasting for Weight Management and Health Outcomes Intermittent fasting (IF) diets are rising in popularity and more human clinical trials are being conducted to determine their safety and efficacy. The most studied forms of intermittent fasting to date include alternate day fasting (‘fast day’ alternating with ‘feast days’), the 5:2 diet (two fast days and five feast days per week), and time-restricted eating (only eating within a specific window of time each...

Imagine having type 1 diabetes, taking insulin and not being able to monitor your blood glucose levels at home until that technology was developed and made available to you thirty years after your diagnosis. Today’s episode is a candid conversation with my best friend’s mom, Jeanine, about living with type 1 diabetes for over 65 years. She’s seen a lot of changes in diabetes treatment and management during that time – but says that she never felt like she couldn’t do something because she...

EPA+DHA Research: Diabetes, Cognition, Depression and Anxiety Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are important nutrients that play crucial roles in supporting healthy hearts, brains, eyes, joints, inflammation, as well as mental health. They also play an important role in fetal brain and eye development and reducing the risk of early preterm birth. However, 95 percent of Americans – and 80 percent of people worldwide – are not...

Protein Quality, Nutrient Bioavailability & A Global Perspective on Animal Agriculture While plant-source foods provide important nutrients in our diets, animal-source foods contain more bioavailable sources of multiple critically needed macro- and micronutrients that can contribute to proper physical and cognitive growth of children. In rural parts of developing countries, these animal-source foods are vital for preventing undernutrition and allowing proper growth and brain development...

A considerable amount of misinformation exists about food allergies among the public and health professionals alike. This episode delves into the prevalence and pathophysiology of food allergies, emphasizing the difference between self-reported and diagnosed cases, with around 6% of both U.S. adults and children affected. The immune-mediated nature of food allergies and the various types of reactions they can trigger are discussed as well as the importance of clinical correlation with test...

Seed oils are often attributed to negative health effects due to their prominence in ultraprocessed foods and misunderstood science. Seed oils are a primary source of essential polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs: omega-6s and omega-3s) and are encouraged in most dietary patterns. However, the typical American diet is higher in omega-6s than is recommended, and while adults are generally meeting the recommendation for omega-3 intake, new evidence indicates we may benefit from a higher amount.  ...

Join Melissa and her editor/producer and friend Jon A. Gay aka “JAG in Detroit” as they discuss some exciting milestones and the back story on the Sound Bites® Podcast. Tune into this episode to learn about: How and why Melissa started the podcast over 8 years ago Jon’s background in radio and how he transitioned into the podcast space How Jon and Melissa met and started working together Some fun bloopers and outtakes Trending topics and most popular episodes Challenges and other podcast...

The newly released "Cooking à la Heart" is a cookbook aimed at promoting better health through simple, delicious recipes. Co-author and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Amy Myrdal Miller, who has managed Type 1 diabetes for over 45 years, emphasizes a flavorful approach to heart healthy eating patterns. Amy’s culinary passion and conviction that cooking doesn’t have to be difficult, boring or time-consuming is evident throughout the book. Tune into this episode to learn about: ·      ...

New Technology Supports Behavior Change in Hypertension Management Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the most common modifiable cause of death in the world and affects 1.3 – 1.4 billion people worldwide including almost 50% of people over the age of 65. Consistently controlling blood pressure over time is the most crucial element in minimizing the risks of blood pressure driven diseases such as stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, cognitive decline, vision loss,...

Beyond Traditional Nutrients: The Role of the Food Matrix on Health According to new research conducted by the University of Kansas Medical Center, just three cups of dairy milk a day can increase the brain’s level of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the brain from some of the damage that accompanies aging and aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  Tune into this episode to learn about: ·       The term “food matrix” and it’s role in health ...

A new paper published in the Journal of Nutrition addresses mis- and disinformation in food science and nutrition and how this impacts practitioners and the public. The introduction and expansion of social media has created opportunities for credible health professionals but also challenges in that self-proclaimed experts use this platform to get attention, grow their brands and ultimately, spread mis- and disinformation. This episode sheds light on the attention economy, where stories,...

Blood Sugar Management: More Than Just Carbohydrates Blood sugar management is crucial for people with diabetes, and balanced meals and snacks are key for people with diabetes, prediabetes and even those at risk for diabetes. Many people think carbohydrate foods and sugar are the only dietary factors involved, and often focus on what to limit or eliminate from their diets in order to manage blood sugar. The truth is that incorporating other important nutrients into your meals and snacks can...

An Inclusive and Diverse Way to Think About Healthy Eating There is a growing disconnect between mainstream notions of “healthy” foods and the fact that traditional, cultural foods can be, and often are, inherently nutritious. This narrow view of healthy eating is misguided at best, with traditional foods often being left out of the conversation or even demonized. When you consider a more inclusive and diverse way to think about healthy eating, you realize the importance of exploring and...

Nutrition and obesity-related research are scientific topics which should be executed with the same degree of rigor, transparency, and truthful communication as in any other area of science. However, this type of research may be weaker than it should be due to flaws in the types of questions asked, the design of studies, the execution of studies, the analysis of resulting data, the interpretation and communication of studies and results. This weakens the overall quality of the literature...

Reducing food waste at home has multiple benefits: you’ll stretch your food budget to save money, time, and potentially even boost your nutrition, all while supporting a healthy planet. A flexitarian eating style can help reduce food waste because you have more flexibility to eat and enjoy all types of foods and to use up leftover foods in a variety of creative ways. This 3-part podcast series discusses the benefits of flexitarian eating and its intersection with promoting a healthier...

Diet culture emphasize thinness over health and equates weight loss and thinness as superior - both physically and morally - which leads people to spend time, money and mental effort towards achieving the “ideal body.” A healthy relationship with food on the other hand is free from diet rules about what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat and allows you to eat all foods in a way that feels good for your body. This balanced and flexible approach to food fits perfectly in the flexitarian...