Dishing Up Nutrition

Are you getting enough potassium in your diet? Registered dietitian Alyssa Krejci explains why this essential electrolyte matters for heart health, blood pressure, muscle function, and fluid balance. Discover potassium-rich foods beyond bananas, simple ways to get more potassium through everyday meals, and what low or high blood potassium levels may mean for your health. Plus, learn why getting potassium from food is generally preferable to taking supplements without medical guidance.

Could unexplained itching, headaches, digestive issues, or reactions to certain foods be related to histamine? Registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explain the differences between histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), including common symptoms, potential triggers, and the role of nutrition. Learn which foods may be high in histamine, why freshness and food preparation matter, and how an individualized low-histamine diet can help identify triggers without unnecessarily restricting your food choices.

Is processed meat bad for your health, and are nitrate-free or uncured products actually better? Registered dietitian Amy Crum breaks down the connection between processed meat and colorectal cancer risk, explains why nitrates and nitrites are used, and clears up common misconceptions about food labels. Learn what to look for when buying bacon, sausage, and deli meat, how to choose less-processed protein options, and why your overall eating habits matter more than any single ingredient.

This week's episode is a nice change of pace! Less nutrition troubleshooting, more practical kitchen confidence, with Chef Marianne Jurayj sharing how to make healthy, home-cooked meals easier without sacrificing flavor.  Crockpots and Instant Pots solve different cooking problems: one lets you prepare dinner hours ahead and forget about it; the other can rescue dinner when you've forgotten to thaw the meat. And there are plenty of chefs' tricks along the way.

Can what you eat and drink affect POTS symptoms? Registered dietitian Teresa Wagner explains how nutrition can play a role in managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), including the importance of hydration, electrolytes, balanced blood sugar, and meal timing. Learn why smaller, more frequent meals may help, which foods and drinks can aggravate symptoms, and how to identify potential nutrient deficiencies while building an individualized nutrition plan.

What do nutritionists actually do when they feel a cold coming on? Registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent share the foods, supplements, and everyday habits they rely on during cold and flu season. Learn how protein, colorful vegetables, healthy fats, hydration, gut-supporting foods, and key nutrients can support immune health, plus simple meal ideas for when you’re already sick, and practical ways to prepare before the next bug hits.

Is canned meat healthy, or should you leave it on the shelf? Registered dietitian Britni Vincent explains how simple canned proteins like chicken, tuna, salmon, and sardines can be nutritious, convenient alternatives to fresh meat. Learn how to read ingredient lists, distinguish canned meat from ultra-processed products, compare sodium and packaging concerns, and choose healthy shelf-stable proteins that make balanced meals easier.

Could too much sugar make it harder for your body to fight off a cold or infection? Registered dietitians Leah Kleinschrodt and Teresa Wagner explain the connection between added sugar, elevated blood sugar, and immune function. Learn why whole fruit is different from sugary drinks, which nutrient-dense foods support your immune system, and practical ways to cut back on added sugar and nourish your body during cold and flu season.

Beef tallow is trending again, but is it actually healthier than butter or vegetable oil? Registered dietitian Brandy Buro breaks down the differences between tallow, lard, butter, ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, and other cooking fats. Learn why heat stability matters, how different fats fit into a healthy diet, and how to choose the right fat for roasting, sautéing, frying, or finishing your favorite real-food meals.

What should you eat during colon cancer treatment or after colon surgery? Licensed nutritionist Kara Carper and registered dietitian Brandy Buro explain how nutrition needs can change throughout treatment and recovery. Learn why protein and nutrient-dense foods are essential for maintaining strength and supporting healing, when a temporary low-fiber diet may be appropriate, and how to manage changing digestive symptoms, hydration, and appetite as your body recovers.

Vertigo can leave you feeling dizzy, unsteady, or like the room is spinning, but what might be causing it? Registered dietitian Caroline Wilcox explains common causes of vertigo and explores potential connections to vitamin D and other nutrient deficiencies, hormonal changes, thyroid health, blood sugar, hydration, and migraines. Learn how nutrition can support the systems involved in balance and what underlying factors may be worth investigating when vertigo keeps coming back.

Your body naturally produces GLP-1, a hormone that plays an important role in appetite, fullness, digestion, and blood sugar regulation. Registered dietitians Leah Kleinschrodt and Teresa Wagner explain how protein, fiber, healthy fats, and balanced meals can support your body’s natural appetite signals and help curb cravings. Learn practical ways to build satisfying meals, understand persistent hunger, and work with your body instead of relying on willpower alone.

What is our Nutrition 4 Weight Loss program really like? Registered dietitian Brandy Buro and nutrition educator Carol Bowman take you behind the scenes of our 12-week program, sharing what participants learn, what often surprises them, and the changes they experience beyond weight loss. Discover how real-food nutrition, practical education, accountability, and weekly support can help you build healthy habits that last!

PCOS has a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. Registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explain what the new name reveals about this complex hormonal and metabolic condition, including common symptoms, insulin resistance, irregular cycles, and fertility challenges. Learn how real-food nutrition and lifestyle changes can support blood sugar, metabolic health, and better symptom management.

Postpartum hair loss can be alarming, but is it normal, and can nutrition help? Registered dietitian Amy Crum explains why hair shedding often increases after pregnancy, when it may signal another issue, and how adequate calories, protein, iron, healthy fats, and other key nutrients support healthy hair growth. Plus, learn what breastfeeding moms should know about supplements and when it’s time to talk with a healthcare provider.

After struggling with unexplained symptoms and getting few answers, Marlys began to wonder whether food could be part of the problem. On this week's episode, she joins registered dietitian Melanie Beasley to share how identifying histamine intolerance and changing her diet helped her find lasting relief. Hear the practical strategies, support, and real-food habits that helped Marlys feel better and gave her the tools to maintain those changes five years later.

Do your protein needs change as you get older? Registered dietitian Brandy Buro explains why adults may need more protein as they age to maintain muscle, strength, and independence. Learn how much protein to aim for, why spreading it throughout the day matters, and how protein paired with strength training can support healthy aging, especially during and after menopause.

What makes grass-fed beef different, and does the way we raise cattle really matter? Registered dietitian Leah Kleinschrodt talks with Matt Maier of Thousand Hills about grass-fed versus grain-fed beef, confusing food labels, nutrition, regenerative grazing, and the health of soil and animals. Learn what to look for when buying beef and how more informed food choices can support your health, farmers, animals, and the environment.

Hitting an energy wall every afternoon? Registered dietitian nutritionist Caroline Wilcox explains how skipping lunch or eating an unbalanced meal can lead to blood sugar swings, brain fog, cravings, and the dreaded 3PM crash. Learn how a balanced lunch with protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbohydrates, plus hydration and a real break from your desk, can help you stay energized and focused all afternoon.

Does ADHD make eating feel harder than it should? ADHD can affect everything from hunger cues and meal planning to food fixations, cravings, sensory preferences, and food noise. Registered dietitians Leah Kleinschrodt and Teresa Wagner explain how simple strategies like consistent meal times and balanced nutrition can make eating more manageable while supporting steady energy, focus, and a well-fueled brain, without striving for perfection.

Feeling exhausted no matter how much you sleep? Registered dietitian Alyssa Krejci explains what people commonly call “adrenal fatigue” and how chronic stress, blood sugar swings, poor sleep, under-eating, and nutrient deficiencies may contribute to ongoing fatigue.

Learn how balanced meals, consistent eating, hydration, quality sleep, and key nutrients can support steady energy, a healthy stress response, and help you feel more resilient throughout the day.

If headaches or migraines keep disrupting your life, it may be time to look beyond the pain and ask what’s triggering them. Registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explore how blood sugar swings, dehydration, stress, sleep, hormones, food sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies may all contribute to recurring headaches and migraines.

Learn practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to help identify your personal triggers, reduce your “migraine load,” and support lasting relief.

What supplements actually help you sleep? Registered dietitian Amy Crum explains the science behind today's most popular sleep supplements, including magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, 5-HTP, melatonin, vitamin D, iron, and herbal blends.

You'll learn who may benefit from each option, key safety considerations, and how better sleep can improve your mood, energy, brain function, immune health, and weight-loss goals. Amy also explains why identifying the root cause of your sleep struggles is essential to achieving lasting, restorative sleep.

Where does your food really come from, and how can we help kids get excited about eating it? In this special episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Teresa Wagner sits down with the creators of the popular YouTube Kids channel Captain and Cat to explore how storytelling, music, and real farm adventures are inspiring children to learn about nutrition. From apple orchards and dairy farms to regenerative farming and seasonal eating, they discuss the people behind our food, why curiosity is the key to healthy habits, and how making nutrition fun can shape a child's relationship with food for life.<...

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Brandy Buro shares practical tips for shopping your local farmers market with confidence. Learn how to choose the freshest produce, what questions to ask local farmers, when organic matters most, and simple strategies to stretch your grocery budget while bringing home nutritious, seasonal foods your family will love.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explore why UTIs often return and how nutrition, gut health, blood sugar balance, and the vaginal microbiome all play a role. Learn why antibiotics alone may not prevent future infections, how certain foods and habits can increase your risk, and practical nutrition strategies to help support a healthier urinary tract. If recurring UTIs have left you frustrated, this episode offers a fresh perspective on addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms.

With so many peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower, and seed butters lining grocery store shelves, how do you know which one is actually the healthiest? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Britni Vincent explains what to look for on the ingredient label, which additives to avoid, and whether organic, refrigerated, or shelf-stable options are worth it. She also clears up common questions about protein, mold concerns, and the nutritional differences between nut and seed butters so you can confidently choose the best option for your family.

Bone loss doesn't begin in your senior years. In fact, it often starts decades earlier. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explain why women should start thinking about bone health long before menopause and how simple nutrition and lifestyle habits can make a lasting difference. They discuss the role of protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, magnesium, strength training, hormones, and more, while also debunking common myths about osteoporosis.

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Alyssa Krejci shares practical strategies for eating well on a budget without sacrificing nutrition. Learn how to plan meals, reduce food waste, shop smarter, and make affordable, nutrient-dense ingredients stretch throughout the week. Alyssa also shares her favorite budget-friendly meals, grocery staples, and simple tips for lowering food costs while still serving balanced, satisfying meals your family will enjoy. If rising grocery prices have you feeling overwhelmed, this episode is full of realistic solutions you can start using today.

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-judgme...

Seasonal allergies can make it hard to enjoy everything summer has to offer, but did you know your diet may help influence how severe your symptoms feel? Registered dietitian Amy Crum explains how nutrition can support a healthier immune response and help calm inflammation during allergy season. She shares the best foods to include, which foods may make symptoms worse, the role of histamine, and key supplements that may provide natural allergy support. 

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...

Confused by all the different calcium supplements on the shelf? You're not alone. This episode of Ask a Nutritionist explains who may benefit from a calcium supplement, how to know if you're getting enough calcium from food, and the key differences between the most common forms of calcium. Whether you're trying to prevent bone loss, support osteopenia or osteoporosis, or simply make a more informed supplement choice, this episode will help you confidently navigate the supplement aisle.

Fiber is having a moment, but it's much more than a trend. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitians Leah Kleintrot and Teresa Wagner explain why fiber is essential for healthy digestion, balanced blood sugar, gut health, appetite control, heart health, and long-term wellness. They break down the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber, how much you really need each day, and why most people fall far short of the recommended amount.   You'll also discover the best real food sources of fiber, practical ways to increase your intake without digestive discomfort, and why whole foods often beat processed "h...

Looking for a healthy summer meal that actually keeps you full? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Teresa Wagner shares her favorite strategies for building high-protein salads that support steady energy, balanced blood sugar, and lasting satisfaction. She explains why many salads leave people hungry an hour later, how much protein you really need at a meal, and simple ways to create delicious, nutrient-dense salads using convenient ingredients.

Feeling bloated, puffy, or uncomfortable during the summer months? You're not alone. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explain why bloating and water retention often become more common during hot weather and how factors like dehydration, excess sodium, alcohol, summer treats, travel, and blood sugar swings can all contribute. They break down the difference between bloating, water retention, and actual body fat gain, while sharing practical strategies to help you feel lighter, more comfortable, and energized.

Looking for healthier snack ideas your kids will actually eat this summer? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Alyssa Krejci shares practical, kid-friendly snack ideas that support steady energy, better moods, hydration, and growing bodies.

From pool days and sports tournaments to summer camps and busy afternoons at home, Alyssa explains how to build balanced snacks with protein, healthy fats, and real food carbohydrates while reducing reliance on sugary snacks and drinks. She also shares simple strategies for making healthy foods more visible, accessible, and appealing to kids, plus fun ways to get children i...

Are today's kids facing more health challenges than previous generations? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explore the growing impact of ultra-processed foods on children's health and why nutrition habits formed early in life can influence health for decades to come. They discuss the rise in childhood obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, mood disorders, digestive issues, and other chronic health concerns, while explaining how blood sugar balance, protein, healthy fats, and real food can support better energy, focus, mood, and long-term wellness. Parents will also walk away with practical, realistic strategies for helping children...

Feeling exhausted, anxious, dizzy, or noticing more hair loss than usual? Low ferritin could be the missing piece. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Leah Kleinschrodt explains what ferritin is, why it matters, and why many people, especially women, can experience symptoms of iron deficiency even when their standard iron labs appear "normal."

Do you rely on caffeine, sugar, or energy drinks just to make it through the day? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explore one of the most common complaints they hear from clients: constant fatigue. They explain how blood sugar imbalances, skipping meals, too many processed carbohydrates, dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and even alcohol can drain your energy and leave you stuck in a cycle of crashes and cravings.