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Diabetes and Nutrition: What’s New in the 2026 ADA Standards of Care
March is near and dear to my heart. Not only does it include several family birthdays, it’s also National Nutrition Month! Established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month encourages the public to learn more about making informed food choices and developing sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” highlights how nutrition has the power to help individuals and communities thrive. It also plays an important role in cardiometabolic health and chronic disease prevention. To celebrate the month, I’ll be taking a closer look at updated nutrition recommendations in the American…
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From Checklists to Practice: Reframing Behavior Change in Clinical Care
I recently read a quote from James Clear that felt timely. In summary, he writes that many meaningful parts of life cannot be finished. Work, exercise, parenting, marriage. The goal is not to be done, but to settle into a daily lifestyle you can sustain and make steady progress within. It made me reflect on how often our patients approach health with a finite mindset. They want the checklist. The meal plan. The workout. The medication adjustment. Something to complete so they can feel done. But health is not a project with an endpoint. There will always be another meal,…
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Three Takeaways from the Colorado Food as Medicine Summit
Now in its third year, the Colorado Food Is Medicine Summit, hosted by Project Angel Heart and Kaiser Permanente, is a one-day event that brings together leaders, practitioners, and advocates to explore innovative programs, share research, and build sustainable solutions that place nutrition at the center of care. For me, it was a valuable opportunity to learn from experts in the field and to reconnect with clinicians, community health advocates, and organizations engaged in similar work, including many familiar faces. After a full day of conversation, here are three key takeaways that stood out to me and highlight how this…
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My Thanksgiving Menu (From a Dietitian Who Can’t Cook)
It’s true. I’m a dietitian who can’t really cook. That doesn’t stop me from trying, of course. Just be warned: I rarely taste as I go, and I almost never follow directions. I like to live on the wild side. So with that in mind, here’s what I’m preparing for Thanksgiving this year!
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How GLP-1s Are Reshaping Consumer Behavior
It’s been about a month since FNCE 2025 in Nashville, and I’m still sifting through my notes and revisiting the sessions I loved. One that stood out was the panel “The GLP-1 Effect: Understanding Consumer Behavior Shifts and Their Impact on Food, Nutrition, and Innovation.” The sheer scale of GLP-1 adoption and the depth of the data presented were striking. What made the session even more compelling was its interdisciplinary perspective, bringing together insights from industry leaders, physicians, RDs, and AI-generated consumer modeling. GLP-1 medications are reshaping metabolic health, culture, consumer expectations, and the future of the food landscape. Here…
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Is Full-Fat Dairy Back on the Table?
I’d be lying if I said the thought of drinking milk didn’t make my stomach grumble, and not in a good way. Admittedly, I’m one of the growing number of Americans who has mostly phased dairy out of my routine (for the comfort of myself and those around me; if you know, you know). But that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed the rising trend of full-fat dairy products popping up on store shelves and social feeds. After what feels like decades of low-fat everything, including yogurt, dips, buttery spreads, and salad dressings, we seem to have come full circle, welcoming…
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How Virtual Dietitians Are Expanding Access to Diabetes Care
For years, nutrition support has been an essential but underutilized part of diabetes care. Despite strong evidence that medical nutrition therapy improves outcomes, many people with diabetes have faced challenges accessing consistent, high-quality guidance from registered dietitians. That’s beginning to change. Virtual care is breaking down long-standing barriers, making it easier to connect with dietitians in timely, flexible, and personalized ways. As a result, virtual dietitians are helping close critical gaps in care, and nutrition counseling is becoming more central and more accessible than ever before.
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Goodbye BMI? Why Body Composition Is Gaining Ground in Clinics
The rise of incretin-based therapies for obesity care, like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), has brought renewed attention to the risk of muscle atrophy that can accompany rapid weight loss. To better assess changes in skeletal muscle mass, clinicians are turning to body composition assessment tools to track progress over time. However, the ability to measure, interpret, and communicate changes in body composition is a skill most clinicians haven’t been formally trained in, leaving many feeling like it’s not a tool they can confidently use. I want to push back against that assumption and offer some basic principles to help…
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GLP-1 Success Starts with Dietitian Leadership
It should come as no surprise that a large part of the success with incretin-based therapies— like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound—stems from the effective integration of lifestyle modifications, particularly nutrition. This success occurs at both the individual and programmatic levels. But it’s not always for the reasons you might expect. By the time most people begin incretin-based therapy, especially for weight management, they’ve often already tried a range of diets: calorie counting, commercial weight loss programs like Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers, and more. This time, they’re looking for something different—something that addresses the deeper pathophysiology and root causes…
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Food Connects Us: A National Nutrition Month Celebration
It’s March already, which means it’s National Nutrition Month—a time to celebrate the power of food and nutrition and recognize the vital role of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in promoting healthy eating through expert guidance and resources. This year’s theme, “Food Connects Us,” highlights how food brings us together—linking us to our cultures, families, and communities. Sharing a meal is more than just eating; it’s an opportunity to learn about its preparation, the people who made it, and where the ingredients come from. Here are a few meaningful food connections that resonate with me! Creating Connections in the Kitchen Cooking at…
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Protein and Healthy Aging
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlights the significance of protein intake in preserving the health of older adults. This is particularly important for middle-aged and older females, who are more prone to experiencing muscle decline after menopause. Keep reading to discover the crucial role of protein as we age. How Does Protein Support Healthy Aging? Protein plays a crucial role in both the cognitive and physiological functions of the brain. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, important for regulating mood, focus, memory, and cognition, are synthesized from amino acids. Proteins serve as essential building…
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Is Glucose the New Gluten?
Recently, a news media outlet asked me whether glucose is becoming the new gluten, hinting at whether nutrition trends have led to an unjustified fear and preoccupation with blood sugar. The media outlet referenced the impact of social media influencers like #GlucoseGoddess and Signos Health, that promote a hyperawareness of blood glucose outside the setting of diabetes. Are they on to something? Should we be tracking our glucose in an effort to prevent diabetes and promote optimal health? Does Blood Glucose Matter Outside of Diabetes? Understanding the connection between blood sugar levels and our mood, energy, and food cravings can encourage healthier…
