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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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What Are Peptides and Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?
In keeping with the latest viral TikTok trends, I couldn’t help but notice the surge of content tagged with #peptides. This isn’t simply encouragement to eat more protein-rich foods like meat, fish, or eggs. Instead, the conversation has shifted toward pills, powders, tinctures, and even injections of various peptides, many of which were never covered in my dietetics training. Naturally, that raised questions. If we’re not talking about the peptides that come from whole foods, what exactly are people taking? I dug into the literature to better understand what peptides are, how they’re being used, and what we actually know…
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Does CGM Tell the Whole Story? A Second Look at Lingo for Metabolic Monitoring
I recently revisited Lingo, Abbott’s direct-to-consumer continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, after a new wave of clients began seeking guidance on how to use it to support metabolic health, including diabetes prevention, insulin resistance, and weight loss. Last fall, I tested and reviewed the device with a focus on its hardware, technical features, usability, and accuracy. This time, however, I’m evaluating Lingo from a different angle: its potential role in health coaching and behavior change. What can continuous glucose monitoring really tell us about metabolic health—or overall well-being? Does it provide the full picture? More importantly, how does it actually…
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Banning Artificial Food Dyes: Health Risk or Overreaction?
Lately, I’ve been fielding more questions than usual about food dyes, and I can’t help but wonder if the recent ban on six harmful food dyes in California schools is sparking more concern. Many of my clients are increasingly worried about how these dyes might affect their health goals—whether it’s weight loss, diabetes prevention, or overall wellness. The conversation around food dyes is gaining momentum, and it’s clear that people are paying attention to the potential impact on their health. For a long time, my mindset was, “If it’s on the market, it must be safe.” But since having a…
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Misconceptions About Immune Health
Our immune health is closely linked to our body’s capacity to fend off germs and bacteria. A robust immune system can effectively shield us from foreign invaders. Chronic illnesses, stress, specific medications, and life stage transitions (such as pregnancy) can compromise our immune health, rendering us more susceptible to common viral infections. Diabetes and Immune Health Diabetes can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections and impairing wound healing. High blood sugars interfere with immune cell function, leading to a higher susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Chronic inflammation in diabetes further compromises immune health. Proper management,…
