Sound Bites With Melissa Joy Dobbins

Obesity, Pre-Obesity, Health Disparities and the Importance of Early Treatment An unmet medical need exists in obesity and pre-obesity (overweight). While 80% of healthcare professionals recognize obesity as a “disease” only 65% of patients with obesity recognize its seriousness and only 38% of people with obesity reported discussing a weight loss plan with their healthcare provider within the past six months. Likewise, clinicians report a reluctancy to initiate conversations about weight management due to lack of time during visits and other health issues to address. The truth is this: if weight bias in healthcare, health disparities and access to treatment are addressed there are many credible treatment options available that can help the more than 70% of U.S. adults with overweight and obesity. Tune in to this episode to learn about: Why obesity is a “disease” and how both healthcare professionals and patients need to recognize this in order to maximize treatment Pre-obesity and why language matters in co

The nutritional complexities of infant formula are overwhelming to parents and deeply tied to feelings of guilt, shame and disappointment. The Centers for Disease Control report that seventy five percent of new parents will turn to formula within the first year of their newborn’s life. Yet two thirds of parents using formula report feeling guilty about that. In addition, there is a growing number of parents who are buying European formulas despite the fact it’s technically illegal to import them into the U.S. Healthcare professionals who work with parents and newborns have a responsibility to help parents feel confident in their choices and their baby’s unique feeding journey. Tune in to this episode to learn about: Statistics on breastfeeding and infant formula The guilt and shame factor associated with infant formula Survey insights about parents not being honest about their feeding choice The science and regulations behind infant formula The breakdown of macronutrients and micronutrients in infant formula

Nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population is not meeting the daily recommended intake for vegetables which is approximately 2-3 cups per day for most adults. Microgreens are young vegetable greens which generally contain greater amounts of health-promoting micronutrients than their mature counterparts. Although they are small, microgreens have delicate textures, distinctive flavors and various nutrients from vitamin A to zinc. Smart gardens are vegetable or herb gardens that are typically small, indoor units controlled by computer and/or manage their own lighting. ingarden is a simple indoor hydroponic smart garden for growing microgreens. Tune in to this episode with guest Natalie Paterson, food science graduate student and co-founder of ingarden, to learn about: what is “hidden hunger” micronutrient requirements and gaps what are microgreens and what nutrients do they provide how microgreens can help fill micronutrient gaps the story and innovation behind ingarden how ingarden works and what makes it unique

Pediatricians are faced with many challenges when it comes to educating families about food and nutrition. They have high patient loads and limited time during visits which are often packed with a multitude of questions and concerns from parents and families. In addition, there may be limited options for referring patients to dietitians – especially in rural communities - and some patients aren’t interested in visiting with a dietitian or have limited resources such as time and insurance coverage. Tune in to this episode with guest Dr. Nicole Keller, a pediatrician married to a farmer, to learn about: what pediatricians are taught about nutrition during medical school what Nicole learned about food and farming when she met her husband, a 5th generation family farmer questions and concerns about food, nutrition and farming that Nicole gets from her patients where Nicole gets information about nutrition to share with her patients what information and resources the American Academy of Pediatrics provides member

Good nutrition is essential for dancers to achieve desired body composition, ensure adequate energy to support growth, and optimize training. Successful dancers learn to view food as fuel, avoid dieting, and have sustained energy to power through class and performance. Dancers tend to under-eat and neglect long-term health, which compromises performance and contributes to injury. Pursuing a successful dance profession should not inflict chronic pain, perpetual stress, or diet confusion. Quality nutrition improves every aspect of dance training and performance, including physical strength and endurance, balance, flexibility, mental clarity and memory, emotional stability, and self-confidence. Nutrition needs are very individualized, so it is important that dancers seek specific dietary advice from a Registered Dietitian for dancers regarding calorie and protein needs. Tune in to this episode to learn about: the unique nutritional needs of dancers and other performance athletes guidelines on macronutrients, mi

Science continues to show that avocados are a heart-healthy fruit, and their 5 grams of monounsaturated fats per serving may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can lower the risk for heart disease and stroke. In this episode we continue to build on the knowledge that avocados are heart healthy and share strategies for people to put this science to action, specifically how fresh avocados can be part of a nutrient-dense snacking strategy that may support heart health. Tune in to this podcast with guest Patricia Bannan, MS, RDN to learn about: the latest research demonstrating the role of fresh avocados to support heart health practical and actionable ways to incorporate heart healthy avocados into nutrient dense snacks how to pick, prepare and safely store fresh avocados RDNs, DTRs, and CDCESs can earn 1.0 FREE CEU for listening to this podcast episode. This episode is sponsored by Fresh Avocados – Love One Today®  For more information and resources visit: LoveOneToday.com

The Biological Imperative to Regain Weight When it comes to losing weight we often hear: “You just need to eat less and move more!” This advice dates back as far as Hippocrates in the fourth century BC, and not much has changed since. Diets are based on this very foundation and despite their different approaches, they are all essentially the same. They set a caloric restriction and develop a set of arbitrary rules to create a fear of, or restriction of, certain foods to ensure you consume less. But whenever you restrict the number of calories you eat, powerful biological forces come into play to fight the resulting weight loss that causes you to regain the weight you lost, plus a little extra. Despite the hype associated with diets, very few people succeed on their weight loss journey long-term. Tune in to this episode with obesity researcher and clinician Dr. Nick Fuller to learn about: Key drivers of the obesity epidemic The reasons we fail on our dieting attempts The effect of weight loss on an individual

Overconsumption of added sugars continues to be a major concern in health maintenance and chronic disease prevention among Americans. The average American currently consumes 270 calories or the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of added sugars per day. Can low- and no-calorie sweeteners provide a safe and effective option to help people reduce their consumption of added sugars? Tune in to this episode to learn about: Current added sugars intake and recommendations Top sources of added sugars Americans consume Common myths associated with low- and no-calorie sweeteners Recent science on hot button topics related to low- and no-calorie sweeteners, such as weight control, glucose management and gut health The definition of Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), how it is used in research and to assess safe consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners Insights regarding study design and methodology, confounding factors and reverse causality in research on low- and no-calorie sweeteners Differences between foods and beverages

Beyond the Headlines, Stereotypes & Dogma: Meat Intake & Recommendations The public health mantra is often “cut back on beef for health” yet most Americans view beef as “nutritious” when part of a balanced diet. Media headlines often stereotype beef as huge steaks and gooey cheeseburgers – but is that portrayal accurate when it comes to the cuts of meat at the grocery store and the most common ways people consume meat on a regular basis? As the plant-based trend continues to grow, are consumers looking to replace meat in the diet with plant proteins or can meat and plants coexist in a healthful way on our plates?  Tune into this podcast episode to learn about: How much meat Americans are actually eating Consumer insights on beef and health Media stereotypes vs. ways that people are really eating beef Plant-based diets and plant-based burgers What research shows about beef in a Mediterranean Diet What the 2020 Dietary Guidelines says about beef intake for specific life stages and populations Sustaina

Every day the scientific community is learning more about the important connections between brain health, mental health, mood and the food we eat. Our brains function best when they get the right fuel – and that fuel comes from eating a healthy diet filled with nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts and seafood. Tune into this podcast episode with guests Dr. Mickey Rubin and dietitian Kitty Broihier to learn about: Why brain health is important at any age How diet is related to brain health What’s good for the heart is good for the brain What the MIND Diet is and what foods are encouraged What the research shows about wild blueberries and brain health What the research shows about eggs and cognition Tips for grocery shopping and stocking up on foods that support brain health Tips for cooking and incorporating foods that support brain health into your diet The difference between wild and cultivated blueberries Other lifestyle strategies beyond diet for brain health How to get the free Cognit

In the post-Covid era, three things have emerged as top priorities for American’s wellness: sleep, stress and immunity. Each one is affected by and affects the other. A recent survey conducted by Nature Made that explored Americans’ health and wellness needs, goals and concerns found that sleeping better is a top mental health goal for 2021 for half (50%) of Americans; 60% of Americans have felt stressed on a daily basis over the past year; and half of Americans report that stress has negatively impacted their physical health (50%) and their physical appearance (49%). Consumers are now looking for solutions to better manage these aspects of their health. Tune into this podcast episode to learn about: Tips for better sleep and stress management The impact nutrition can have on immune health The role of supplements to fill nutrient gaps The role of diet, exercise and supplements in sleep, stress and immunity This episode is sponsored by Nature Made. Full shownotes and resources at: www.SoundBitesRD.com/186

Fight Diabetes, Heart Disease & More with Peanuts People have enjoyed the delicious crunch of peanuts throughout history, and today, research surrounding peanut nutrition continues to point to its health benefits. Tune into this podcast episode with guest Dr. Samara Sterling, a nutrition scientist and the Research Director for The Peanut Institute with expertise in the use of plant-based nutrition for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.   In the episode we discuss: the latest research on peanuts/peanut butter consumption and diabetes/cardiovascular disease what nutrients and components in peanuts and peanut products are beneficial to health and why the role of plant sterols, bioactives, protein, amino acids, fiber and fat in peanuts/peanut products practical and fun tips and ideas for incorporating peanuts and peanut products into your diet facts about the added sugar and fats in peanut butter how peanuts/peanut butter fit into the plant-based eating trend the role of peanuts in cognition/m

Gut health and immune health are emerging as top priorities for overall health and wellbeing. With our immune system tied directly to our gut health, it is critical to ensure we are doing everything we can to support it. Most people have heard of probiotics, and perhaps even prebiotics, but there’s a “new biotic” on the scene - POSTbiotics. Tune into this episode with guests Dr. Justin Green and registered dietitian nutritionist Keri Gans to learn about: the definition of and science supporting postbiotics the benefits of postbiotics including how postbiotics support gut health and therefore immunity how post, pro and prebiotics are different from each other how to best incorporate postbiotics into a healthy, balanced diet   what to look for on product labels to make sure products feature postbiotics the interesting story of how EpiCor® Postbiotics were inspired   Full shownotes and resources at: www.SoundBitesRD.com/184

It’s no secret that whole grains are good for us. Dietary guidance tells us to “make half our grains whole,” cereal boxes and bread bags tout their whole grain goodness, and news headlines repeat the message. But what about “the other half,” refined grains? Thanks to a misleading mix of media coverage, research, and dietary guidance, you’ve probably heard that they are something to completely avoid, or at least severely limit, in a healthy diet. However, an in-depth review of recent published research on both whole and refined grains highlights the importance of including - and risks of excluding – enriched refined grains as part of a healthy diet. Furthermore, the study suggests that consumers should be careful NOT to take current “make-half-your-grains-whole” dietary guidance to mean that their six daily servings of grain foods should not include refined or enriched grain foods. In this episode, study co-authors Dayle Hayes, an award-winning child nutrition expert, and Dr. Glenn Gaesser, a leader in nutriti

“From superfoods to clean eating, we are seduced by marketing pitches that inevitably fail to deliver lasting results.” – Jack A. Bobo Jack Bobo is the author of the book ‘Why smart people make bad food choices – the invisible influences that guide our thinking.’ He is also the CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company that advises companies, foundations and governments on emerging food trends and consumer attitudes and behaviors related to the future of food. Tune into this episode to learn about: The mindscape and the foodscape Why we fear the food we eat How decision fatigue gets in our way The dirty dozen’s dirty secret The snob effect Thinking (and eating) fast and slow Transforming the foodscape Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/182   

Cultural Competency is recognizing and forming ones attitudes, believes, skills, values and levels of awareness to provide culturally-appropriate, respectful and relevant care and education – Campinha-Bacote Model This episode explores the concepts and communication strategies within the context of, and beyond, cultural competency including cultural humility, health literacy, health beliefs, acculturation, assimilation and the globalization of food. Culturally specific communication tools for healthcare professionals are discussed to help elicit patient’s health beliefs/perceptions and collect essential food and health behaviors and information.  Guest Lorena Drago MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES, specializes in providing culturally competent care and develops educational learning tools for individuals with restricted health literacy. Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/181 

Vandana Sheth is a nationally recognized and award winning registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and author of the cookbook My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes. Tune in to this episode to learn about: The influences and inspiration that led Vandana to the field of nutrition and vegetarian lifestyle Insights into Indian culture and cuisine Key ingredients for stocking your Indian kitchen Plant-based meals and snacks in 30 minutes or less Suggestions for success when incorporating Indian ingredients or recipes Tips for flavorful light meals Easy meal formulas for plant-based eating Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/180

This is the first time since the 1985 edition that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide recommendations by stage of life, from birth to older adulthood, including pregnancy and lactation. It includes guidance based upon more age-specific needs, and the call to action, “Make Every Bite Count”, emphasizes focusing on nutrient-dense foods and beverages while staying within your calorie limit. Tune in to this podcast with guest Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, CPT to learn about: Key takeaways regarding the recently updated DGAs, focusing on maternal, infant and early childhood nutrition The term “nutrient-dense” and its application to maternal, infant and early childhood life stages The potential role of avocados in healthy eating patterns across the lifespan and specific attributes of avocados that are beneficial for maternal, infant and early childhood nutrition Practical and actionable ways to incorporate nutrient-dense foods, like avocados, as part of an age- and life stage-appropriate diet RDNs,

This two-part podcast series addresses the science and social science of obesity with a goal of changing how we see, prevent and treat obesity by helping people with obesity see their weight and weight management differently, and helping physicians and other healthcare professionals gain a more robust understanding of obesity and talk with their patients about obesity differently.   Tune in to this episode to learn about: The brain’s role in appetite control and regulating food intake The different drivers of why people eat including homeostatic eating, hedonic eating and executive function Hormones involved in signaling the brain about hunger and satiety How there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for losing weight Why physicians and other healthcare professionals need to talk to patients about obesity differently The reality that people with obesity do not have to manage this on their own and there is hope and personalized strategies to manage weight that go beyond diet and exercise Even just a 5-15% weig

Despite understanding the complexities of obesity and efforts to curb obesity, rates continue to rise. Our current approach is inadequate with a siloed and mechanistic healthcare system, polarized perspectives on body acceptance and diet culture, and a lack of knowledge or access to treatment options and improved outcomes. This two-part podcast series addresses the science and social science of obesity with a goal of changing how we see, prevent and treat obesity by helping people with obesity see their weight and weight management differently, and helping physicians and other healthcare professionals gain a more robust understanding of obesity and talk with their patients about obesity differently.   Tune in to this episode to learn about: How semiotics – the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation – can inform the obesity conversation The impact of dominant and normalized images of obesity in today’s culture The influence of Implicit and explicit values The many factors contributing to t