Dishing Up Nutrition

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 involved in snack prep and kitchen confidence.

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 build healthier eating habits without perfection or pressure.

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.

Feeling tired, foggy, dizzy, crampy, or just not quite yourself? Dehydration could be playing a bigger role than you think. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Amy Crum explains how hydration impacts your energy, mood, focus, digestion, and overall health. She shares common signs of dehydration, how much water you really need, the role of electrolytes, and practical strategies to make drinking water a consistent habit.

Should you eat before a workout, after a workout, or both? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Leah and Teresa  break down how to fuel your body for better energy, performance, recovery, and long-term results. They discuss the pros and cons of fasted workouts, the importance of protein and carbohydrates, meal timing, hydration, and common mistakes that can leave you feeling exhausted, sore, or constantly hungry.

Do your seasonal allergies come with bloating, reflux, nausea, diarrhea, or other digestive issues? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Leah Kleinschrodt explains the surprising connection between allergies, gut health, and the immune system. She breaks down how histamine, inflammation, leaky gut, and post-nasal drip can all contribute to digestive symptoms during allergy season and why your gut plays a major role in overall allergy resilience.

Healthy aging skin starts from the inside out. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent discuss how nutrition impacts collagen production, skin elasticity, hydration, inflammation, and overall skin health as we age. They explain why wrinkles, dryness, bruising, and thinning skin are often connected to what’s happening internally and how real food nutrition can help support stronger, healthier skin naturally.

Looking for summer dessert ideas that won’t send your blood sugar soaring? In this episode, dietitian Amy Crum shares her top 10 favorite real-food summer treats, like protein whipped cream with fresh fruit, cottage cheese chocolate pudding, peanut butter banana bites, homemade popsicles, yogurt bark, fruit crisps, and more. Learn how to enjoy sweet snacks at gatherings or at home, all while keeping your energy steady and cravings in check. Plus, get tips for cool, refreshing summer drinks that satisfy without a sugar crash. Perfect for anyone wanting delicious, easy, blood sugar-friendly desserts for the hottest days of the year!

Heartburn and acid reflux are often brushed off as “normal,” but chronic reflux can lead to much more serious issues, including GERD and Barrett’s esophagus. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Brandy Buro and Kara Carper explain what acid reflux actually is, why it happens, and how nutrition plays a key role in healing the gut and reducing symptoms naturally.

Could your daily food choices be making your joint pain worse? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Brandy Buro explains how sugar, processed foods, refined oils, and alcohol can fuel inflammation and contribute to stiff, achy joints. She also shares practical nutrition strategies, anti-inflammatory foods, and key supplements that may help support healthier joints and reduce pain naturally so you can stay active and feel your best.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent unpack the truth about dopamine, the brain’s reward and motivation neurotransmitter, and how modern life is hijacking it. From ultra-processed foods and sugar to caffeine, social media, and endless notifications, they explain why so many people feel overstimulated yet unsatisfied at the same time.

Feeling tired but wired, struggling with sleep, or constantly craving sugar and caffeine? In this Ask a Nutritionist episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, learn how cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, affects energy, mood, blood sugar, weight, and sleep. Discover practical, natural strategies to help regulate cortisol, including balanced meals, blood sugar support, sleep habits, movement, stress-reducing nutrients, and key supplements such as magnesium and omega-3s, and walk away with realistic tools to help your body feel calmer, more energized, and better equipped to handle daily stress.

Worried about prediabetes or your risk for Type 2 diabetes? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, learn how insulin resistance develops and why it often goes unnoticed for years. Discover how real food, balanced meals, and simple lifestyle habits can help stabilize blood sugar and prevent or even reverse Type 2 diabetes, and walk away with practical, realistic strategies to support long-term metabolic health and feel more in control of your future.

Bloating after ice cream or gas after milk when you used to tolerate it just fine? You’re not imagining it. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Britni Vincent, RD, LD, explains what lactose intolerance really is, why it often develops over time, and whether you can actually improve your tolerance. Whether you want to enjoy dairy again or feel confident avoiding it, this episode will help you better understand your body and your options.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Brandy talks with client Vanessa about her experience using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and what it revealed about her “healthy” habits. From afternoon crashes and cravings to better energy and mood, Vanessa shares how real-time blood sugar data helped her make simple, realistic changes to her diet, without giving up the things she loves. A great listen if you want practical insight into how food truly impacts how you feel.  

Grilling season is here, and it is the perfect time to make real food meals that are both simple and satisfying. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietitian Amy Crum sits down with Chef Marianne Jurayj to discuss grilling with more confidence and less stress. From juicy chicken and flavorful burgers to grilled vegetables, fruit, and easy homemade marinades, this conversation is full of practical tips to help you build healthy meals your whole family will enjoy. You’ll also hear smart ideas for batch-cooking on the grill to save time and have nourishing meals ready for the week ahead.

Experiencing new or worsening anxiety in your late 30s or 40s? It may be linked to perimenopause. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, learn how shifting estrogen and progesterone levels affect mood, sleep, and stress, and why anxiety can feel sudden and physical during this transition. Discover practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to balance blood sugar, support hormones, improve sleep, and reduce anxiety so you can start feeling like yourself again.

Along with the why behind cravings, this episode is packed with practical, real-food snack ideas. Leah shares simple options for sweet, chocolate, and salty cravings, as well as nighttime snacking, including yogurt with berries, protein shakes, apple slices with nut butter, cottage cheese with fruit, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, hard-boiled eggs, avocado with veggies, and more. It’s a helpful episode for anyone who wants better snack ideas and a better understanding of how to satisfy cravings without the crash.

GLP-1 medications can support weight loss, but without proper nutrition, they may also cause fatigue, muscle loss, and nutrient deficiencies. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, our dietitians explain how these medications affect appetite, digestion, and metabolism, and what to eat to stay nourished. Learn practical strategies to prioritize protein, maintain energy, support gut health, and protect long-term wellness while using GLP-1 medications.

Cooking for one can feel like more effort than it’s worth, but it doesn’t have to mean takeout, snack dinners, or eating the same leftovers all week. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Kara shares simple, practical strategies to make solo cooking easier, more flexible, and more nourishing. If you’re in a season of cooking for yourself, this episode will help you make real food feel doable again.     

Learn the basics of endometriosis: what it is, common symptoms, and why diagnosis can take years. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explain how inflammation, hormone imbalance, and gut health all contribute to this condition. Discover practical, nutrition-based strategies, including anti-inflammatory foods, essential supplements, and lifestyle habits, that may help reduce pain and support overall wellness for those living with endometriosis.  

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietitian Amy Crum explains how to identify if you’re lactose intolerant and what symptoms to watch for. Learn the difference between lactose intolerance and dairy sensitivity, why some people have trouble digesting lactose, and how gut health affects this process. If you’ve ever wondered whether dairy is causing your symptoms, this episode offers clear, practical guidance.  

After a concussion or traumatic brain injury, many people are told to rest and wait it out. But that is only part of the picture. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, licensed dietitians Britni Vincent and Brandy Buro share how real food nutrition can play a powerful role in brain recovery. They explain what happens in the brain after injury, why inflammation and blood sugar balance matter, and which foods and supplements may help support healing.

How much should you weigh? In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, dietician Leah Kleinschrodt breaks down common tools like BMI and ideal body weight formulas, where they fall short, and why weight alone doesn’t tell the full story. She also shares the health markers and lifestyle factors that matter more, from blood sugar and cholesterol to energy, sleep, body composition, and sustainable habits.  

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Brandy Buro discuss multiple sclerosis (MS) and the role of nutrition in supporting brain health and managing symptoms. Learn how inflammation, blood sugar balance, and nutrient deficiencies can impact MS, and discover how simple, practical diet strategies and real-food nutrition may help support the nervous system. If you or a loved one is navigating MS, this episode offers supportive, nutrition-focused guidance.

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, licensed nutritionist Kara Carper explores the connection between depression and gut bacteria, explaining how the gut-brain axis, serotonin production, inflammation, and microbiome diversity may influence mood and mental health. She shares current research on the link between depression and the gut microbiome, along with practical nutrition steps to support healthier gut bacteria.  

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, and research continues to show the important role nutrition and gut health play in prevention and recovery. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explain how diet, inflammation, and the microbiome influence colon health. Learn practical food strategies that support digestive health, including increasing fiber, prioritizing whole foods, and limiting ultra-processed foods.

What causes shingles to flare up later in life? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitian Amy Crum explains how the shingles virus can reactivate when the immune system is weakened. You’ll learn common shingles risk factors and simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies that may help support immune health, including the role of vitamin D, zinc, quality sleep, stress management, and balanced blood sugar.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent discuss what causes kidney stones, warning signs to look out for, and how nutrition plays a crucial role in prevention. Find out why hydration is the most vital factor, how sugar, soda, sodium, and ultra-processed foods increase your risk, and why a balanced, real-food diet with enough magnesium and calcium can help protect your kidneys. If you’ve had a kidney stone before or want to lower your risk, this episode shares practical strategies to help prevent them from coming back.

In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, dietitian Alyssa Krejci explains the difference between fish oil and cod liver oil and how to choose the right one for your needs. Learn how omega-3 fats support heart, brain, and inflammation health, why EPA and DHA matter, and when cod liver oil’s added vitamin A and vitamin D may or may not be helpful. Alyssa also shares simple tips for choosing a quality omega-3 supplement and getting more omega-3s from foods like salmon, sardines, and mackerel.

The new Dietary Guidelines were recently released, and in this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Teresa Wagner and Brandy Buro talk through the highlights and what they could mean for your health. They discuss key themes like prioritizing whole foods, protein, healthy fats, fiber, and reducing added sugars and ultra-processed foods, while offering practical insight on how to apply these ideas in real life.   

In this Ask a Nutritionist mini episode, dietitian Teresa Wagner breaks down what your pancreas actually does (hello, blood sugar balance and digestion), how pancreatitis develops, and which everyday food and lifestyle choices either stress or support this hard-working organ. She explains what an anti-inflammatory, real-food way of eating looks like for pancreas health, how to balance protein, carbs, and healthy fats, why alcohol and ultra-processed foods are so hard on the pancreas, and how things like hydration, smaller meals, and digestive enzymes can make a big difference in comfort and healing.

In this uplifting client story, Britni Vincent, RD, LD, talks with longtime Nutritional Weight & Wellness client Shawna about her son’s autism diagnosis and the incredible progress he made in just one year. Shawna shares the early signs she noticed, the emotional impact of hearing “on the spectrum,” and how their family combined therapies with a gluten- and dairy-free, real-food approach and targeted supplements to support his brain and gut. You’ll hear how sensory overload, anxiety, and social challenges began to ease, how she advocated for school support, and why she wants other parents to know there is always something you can do to help your child feel and function better.  

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, our registered dietitian, Leah Kleinschrodt, explains how to read a nutrition label the smart way. Learn why the ingredients list matters more than calories, how to spot hidden sugars, what serving sizes really mean, and how to evaluate carbs, fats, and protein for better blood sugar balance. If you’ve ever felt confused in the grocery aisle, this episode gives you simple, practical tools to shop with confidence.

A new high blood pressure diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when the only advice you hear is “cut the salt” or “lose weight.” In this episode, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro break down what to change first to start lowering blood pressure naturally.

Is dairy bad for your heart… or actually helpful? In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, dietitian Amy Crum clears up the confusion around dairy and heart health. Learn which dairy foods support heart health and which ones don’t, why full-fat fermented dairy can be a better choice than fat-free options, and how sugar and refined carbs play a much bigger role in cholesterol and triglycerides than butter ever did. Plus, butter vs. margarine, what to look for on labels, and how to include dairy in a heart-healthy, real-food way.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can show up as winter blues, low energy, low motivation, brain fog, and stronger sugar cravings. In this episode, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Brittni Vincent explain why SAD happens and what actually helps. You’ll get simple, natural solutions; they also cover why sleep, caffeine, and alcohol can make symptoms worse in winter.

In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, dietitian Alyssa answers a common question: Can you take too many vitamins or supplements? The short answer is yes, and she explains how vitamin toxicity can happen when people take mega-doses or stack multiple supplements with overlapping nutrients. You’ll learn which vitamins deserve the most caution, signs of taking too much, and why iron is one of the easiest nutrients to overdo. Alyssa also shares how to supplement safely, why food should come first, and when lab testing can help guide the right dose.

Sugar doesn’t just affect your waistline; it can quietly affect your heart, too. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Leah Kleinschrodt and Teresa Wagner connect the dots between sugar (and high-carb foods), blood sugar spikes, inflammation, triglycerides, and cholesterol patterns that raise cardiovascular risk. You’ll learn where “hidden” sugar shows up most often, which lab markers matter most, and simple real-food next steps so you can support heart health without extreme dieting.

Is yogurt really good for your gut…or is it secretly dessert in disguise?  In this episode, Brandy Buro MS, RD, LD shares how to choose the healthiest yogurt, what “live cultures” actually means, and other fermented foods that support gut health.

Most people don’t think about bone health until a DEXA scan (or a fracture) makes it feel urgent. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent share everyday habits and real-food strategies to slow bone loss and support stronger bones, especially in midlife and beyond.

Morning sickness can make eating feel overwhelming, especially during a time when your body needs extra nourishment. In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, registered dietitian Britni Vincent explains why morning sickness happens and how blood sugar, hormones, and metabolism all play a role. She shares practical, real-food strategies to help you feel better and stay nourished, even when your appetite is low or unpredictable.

Is your mouth giving you clues about your whole-body health? Leah Kleinschrodt, RD talks with Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, integrative dentist and naturopath, about what your teeth and gums can reveal, why common “dental fixes” deserve a closer look, and how food and minerals fit into the bigger picture. Listener questions are included, and you’ll want to hear her take on fluoride.

Can fiber actually lower cholesterol? Yep. Dietitian Amy Crum breaks down why soluble fiber is the real MVP for LDL, how your gut plays a role, and easy food upgrades to increase fiber without blowing up your blood sugar. She also covers when supplements can be a helpful backup.

Thinking about GLP-1 meds, already on one, or just curious what the hype is about? Dietitians Britni Vincent and Brandy Buro explain what GLP-1 is, why nutrition support matters more (not less) while taking these medications, and how to protect your metabolism, muscle, and digestion along the way.

Tired of meat, but still want the benefits of protein? Dietitian Alyssa Krejci breaks down why protein matters, why animal protein is often the most efficient, and how to hit your needs with easier, more enjoyable options, including a simple “protein stacking” approach.

Protein is trending, but most people still aren’t eating enough of it, especially at breakfast. In this episode, registered dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent share the sneaky signs you’re low in protein and simple ways to start getting more real-food protein into your day.

This episode was originally broadcast on 12-23-2024. After trying to lose weight in the past without much success, Cheryl joined our Nutrition 4 Weight Loss Foundations program, took the ongoing support classes, participated in our cooking classes, and worked with our dietitians. Two years later, she’s joining us on our podcast with her dietitian Teresa to share her story of achieving AND maintaining significant weight loss… and even better… finding peace with food, feeling good, and improving her health markers. Tune in to this episode to hear Cheryl and Teresa talk about the before, what she did to lose the weight, and what she’s doing now to enjoy and keep her health for the long haul.