Sound Bites With Melissa Joy Dobbins

Tune in as I talk with Ginger Hultin from Champagne Nutrition about alcohol and health. “For many people, drinking can fit into a healthy lifestyle if they find the right balance. It’s important to understand the current intake guidelines and how alcohol affects your energy, weight, appetite, sleep, physical activity and stress. Is it adding to your life or detracting from it?” – Ginger Hultin Get the full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/105.

“When it comes to sustainability, we need to think about the entire food system, not just the environmental footprints of individual foods. I encourage people to dig deeper into discussions of sustainable nutrition. For example, the social aspect of sustainability is critical and often ignored. Does advice to purchase one type of food or product meet someone’s budget, preferences, food culture?  We also need to look carefully at the entire food supply chain. At NCBA, we are trying to account for any and all impacts along the supply chain, right down to how many little pieces of paper are used between hamburger patties at ground beef processing facilities.” – Dr. Sara Place, Animal Scientist Tune in as I talk with Dr. Place about the environmental, social and economic impacts of livestock production systems, what ‘upcycling’ is and where ‘cow gas’ really comes from.   Get the full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/104.

“Forty percent of food in the U.S. goes uneaten and ends up in our landfills. Contrary to popular belief, the consumer is the biggest culprit – NOT farmers, manufacturers or retailers. Reducing food waste is essential, and there are simple steps we can take to not only reduce food waste, but also help feed those who are hungry. Cook it, store it, share it – just don’t waste it.” – Dr. Joan Salge Blake Tune in as I talk “trash” with my friend and fellow dietitian Dr. Joan Salge Blake. We explore the topics of food waste, sell-by dates on labels, foodborne illness, and food insecurity.   Get the shownotes and helpful resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/103

“A great diet is one that balances what we know we need with what we don't want to live without. I'd never tell some they should never eat this food or that one. It's about how much and how often. Getting healthier has to be enjoyable.” – Dr. Keith Ayoob Tune in as I talk with my friend and fellow dietitian Dr. Keith Ayoob about the sweetener stevia, umami – the fifth basic taste, and Keith’s fun workout session with Lance Pekus the Cowboy Ninja. Get the shownotes, photos and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/102.    

October is National Seafood Month so we are “diving” into all things seafood. If you’re interested in sustainable aquaculture, farmed vs. wild salmon, or simply want to know how to get more seafood in your diet, tune in as I talk with Egil Sundheim, an expert from the Norwegian Seafood Council, and hear all about my trip of a lifetime to Norway. We’re sharing some great resources, recipes and research on seafood. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/101

“Even if we’re highly informed and agree on the same information – that information means different things to each of us and we prioritize it differently.” Tune in as I talk with Dietram Scheufele, an expert in science communication who explains why information doesn’t change hearts and minds, how the current media environment affects our decision making and why language matters (and doesn’t matter).  Get full show notes and more information: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/100

Tune in as two former supermarket dietitians dish about grocery shopping strategies, eating healthier on a budget, reducing food waste, career opportunities for dietitians, and the new resource: "Shopper Guidance in the Beef Case – From Confusion to Confidence.” Whether you’re a dietitian or a consumer, you’ll come away with specific tips and resources for buying, cooking and eating healthier. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/99

Farmers have two options for weed control: herbicides or tillage. It’s a trade-off – one is not better than the other. In some regions, tillage can be more damaging than herbicides because of soil erosion. There are many options for herbicides – some are harsher, more toxic and more environmentally impactful than others. If you have questions and want details about sustainable agriculture, crop farming, pesticides and herbicides, soil preservation, and other modern farming issues, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear the in-depth, day-to-day practices of a farmer who also happens to be a dietitian.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/98

Teresa Thorne is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Food and Farming, a non-profit organization comprised of both organic and conventional farmers. Join us as we explore one of the most important topics in nutrition: produce and pesticides. We discuss organic and conventional produce, regulations and safety standards, Farmer's Market Guide to safety, the pesticide residue calculator, how to wash your produce, and other important tips for enjoying more produce every day. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/97

Today’s show is all about taking a look at diabetes through a generational lens. Everyone managing diabetes has a different perspective and experience and my guest, good friend and fellow dietitian and diabetes educator, Toby Smithson is here to educate us on the differences and the similarities among different generations as well as the latest research on low calorie sweeteners. This information will help everyone better understand how people can live well with diabetes. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/96

We are beginning to see more body diversity for girls and women in the media and social media…But what about boys? What messages are they getting about body size/shape and what images are they seeing? What can parents, coaches and healthcare professionals do to be more aware and supportive? My guests today, Heather Mangieri and Amy Reed, help me work through these questions and more around boys and body image. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/95

Have you heard that carbs are bad for you? Have you heard that whole grains are good for you? Would you be surprised to find out that it’s not that simple? In fact, there’s a lot more to the story than simple carbs vs. complex carbs. Dr. Julie Miller Jones has been conducting research, teaching nutrition and food science, and presenting to audiences all over the world for decades and she shares her wit and wisdom with us today about grains from research to myths and everything in between. Get full show notes and more information: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/94

Diabetes is a 24/7 disease and that means making important management decisions anytime, anywhere. Working with a diabetes educator or other healthcare professional is key, but the few hours many are able to spend with them isn't enough. Peer support communities can help fill in the gap. Tune in to hear what value you can gain from, or give to, these communities. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/93

Fake news and fearmongering are pervasive in the nutrition and health arena. Pseudoscience not only erodes critical thinking, it can cause real physical harm and sometimes death. Tune in to hear my conversation with health and law expert, Timothy Caulfield, about the power of pop culture, celebrity influence and the use of “science-y” language that confuses the public and gives the veneer of legitimacy. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/92

Understanding food allergies can be the difference between life and death in our schools – and that’s not just limited to those affected by peanut allergies. Sherry Coleman Collins has first-hand experience of the school food nutrition environment, carefully navigating the 6% to 8% of children affected to avoid unpredictable anaphylaxis caused by some foods you might never have thought of as allergens. Tune in and discover what schools are implementing to address food allergies, what they could be doing better, and what you can do to encourage change. It’s possible for parents to have no idea that their children are affected until they have a reaction to food at school, so a comprehensive approach is necessary and can save lives. Sherry has committed herself in the hope of alleviating the pressure on schools and children by promoting awareness, education and best practices. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/91

For all the Hamilton fans out there: How does a lawyer, teacher, mother-would-know food blogger, living in our nation’s capital, grow up to be a hero and Hamilton cookbook author? What’s her name, man? Her name is Laura Kumin and although there’s a million things she hasn’t done, when it comes to The Hamilton Cookbook, we don’t have to ‘wait for it’ any longer! Laura’s new cookbook takes you into Hamilton’s home and to his table, with historical information, recipes, and tips on how you can prepare food and serve the food that our founding fathers enjoyed in their day. Tune in to hear all about cooking, eating and entertaining in Hamilton’s world! You don’t want to be the one saying “What’d I miss?!” Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/90

If you've heard that GMOs are bad, I want to introduce you to Pamela Ronald. She's a plant geneticist who is married to an organic farmer and they co-authored the book Tomorrow's Table: Organic Farming, Genetics and the Future of Food. This "strange marriage" can teach us all about the power of considering all tools, technology and innovations to reach our common goal for the future of sustainable agriculture and our planet. This is a must-listen episode! Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/89

Although there's no magic bullet to overcome infertility, evidence shows that good nutrition can support fertility and healthy pregnancies in every stage. Join Sara Haas, Liz Shaw and me as we discuss how learning more about nutrition can empower you on the sometimes difficult and stressful journey of infertility. And make sure to stick around to the end to hear Liz's really exciting news! Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.soundbitesrd.com/88

Candy Barnes owns an architectural design company in Virginia Beach, Virginia. To her surprise, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a little over a year ago. Her hemoglobin A1c at diagnosis was over 11% (which means her average blood sugar was above 300 mg/dL) and was immediately put on insulin. Candy was very motivated to take care of herself and was able to do so with the help of a digital health tool called BlueStar. Her background in home economics and her desire to enjoy her grandchildren growing up were also key to her success. Today her A1c is down below 6% (which means her average blood sugar is below 126 mg/dL; 5.6 and below is considered “normal” blood sugar). She no longer takes insulin. She’s on a small dose of metformin and has lost about 50 lbs.  Hope Warshaw is a dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She’s been in the field of nutrition and diabetes as a consultant, counselor and writer for nearly 40 years. Hope is the author of several books published by American Diabetes Association.

“My dream as both a mother and a registered dietitian nutritionist is for families to start small by cooking together one day a week and then adding another day.  Pretty soon you’ll be planning your weekly menu together!  I especially want kids to dabble in the kitchen to experiment with new foods and learn basic cooking skills.” – Vicki Shanta Retelny Vicki Shanta Retelny is The Lifestyle Nutritionist. She is a Chicago-area nutrition professional, media and culinary consultant, and a mom of 2 school-aged children. By 2020, the World Health Organization estimates that two-thirds of all diseases will be the result of lifestyle choices, such as overeating, inactivity and smoking.  Nutrition is one of Healthy People 2020’s main Health Leading Indicators, which means what people eat is a public health priority and dietitians need to be at the forefront.   Vicki’s work with individuals, families and corporations focuses on cooking simple meals together and creating a community in the kitchen.     Tune in to the sh