What the Washington Post got wrong about dietitians: Episode127
Food Bullying Podcast
When dietitians are offered a seat at the table of commodity boards, food brands, and non-profit associations, there are benefits for all involved - including the consumer. But what’s the emotional price tag the dietitian must pay when partnerships are erroneously scrutinized for all the world to see? Is the discussion more nuanced than recent articles would you to believe? , MS, RD, LD, and owner of Street Smart Nutrition, is a fierce advocate for fearlessly nourishing meals, and she uses a weight-inclusive approach in her work in private practice and nutrition communications. Working with...
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Southern belles, soil health, & sustainability: Episode 126
Food Bullying Podcast
“The biggest misconception about farming in the dietetic world is that GMOs are bad for the environment and human consumption - and that farmers are financially well-off.” Wendy Yeager is a fourth-generation farmer who, with her husband Jamie, owns and operates Bell Place Farm, a diversified row crop operation. They grow peanuts, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat managed through crop rotation over 1100 acres in west central Alabama (the heart of the Blackbelt). Given the rise in prices of multiple inputs including fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and diesel fuel, the...
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The heart of the wheat kernel: Episode 125
Food Bullying Podcast
“If a food is free from something, then it must be healthy, right?” Dr. Brett Carver, a wheat breeder and researcher at Oklahoma State University for nearly 40 years, has found himself spending more time defending the plant to which he’s devoted his career in recent years. “A huge chunk of our population, based on easy-to-find survey data, makes dietary choices AWAY from gluten (wheat). That's about 9-12% of us, and millennials and Gen Z's lead the way. About 1 in 5 persons will reduce or eliminate gluten from their diet because they believe this to be a healthier option,” says...
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The art & science of farming citrus: Episode 124
Food Bullying Podcast
Rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, many citrus varieties have earned their place on our breakfast tables, squeezed into our water (and cocktails), and in our favorite American recipes. There is both art and science in growing citrus that is in demand as part of our nutrition. Citrus farmers continually met consumer demand for new flavors (think blood oranges), increased eye appeal (Cara Caras come to mind), and ease of use (seedless lemons). Amid so much innovation, the unfortunate reality is that citrus is at risk. In this episode of the Food Bullying podcast, Casey Creamer,...
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Big bad agriculture: a transparent look at their science & safety
Food Bullying Podcast
“The biggest misconception about my work is that agriculture companies place pesticides or biotech products on the market without testing them for safety. The fact is that agriculture is one of the most strictly regulated and thoroughly investigated industries in the world. Agriculture companies must strictly follow local and international regulatory guidelines and conduct hundreds of safety studies before launching a product. When a consumer has safety questions about pesticide residues or GMOs in their food, I hope all dietitians are well-equipped with knowledge about the agriculture...
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A.I. in your food (cattle, not computers): Episode 122
Food Bullying Podcast
Brady Blackett is a 4th generation cattle producer from Utah who’s passionate about the cattle industry and its ability to contribute to a healthy and wholesome food system in the U.S. and abroad. As the co-founder of IGA (Intermountain Genetic Alliance), Blackett is well-versed in the subject and application of AI (artificial insemination). In this episode, Blackett explains the many ways in which AI has a positive net impact on the environment and offers a wider array of consumer choices at the meat counter and in the dairy aisle. For example, by selecting traits...
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Food labels & nutrition choices driven by dollars: Episode 121
Food Bullying Podcast
What’s the relationship between front-of-package food labeling and consumer choice, and how can it potentially impact grocery prices? Dr. Chen Zhen is a professor in Food Choice, Obesity, and Health Economics at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on the impact of interpretative front-of-package labeling on consumer behavior and food prices. In this conversation, Zhen discusses policies that can discourage consumption of less nutrient-dense foods (such as taxation) versus those that focus on access (making more nutritious food more accessible and less nutritious food...
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Building up data for dietitians: Episode 120
Food Bullying Podcast
“You can’t talk about what’s on the plate if you don’t know how it got there.” As the founder of Build Up Dietitians, Leah McGrath has created a space in which dietitians at all stages in their careers (including students), can learn more about just that - and provides avenues for evidence-based practitioners to gain a better understanding of agriculture practices. But when searching for that evidence, how do we discern quality sources from those that are less-than? McGrath offers for dietitians so that YOU can empower the consumer to make choices based on fact - not fiction....
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GMOs & bacon with a side of bullying
Food Bullying Podcast
“I wish people would take a little time to understand where their food comes from and also to trust the farmer.” A great perspective for RDNs to remember! Wanda Patsche, alongside her husband Chuck, farms in southern Minnesota. They grow corn and soybeans and raise hogs. Patsche also utilizes her to tell her farming story. Unfortunately, she has recently experienced some food bullying as part of her efforts to help people understand farming. “I think GMOs and organic foods are still widely misunderstood by the consumer,” says Patsche. “I also think the fear-based...
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Separating fact from fiction in food & farming: Episode 118
Food Bullying Podcast
Grocery store costs are crazy, but what costs have gone up on farms? Are fields sprayed with “such harsh pesticides” that workers can’t enter the fields? Is hydroponic farming the wave of the future when it comes to leafy greens? Should you be worried about lead in soil? Michele helps Nicole separate fact from fiction on these topics and more. The co-hosts spend time reflecting on their personal favorite and eye-opening episodes from 2023, which include apple growing, dietitians, pumpkins, GMOs, mRNA vaccines, scientists, farmers, animal protein &...
info_outlineSugar gets the blame for many of our health issues. Should we avoid sugar? Are there good sugars and bad sugars? Our guest, Melissa Joy Dobbins is a registered dietitian and diabetes expert. She brings a common sense approach to eating well and says “if people with diabetes can have sugar, you can too!”
Melissa Joy Dobbins MS, RDN, CDE is known as The Guilt-Free RD® – “because food shouldn’t make you feel bad!” As a dietitian and diabetes educator, Melissa helps people digest food and nutrition information so they can make their own well-informed food decisions based on facts, not fear, and ultimately – enjoy their food with health in mind. Melissa hosts the popular Sound Bites® Podcast where she interviews experts on a variety of topics ranging from fad diets to farming and delves into the science, the psychology and the strategies behind good food and nutrition.
Key points
- More than 1/3 of Americans are obese. People blame sugar consumption, but we’ve only slightly increased sugar consumption since 1989.
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- Sugar isn’t the sole problem. Inactivity is an issue, too.
- Sugar is a simple carbohydrate
- Common sources of sugar are
- Sugar cane
- Sugar beets
- Corn
- Honey, table sugar, and high fructose corn syrup all have 16 calories per teaspoon and are nearly identical.
- The difference in the source of sugar is less important than the amount consumed.
- Doctors don’t always have the facts on sugar.
- Should focus on nutrient-rich foods instead of sugar.
- Takes shame out of the conversation.
- Research shows kids drink more milk if it is flavored. Getting the nutrition is more important. It is like putting a little dressing on salad.
- Focus on what is nutrients are in the food and what things in it might you want to avoid.
- Doctors have implied power based on their position, but don’t receive training in nutrition. They can unintentionally spread fear about food.
- People have to be in the driver’s seat of their own health. There are no forbidden foods - have to pay attention and make a decision about what works best for you.
- Dietitians have significant on-going training and specialize in areas such as pediatrics or diabetes. People have to swim in their own lane of expertise.
- School lunches and snacks can be a source of food bullying.
- Things have changed over time in terms of what is encouraged for snacks at school.
- Now required to bring fresh fruit or vegetable for snack
- Challenging to avoid food waste if it all has to be fresh instead of apple sauce or raisins
- Doesn’t avoid allergy issues
- Elitist - not everyone can afford or has access to produce
- Now required to bring fresh fruit or vegetable for snack
- Things have changed over time in terms of what is encouraged for snacks at school.
- How to think about sugar:
- Look at it from diabetes point of view.
- Consider a combination of simple carbohydrates (sugar) and complex carbohydrates
- Research doesn’t support sugar creates hyperactivity
- Blood sugar doesn’t spike and crash unless you have diabetes or reactive hypoglycemia
- Be aware how much sugar is in your food - but don’t be afraid
- too many calories from anything will cause weight gain
- “hidden sugar” isn’t really an issue
- feeds into a conspiracy theory about the food industry tricking us into buying food - look at the label
- people buy what tastes good
- “added sugar” label is confusing
- Look at it from diabetes point of view.
- Snacks should fill nutrient and hunger gaps
- look at label to see what nutrients are in the snack
- we don’t get enough produce
- use all forms of produce to get what we need: Fresh, canned, frozen, and dried.
- small cups of apple sauce or fruit are portion controlled
- chose based on your own needs and standards
- look at label to see what nutrients are in the snack
Three tips to avoid food bullying:
- Food shouldn’t make you feel bad. If you aren’t feeling good about a food (or are uncertain) step back and think about your goals and standards
- Don’t pay attention to the front of the package. Look at the nutrition label.
- Focus on nutrient-rich foods.
Links:
Sound Bites Podcast: https://soundbitesrd.com
Melissa on Instagram & Twitter: @melissajoyrd
Food Bullying Podcast’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/foodbullyingpodcast
Food Bullying: How to Avoid B.S. by Michele Payn: http://foodbullying.com
Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene: http://www.embraceyourheart.com/