Mayo Clinic On Nutrition

About 40% of U.S. adults have obesity. Thankfully, there are more treatment options now than ever before. But when considering your options, what factors should you weigh beyond cost and recovery time? And what might life look like after you’ve reached your goal weight? On this episode of On Nutrition, endocrinologist Meera Shah, M.D., walks us through the considerations that can help you decide whether bariatric surgery or a GLP-1 medication may be right for you, from potential side effects to long-term sustainability. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.  Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

How much protein do you need as a petite person? Is there a cutoff time for eating after a late workout? And what exactly is “excess dairy”? On this episode of On Nutrition, Tara answers your nutrition questions and unpacks the “health or hype” behind online trends like “GLP-3s” and “fibermaxxing.” Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.  Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Insulin resistance is a complex metabolic condition associated with an increased risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Dr. Ali Chappell discusses how food and lifestyle can affect insulin sensitivity, common nutrition myths, and why people with PMOS may be more likely to experience insulin resistance. Disclaimer: Insulin resistance does not have a single routine clinical test, and insulin-level testing is not routinely recommended to screen for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. This episode discusses emerging areas of research.

Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are often behind bloating, frequent trips to the bathroom and having to avoid favorite foods. But there are ways to reduce symptoms and live with fewer interruptions. On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Christine Lothen-Kline explains the gut-brain connection, the role of fiber and simple habits that can support healthy digestion. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.  Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

About 45 million Americans go on a diet every year. But what if there were a different way to engage with food, without so many rules? Intuitive eating, the practice of following your hunger cues, is all about rejecting diet culture, guilt and shame. On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Sam Previte shares the 10 principles of intuitive eating, exercises to examine your relationship with food and how to tap into your hunger and fullness cues. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

The five-second rule. Fruit and vegetable washes. The "yoga mat" compound. When it comes to food science and safety, misinformation (and bacteria) are everywhere. On this episode of On Nutrition, food scientist Roxi Smith (@Hydroxide.FoodScience) gives a crash course in kitchen tips, food contamination and how to properly handle leftovers. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Eating disorders are much more than anorexia and bulimia. Many people — including men, older adults and people living with obesity — struggle with their relationship with food in ways that can be harmful to their health. In some cases, treatments such as GLP-1 medications may exacerbate or uncover an underlying eating disorder. In this episode of On Nutrition, pediatrician and eating disorder specialist Dr. Angela Mattke discusses the different types of eating disorders, how to find support and treatment, and the groundbreaking research that has shaped much of what we know about starvation and nutrition. Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

One in 10 U.S. adults has at least one food allergy. While many involve familiar triggers like peanuts or shellfish, more than 170 foods have been linked to allergic reactions. So why do food allergies seem more common than ever? And what should you do if one develops in adulthood? On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Sara Wolf answers common food allergy questions and shares how she’s navigated her own. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

About one-fourth of U.S. adults have a diagnosed mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. And with the everyday stress of life, even people who don't have a diagnosis may be looking for a way to find some relief. Can we find a solution on our plates? Is nutrition an effective way to treat mental health? On this episode of On Nutrition, psychiatrist Brooke Resch, M.D., a nutrition influencer who goes by @CookWithDrBrooke online, shares her take on nutritional psychiatry myths and how patients can translate nutrition information into real-life meals while dealing with real-life limitations. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Almost a fourth of the U.S. population lives with chronic pain, with treatment options including medication and physical therapy. But where does nutrition fit in? Is it possible to reduce chronic pain with food and weight management? In this episode of On Nutrition, Healthnix app founder Maja Mazur and registered dietitian Chelsey Hoffmann talk about the gut-brain connection’s role in pain, which foods trigger inflammation and how supplements may or may not help. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Why do some people seem to shed weight easily while others don’t get the same results, no matter how hard they try? According to the theory of obesity phenotypes, the way each of us gains weight is different — and the best way to lose it may be different, too. On this episode of On Nutrition, bariatrician, gastroenterologist and internist Dr. Andres Acosta shares his research on obesity phenotypes, how genetics can play a role in developing obesity, and how a person’s phenotype gives providers a pathway to tailor treatment. Sign up⁠ to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at ⁠Mayo Clinic Press⁠ for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at ⁠mcppodcasts@mayo.edu⁠.

Humans are living longer than ever — but longer life doesn’t always mean better health. More than half of U.S. adults are living with at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease or obesity. So what can we actually control to help prevent these diseases as we age? And what should we be eating to stay healthier, longer? On this episode of On Nutrition, cardiologist Dr. Stephen Kopecky breaks down 11 foods linked to longevity and shares practical strategies for healthy aging from his book, Live Younger Longer. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Why are habits so hard to build — and even harder to break? And do they really have to be perfect to improve your health? On this episode of On Nutrition, Mayo Clinic dietitian Tara Schmidt sits down with health coach Jenn Trepeck to explore the science of habits and how small, realistic changes can lead to lasting results. From decision fatigue to mindset shifts, they break down why so many health goals stall — and what actually helps them stick. They also discuss the role of health coaching, how habits evolve over time, and why flexibility — not perfection — may be the key to long-term success. Whether you’re trying to eat better, move more or reset your routine, this episode offers practical strategies to help you build habits that work in real life. ⁠Sign up⁠ to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at ⁠Mayo Clinic Press⁠ for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at ⁠mcppodcasts@mayo.edu⁠.

About 4.5 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with some form of liver disease, and some will go on to need a liver transplant. What interventions are available to help avoid that procedure? And if someone does receive a transplant, how can their diet support their new liver and help keep it as healthy as possible? On this episode of On Nutrition, transplant clinical dietitian Heather Bamlet explains how she supports transplant patients and shares strategies to help prevent — and in some cases, even reverse — certain liver diseases. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Food is more than the sum of its parts. Nutrients in supplements act differently than the same nutrients in whole foods. The way those nutrients are packaged, bonded and processed all factor into what’s known as a food matrix. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Sally Cummins, a registered dietitian and senior vice president of nutrition affairs at the National Dairy Council. She shares the science behind the dairy food matrix and explains how you can see the food matrix at work in everyday foods. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Almost half of US adults have been diagnosed with hypertension, with the main culprit being a high-sodium diet. So how can we avoid being part of that statistic? And what food choices should we be making to keep a low blood pressure? On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Laurie Molina describes the DASH eating plan, methods to maintain a low-sodium diet, and the surprising benefits of potassium. Mayo Clinic's low-sodium recipes: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/low-sodium-recipes/rcs-20077197 Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Stress, uncertainty and unmet emotional needs can influence eating patterns in ways that go beyond hunger. Research suggests that many adults turn to food for comfort when feeling tired, anxious, inadequate or lonely — a pattern often described as emotional eating. So how can we recognize these triggers and develop healthier ways to cope? On this episode of On Nutrition, holistic nutritionist and health coach Ali Shapiro joins host Tara Schmidt, R.D.N., to discuss the root causes of emotional eating, how physiology and psychology interact, and practical strategies to pause, identify needs and build self-trust over time. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Are your New Year’s resolutions supporting your long-term health, or sending you back into another cycle of short-term diet trends? Before you commit to the latest plan, learn which nutrition strategies are supported by evidence and can contribute to lasting well-being in 2026 and beyond. In this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck is joined by Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic. Together, they discuss evidence-based nutrition, the role of GLP-1 medications, why weight management is not just about the scale, and how to build sustainable lifestyle habits that extend past January. A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Almost half of U.S. adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease, and the effects can extend far beyond the mouth. Research has linked gum disease to more than 50 systemic conditions, including diabetes, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. So how can we help prevent oral inflammation and harmful bacteria from affecting overall health? On this episode of On Nutrition, dentist Alex Silvia, D.D.S., explains why gum health matters, which nutrients may help slow disease progression, and whether that tongue scraper is worth adding to your routine. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is it possible to run out of things to say about nutrition? Not at all! Coming up on On Nutrition: the oral-systemic connection, emotional eating, hypertension, and the food matrix. New episodes every other Tuesday. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy