The Weekly Digest
Discover the latest in nutrition – from reliable research to practical tips and wholesome recipes dished out by registered dietitians. Whether you're seeking science-backed insights, expert advice, or delicious ways to nourish your body, we've got you covered!
Protecting Your Kidneys as You Age: Simple Daily Habits That Matter
Kidney function naturally changes as we age. It’s common for filtration (measured as eGFR) to gradually decline over time, even in otherwise healthy adults. Importantly, this does not automatically mean kidney disease. What matters most is how your kidneys are functioning in the context of your overall health, and the daily habits that support them. As we get older, the kidneys become more sensitive to dehydration, blood pressure changes, blood sugar levels, and medications. The biggest risk factors for kidney decline include high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic dehydration, and frequent use of medications like NSAIDs. The encouraging part is that many of these are manageable, and small, consistent habits can go a long way in protecting kidney function over time.
When Social Media Influences Eating Patterns: How to Discern Helpful Info vs. Harmful Narratives
In today’s digital world, social media can play a big role in shaping our views on nutrition, often in both positive and negative ways. While platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest can offer delicious inspiration and encourage body positivity, they can also push unrealistic expectations and unhealthy dieting messages.
7 Signs You May Have An Eating Disorder
Cultural messages can become internalized. The voice that says someone just isn’t trying hard enough can quietly shape how they think and feel about food, their body, and movement. For many people, these pressures contribute to patterns around food and exercise that begin as attempts to cope or feel in control, but can eventually become distressing or difficult to navigate alone.
Eating disorders are complex and can affect people of all body sizes, identities, and backgrounds. They are not a sign of failure or lack of willpower.
Why Am I Always Hungry? Understanding What Your Body Might Be Telling You
“Why am I always hungry?” is a question many people ask at some point. Feeling hungry often can be confusing, especially when messages about food sometimes suggest that hunger is something we should try to control or minimize.
In reality, hunger is one of the body’s most important biological signals. Appetite is regulated through a complex system involving the brain, digestive system, hormones, sleep, and daily routines. Hunger helps ensure that the body receives enough energy to support thinking, movement, and overall health.
If you notice that you feel hungry frequently, it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. More often, it is an invitation to get curious about what your body might need.
Personalized Nutrition Requires A Person: Where AI Falls Short
Scrolling social media or typing a quick question into AI can feel like an easy way to get nutrition advice. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I understand the appeal. Information is instant, free, and often presented confidently. But when it comes to your health (particularly hormone balance, gut issues, weight changes, or chronic symptoms) relying on AI-generated nutrition advice can be misleading and, in some cases, harmful.
Eating Disorders in Young Men: What Often Gets Missed
In communities like Bozeman, where strength, endurance, and outdoor performance are part of daily life, eating disorders in boys and young men can be especially easy to overlook. They don’t always look like the stereotypes we’ve been taught to expect.
The reality is that boys and men struggle with eating disorders too. And when symptoms don’t fit traditional narratives, they are more likely to be missed.
Endurance Snacks: What to Eat During Activities Over an Hour
If your workout lasts longer than an hour, water alone usually isn’t enough.
Whether you’re training for a half-marathon, heading out for a long ride, or planning a full-day hike, your body needs carbohydrates during prolonged activity. Not because you lack willpower. Not because you didn’t “eat clean.” But because your muscles run primarily on stored glycogen, and those stores are limited.
Reasons to See a Dietitian
Nutrition is deeply personal. Friends, family, or strangers on the internet readily volunteer nutrition recommendations, yet these recommendations are often filled with unqualified advice. Misinformation can be unsafe, stigmatizing, or simply untrue. Alternatively, dietitians provide scientific, evidenced-based nutrition information. We are not the food police, we help you enjoy food, feel your best, and live fully without feeling like food is taking over your life.
Mastering Homemade Salad Dressing: A Simple Guide for Better Flavor and Nutrition
Don’t you hate it when you want to make a quick salad or vegetable side but realize you don’t have any dressing or sauce on hand? Many dressings can be made with simple ingredients you may already have in your pantry, making it easy to add flavor without extra effort or a trip to the store.
The foundation: a simple vinaigrette formula
A reliable starting point for any vinaigrette is this classic ratio: 3 parts oil : 1 part acid + a pinch of salt
3 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp acid
¼ tsp salt
Optional: ½–1 tsp Dijon (for better emulsification)
Optional: ½–1 tsp honey or maple syrup (for balance)
Endurance Nutrition: Fueling Your Body Without Overcomplicating It
Endurance training asks a lot of your body. Long runs, rides, swims, or back-to-back training days require more than grit alone, they require fuel. And not just once in a while, but consistent fueling.
A lot of endurance athletes are exposed to nutrition advice that sounds disciplined and performance-focused but often leads to the opposite result: chronic fatigue, stalled progress, injuries, or feeling “off” without knowing why. Many of these issues trace back to one core problem: not fueling enough to support the work your body is doing.