Real World Nutrition News You Can Use

There is a lot of misinformation about nutrition. And nothing in this field is black-or-white, yes-or-no, but many shades of gray and a lot of “it depends.” So, my goal is to help clear up some of that misinformation with some snark, entertainment, and facts (with some opinion thrown in). 

Many of these topics come from interactions with the public, friends, clients, and students. I see sheer misinformation about the science of nutrition, and I do my best to clear things up one blog post at a time. 

If you have a topic you are wondering about, let me know

Looking for a specific topic? Search to see if it is already here.


Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Navigating the Sea of Diets: Unveiling Fad Diets and Embracing Sustainable Eating

Explore the world of diets, uncover the truth about fad diets, and learn to spot their red flags. Change to a sustainable eating approach with expert advice and discover eight actionable steps to build a healthy, balanced approach. Ready to break free? Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call for a journey towards sustainable and satisfying eating!

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

The Detox Dilemma: Navigating the Myths and Realities for a Fresh Start

Explore the truth behind detoxing and cleansing as we enter 2024. Uncover these wellness trends’ myths, allure, and potential pitfalls. Discover the power of naturally detoxifying foods for a balanced and sustainable fresh start. Join me on a journey to rethink your approach to wellness, nourishing your body for a healthier you.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Elevate Your 2024: Embracing a Diet and Exercise

Are you ready for a healthier you in 2024? Explore nutrition and fitness goals for a well-rounded approach to wellness. Discover achievable steps for a nourishing and fulfilling year, from savoring colorful fruits to embracing active living.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Embracing Vegetarianism: A Spectrum of Choices

Explore the world of vegetarianism on a flexible spectrum! Learn about the types of vegetarianism, health benefits, environmental impact, and practical tips for transitioning. Embrace the freedom of personalized plant-based choices.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

The Dirty Dozen and Chlorine?

With the Environmental Working Group rereleasing its Dirty Dozen list, I bring you some perspective and the foods that I “always buy organic.” What are the things you should concern yourself with? The truth might surprise you.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Reconsider Frozen Foods

When you hear “frozen food,” – what comes to mind? For some, frozen pizza, “tv dinners,” ice cream, and other foods high in added sodium, sugar, and fat. Convenience foods. Sure, those are foods found in the freezer section. And what else is there in the freezer section? There are plenty of frozen vegetables and fruit.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

52 Weeks – One Week at a Time

How do you eat an elephant? You’ve likely heard this question when addressing how to tackle a big goal. (As a dietitian, my first question when I heard this was, who eats elephants?) The answer, of course, is one bite at a time. As with so many things, we need to do a few things to accomplish something “big” – reach a goal and get results.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Real World Nutrition Challenge

Nutrition is part of our world, and our body needs nutrients. That is a fact – you cannot live without eating, and you cannot avoid it. Many people enjoy it. Some people are confused by it. Others do it without considering any implications of the food they eat. And nutrition can be VERY confusing. The fads, gimmicks, trends, and unrealistic ideas about eating in the real world – how does one do it? The Real World Nutrition Challenge will help you with that.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

The Single Healthiest Thing You Can Do for Your Body

Over the years, people have put me on the spot and demanded I answer this question: “What is ONE thing I can do to be healthier?” Now as a dietitian, I gravitate to a food-related answer. I cannot help it. However, that doesn’t mean that answer is ‘right,’ and my answer has changed over the years.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention

You may have heard of antioxidants and have a vague idea that these are good for you. But what are they, why are they good for you, and where do we find them?

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

How Is Your Heart? Get Checked

There are many things to consider for your overall risk of heart disease. These considerations include lifestyle, family history, and regular checkups. Many people are unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. People think that if they aren’t “old,” they don’t have a family history, and because they drink red wine and eat dark chocolate, they aren’t at risk.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Simple Food Swaps for Your Heart

While there are many foods you can add to your diet for heart health, consider some simple swaps for things you are already eating. Not all foods warrant a trade or swap, but consider what you could do. Today I list five simple food swaps for your heart and your health.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Heart Disease and Cancer - Many Diseases Under Those Names

February is American Heart Month. It is also Cancer Prevention Awareness Month. So this month, most of my articles/posts will address several things related to both disease classes. However, this post explains a bit more about what is considered heart disease (there are many things) and that cancer is not just one disease but many. Consider this article foundational for additional information coming in the following several articles.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

The Case for Planning, Meal Planning

The case for meal planning. Now, don’t confuse this with meal prep – making the bulk of your week’s meals in one major cooking session at the start of the week. That is a different topic. Meal planning and meal prepping are two different topics. This is meal planning to save you time.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

No Weight Loss? That is Probably Okay

Are you frustrated with your scale and apparent lack of weight loss? Consider this: the number on the scale tells only part of the overall health story. Does it say anything about our overall health? Not really. It just shows mass, and changes in mass, day-to-day. That's it.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Five Foods (and Beverages) to Consider Fueling Your Fitness

In the last post, I wrote about fueling fitness and how most people either don’t do it correctly or at all or believe it requires supplements. So today, I am giving the top five things to ensure you properly fuel, and recover from, your fitness.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Fueling Fitness

One of the most significant issues I see when it comes to diet and exercise is that people need to fuel their bodies in preparation for exercise - but they don't. While doing a 30-45, or even 60-minute run or lifting session, there isn't a need to carbo load, pound protein, or take pre-workout. However, properly fueling will help with a productive workout and feeling like it is easier.

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Five More Weight Loss Myths Busted

The previous post included the top five myths regarding weight loss. But I couldn’t stop there. This post includes five more myths: low carb, exercise, and that healthy food tastes like cardboard - does it?

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Shelley Rael Shelley Rael

Five Weight Loss Myths Busted

While I am always promoting that people should focus on their overall health and mental and physical wellness, weight loss is still a big focus for many people – not just in January, but year-round. Many drastic measures to lose weight are temporary and will result in weight regain when old habits return. I have found that many weight loss myths persist. Here are the top five myths regarding weight loss.

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