Real World Nutrition Podcast
Move past the fads, gimmicks, trends, detoxing, cleanses, fasting, and other unrealistic ideas about eating in the real world. If you want to eat and enjoy food without feeling deprived, join Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Shelley A. Rael as she cuts through the hype and gives real talk about eating healthier.
Launched in 2021 and with over 250 episodes in the library, new episodes drop weekly, every Friday.
Available on your favorite podcast app/platform, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PodBean, Spotify, and Stitcher.
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What Actually Matters? Finding an Eating Pattern That Works for You
What's the best diet? The answer depends on more than the latest trend. After six episodes exploring diets, from Mediterranean and DASH to quick-fix plans and therapeutic diets, this episode brings the discussion together.
Learn how to evaluate nutrition advice, match an eating pattern to your health goals, and prioritize sustainability over rigid rules. Discover why consistency matters more than extreme changes, what to consider before following the next nutrition trend, and how to find an approach that fits your health needs, preferences, budget, and everyday life.
No single diet works for everyone, but practical, evidence-informed choices can help you build an eating pattern that supports your health over time.
The Best Diets: Why DASH, MIND, Mediterranean, and Flexitarian Rank Well
Every year, "best diet" lists rank eating patterns based on nutrition, health outcomes, sustainability, and other factors. But what can these rankings actually teach us about healthy eating?
In this episode, the focus is on DASH, MIND, Mediterranean-style, Flexitarian, and plant-forward eating patterns, and the characteristics they share. These approaches emphasize variety, nutrient-rich foods, flexibility, and sustainable habits rather than rigid rules and extreme restriction
What Makes a Diet “Good”? 7 Traits of Healthy Eating Patterns
What actually makes a diet "good"? Not how quickly it produces weight loss, how restrictive it is, or how many foods it eliminates.
In this episode, the second in a mini-series about diets and dietary patterns, the focus is on seven characteristics commonly found in eating patterns that support health: adequacy, balance, variety, moderation, sustainability, enjoyment, and cultural fit.
Heart Disease Is Still the #1 Killer. Are We Making Progress?
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, yet significant progress has been made over the past several decades. Advances in screening, emergency care, medications, and medical procedures have improved survival rates and helped many people live longer after cardiovascular events.
This episode explains what is included under the umbrella of cardiovascular disease, why heart disease can develop without noticeable symptoms, and how improvements in healthcare have changed outcomes over time. It also explores why heart disease continues to be so common despite these advances.