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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The Most Misguided Diets: Cabbage Soup, Military Diet, Detoxes & More
Quick-fix diets have been around for decades, from the Cabbage Soup Diet and Military Diet to detoxes, cleanses, cookie diets, and other highly restrictive plans. But why do these diets seem to work, and what actually causes the weight loss?
This episode looks at the common promises behind fad diets, why short-term weight loss doesn't necessarily mean a diet is effective long-term, and how to recognize the warning signs of a quick-fix approach.
When Diets Go Sideways: Keto, Carnivore, and Other Diet Trends
Some popular diets began with very different purposes than the ones they are associated with today. The ketogenic diet was developed as a medical therapy for epilepsy, elimination diets are used as short-term diagnostic tools, and Whole30 was designed as a temporary elimination and reintroduction program. Meanwhile, carnivore have become a major social media trend despite limited long-term research.
This episode explores what happens when dietary approaches are simplified, repackaged, and promoted for weight loss, wellness, or a wide range of health concerns. The discussion looks at the difference between the medical ketogenic diet and modern keto, the purpose of elimination diets, how temporary programs can become long-term restrictions, and why social media often turns nuanced nutrition questions into simple answers.
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.
What Is a Diet, Really? Why We've Misunderstood the Word "Diet"
What does the word "diet" actually mean? For many people, the word immediately brings to mind weight loss, restriction, food rules, and giving up favorite foods. But the original meaning of diet is much simpler: it is the pattern of foods and beverages a person typically consumes.