If you’ve ever had a patient complain about brain fog, forgetfulness, or mental fatigue, you’re not alone. Cognitive health isn’t just a concern for aging patients—it affects everyone, from kids in school to busy professionals juggling a million tasks.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jenna Stedman, a Cognitive Performance Dietitian, who breaks down the science of brain health and what we can do to support it—starting with food.

What You’ll Learn:

• The top nutrients that support memory, focus, and mental clarity
• The solution to "brain fog" that people completely miss
• The Brain Power Plate—a simple way to build meals that boost cognition
• The facts about smoothies

Plus, practical tips you can share with patients—so they don’t reach for energy drinks when food is the real solution.

Resources & Links:

• Episode 80 | The MIND Diet: What To Eat For Brain Health
• Dr. Stedman’s Brain Power Plate breakdown
• Blog: 9 Questions to Ask About Cognitive Health
• Connect with Dr. Stedman: masternutritionlab.com | LinkedIn

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Have you ever had a patient do everything right—take the meds, follow your nutrition advice—yet they’re still struggling with symptoms? Chronic issues like reflux, IBS, and fatigue aren’t always solved with a prescription. So what’s missing?

In this episode, I sit down with Shefaly Ravula, PA-C, founder of Precision Gut Health, to bridge the gap between conventional and functional medicine. We break down what’s science-backed, what’s pseudoscience, and how busy clinicians can incorporate functional nutrition without overcomplicating patient care.

Key takeaways:

• The biggest misconceptions about functional medicine (hint: it’s not all supplements and detoxes)
• The labs your patients might need—but we often overlook
• Why a one-size-fits-all diet doesn’t work and how to personalize nutrition advice
• Simple gut health strategies to help patients—without defaulting to PPIs
• The 5R Framework to gut healing

If you’ve ever wondered whether functional medicine is just a rebrand of wellness trends—or if there’s real science behind it—this episode is for you.

Connect with Shefaly: Precision Gut Health | Instagram @precisionguthealth

Functional Nutrition Certificate through IFNA

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Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Patients are overwhelmed with nutrition misinformation—“toxic foods", hormone imbalances, and glucose spikes. In this episode, I sit down with Barbie Boules, a Registered Dietitian who specializes in brain health and metabolic wellness, to bust the biggest myths your patients are hearing—and what you can say to set the record straight.

Here's what you'll learn:

• Why “toxic” and “chemical” food fears are misleading
• The truth about hormones and weight loss
• Whether CGMs are useful for patients without diabetes
• The biggest nutrition priorities for midlife women

Connect with Barbie:

https://www.barbieboules.com/

Episode 11 | Be Radiant: Overcoming Nutrition Challenges for Women Over 40

Episode 67 | Is Your Patient Noncompliant or Just Struggling?

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Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Welcome to The Nutrition Newsroom - a monthly update on the latest nutrition headlines, breaking down what's trending, why it matters, and how to explain it to your patients.

This week, we're covering three hot topics:

1. FDA Band Red 3 - What's the real risk? Should your patients be concerned?
2. The FDA's New Proposed Food Label - Will this front-of-package label actually help consumers make better choices?
3. The Most insane cholesterol case ever - A man's carnivore diet sent his cholesterol skyrocketing. What does this mean for your patients who are all-in on low-carb diets?

Your patients are heading about these stories. Be the provider with the facts, not the fear - so you can answer their questions with confidence.

Resource & Links Mentioned:
JAMA Cardiology Case Study
Image of cholesterol deposits
FDA Red Ban Announcement
FDA's Proposed New Food Label
Join the conversation on LinkedIn

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Connect with Colleen:
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Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Step into the world of Nutrition Grand Rounds with this exclusive sneak peek! In this episode, I’m sharing handpicked clips from our latest presentation on bone health, featuring two dietitians, Grace Rivers and Stephanie Turkel. With over 30 years of experience, they’re sharing actionable tips and eye-opening insights to help you guide your patients toward stronger, healthier bones.

If you think you’re already covering all the bases with your patients’ bone health, think again. From the surprising truth about salads to decoding DEXA scans, this episode has something for everyone!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why 7 out of 10 women over 50 are at risk for low bone mass—and what you can do about it.
• The critical nutrients your patients are likely missing (hint: it’s not just calcium and vitamin D).
• How to help patients build meals that are actually filling and nutrient-packed.

This is just a small taste of what Nutrition Grand Rounds has to offer. We’re building a community of passionate healthcare professionals who want to stay on the cutting edge of nutrition science and bring that knowledge into the exam room.

Our next live session is on February 12 at noon EST, featuring Dr. Basma Faris—an OBGYN, Registered Dietitian, and certified culinary medicine specialist. She’ll be breaking down the latest nutrition guidelines for managing PCOS. If you can't make it live, the recordings are available.

Join now at nutritiongrandrounds.com! This is your chance to learn from the best, ask questions, and walk away with actionable insights that can transform your patients’ lives.

Connect with Grace and Stephanie:
Practicaldietitians.com

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Ever feel overwhelmed when a patient asks for weight loss advice? Whether it’s helping a perimenopausal mom with a packed schedule or guiding a retired man managing type 2 diabetes, personalized strategies make all the difference.

In this episode, Colleen is joined by Whittany, Co-Founder of Alterra Health and a Registered Dietitian specializing in bariatric care and medical weight loss. Together, they tackle two real-life patient scenarios to illustrate how clincians can deliver personalized, effective weight loss strategies. From protein planners to non-scale victories, discover how to simplify patient conversations, focus on overall health, and help your patients make meaningful progress.

Key Takeaways:

• Personalized Weight Loss Advice: Tailor your guidance to meet patients’ unique lifestyles and challenges.
• Practical Tools for Clinicians: Learn how to use protein planners, food swaps, and habit trackers effectively.
• Non-Scale Victories: Reframe goals to focus on health, energy, and longevity, not just the scale.
• Case-Based Learning: See how to approach weight loss for a busy perimenopausal mom and a diabetic retiree.

🎉 Bonus: Share this episode in your Instagram stories and tag @examroomnutrition for a chance to win a pair of Lilly Trotters compression socks! Winner to be announced 01/26/2025. Must be a resident of the USA to win.

Freebies and Resources:
Protein Planner and Protein List - free download
Episode 68 | The Right Way to Talk Weight: Simple Tips for Busy, Burned-Out Clinicians
Alterra Health

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
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Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Have you seen the headlines about disturbing levels of heavy metals in protein powders? If you're panicking about whether your shake is safe, take a breath. In this episode, we tackle the fear head-on and uncover what’s fact, what’s hype, and how to make informed decisions about your supplements.

What We Covered:

• Understanding supplement regulation: Learn how the FDA and third-party testing actually work, and why regulation might be better than you think.
• Heavy metals in context: Why chocolate and plant-based protein powders show higher levels of contaminants, and how they compare to everyday foods.
• Breaking down protein types: The differences between whey and plant-based proteins—and what terms like isolate, concentrate, and hydrolysate mean.
• Practical tips for clinicians and consumers: How to vet your protein powder, interpret third-party labels, and guide patients toward safe, high-quality options.

Resources Mentioned:

• FDA’s “Closer to Zero” Program and Testing Results for Heavy Metals
• Free infographic: “Your Protein Powder Breakdown” – Download here
• Past episode on supplement regulation: "Is That Supplement Worth It? A Crash Course in Regulation and Safety"
• Pandora's Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal (not an affiliate)
• FDA Testing Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium and Mercury

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
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LinkedIn
Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

I’m the first one to call out "trendy" wellness approaches, so when I heard about cycle syncing, I was hesitant to say the least. Today's episode explores cycle syncing - a practice of aligning lifestyle habits with the different phases of the menstrual cycle. This approach helps women adjust their diet, exercise, and social activities in alignment with the four phases of the menstrual cycle can significantly improve women's health.

Whether you're managing your own hormonal challenges or working with patients who struggle with PMS, PCOS, or irregular cycles, this episode offers practical insights on how cycle syncing might complement your clinical toolbox.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Cycle syncing can be particularly beneficial for patients with severe PMS symptoms, PCOS, or those who aren't seeing results despite maintaining healthy habits
• The approach involves tailoring nutrition and exercise recommendations to four distinct menstrual phases, with specific focus on supporting hormonal shifts throughout the cycle
• Before implementing cycle syncing, clinicians should first help patients establish regular cycles

Resources:
Download Amy' Free wellness guide
https://thewealthofwellness.com/
Connect with Amy on Instagram

Related Episodes:
An often undiagnosed cause of Infertility

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Connect with Colleen:
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Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.