Studies suggest that common ingredient combinations can reduce nutrient absorption. But don’t abandon your smoothie routine just yet. New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age . Have a nutrition question? Send an email to ...
Jun 25, 2025•9 min•Ep. 821
Do the new anti-obesity medications treat a metabolic disease or a psychological one? New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age . Have a nutrition question? Send an email to [email protected]. Follow Nutritio...
Jun 18, 2025•15 min•Ep. 820
Monica revisits The Dirty Dozen list and whether or not these foods with the highest level of pesticides are, in fact, unsafe to consume. This is a reissue of an episode that aired in 2024, and remains relevant, as the 2025 Dirty Dozen was recently released. Related listening: What exactly are the advantages of eating seasonally? (Nutrition Diva #761) Pesticides on Our Plates: Is Our Food Safe to Eat? (Nutrition Diva #499) Mentioned in this episode: Calculate - Safe Fruits and Veggies New to Nut...
Jun 16, 2025•4 min
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler believes it’s time to treat certain foods the way we treat cigarettes. But food is not tobacco. Dr. Kessler's new book Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine Related Episodes: A provocative new study on ultra-processed foods | Nutrition Diva The surprising links between UPFs and diet quality | Nutrition Diva New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some g...
Jun 11, 2025•13 min•Ep. 819
Today's episode explores whether certain foods can be addictive, with insight from Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine." Monica and Dr. Kessler discuss the concept of food addiction, compulsive eating, and the brain's reward system. Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/can-we-really-be-addicted-to-food-with-dr-david-kessler/transcript References Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent...
Jun 04, 2025•16 min•Ep. 818
There’s a lot of buzz about molecular hydrogen–and there is some science to talk about. Let’s sort the hope from the hype. References: Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax?—A Systematic Review - PMC You might also like these related episodes from topics discussed in this episode: Red yeast rice extract Berberine Fatty liver Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/molecular-hydrogen-legit-breakthrough-or-the-latest-overhyped-supplement/transcript New to Nutrition Diva? Check...
May 28, 2025•11 min•Ep. 817
As we enter our senior years, bone loss accelerates and the risk of fractures rises—but there’s still plenty we can do. In this final episode of our special series "Stronger Bones at Every Age ," we share practical nutrition, lifestyle, and exercise strategies to preserve bone density, reduce fall risk, and maintain mobility and independence in later life. "Stronger Bones at Every Age" is a special limited series made possible in part by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to...
May 26, 2025•24 min
Fiber and protein can both work to tame your appetite. But both have a lot of other important jobs to do as well. Can we optimize for both? Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/beef-vs-beans-a-shootout-at-the-breakfast-corral/transcript New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ...
May 21, 2025•11 min•Ep. 816
During midlife, the focus shifts from building bone to preserving it. In the third installment of our special series "Stronger Bones at Every Age, " we explain how nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle habits in your 30s to 60s can help maintain bone density, prevent loss, and support long-term skeletal health. "Stronger Bones at Every Age" is a special limited series made possible in part by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. This series is dedic...
May 19, 2025•25 min
Do you think of these labels as being more or less interchangeable? Today, we’ll clear up some of the confusion around multi-grain and whole grain labels. New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age . Have a nutrition questi...
May 14, 2025•13 min•Ep. 815
Teens and young adults are in their final window to build strong bones for life. In the second installment of our special series "Stronger Bones at Every Age," we explore how nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle habits during this critical stage shape lifelong bone health—and how parents and caregivers can support healthy development. "Stronger Bones at Every Age" is a special limited series made possible in part by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Check...
May 12, 2025•21 min
Juicing promises an easy way to cram more fruits and veggies into your day—but is it really a shortcut to better health? Mentioned in this episode: Are free radicals good for you? (Nutrition Diva #128) Food segregation (Nutrition Diva #34) Does blending destroy fiber? (Nutrition Diva #270) What are the benefits of a raw food diet? (Nutrition Diva #99) You can find all the episodes listed above and more on "juicing" in our newest Spotify playlist ! New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spo...
May 07, 2025•16 min•Ep. 814
In the first installment of our special series "Stronger Bones at Every Age," we explore how the choices we make in childhood can set the stage for lifelong bone health. We’ll look at the critical roles of calcium, protein, and physical activity—and share practical tips for helping kids build strong, resilient bones from the very start. "Stronger Bones at Every Age" is a special limited series made possible in part by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. ...
May 05, 2025•19 min
HHS Secretary Kennedy wants to ban the use of fluoride in public water supplies. What are the arguments for and against this practice? References: CDC: Community Water Fluoridation Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries Developmental fluoride neurotoxicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on speci...
Apr 30, 2025•11 min•Ep. 813
A new anti-aging supplement claims to combat “cellular fragility”. There’s just one small problem. References Efficacy of dietary odd-chain saturated fatty acid pentadecanoic acid parallels broad associated health benefits in humans: could it be essential? | Scientific Reports The Dietary Total-Fat Content Affects the In Vivo Circulating C15:0 and C17:0 Fatty Acid Levels Independently - PMC Broader and safer clinically-relevant activities of pentadecanoic acid compared to omega-3: Evaluation of ...
Apr 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 812
These compounds are said to fight aging by clearing “zombie cells” out of your body. Is there any science to back this up? References Effects of intermittent senolytic therapy on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women: a phase 2 randomized controlled trial - PubMed A pilot study of senolytics to improve cognition and mobility in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease - ScienceDirect JCI - Strategies targeting cellular senescence Targeting senescent cells: approaches, opportunities, challe...
Apr 16, 2025•10 min•Ep. 811
Four years ago, Pendulum Therapeutics launched a breakthrough probiotic clinically shown to improve blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. Do their newer products live up to the hype? References: Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation | BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best epi...
Apr 09, 2025•12 min•Ep. 810
Practical guidance on evaluating sources and tips to help you navigate misinformation. Nutrition Diva archives: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes Research Tools: PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ Cochrane Library https://www.cochranelibrary.com Examine.com https://examine.com Balanced, Reliable Sources for Health Information: Mayo Clinic Health Information https://www.mayoclinic.org Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials https://health.clevelandclinic.org Nutrition Source – Harvar...
Apr 02, 2025•13 min•Ep. 809
Travelers who avoid wheat in the U.S. frequently claim that European bread is no problem. What’s going on? New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age . Have a nutrition question? Send an email to nutrition@quickanddirtytips...
Mar 26, 2025•13 min•Ep. 808
A protein powder can be a convenient way to add a little extra protein to your diet. Does it matter which one you use? Mentioned in this episode: New ways to use whey protein powder New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Ag...
Mar 19, 2025•15 min•Ep. 807
Raw milk is often praised for its potential health benefits, but how do those claims stack up against the risks? This episode breaks down the science behind unpasteurized dairy, exploring its possible links to allergy prevention, the dangers of foodborne illness, and the regulations designed to protect consumers. Resources: The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk | FDA Local Harvest Raw and Heat-Treated Milk: From Public Health Risks to Nutritional Quality The ...
Mar 12, 2025•13 min•Ep. 806
Monica explores whether fiber supplements like Metamucil or Benefiber are necessary for digestive health. While fiber is crucial for digestion, heart health, and the gut microbiome, most people fall short of the recommended intake. Can a fiber-rich diet provide all the fiber you need without the uncomfortable side effects of supplements? Nutrition Diva is hosted by Monica Reinagel. A transcript is available at Simplecast . New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a colle...
Mar 05, 2025•12 min•Ep. 805
A new study suggests that lycopene may have antidepressant-like effects in mice. But what does this really mean for you? Mentioned in this episode: Lycopene Alleviates Depression-Like Behavior in Chronic Social Defeat Stress-Induced Mice by Promoting Synaptic Plasticity via the BDNF–TrkB Pathway (Wiley - Food Science & Nutrition) New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some ...
Feb 26, 2025•9 min•Ep. 804
A new study finds that vitamin K2 may be helpful for nighttime leg cramps. What else can it do for us? Related listening: The truth about magnesium and muscle cramps (Nutrition Diva #769) New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health ! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Ev...
Feb 19, 2025•8 min•Ep. 803
Why do late-night snack cravings hit so hard? It’s more than just willpower—circadian rhythms, sleep, and modern habits all play a role. Here’s how to manage them. References: The internal circadian clock increases hunger and appetite in the evening independent of food intake and other behaviors - PubMed Effect of Sleep Extension on Objectively Assessed Energy Intake Among Adults With Overweight in Real-life Settings: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our spec...
Feb 12, 2025•11 min•Ep. 802
Experts say we need to eat more beans. Let’s look at why (and how) we should do this. Related listening: What is the FODMAP diet? (Nutrition Diva #236) Do you get enough fiber on a low-FODMAP diet? (Nutrition Diva #589) Beyond FODMAPS with Beth Rosen, RD (Nutrition Diva #710) Why you need more (not less) phytic acid in your diet (Nutrition Diva #612) Lectins and the plant paradox (Nutrition Diva #471) New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best epis...
Feb 05, 2025•12 min•Ep. 801
In this special 800th episode, Monica takes a look back at how much nutrition science has changed since the podcast started in 2008. From low-carb diets and the protein craze to the rise of the microbiome and personalized nutrition, she breaks down the biggest trends and what they mean for the future. New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episo...
Jan 29, 2025•15 min•Ep. 800
In this special bonus episode, Monica responds to a listener who wrote her about a claim from Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy suggesting eating Brussels sprouts more than once a week could raise pancreatic cancer risk. She break down the research behind this surprising advice and shares why she doesn't believe it’s cause for concern. New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great...
Jan 27, 2025•5 min
Explore what science says about DHA and folic acid for brain health—and who most benefits from taking them. Related listening: Surprising study results undermine confidence in the MIND diet Folic Acid and Cancer Risk Mentioned in this episode: NYT Cooking: Red Rentil Soup New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes a...
Jan 22, 2025•10 min•Ep. 799
Diving into the science behind Gymnema sylvestre, an herb that dulls sweet taste perception and may reduce sugar cravings. Why this "sugar destroyer" could help you cut back on sugar and support your health goals. Mentioned in this episode: National Eating Disorders Association- NEDA The Effect of a 14-Day gymnema sylvestre Intervention to Reduce Sugar Cravings in Adults Gymnemic acids lozenge reduces short-term consumption of high-sugar food: A placebo controlled experiment - PubMed The effect ...
Jan 15, 2025•14 min•Ep. 798
