Weight loss medications are nothing new – they’ve been around for decades. However, newer injectable medications originally intended for diabetes treatment have made their transition into the weight management space. As their popularity has surged, so have discussions about their safety, efficacy, side effects, and even their accessibility including costs and supply chain issues. These medications have also brought some attention to an important aspect of weight management that is often overlooked - weight loss maintenance, or in other words – keeping the weight off.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

· Different terms used and different medications available

· Efficacy and safety considerations

· Research on potential benefits beyond weight management

· Issues regarding accessibility and affordability

· Appetite suppression and decreasing “food noise”

· Adverse events/side effects

· Considerations for staying on the medication long term

· If there is a “best diet” while on these medications

· What the research is showing about decrease in muscle mass on these medications

· The crucial aspects of lifestyle, exercise and mindset

· If/what role they play in long-term weight loss maintenance

· How long-term weight loss maintenance hasn’t received the attention it should

· Resources for health professionals and the public

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/266

There’s more to NASA than astronauts and engineers, and there’s more to “space food” than freeze dried ice cream. Retired NASA food scientist Vickie Kloeris shares a sneak peek into her space food career with entertaining stories and situations that defy gravity.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

· the food science involved in feeding astronauts

· the psychological importance of food in space programs

· different strategies and technologies utilized to make food safe, convenient and tasty in orbit

· challenges, solutions and stories about dining microgravity style

· the role of registered dietitians in space food

· why dietary monitoring in space is important

· food science as a career path

· the Institute of Food Technologists

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/265

A written recipe must be accurate, readable, and reproducible – a set of instructions that translates the act of cooking into words. At last, there is a comprehensive professional resource book dedicated entirely to the subject of recipes. This book sets nutrition and editorial standards on developing, writing, and publishing recipes. And you don’t have to be a dietitian or a chef to benefit from this book! Whether you are a home cook or a culinary professional these recipe insights will help improve your kitchen confidence.

Tune into this episode with dietitian and chef Raeanne Sarazen to learn about:

· the purpose of a recipe

· steps involved in the recipe development process

· importance of celebrating and respecting global cuisines in recipe development

· considerations for modifying recipes

· how and why food safety is an important part of a recipe

· what to know about nutrient analysis

· how dietitians, food bloggers and others can boost skills and services for clients

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/264

Research on the Mediterranean diet continues to show an association with various health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Newer research shows that it is also associated with cognitive health and mental health benefits, specifically a lower risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and potentially reducing the risk of depression and anxiety disorders.

Tune into this episode with dietitian coauthors of the newly released Smart Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly, to learn about:

· Current research on nutrition, diet and brain health

· Specific foods such as spices, herbs and seeds to include in the diet and why

· If/how the mediterranean diet can be affordable

· How to fill your “smart” shopping cart

· Pantry and freezer basics

· Healthy kitchen hacks

· Easy ways to incorporate the mediterranean diet into your lifestyle

· Simple, delicious recipes and meal plans

· Resources for health professionals and the public

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/263

There are many factors that impact gut health: diet, mental health, genes, exercise, and more. Many of these factors can be changed to improve overall health via the gut. Mental health and the role of stress is important to consider in the management of one's physical health and may become an important target of treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic GI condition that presents with abdominal pain and alterations in bowel habits and is diagnosed based on symptoms after ruling out other conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

GI conditions, such as IBS, often require medical management in addition to food, mood and lifestyle changes.

The newly released book, Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS is an evidence-based toolkit that will help readers understand the ins and outs of IBS, the available treatment options and key strategies that can be implemented right away.

Tune into this episode with Dr. Megan Riehl and Dietitian Kate Scarlata to learn about:

· Gut health in general

· How stress impacts health

· How a GI psychologist is different from a general mental health provider

· What IBS is, how it develops and how it is diagnosed

· The newly released book: Mind Your Gut

· The gut, brain and food connection

· Nutritional and behavioral strategies to manage IBS

· Common IBS myths

· Lifestyle factors to improve gut health and overall health

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/262

The Ultra Processed Foods Debate: Are They Causing Negative Health Outcomes?

Research on ultra-processed foods (UPF) has greatly increased over the past few years as has media coverage on the topic. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) will address the scientific question: “What is the relationship between dietary patterns with varying amounts of ultra-processed foods and growth, body composition, and risk of obesity.”

Tune into this episode with Dr. Joanne Slavin to learn about:

· The role of processed foods/food processing in the diet

· Various definitions of UPF

· DGAC’s process for addressing scientific questions

· Why processing and UPF has emerged as an issue

· Current, prominent research studies on UPF

· Consumer attitudes and beliefs, realities of UPF in the diet

· Expert recommendations for healthy dietary patterns

· Food technology’s role in providing a nutritious, safe, sustainable food supply

· Resources and references

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/261

This Sound Bites® Podcast episode is sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and Wendy Bazilian is a paid partner for the California Walnut Commission.

Food trends ebb and flow but eating a plant-based diet has continued to trend and is likely to stick around for years to come. However, what exactly does a plant-based diet mean? What foods fit? And do people really understand how to implement it and reap the benefits? We will discuss the latest research on the effects that simple plant-based swaps can make on diet quality and overall well-being.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

· different terminology for plant-based eating

· new research on plant-based dietary patterns

· benefits of plant-based eating beyond adding produce to the diet

· how people who include meat/animal products can benefit from plant-based eating

· how partially replacing meat may potentially support health

· health benefits of walnuts

· tips for putting this new research into action

· where to find more information and resources

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/260

From Seed to Spoon Part Two

Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company. Steven Dominguez and Danielle Dalheim are employees of Quaker’s parent company, PepsiCo.

This episode will explore Quaker’s oat milling technology as well as the culinary versatility of oats, encouraging listeners to think beyond the breakfast bowl.

Tune into this episode with guests Chef Steven Dominguez and Dietitian Danielle Dalheim to learn about:

· an overview of the oat milling process

· how different milling techniques impact texture, cooking time and culinary applications

· the nutritional profile of oats and if that changes when milled into different forms

· gluten-free milling technology

· gluten-free claims, products

· whole grain claims and other regulatory insights

· tips for preparing oats in a variety of ways

· culinary inspiration and savory oat preparation tips

· innovations on the horizon

Full shownotes, transcript and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/259