On January 7, the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) were released, and suddenly my feed was filled with hot takes, headlines, and conflicting interpretations.
Rather than add to the noise, I wanted to take time to read and analyze the current DGAs compared to previous versions. I thought it would be more helpful to share a grounded breakdown of what these guidelines actually say and offer some professional context on how I view them.
As someone who teaches Contemporary Diet & Nutrition at Purdue Global University — which includes an entire unit on the DGAs — I’ve spent significant time reviewing both the science and policy behind these recommendations. Let me start by say the DGAs have never been perfect and they never will be. The goal should always be to evolve with science and keep an open-mind, what works for one will never work for all. This DGA is no exception, it has real positives and real negatives. Let’s dive in!
Read moreThe end of the year and the holidays can be a wonderful and stressful time of year. No matter what your plans are or aren't this week, who you are or are not with, what foods you will or won't be eating, might I strongly suggest you do three things…
Read moreLet’s talk about the myth that carbohydrates are bad, lower is better and that they cause weight gain! Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients - the other two are proteins and dietary fats. The main functions of carbohydrates is because it's our body's primary and easiest ways to make glucose and help us with energy! We keep finding out more and more reasons carbs are important and maybe a primary reason to consume them, this includes…
Read moreLike a lot of nutrition stuff, protein powders can get confusing. And for good reason, there's so many to choose from, they all taste different, and it can be freakin' expensive! On top of it you better like the flavor and product because the tub it came in is the size of your kitchen! Am I right?!
So, let's break it down into how you can best choose your protein powder for you. Questions to ask yourself about what you are looking for in a protein powder:
Read moreOne of the things I hear often from clients and friends is that they don't like the way "x" food tastes or they don't like vegetables. And I don’t doubt that it’s true.
Do you know you have over 10,000 taste buds!? And that your taste buds change and regenerate every couple weeks?! And as we age our taste buds can shrink and dull!
Read more“The ability to conquer one’s self is no doubt the most precious of all things that sports bestows.” - Olga Korbut
If you know me or follow my stories on Instagram, you know I am pretty vocal about my experience with and use (or lack of use) of alcohol.
A lot of my own and likely your experience with alcohol is due how entrenched in our culture. And if you are an athlete or active person, you know how prominent it is here too! How many races end with a beer station? How many opportunities to sweat include a post-workout drink? How many commercials relate a sport with drinking alcohol?
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