Sound Bites A Nutrition Podcast
Food
About
Hosted by award-winning Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Melissa Joy Dobbins, the Guilt-Free RD - "because food shouldn't make you feel bad!" Join Melissa's conversations with a variety of experts on topics ranging from fad diets to farming and gain credible information to help you make your own, well-informed food decisions based on facts, not fear. For more information visit www.SoundBitesRD.com.
Episodes
- 310: Healthy Convenience: How to Select Nutrient-Rich Frozen Foods – Maya Feller
Full shownotes, transcript, and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/310 Convenience without Compromise: What Really Matters When Choosing Frozen & Processed Foods? Are convenience foods a problem, or could they actually be part of the…
- 309: The Dietitian Coach Approach, Insurance Changes & New Opportunities – Jenny Westerkamp
Full shownotes, transcript, and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/309 Access to dietitian services is evolving, and so is the way we think about nutrition care. In this episode, we're diving into how and why more people can (and sho…
- 308: Social Media, Food Science & the Food Industry: Getting from Fear to Facts – Hydroxide
Full shownotes, transcript, and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/308 From viral reels warning about 'chemicals in your food' to influencers claiming the food industry is hiding the truth, social media is full of strong opinions abo…
- 307: GLP-1 Weight Loss: Microdosing, Mental Load & the Maintenance Phase - Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD
Gain Valuable Insights from a GLP-1 Expert and User Cozy Earth coupon code, full shownotes, transcript, and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/307 In this episode, we explore GLP-1 weight loss medications, including emerging conversa…
- 306: Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why EVOO is Best & How to Use It - Dr. Mary Flynn & Leandro Ravetti
Full shownotes, transcript, resources and free CEU here: https://soundbitesrd.com/306 Commercial Support has been provided by Cobram Estate This podcast episode discusses the nutritional differences between extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) an…
- 305: What's in Your Freezer? The Science, Myths & Benefits of Frozen Foods – Jennie Norka
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/305 Frozen foods are having a moment – and the science, policy, and nutrition research behind them is more nuanced than most people realize. In this episode, we take a…
- 304: SNAP, School Meals, New DGAs: What's Changing & Why It Matters – Dr. Sara Bleich
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/304 Federal nutrition programs impact the lives of tens of millions of Americans each year, yet they are often misunderstood, politicized, or reduced to headlines with…
- 303: New DGAs: The Good, The Bad & The Upside Down – Alex Turnbull
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/303 The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released on January 7, 2026 by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. These new guide…
- 302: Alcohol & Damp January: The Research on Moderate Drinking – Jennifer Tujague
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/302 The health risks of heavy drinking are well-established. But what about the health risks of light to moderate drinking? More people, especially the Gen Z populatio…
- 301: Hidden Hunger: Closing the Gap for Healthy Growth in Children – Dr. Caree Cotwright
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/301 This episode is sponsored. Commercial support has been provided by Danone North America & Danimals. Dr. Caree Cotwright is a paid consultant to Danone North Americ…
- 300: GLP-1 Meds and Then What? Turning Weight Loss into Lifelong Wellness – Dr. Gitanjali Srivastava
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/300 This episode is sponsored. Commercial support has been provided by Danone North America & OIKOS. Dr. Gitanjali Srivastava is a paid consultant to Danone North Amer…
- 299: Food, Culture, and Care: Type 2 Diabetes Risk Reduction & Management – Constance Brown-Riggs
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/299 This episode is sponsored. Commercial support has been provided by Danone North America & Light + Fit. Constance Brown-Riggs is a paid consultant to Danone North A…
- 298: Support Gut Health & Holistic Wellbeing with Science-Based Strategies – Dr. Hannah Holscher
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/298 This episode is sponsored. Commercial support has been provided by Danone North America & Activia. Dr. Hannah Holscher is a paid consultant to Danone North America…
- 297: Weight Bias, Diabetes Distress & Trauma Informed Care – Dr. Robyn Pashby
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/297 We know that there is not one single treatment approach that works for every person with obesity, however there is one type of approach we can use when discussing…
- 296: Ultraprocessed Foods in Focus: How is the Food Industry Responding? – Rocco Renaldi
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/296 Are processed foods truly undermining our health, or are they an essential part of a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply? Should the way we classify foods…
- 295: Healthy & Sustainable: Exploring Food Values and Their Impact – Lauren Hoffman
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/295 In this episode, we explore the FoodMinds Conscious Consumption Index, revealing insights into consumer sentiment on healthy and sustainable food systems. Despite…
- 294: MAHA: A Call to Action – Dr. Kevin Klatt
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/294 Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) is a public health-oriented slogan and initiative aimed at addressing the health challenges facing Americans led by the Secretary…
- 293: New Protein Research: How and Why Are People Prioritizing It? – Lucy Woods
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/293 Food ethnographer Lucy Woods has spent the last several years diving deep into the evolving landscape of protein consumption. Lucy's expertise lies in uncovering t…
- 292: Vitamin K2 Unveiled: Why It Matters for Heart and Bone Health – Dr. Chris Mohr
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/292 The Forgotten Vitamin: K2's Role in Cardiovascular and Skeletal Health Vitamin K2 might not be the first nutrient you think of when it comes to heart health or bon…
- 291: The Evolution of Truth & How to Rebuild Trust in Science – Charlie Arnot
Full shownotes, transcript and resources here: https://soundbitesrd.com/291 Belief-Based Research: The Power of Shared Values Public trust has shifted. Once, experts like scientists were the go-to voices for credible information, earning t…
- 290: Parenting Today: The Power of Science and Social Justice – Kavin Senapathy
Parents are bombarded with and overwhelmed by complex cultural, environmental, economic and political issues that impact their parenting skills, choices and confidence. By approaching various parenting challenges and questions from a scien…
- 289: The Sober Curious Movement: Embracing an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle – Amanda Kuda
Unbottled Potential: From Sober Curious to Sober Serious As the sober curious movement gains traction, more people are reevaluating their relationship with alcohol and changing their habits. Challenging societal myths around alcohol's role…
- 288: Underhydration & Health: From Fitness to Chronic Diseases – Dr. Stavros Kavouras
Beyond Thirst: The Crucial Role of Hydration on Health & Performance The connection between hydration and health is a relatively new and still under-researched area of science. However, emerging evidence suggests that staying well-hydrated…
- 287: Prebiotics & Digestive Health: Benefits, Claims & Low FODMAP Tips – Hannah Ackermann
Despite the growing body of research, we are still in the early stages of understanding the gut microbiome. Consumer interest in biotics is growing and this trend is driving more research into pre, pro, post and synbiotics and their potent…
- 286: Carbohydrate Restriction & Research on Diabetes, Weight and Metabolic Health – Dr. Jim Painter
"Low" Carbohydrate Diets and Metabolic Health: What Does the Research Show? Commercial support has been provided by Simply Good Foods. Dr. Jim Painter was sponsored by an unrestricted grant from Simply Good Foods to speak on the podcast. N…
- 285: Healthcare Harm & Patient Safety: How to Advocate for Your Loved Ones – Dr. Julie Siemers
When you or your loved ones are in the hospital it can be overwhelming and stressful. You may feel unsure about speaking up and asking questions or sharing information with your healthcare team. But research indicates that up to 70% of pat…
- 284: Popular Weight Loss Meds & The Evolving Role of RDNs in Obesity Care – Linda Gigliotti & Hope Warshaw
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of American adults have obesity, costing the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $173 billion annually. The development of incretin-based therapies, such as glucago…
- 283: How Safe Are Food Dyes? An Expert Weighs in on the Research & Regulations – Renee Leber
How safe are the food dyes found in many of the products we consume daily? Are concerns about their effects based on scientific evidence or misinformation? With government agencies and researchers continuously evaluating these additives, w…
- 282: How to Help Prevent Food Allergies & Use Baby-Led Feeding - Malina Malkani
New Research on Food Allergy Prevention Indicates Crucial Timing of Allergen Introduction Current research shows that how we feed babies during infancy can help reduce the risk of food allergies. However, feeding guidelines regarding aller…
- 281: What's All the Buzz About? The Health Benefits of Manuka Honey – Dr. Megan Grainger & James Jeffery
UMF™ Mānuka Honey is A Functional Food: Look for the Quality Mark New Zealand mānuka honey is a powerful functional food. For centuries, the unique and powerful healing properties of the mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) have been under…
- 280: Consumer Insights: What's the Scoop on Snacking, Sodium & Sweeteners? – Milton Stokes
The International Food Information Council (IFIC) conducts consumer research focused on attitudes and behaviors surrounding nutrition, food safety and food production. Their popular annual Food & Health Survey provides information about ho…
- 279: Food & Health Research: How to Understand & Interpret More Effectively – Milton Stokes
The public continues to have a strong interest in food and health information, yet media sources vary in their credibility. Health professional communicators help shape public knowledge and attitudes by translating complex information whil…
- 278: Diabetes: 7 Healthy Eating Patterns & Key Factors Beyond Food – Stacey Krawczyk
There are many essential aspects of diabetes management, but it's no surprise that one of the most common questions people have about diabetes is "What can I eat?" The American Diabetes Association's nutrition philosophy is: "informed food…
- 277: Weight & Health: Can Kids Thrive at Any Size? – Jill Castle
Many parents feel enormous pressure to raise fit, slender children. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents aged 2-19 have obesity, and approximately 4.1% were classified as underweight (in 2017-2018). As o…
- 276: Adolescent Health: Nutrient Needs, Research Gaps & Future Dietary Guidance
It's well-established that nutrient adequacy in adolescence affects physical development and academic performance, as well as long-term health – yet research is woefully lacking for this life stage and dietary guidance lacks specificity fo…
- 275: Cancer Risk Reduction: New Research on Fruits and Vegetables – Ginger Hultin
Commercial support for this podcast has been provided by Avocados – Love One Today® Cancer is a complex disease that is influenced by many factors including genetics, environment, and lifestyle behaviors. According to the World Cancer Rese…
- 274: Fun Snack Trays Help Encourage Healthy Eating Habits – Frances Largeman-Roth
Charcuterie boards have become very popular and are certainly a fun way to entertain guests – but did you ever think this creative concept might be a solution to healthy eating? Snack trays can be a fun way for kids and adults alike to exp…
- 273: Soy Foods: Navigating 4 Major Myths Using Research – Jill Castle & Karen Collins
Despite the extensive research available, there remains significant confusion amongst consumers regarding the health effects of soy on various population groups. In this episode, we delve into several misconceptions and examine the latest…
- 272: The Power of Pulses: Nutritious, Delicious, Versatile, Affordable & Sustainable – Tim McGreevy & Chelsea LeBlanc
Pulses are the nutritionally dense, dry edible seeds of legumes including dry peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas. They are high in fiber, folate, potassium and plant protein, and contain several micronutrients such as iron and zinc. While…
- 271: Improving Digital Health Literacy: Influencers, Misinformation & Leveraging Credibility – Dr. Theo Lynn
New health, nutrition and weight loss trends are popping up daily on social media. Many of these fly-by-night trends are simply that, but a new study focusing on the platform TikTok found that these trends may have more of a hold on people…
- 270: Cartoons, Stories & Adventure: Helping Kids Try New & Healthy Foods - David Grotto
Kids love cartoon characters so why not leverage that to entice them to try new foods and encourage healthy eating habits? That's just what today's guest has done in his new book, The Girls Who Lived in the Refrigerator! Whether a child is…
- 269: Plant-based Performance Nutrition: Benefits, Challenges & Key Nutrients – Cynthia Sass
Commercial Support has been provided by the American Pistachio Growers The Science Behind Plant-Based Performance Nutrition & Strategies for Success Athletes continue to explore plant-based eating patterns to enhance athletic performance a…
- 268: Nutrition Insights Inform How to Help People Improve Health – Kris Sollid
Identifying Gaps in Consumer Knowledge Helps Uncover Attitudes and Behaviors This year's Food & Health Survey marks the 19th consecutive year that the International Food Information Council (IFIC) has surveyed American consumers to underst…
- 267: Headlines in Perspective: How to Better Translate Nutrition Research – Karen Collins
Reading and Translating Research: Skills That Can Be Up-Leveled More and more, people are inundated with information and surrounded by often-conflicting information, especially when it comes to nutrition in the news. Nutrition research is…
- 266: Injectable Weight Loss Medications: Can They Help Keep the Weight Off? – Dr. Jim Hill
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 ha…
- 265: Space Bites: Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist – Vickie Kloeris
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 situa…
- 264: Key Ingredients for Success: How to Develop, Write, Test & Modify Recipes – Raeanne Sarazen
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.…
- 263: The "Smart" Mediterranean Diet: Protect Your Mind & Boost Your Mood – Serena Ball & Deanna Segrave-Daly
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…
- 262: Mind Your Gut: Manage IBS with Food, Mood & Lifestyle – Dr. Megan Riehl and Kate Scarlata
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…
- 261: Ultra Processed Foods & Dietary Guidance: Where is the Research to Date? – Dr. Joanne Slavin
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 Advisor…