Nutrition Diva
Every week, Monica Reinagel peels back the layers of nutrition news and research, answers listener questions, and helps you feel more confident about your food and nutrition choices.
Episodes
856. According to the internet, your morning brew might be hiding "mold toxins" that cause brain fog, fatigue, and digestive issues. But is mold-free coffee a bona fide health breakthrough, or just a clever marketing play?
This week, Monica takes a closer look at the science of mycotoxins in coffee, specifically Ochratoxin A (OTA). We separate food safety facts from "wellness guru" fiction to find out if standard coffee beans are a...
855. Is your "healthy" breakfast actually setting you up for a mid-morning crash? Many of us reach for 100-calorie yogurt cups or fiber bars thinking we’re making the right choice, only to find ourselves eyeing the office donut box by 10:00 AM.
This week, the Nutrition Diva breaks down 9 essential tips to transform your morning meal from a nutritional afterthought into a powerhouse that fuels your brain and body. Whether you’re a c...
854. Do artificial sweeteners help—or hurt—efforts to manage weight? Fresh research offers some surprising new answers.
References:
The role of sweeteners in weight loss | Nature Reviews Endocrinology
Transcript:
853. A recent study on ultra-processed foods seems to be yet another nail in the coffin for UPFs. But all is not as it seems.
References
Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health
Related Episodes:
Maybe “hyperpalatabilty” isn’t the problem after all
The surprising links between UPFs and diet quality | Nutrition Diva
Find a transcript here.
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spot...
852. Fermented dairy may affect cholesterol differently than butter or processed meats—but it’s not a free pass. Here’s what the evidence actually shows about yogurt, cheese, saturated fat, and LDL cholesterol.
References
Dairy Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: Do We Really Need to Be Concerned? - PMC
851. A current nutrition trend encourages people to dramatically increase their fiber intake. But how much fiber is actually helpful? And when can “more” start to backfire?
Find a transcript here.
Recommended Resources:
The Bloated Belly Whisperer by Tamara Duker Freuman
Regular, by Tamara Duker Freuman
Related episodes:
805 - The real truth about fiber supplements your digestive health needs
850. What if the real danger of hyperpalatable junk food isn't that it tastes too good, but that it actually silences the biological signals that tell you you're full? This episode explores groundbreaking neuroscience suggesting that overeating is driven by a lack of satisfaction rather than an excess of pleasure.
Related episodes:
483 - Protein Density: How To Get More Protein for Fewer Calories | Nutrition Diva
849. It is now easier than ever to get a prescription for powerful weight-loss drugs, thanks to a growing number of telehealth providers. But is this responsible care for obesity or something else?
Find a transcript here.
Ted Kyle on Telemedicine for Obesity Care.
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself!
848. An episode we did earlier this month about coffee prompted questions from many listeners. Does coffee spike your cortisol? How does it affect the bladder? Is espresso healthier than drip? Answers to your questions here.
Related episodes:
846 - Fact check: Is it bad to drink coffee on an empty stomach?
Find a transcript here.
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes cura...
847. Does a high-protein diet accelerate aging or shorten life expectancy? It’s not a simple yes or no.
References
New Horizons: Dietary protein, ageing and the Okinawan ratio | Age and Ageing | Oxford Academic
Dietary protein intake and all-cause mortality: results from The Kaw...
846. The internet has lots to say about how coffee affects your stomach. Unfortunately, most of it is wrong.
References:
845. A look back at the biggest food and nutrition trends of the last year, plus, a glimpse into my crystal ball.
Related episodes:
735 - A provocative new study on ultra-processed foods
789 - The surprising links between UPFs and diet quality
827 - Toxic tea bags? Sorting fact from fear
837 - Can healthier soil make food more nutritious? Yes, but…
Find a transcript here.
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for...
169. What should you eat before and after drinking alcohol?
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 Staying Strong as We Age, Diabetes, Weight Loss That Lasts and Gut Health! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age.&...
844. A recent study claimed to identify a mechanism by which soybean oil drives obesity (and coconut oil does not). But the interactions between diet and biology are rarely as black-and-white as the headlines suggest.
References:
Related episodes:
843. A closer look at how these alleged water-hogs stack up against other crops in terms of nutrition, environmental and economic impacts.
References:
Water-indexed benefits and impacts of California almonds - ScienceDirect
Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Understanding Your Orchard's Water Requirements
842. With holiday indulgence season approaching, IV drip lounges promise to “undo” the damage—but do they deliver?
References:
To IV or Not to IV: The Science Behind Intravenous Vitamin Therapy - PMC
State Policies and Facility Practices of IV Hydration Spas in the US | Infectious Diseases | JAMA Internal Medicine | JAMA Network
Related episodes:
104 - Can You Get Too Many Vitamins?
There’s definitely a lot of individual variation. But knowing the half-life of caffeine is useful…especially if you actually understand what the half-life of a substance actually means.
Related episodes:
#620: Is coffee good or bad for you?
#361: How to find coffee that won’t bother your stomach
Find a transcript here.
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best ...
840. Eating healthy is usually understood to mean eating less. So, what happens when you actually need to eat more—and everything you’ve learned about ‘good choices’ suddenly works against you?
Related episodes:
702, Nutrient dense vs energy dense
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself!
839. Lots of us rely on powders and shakes to meet our protein goals. A new report suggests that this could be exposing us to “concerning” levels of lead.
Resources:
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 inclu...
838. Are manufacturers using a regulatory loophole to sneak untested chemicals into our food? In this episode, we break down what GRAS really means, why it exists, and how the process works.
Resources:
Database of substances added to foods
Find a full transcript here.
New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself!
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