@shelrael.bsky.socialPasta isn't inherently unhealthy.
It's a staple in many food cultures and provides carbohydrates for energy.
The focus should be on the overall eating pattern, including how much, how often, and what accompanies it, not on avoiding pasta altogether.
@shelrael.bsky.social🧠No single “brain food” prevents dementia.
Overall eating patterns, movement, sleep, cardiovascular health, and social connection matter more than coffee, tea, or chocolate alone.
@shelrael.bsky.social🍫 Is chocolate good for your brain?
Cocoa flavanols show promise, but chocolate isn't proven to prevent dementia.
The type of chocolate and how cocoa is processed matter, too.
@shelrael.bsky.socialSugar isn't evil.
Added sugar is worth being mindful of, but you don't have to eliminate it or turn every food choice into a search for less sugar.
How much you eat and your overall eating pattern matter more than treating sugar like something forbidden.
@shelrael.bsky.socialNot every diet is about weight loss.
Some manage medical conditions, reduce symptoms, or prevent complications.
Ep. 262 looks at gluten-free, diabetes, renal, low-FODMAP, heart-healthy, and other therapeutic diets.
@shelrael.bsky.socialNot every diet is about weight loss.
Some are used to manage medical conditions, reduce symptoms, or prevent complications.
Ep. 262 looks at gluten-free, diabetes, renal, low-FODMAP, heart-healthy, and other therapeutic diets.
@shelrael.bsky.socialVegetarian eating doesn't have to be all or nothing.
You can eat vegetarian meals without adopting a label.
What matters is finding an eating pattern that provides the nutrition you need and works in real life.
@shelrael.bsky.socialAngel food cake gets its famously light texture from whipped egg whites.
It traditionally contains no butter or oil, making it different from many other cakes.
Add berries and enjoy it as a dessert, not because you need to justify it as healthy.
@shelrael.bsky.socialTea and chocolate contain caffeine, but they also contain polyphenols and other compounds being studied for their potential effects on brain health.
The research is interesting. The headlines are often much more certain than the evidence.
@shelrael.bsky.socialA Fluffernutter is a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow creme.
Sweet, sticky, nostalgic, and very much a treat.
Food does not have to earn its place in the diet by being a "health food."
Sometimes enjoyment is enough.
@shelrael.bsky.socialIs coffee good for your brain? Maybe, but the answer isn't as simple as the headlines suggest.
Caffeine can improve alertness and attention, while the long-term research on dementia and Parkinson's is interesting, but not definitive.
@shelrael.bsky.socialCabbage soup, detoxes, the Military Diet, cookie diets... the names change, but the promises don't: fast results, little effort, and a secret formula.
Episode 261 looks at why these diets seem to work, and why that's not the whole story.
@shelrael.bsky.socialBreakfast doesn't have to look like “breakfast.”
Pizza, leftovers, oatmeal, eggs, a smoothie, or a breakfast burrito can all work.
What matters more is building a satisfying meal.
Protein and fiber are also important.
@shelrael.bsky.socialPumpkin spice is a spice blend, not a seasonal nutrition requirement.
Add it to oatmeal, yogurt, roasted squash, or baked goods if you enjoy the flavor.
Or skip it entirely.
Nutrition does not depend on following seasonal food trends.
@shelrael.bsky.socialPumpkin spice trivia: pumpkin spice usually contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
The surprising part (at least for some people)? Usually no pumpkin involved.
The name refers to the spices traditionally used in pumpkin pie.
@shelrael.bsky.socialFresh, frozen, canned, or dried - all count.
Potatoes count, beans count, and fruit juice counts, though whole fruit is generally a better choice.
And carrots aren't "basically candy" because they contain sugar.
Learn more: www.shelleyrael.com/blog/more-fr...
@shelrael.bsky.socialThe ketogenic diet began as a medical therapy for epilepsy. Elimination diets are diagnostic tools and temporary. Carnivore is a newer trend with limited long-term research.
So how did these become diet trends?
That’s Episode 260.
@shelrael.bsky.socialNutritionist, nutrition coach, functional nutritionist, RDN. These titles don't all have the same requirements behind them.Â
Look beyond the title.
Look at education, credentials, scope of practice, and more.
Read more: www.shelleyrael.com/blog/rdn-vs-...
@shelrael.bsky.socialFamily activity does not need to look like a workout.
Walk the neighborhood, explore a park, play outside, ride bikes, dance in the kitchen, or take the dog out together.
Movement can be part of family life.
@shelrael.bsky.socialSee a food recall online? Don't panic.
Check the recall notice for the brand, product, size, lot number, and dates on your package.
A recall may apply to only specific products or batches.
Get the facts before throwing out your food.