@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.
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.
@shelrael.bsky.socialYou can share healthy habits in your family without making them a chore.
Cooking together, taking a walk, eating meals together, or getting outside can support both physical health and connection.
@shelrael.bsky.socialHoney is more than just sugar, but is it healthier than table sugar?
Raw, local, and Manuka honey have some interesting characteristics, but honey is still primarily a source of sugar.
Enjoy it if you like it, but without the health halo.
@shelrael.bsky.socialWhy do DASH, MIND, Mediterranean, and Flexitarian eating patterns consistently rank well?
They have more in common than you might think: nutrient-rich foods, variety, flexibility, and the ability to work in real life.
Episode 259: www.shelleyrael.com/rwn-podcast/...
@shelrael.bsky.socialFamily meals don't have to be elaborate or homemade.
Leftovers, takeout, breakfast, pizza, or a quick meal before practice can all count.
The goal is to find realistic opportunities to eat together and connect.
@shelrael.bsky.socialPopcorn is a whole grain!
So are oats, quinoa, brown rice, barley, and corn.
Whole grains can show up in breakfast, snacks, side dishes, salads, and main meals.
@shelrael.bsky.socialWhole grains contain the bran, germ, and endosperm.
That means foods such as oats, barley, brown rice, popcorn, and whole wheat provide fiber plus a variety of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds.
@shelrael.bsky.socialYour health is not a number on the scale.
Weight can be one piece of health information, but it can't tell you your blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, fitness, sleep, eating pattern, or overall well-being.
Read more: www.shelleyrael.com/blog/health-...