Sound Bites With Melissa Joy Dobbins

Sustainability is a growing concern among consumers especially regarding their food and beverage choices. While historically U.S. consumers have believed individuals should be the source of solutions to our sustainability problems, there has been a big shift toward expecting governments and companies to be more responsible.  When it comes to sustainably produced food, consumers are coming to believe what is grown in a way that is better for the planet will ultimately be healthier for their bodies and it will be tastier. Key trends in this space include: regenerative agriculture and plant-based eating. Key motivations around plant-based eating aren’t necessarily environmental. Rather, sustainability benefits are merely reinforcements for plant-based eating choices that are motivated by other considerations. The plant-based halo is starting to show signs of tarnish. Full shownotes and resources at: www.SoundBitesRD.com/139

"Sweets, snacks and health overlap more than ever, making it easier for people to enjoy sweets and snacks while making smart choices." - Mindy Hermann, MBA, RDN Mindy Hermann is a food and nutrition communications strategist who provides services targeting food companies, trade organizations, and health professionals. She writes a series of trends reports for a global market research firm, Innova Marketing Insights. Innova Market Insights continuously analyzes global developments in food and beverage launch activity and consumer research to highlight the trends most likely to impact the food and beverage industry over the coming year and beyond. Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/138

I was invited to attend a Produce Safety Media Tour last August in beautiful Monterey California with the Alliance for Food and Farming. We visited many different fruit/vegetable fields including strawberries, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, celery and artichokes. We learned about produce farming and production, food safety practices, pesticides/fertilizers, crop rotation and soil health, and innovation and traceability. Tune in for my conversation with Dr. Bob Whitaker, the Chief Science & Technology Officer for the Produce Marketing Association. He is responsible for food safety, technology, supply chain management and sustainability. Bob has a long history in the produce field! Prior to PMA, Bob spent 16 years in the biotechnology arena with DNA Plant Technology Corporation, and then worked 10 years at NewStar Fresh Foods and its subsidiary, MissionStar Processing in food safety, product development and as Vice President of Process Operations. Bob’s work has been widely published in several disciplin

It is scientifically proven that customized approaches in weight management lead to greater engagement and behavior change than generic approaches. WW, formerly Weight Watchers, has a new program called myWW that includes an evidence-based personalized assessment asking a range of questions to guide you to a scientifically proven, customized plan that aligns with your needs. Gary Foster, PhD, is the Chief Scientific Officer at WW, a psychologist, obesity investigator and behavior change expert who has authored more than 175 scientific publications and three books. In his role as CSO at WW, Dr. Foster oversees the science-based program, all clinical research initiatives, and continued program advances. Dr. Foster was previously the Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education at Temple University and served as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. Tune in to learn more about how customized weight management supports behavior change, and get the full shownotes at ww

Manuel Villacorta is an internationally recognized, award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist and the author of five books with his latest release: The Essential Cookbook for Men – 85 Healthy Recipes to Get Started in the Kitchen. Manuel is a well-respected and trusted voice in the health and wellness industry and one of the leading weight loss and nutrition experts in the country.  The Essential Cookbook for Men is the book for guys who want to eat healthier (and cheaper!) but aren’t sure how to get started. This is more than a cookbook – it walks you through all the kitchen basics―stocking your pantry, creating shopping lists, reading recipes―and takes you from gourmet greenhorn to seasoned chef. From Latinx-Style Fried Eggs to Stir-Fry Beef Sandwiches, you’ll discover tons of perfect-for-beginner recipes that show you really can cook up some seriously delicious food that will also help keep you fit and trim. This book goes beyond other cookbooks for men with these features: Culinary crash course―It

Over 20 years of research has shown what parents have known for a long time: regular family meals lead to long-term benefits, including higher resilience, self-esteem, and grade-point-averages, and lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, and depression. Guest Brianne DeRosa, MFA, is the Content Manager for The Family Dinner Project and co-author of their new book, “Eat, Laugh, Talk: The Family Dinner Playbook.” As a freelance writer and consultant to nonprofit organizations, she has spent over a decade working in communications, program development and creative initiatives.  FDP's new book helps kickstart a habit of putting together fun family dinners, including: Conversation starters Quick and easy recipes Fun table games for everyone to play Tips for overcoming obstacles, setting dinnertime goals, managing busy schedules, and engaging everyone in the conversation With anecdotes from real families who have become a part of The Family Dinner Project’s growing movement, this book wi

Consumers have never cared more, nor known less, about how their food is produced. The next 30 years are the most important 30 years there will ever be in the history of agriculture. That's why we need to get it right. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about food technology and consumer attitudes, behaviors and trends with Jack Bobo, CEO of Futurity - a food foresight company. Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/132

Eggs are naturally nutrient rich - and the cholesterol stigma has been cracked! But did you know that eggs have important nutrients for cognition, brain health and eye health? And they fit into healthy eating patterns including plant-based diets. In fact, eggs can help you absorb nutrients found in plant foods, and can also help you meet daily protein needs to support healthy muscles and strong bones as you age. Plus, eggs are an excellent delivery system for vegetables and other foods to help boost nutrition and cut down on food waste.  Today's guest is Dr. Mickey Rubin, the Executive Director of the Egg Nutrition Center. Tune in to hear the good news about this versatile, budget-friendly, nutrient-rich food. This episode is a partnership with the Egg Nutrition Center. For the full shownotes and resources go to: www.SoundBitesRD.com/131

Food has become a battleground where marketing claims and misinformation are used to bully and shame people about their food choices. What if you could stop stressing about what other people think and make eating decisions based on your own needs and preferences? This episode takes a closer look at the misrepresentation of food and sheds light on fictitious nutrition and environmental claims to help you recognize bullies and feel good about your food choices. Armed with science, compelling stories, and a lifetime on the farm, author and speaker Michele Payn challenges the way you think about food and gives you permission to buy food based on your own social, ethical, environmental and health standards rather than on brand marketing, peer pressure, or social media influence. Her book Food Bullying provides a six-step action plan to overcome bullying around the plate, simplify safe food choices, and even save time at the grocery store. Michele Payn connects the people and the science of food and farming, and br

This is part 2 in a 2-part series where we discuss what strength means to each of my three guests. We talk about physical strength but also mental and emotional strength. We discuss the “Four Cornerstones” of eating to support strength, some practical tips for tweaking your meals and snacks as well as simple cooking ideas and meal prepping advice – and we also talk about life on a cattle ranch and how both the land and the animals are cared for. Today's guests are Amee Livingston and Lance Pekus. Amee is an Olympic weightlifter, food blogger and breast cancer survivor. Lance is the Cowboy Ninja from American Ninja Warrior and a cattle rancher with a degree in natural resources/environmental science. “You don’t have to spend all day meal prepping! Try doing partial meal prep like batch cooking proteins or pre-chopping vegetables.” - Amee “People might think I’m strong, but for me it’s the people behind me, it’s the people that support me, the ones that are there for me that are strong – and maybe their strengt

In this 2-part series, we discuss what strength means to each of my three guests. We talk about physical strength but also mental and emotional strength. We discuss the “Four Cornerstones” of eating to support strength, some practical tips for tweaking your meals and snacks as well as simple cooking ideas and meal prepping advice – and we also talk about life on a cattle ranch and how both the land and the animals are cared for. Today's guest is Dr. Mike Roussell, a research scientist, protein expert and author of "Strength: The Field Manual" - a free book produced in conjunction with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. For the full shownotes, resources and link to the free book: www.SoundBitesRD.com/128  This episode is a sponsored collaboration with "Beef. It's What's for Dinner." on behalf of the Beef Checkoff.

Popular diets seem to dominate the nutrition airwaves. On today’s episode we share a basic overview of some of today’s popular diets and discuss the pros and cons of each one. We touch on these four popular diets: Keto, Atkins, Paleo and Plant-Based. Today’s guest is Dr. Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, CFS, FACN. He is Principal and CEO at the Think Healthy Group and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University. He is a regular guest on NBC and the Dr. Oz Show, bringing science and practical advice to the public. He is the Deputy Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dietary Supplements, editor of six academic textbooks, an author of over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, and author of the new popular cookbook, Sizzling Science. Dr. Taylor has been a paid consultant to Atkins. Visit the shownotes at www.SoundBitesRD.com/127 for more information. Resources: Dr. Taylor Wallace’s: NEW Cookboo

Food brings people together for everything from celebrations to mourning - and feeds the soul for meaningful connection. It can help harness great power in our communities, but in today's world we are too often letting dietary differences shift us into polarized positions. Food is far too important to let buzzwords lead the conversation. And while misinformation may be unintentional, disinformation is deliberate and manipulative. In order to engage in more productive conversations, we need to 1) learn to listen better in order to find common ground, 2) employ storytelling to share important information and create a sense of wonder, and 3) be truly respectful of others’ thoughts and feelings. Today's guest is Janice Person, the online engagement director for Bayer Crop Science. She's a city girl turned 'agvocate' who has learned effective ways to engage in conversations online and offline, and connect people involved in farming and food.  “When I listen to people talk about food, it’s really easy to want to re

The latest numbers from the CDC suggest that nearly 1 in 3 adults have either prediabetes or diabetes. These are alarming numbers, and finding out that you are the one out of three can be even more alarming. Shock, denial, and confusion are not uncommon reactions. But there is a flipside to learning you have prediabetes. It can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity—an opportunity to “reset,” to improve your health, and to get yourself in better shape than ever. Tune in to learn about concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of, or even reverse, prediabetes and diabetes with my guest, Jill Weisenberger - dietitian, diabetes educator and 4-time author. Prediabetes: A Complete Guide - Your Lifestyle Reset to Stop Prediabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses", will lead you through dozens of concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle reset, this comprehensive guide will allow you t

Tune in as we discuss the role of human milk and the key microbial colonizer of the infant gut in shaping the gut microbiota in support of growth, development, and protection of the infant during this critical period that lays the foundation for health throughout life. My guest is Dr. Anthony Thomas, Director of Scientific Affairs for Jarrow Formulas.

Despite hearing about the health and wellness benefits of fruits and vegetables for decades, nearly 9 in 10 Americans still don’t eat enough each day. Science continues to show that boosting consumption of these plant powerhouses can promote healthier, happier lives. Rooted in behavioral science and extensive consumer research, Have A Plant™ was created to answer consumers’ call for a simple, straightforward dialogue that speaks to their emotional food drivers and gets to the root of what all fruits and vegetables are – plants. Tune in to hear from Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, dietitian and CEO of PBH, about the exciting new campaign and how you can join the movement. Shownotes & Resources: www.SoundBitesRD.com/123

Osteoporosis accounts for more days in the hospital than other diseases like breast cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and others. Multiple studies suggest prunes may help to prevent bone loss. In addition, prunes and prune juice contain fiber and naturally-occurring sorbitol, which contribute to digestive health. Shirin Hooshmand, PhD, RD is an associate professor and researcher who studies the effects of bioactive compounds in foods on bone health. This episode is sponsored by Sunsweet Growers. Shownotes & Resources: www.SoundBitesRD.com/122 

Weight stigma is a global problem that can have negative impacts on emotional and physical health. Research is underway to find solutions to combat weight bias. Weight management is not just about eating less and moving more - it's about being in the right frame of mind. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices offer positive aspects for overall health and wellness and also lower levels of depression, social anxiety, and psychological distress. Gary Foster, PhD, is the Chief Scientific Officer at WW, a psychologist, obesity investigator, behavior change expert and author of scientific publications and books. Shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/121 

“Assessing the health impact of the way we eat is exceedingly difficult and I think we need to be careful about recommendations that are based on science that is not all that solid. Making conclusions about what we should or should not eat based on dietary patterns is overly simplistic….and may actually be deleterious if we cut out all refined grains from our diet.” - Dr. Glenn Gaesser Glenn Gaesser, PhD is an exercise physiologist and the author of a study recently published in Advances in Nutrition journal: "Refined Grains and Health: Genuine Risk, or Guilt by Association?" Tune in to hear what the research really says about whole grains, refined grains and indulgent grains, plus recommendations for grain intake that are likely different from what you've been hearing. Full shownotes and resources at: www.SoundBitesRD.com/120 

"Pseudoscience can be a powerful weapon in the hands of those who know how to exploit it, primarily because it can sound so credible. This is especially true for food. Unfortunately, the demarcation between pseudoscience and science isn’t as black and white as some would like to believe." Kavin Senapathy is a writer and public speaker covering science, health, parenting and the intersection of these topics. She's also the co-founder of SciMoms, whose goal is to advocate for science and evidence-based parenting, and the co-host for the Center for Inquiry's Point of Inquiry podcast. Tune in as we discuss food, pseudoscience and tips for separating the credible wheat from the questionable chaff. Full shownotes here: www.SoundBitesRD.com/119