Dishing Up Nutrition

High-Protein Salads for Summer

Looking for a healthy summer meal that actually keeps you full? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Teresa Wagner shares her favorite strategies for building high-protein salads that support steady energy, balanced blood sugar, and lasting satisfaction. She explains why many salads leave people hungry an hour later, how much protein you really need at a meal, and simple ways to create delicious, nutrient-dense salads using convenient ingredients.

Expert Tips to Beat the Summer Bloat

Feeling bloated, puffy, or uncomfortable during the summer months? You're not alone. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explain why bloating and water retention often become more common during hot weather and how factors like dehydration, excess sodium, alcohol, summer treats, travel, and blood sugar swings can all contribute. They break down the difference between bloating, water retention, and actual body fat gain, while sharing practical strategies to help you feel lighter, more comfortable, and energized.

Healthy, Kid Friendly Summer Snacks

Looking for healthier snack ideas your kids will actually eat this summer? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Alyssa Krejci shares practical, kid-friendly snack ideas that support steady energy, better moods, hydration, and growing bodies.

From pool days and sports tournaments to summer camps and busy afternoons at home, Alyssa explains how to build balanced snacks with protein, healthy fats, and real food carbohydrates while reducing reliance on sugary snacks and drinks. She also shares simple strategies for making healthy foods more visible, accessible, and appealing to kids, plus fun ways to get children involved in snack prep and kitchen confidence.

Setting Up Kids for Long Term Health

Are today's kids facing more health challenges than previous generations? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explore the growing impact of ultra-processed foods on children's health and why nutrition habits formed early in life can influence health for decades to come. They discuss the rise in childhood obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, mood disorders, digestive issues, and other chronic health concerns, while explaining how blood sugar balance, protein, healthy fats, and real food can support better energy, focus, mood, and long-term wellness. Parents will also walk away with practical, realistic strategies for helping children build healthier eating habits without perfection or pressure.

Low Ferritin- What It Means and How to Fix It

Feeling exhausted, anxious, dizzy, or noticing more hair loss than usual? Low ferritin could be the missing piece. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Leah Kleinschrodt explains what ferritin is, why it matters, and why many people, especially women, can experience symptoms of iron deficiency even when their standard iron labs appear "normal."

Boost Your Energy with Real Food (No Sugar Crash Required)

Do you rely on caffeine, sugar, or energy drinks just to make it through the day? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent explore one of the most common complaints they hear from clients: constant fatigue. They explain how blood sugar imbalances, skipping meals, too many processed carbohydrates, dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and even alcohol can drain your energy and leave you stuck in a cycle of crashes and cravings.

Hydrate the Right Way: How to Feel Better, Faster

Feeling tired, foggy, dizzy, crampy, or just not quite yourself? Dehydration could be playing a bigger role than you think. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietitian Amy Crum explains how hydration impacts your energy, mood, focus, digestion, and overall health. She shares common signs of dehydration, how much water you really need, the role of electrolytes, and practical strategies to make drinking water a consistent habit.

What to Eat Before and After Exercise

Should you eat before a workout, after a workout, or both? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Leah and Teresa  break down how to fuel your body for better energy, performance, recovery, and long-term results. They discuss the pros and cons of fasted workouts, the importance of protein and carbohydrates, meal timing, hydration, and common mistakes that can leave you feeling exhausted, sore, or constantly hungry.

Why Seasonal Allergies & Digestion Problems Often Go Together

Do your seasonal allergies come with bloating, reflux, nausea, diarrhea, or other digestive issues? In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Leah Kleinschrodt explains the surprising connection between allergies, gut health, and the immune system. She breaks down how histamine, inflammation, leaky gut, and post-nasal drip can all contribute to digestive symptoms during allergy season and why your gut plays a major role in overall allergy resilience.

Foods That Help Skin Stay Strong As You Age

Healthy aging skin starts from the inside out. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent discuss how nutrition impacts collagen production, skin elasticity, hydration, inflammation, and overall skin health as we age. They explain why wrinkles, dryness, bruising, and thinning skin are often connected to what’s happening internally and how real food nutrition can help support stronger, healthier skin naturally.