Nutrition Conversations The Canadian Nutrition Society

Mentorship, often described as the art of guiding and nurturing, holds a special place in the fabric of human development. From ancient traditions of apprenticeship to modern-day corporate mentorship programs, the practice has evolved, yet its essence remains unchanged: the passing down of wisdom, experience, and support from one generation to the next. Dr. Sharon E. Straus is a geriatrician and clinical epidemiologist who trained at the University of Toronto and the University of Oxford. She is the Director of the Knowledge Translation Program and Physician-in-Chief at St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation and Quality of Care and has authored more than 600 peer-reviewed publications and 3 textbooks in evidence-based medicine, knowledge translation and mentorship. She has received national awards for mentorship, research and education and was named to the Order of Canada in 2021. In this episode, Dr. Straus discusses the art and science behind effective mentorship, exploring strategies, challenges, and enduring rewards that define this practice.

Food and nutrition literacy are concepts that may be important factors in supporting healthful dietary habits. Building these skills and knowledge at a young age is important for skill retention, confidence in food practices and supporting lifelong healthy eating habits. Dr. Maude Perreault is a Registered Dietitian and Assistant Professor at Université de Montréal. Her clinical and research interests are centered around family nutrition, and how we can support children and parents to have healthy eating behaviors. Dr. Perreault has also supported parents through her online private practice, with a focus on helping parents team up and tackle “picky eating” with their toddlers. More recently, she has developed an interest for food literacy as a way to explore the skills required to feed ourselves in the complex food system, and where inequalities might lie. Through her research and clinical work, Dr. Perreault’s mission is that everyone can enjoy eating, with autonomy, for their own well-being and that of their community. In this episode, Dr. Perreault discusses the emerging results around food literacy and considerations when it comes to teaching kids about it as well as in the context of chronic health diseases requiring dietary changes, namely celiac disease.

On March 8, 2024 we celebrated International Women’s Day where the theme was to “Inspire Inclusion”. Over the past 20 years, studies have shown persistent gaps in gender representation at the top levels of parenteral and enteral nutrition societies. Why does this matter? It's not just about numbers; it's about equality, opportunity, and the ability for all voices to be heard.
Dr. Carla Prado is a Professor and Registered Dietitian at the University of Alberta, and a Campus Alberta Innovates Chair in Nutrition, Food and Health. She is the Director of the Human Nutrition Research Unit and expert in assessing nutritional status through the precise measurement of body composition and energy metabolism. Dr. Prado is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and has received the title of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. She is also a Clarivate™ Highly Cited researcher.
Dr. Leah Gramlich is a gastroenterologist and physician nutrition specialist who works at patient, provider and systems levels to understand and enhance the impact of diet and activity strategies to improve health and reduce disease at the University of Alberta. She is the Founding President of the Canadian Nutrition Society and a CNS Fellow, an honour bestowed upon a CNS member by their peers in recognition for outstanding contributions to nutrition science and/or practice.
In this episode, Dr. Gramlich and Dr. Prado will discuss sex disparities in parenteral and enteral nutrition societies and gender equity in clinical nutrition.

With each passing year, our understanding of nutrition evolves, driven by scientific research, cultural shifts, and changing consumer preferences. As we enter 2024, we find ourselves at the forefront of a nutritional revolution, where sustainability, personalization, and mindful eating take center stage. Nishta Saxena is a Registered Dietitian and founder of Vibrant Nutrition, a full-service clinical nutrition and nutrition education practice. She is also a proud mother of two, living the strategies she preaches to families across the globe. Her years of specialty expertise in paediatrics and family dynamic nutrition has positioned her as an authority in paediatric nutrition and feeding issues. She is also known as a “nutrition myth-buster,” promoting evidence-based nutrition rather than diet trends. Nishta regularly appears on CTV as a nutrition health expert and shares her expertise on her Instagram page @nishtasaxenard. In this episode, Nishta discusses what nutrition topics are trending, how nutrition pop culture and trends drive science and how people are trying to incorporate these in their own lives.

In 2023, Manitoba opened Canada's first public facility for egg research, education and training. Eggs are a low-cost and nutrient-dense whole food that is an important source of high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and choline. Egg consumption has regained global popularity in recent years as they are recommended as a healthy component of diets when consumed in moderation. Dr. Jim House is a Professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba and has served as Past-President of the CNS, is a CNS Fellow, and recently awarded the Manitoba Strategic Research Chair in Sustainable Protein with the mandate to lead strategic research priorities attracting investment in the Manitoba protein sector for long-term economic growth. In this episode, Dr. House discusses the nutritional profile of eggs, their role on our health, and the new facilities for egg research at the University of Manitoba.

Sports Supplements are Natural Health Products, such as plant extracts, sports drinks, protein powders, sports bars, fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals, that are frequently used by many athletes worldwide to enhance sport performance and recovery. According to recent data, the global sports nutrition market and supplements was valued at about 27 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, and expected to increase in value to over 37 billion U.S. dollars by 2027. Dr. Mojtaba Kaviani is an Associate Professor in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University and Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP). He is also the lead of the sports nutrition group providing nutritional support to all Acadia University varsity teams. His research focuses on the effect of nutrients and food components alone or in combination with physical activity on whole body physiology and health status as well as sport performance in athletes. Dr. Kaviani also investigates the effects of sport and dietary supplements on health and performance outcomes and has no conflicts of interest to declare.