Salad With a Side of Fries Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Loss

Jenn Trepeck
  • 4.8 (113)
  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Nutrition tips that actually work. Real-life healthy eating, balanced diet tools, and weight loss tips you can use today with coach Jenn Trepeck.* If you have searched for nutrition tips, tried to keep a healthy lifestyle, or felt stuck following popular weight loss tips, this podcast is for you. Get straightforward wellness advice that works in real life, plus strategies for a balanced diet, sustainable healthy eating, and a smarter approach to fitness and nutrition. Is your diet making you hungrier, crankier, or less healthy? Tune in and find out.* Free gift: Schedule a 15-minute curiosity call with Jenn to explore what is possible for you. https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/contact/ Welcome to Salad with a Side of Fries, where wellness meets real life. Award-winning host Jenn Trepeck, health and lifestyle coach and author of Uncomplicating Wellness, cuts through the noise with clear answers you can trust. Ranked in the top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide, the show won Ear Worthy’s Best Health Podcast in 2024 and 2025 and was nominated for Best Independent Podcast both years. Jenn also won Women Who Podcast’s Stellar Interview award in 2025 after being named one of Podcast Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2022. Jenn’s motto is “wellness without the weirdness.” With more than 17 years coaching after solving her own food struggles, she knows how confusing the industry can be. Each week you get the foundations of a balanced diet, sustainable healthy eating, metabolism basics, and long-term holistic health, plus straight talk on fad diets and supplements. What you will get by listening: ✅How to eat and how to cheat, guilt-free ✅Nutrition tips that work in the real world ✅Weight loss tips that are effective, never restrictive ✅How to build a balanced plate at home, on the road, and eating out ✅Smart strategies for sustainable habits that include your favorite foods ✅Evidence-based insights on fitness and nutrition ✅Conversations about holistic health that go beyond food ✅Wellness advice you can use right away About Jenn Trepeck: Jenn is a health coach, speaker, and consultant who blends humor with practical science. She has helped thousands improve energy, metabolism, and confidence in their choices through one-on-one coaching, group programs, her book, and this podcast. Connect with Jenn and the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenntrepeck/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saladwithasideoffriespod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenntrepeck Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferTrepeck/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425796548337541/ Website: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/ If you are ready to trade guilt for freedom, confusion for clarity, and boring salads for fries on the side, press play. Health gets doable here. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This podcast and its guests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

  1. April Fools: These Healthy Foods Aren’t as Healthy as You Think

    17H AGO

    April Fools: These Healthy Foods Aren’t as Healthy as You Think

    Your grocery cart full of “healthy” food labels might be lying to you. The foods you reach for because they sound clean, light, or natural may be doing very little, or worse, working against your health goals. This episode is the April Fools reality check nobody asked for, but everybody needs. Jenn Trepeck, host of Salad with a Side of Fries and certified health and lifestyle coach, walks through four categories of foods marketed as healthy that are anything but: breakfast staples, popular snacks, trendy drinks, and wellness-washed products. Backed by real-food labeling lawsuits and honest nutrition breakdowns, Jenn helps you see past the clever packaging so you can make choices that actually serve you without throwing out everything you enjoy. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why beloved breakfast options like granola, acai bowls, and avocado toast often fall short as complete, balanced meals and what to do instead ✅ How popular snack foods, such as veggie chips, rice cakes, and trail mix, use smart packaging to appear nutritious while delivering mostly empty carbohydrates ✅ The truth behind drinks marketed for health, including green juice, vitamin water, and plant-based milks, and how misleading marketing has shaped what we put in our bodies ✅ How major brands, including Naked Juice, Kashi, and Halo Top, have faced food labeling lawsuits over sugar content and natural claims, and what this means for how you shop The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 April Fools inspires a deep dive into healthy food myths 03:53 Food labeling lawsuits explained: David Bars, Naked Juice, Kind Snacks, Kashi, and misleading marketing 10:51 Why it is up to consumers to look past food marketing and read nutrition labels 11:42 Breakfast foods breakdown: granola, flavored yogurt, acai bowls, and avocado toast 16:14 Avocado toast deep dive: why bread and healthy fat alone do not make a balanced meal 22:27 Snack category begins: the truth about veggie chips and what is really in the ingredients 25:36 Protein bars and trail mix: how to evaluate labels and what actually to look for 29:17 Rice cakes and pretzels: why these popular healthy snacks are mostly empty calories 33:14 Drinks category: green juice, smoothies, and vitamin water are put to the test 44:09 Wellness-washed products revealed: low-calorie ice cream, plant-based milk, and more 46:33 Pizza, Pastas and Gluten Free: read the labels KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Food marketing is designed to influence perception, not reflect nutrition. Flipping the package over and reading the actual ingredient list is one of the most powerful habits you can build for your health. 💎 Many popular healthy snacks and breakfast items, from granola to veggie chips to acai bowls, are high in sugar content and low in fiber and protein, making them closer to treats than health foods. 💎 Healthy food myths around drinks run deep. Green juice, vitamin water, and many plant-based milks are frequently loaded with additives and sweeteners, or are marketed with misleading claims that overstate their benefits. 💎 Enjoying the foods you love is not the problem. The goal is to understand what those foods actually provide, so you can pair and balance them in a way that genuinely supports your health goals. RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram About Uncomplicating Wellness Text ‘Book’ to 833-801-0500 Nutrition Nugget: David Bars Nutrition Nugget: Oatmeal Nutrition Nugget: Eggs It Takes Heart Nutrition Nugget: Rice Cakes QUOTES: 11:00 “It is up to us to ignore the marketing and flip packages over so that we can choose what makes sense for us." Jenn Trepeck 22:38 “I don't care if they're the straws, I don't care if they're the wavy ones. I don't care if it's the green one versus the reddish colored one. They're really not made of vegetables." Jenn Trepeck 36:20 “Green juices are definitely in the category of drinks we think are healthy, but April Fools, they are probably not helping you reach your health goals." Jenn Trepeck 43:48 “People have this assumption that plant-based means healthier by default, and it does not necessarily." Jenn Trepeck SEO KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Nutrition Nugget, Health Coach, Weight Loss For Real Life, Healthy Food Myths Granola, Flavored Yogurt, Acai Bowls, Avocado Toast, Breakfast Bars, Oatmeal, Protein Bars, Trail Mix, Rice Cakes, Pretzels, Veggie Chips, Green Juice, Smoothies, Vitamin Water, Plant-Based Milk, Oat Milk, Almond Milk, Halo Top, Low Calorie Ice Cream, Food Labeling, Sugar Content, Net Carbs, Processed Food, Misleading Marketing, Food Lawsuits, Naked Juice, Kind Snacks, Kashi Cereal, Dried Fruit, Nutrition Labels, Health Coaching, Wellness, Blood Sugar, Fiber, Protein, Healthy Snacks, Ingredient Lists, Food Marketing, Balanced Meals, Junk Food Disguised As Health Food, Foods marketed as healthy but are not, how to read nutrition labels for weight loss

    53 min
  2. Nutrition Nugget: Pure Genius Protein Shots

    5D AGO ·  BONUS

    Nutrition Nugget: Pure Genius Protein Shots

    Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Pure Genius Protein Shots, the pocket-sized protein product co-founded by Mel Robbins that is making waves in the wellness world. Is this sleek little bottle actually bridging your protein gap, or is it just clever marketing wrapped in a compelling personal story? Jenn digs into the ingredients, the nutrition facts, the science behind the protein blend, and the team of doctors behind the brand. But here is the thing: the product might check a lot of boxes and still not be what you think it is. Who is this actually designed for, and where does it really fit into your day? Tune in to find out. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/ RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Protein Shots, Whey Protein, Collagen Peptides, Amino Acids, Complete Protein, Protein Gap, Muscle Loss, Weight Management, Hormone Health, Longevity, Gluten Free Protein, Sugar Free Protein, Low Calorie Protein, Protein On The Go, Convenient Protein, Travel Snacks, Protein For Women, GLP-1 Users, Ozempic Nutrition, Bariatric Surgery Nutrition, Post Workout Protein, Protein Snack, Monk Fruit Sweetener, Stevia, Third Party Testing, Heavy Metal Testing, Protein Sources, Functional Foods, Processed Foods Spectrum, Protein For Weight Loss, Protein For Energy, Meal Supplement, Protein Timing, Snack Size Protein, Protein Advisory Board, Protein Powder Alternatives, Medical Advisory Board, Protein Ingredients, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Convenient High Protein Snacks For Women On The Go, Best Protein Supplements For GLP-1 And Bariatric Patient

    19 min
  3. Why Your Brain Won’t Stop Talking About Food (And How to Quiet Food Noise)

    MAR 25

    Why Your Brain Won’t Stop Talking About Food (And How to Quiet Food Noise)

    Can’t stop thinking about food, no matter what you do? That constant mental chatter is not your fault. There is a reason your brain keeps circling back to food. In this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, Jenn Trepeck breaks down the real science behind food noise and why it is not a lack of willpower. She explains how emotional eating, hormone balance, and nutrition habits shape your relationship with food, while offering practical strategies to quiet the mental chatter and regain control in a sustainable, empowering way. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How food noise is driven by hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, not lack of discipline ✅ Why calorie restriction increases cravings, control challenges, and amplifies mental chatter ✅ How stabilizing blood sugar balance reduces food cravings, improves energy regulation and quiets that voice ✅ Simple daily habits using stress management, sleep, and health to quiet intrusive food thoughts The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Food noise and how calorie restriction fuels constant thoughts about eating 03:51 Defining food noise as intrusive thoughts tied to mental health and food patterns 06:29 The difference between normal planning and disruptive food obsession and eating patterns 11:01 Is it food noise or physical hunger cues 13:24 How diet culture and restriction create long-term behavioral patterns around food 16:19 The blood sugar rollercoaster, food cravings, energy dips and understanding the dopamine response 24:14 The importance of nutrition and why processed foods intensify cravings and disrupt appetite regulation 28:02 The importance of movement, sleep in regulating hunger and reducing food chatter 30:04 Consistency of foundational optimal health pillars of wellness will remove food noise 35:36 Discussion of supplements to help reduce and remove food noise 42:18 Final thoughts on eating healthy and avoiding processed food KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Food noise is a physiological signal tied to hormone balance, not a personal failure 💎 Restrictive eating disrupts blood sugar balance and increases food cravings 💎 Consistent nutrition habits and balanced meals help regulate hunger naturally 💎 Managing stress management and sleep is essential for reducing mental food chatter ABOUT THE GUEST: RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram About Uncomplicating Wellness Text ‘Book’ to 833-801-0500 Nutrition Nugget: The Minnesota Starvation Experiment How to be a Wellness Ally 7 Types of Rest Jenn’s Supplements to quiet food noise QUOTES: 00:00 “Calorie restriction is one of the primary drivers of food noise.” Jenn Trepeck 11:01 “So are we paying attention to that voice versus our physical hunger cues? Jenn Trepeck 24:52 “Our objective is balancing blood sugar to avoid that rollercoaster because that rollercoaster turns up the volume on that dialogue.” Jenn Trepeck 25:09 “The more processed foods we have, the more sugar laden foods we have, the more we keep our taste buds addicted to sweet.” Jenn Trepeck 44:13 “When you give your body what it needs, it will stop screaming at you.” Jenn Trepeck SEO KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Nutrition Nugget, Health Coach, Weight Loss For Real Life, Food Noise, Calorie Restriction, Hunger Hormones, Ghrelin, Leptin, GLP One, Blood Sugar Balance, Emotional Eating, Nutrition Habits, Healthy Eating, Processed Foods, Cravings Control, Mindful Eating, Stress Management, Cortisol Levels, Dopamine Response, Satiety Signals, Wellness Coaching, Weight Loss Mindset, Nutrient Dense Foods, Balanced Meals, Sleep And Health, Metabolism Support, Adrenal Health, Habit Change, Food Cravings, Diet Culture, Hormone Balance, Energy Regulation, Healthy Lifestyle, Behavioral Patterns, Mental Health And Food, Food Obsession, Eating Patterns, Wellness Education, Lifestyle Habits, Blood Sugar Rollercoaster, Food Guilt, Sustainable Nutrition, Appetite Regulation, How To Stop Food Noise Naturally, Why Am I Always Thinking About Food

    48 min
  4. Nutrition Nugget: Salad Power Smoothies

    MAR 20 ·  BONUS

    Nutrition Nugget: Salad Power Smoothies

    Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Salad Power Smoothies, a vegetable-packed smoothie pouch that promises to deliver twice your daily vegetable requirement in every serving. The mission sounds incredible, the ingredients are clean and organic, and the convenience factor is undeniable. But is a drinkable salad really as good as eating one? Jenn breaks down the nutrition label, does the fiber math, and weighs the cost against the benefits. There may be more to this little pouch than meets the eye, but there may also be a catch or two you did not see coming. What does Jenn really think? You might be surprised. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/ and become a member of the Happy Healthy Hub to move your suggestion/request to the top of the list. RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Salad Power Smoothie, Organic Vegetables, Green Smoothie, Net Carbs, Dietary Fiber, Vegetable Intake, Healthy Snacking, Whole Food Nutrition, Smoothie Pouches, USDA Organic, Kale Smoothie, Spinach Smoothie, Broccoli Nutrition, Functional Beverages, Healthy On The Go Snacks, Vegetable Nutrition Density, Plant Based Nutrition, Sugar Free Smoothie, Micronutrients, Healthy Weight Loss, Real Food Ingredients, Health Coaching, Wellness Podcast, Nutrition Label Reading, Low Sugar Snacks, Fiber Rich Foods, Vegetable Servings, Balanced Snack, Protein And Fat Pairing, Clean Eating, Packaged Food Review, Carbohydrate Counting, Organic Produce, Healthy Convenience Food, Smoothie Ingredients, Nutrition Facts, Veggie Dense Foods, Wellness Community, Health And Wellness Podcast, Food Marketing Claims

    13 min
  5. Do This to Live Long and Live Well (feat. Allison McCune Davis)

    MAR 18

    Do This to Live Long and Live Well (feat. Allison McCune Davis)

    Your future is not determined by one dramatic decision or change. Your future is built quietly, habit by habit, in the choices you make every single day. If that idea both excites and unsettles you, this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries is exactly what you need to hear. Host Jenn Trepeck welcomes Allison McCune Davis, author and natural health educator, for a rich conversation about what it truly takes to live long and live well. From healing her own body in her forties to completing a 75-day challenge at 60, Allison shares her three-pillar framework of body work, brain work, and world work and why longevity habits, purpose in life, and community/connection are just as essential as what you eat or how much you sleep. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Allison's three-pillar framework of body work, brain work, and world work provides a practical roadmap for building longevity habits at any age. ✅ Why muscle health, protein intake, hydration, and sleep health are among the most powerful tools for healthy aging and sustained energy. ✅ How journaling, meditation, decluttering, and creative expression support mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness in ways that directly impact longevity. ✅ Why purpose in life and community connection are scientifically linked to how long and how well we live, and how to find or reclaim both when life shifts. The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to longevity habits and living well with natural health educator Allison McCune Davis 04:10 Allison's first experience with traditional Chinese medicine and how it launched her natural health journey 07:23 Healing through her forties with a naturopath and addressing gut health, adrenal fatigue, and thyroid health 09:22 Turning 60, feeling restless, and committing to a 60-day challenge to discover renewed purpose in life 13:15 Completing 75 Hard and how surrounding yourself with the right community connection changed everything 16:47 What atomic habits teach us about identity and change 20:57 Breaking down body work: protein intake, hydration, movement, sleep health, and deep breathing 25:25 Brain work blueprint: journaling, reading, decluttering, meditation, and creative expression for spiritual wellness 28:55 World work and why purpose in life, volunteering, relationships, and gathering are essential for healthy aging 35:09 How women's wellness depends on intentional community connection and the power of saying no with purpose KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Longevity habits are not about perfection. They are about choosing one small action in body work, brain work, or world work and repeating it consistently for at least 60 days until it becomes part of who you are. 💎 Muscle health, especially in the legs, is considered the organ of longevity. Prioritizing strength training and protein intake early and consistently is one of the highest-leverage investments in healthy aging. 💎 Purpose in life does not disappear when careers end or children leave home. It simply shifts. Reframing this transition and using tools like core values and alignment questions can open an entirely new chapter. 💎 The people you spend the most time with shape your beliefs, your actions, and ultimately your future. Intentional community connection is not optional for women's wellness; it is essential. ABOUT THE GUEST: Allison McCune Davis is an author, Traditional Naturopath, and mom of 5 who has pursued an entrepreneurial business in the world of natural health for the last 14 years while raising her family. With her new book, Sixty Is a Good Start: A Powerful Body, a Purposeful Life, and a Plan to Make it Happen, she advocates reimagining life after sixty and inspires women to embrace aging as an opportunity for vitality and purpose. RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram About Uncomplicating Wellness Text ‘Book’ to 833-801-0500 The Longevity Equation Blue Zones: A Blueprint for Physical and Mental Health GUEST RESOURCES: Natural Healing With Allison McCune Davis Allison McCune Davis - Facebook Longevity Strategist - Instagram Allison McCune Davis - YouTube QUOTES: 16:20 "I'm seeing more and more where people are going, okay, what's next? What's gonna be my thing?" - Jenn Trepeck 16:49 "Your daily routine has habits. What are those habits? Because that is going to be your future." - Allison McCune Davis 29:37 "I don't even like the word retirement. I wish people would just say, ‘I'm going to do something different now.’" - Allison McCune Davis 00:31:28 "Our future is in our daily habits. We could say this is our core value, or where we want to be in a year, and then look at our daily tasks and see the misalignment." - Jenn Trepeck 00:37:18 "What I'm hearing is that potentially the best thing we could do is just play with it, see what happens, do something new, and explore." - Jenn Trepeck 00:43:35 "Your future is hidden in your daily routine, so choose wisely and consider body work, brain work, and world work." - Jenn Trepeck SEO KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Nutrition Nugget, Health Coach, Weight Loss For Real Life, Longevity Habits, Natural Health, Blue Zones, Body Work, Brain Work, World Work, Daily Routine, Habit Formation, Atomic Habits, Healthy Aging, Purpose In Life, Women's Wellness, Gut Health, Thyroid Health, Adrenal Fatigue, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopath, Protein Intake, Muscle Health, Sleep Health, Deep Breathing, Hydration, Movement, Journaling, Meditation, Decluttering, Supplements, Hormone Balancing, Community Connection, Relationships, Volunteering, Retirement Purpose, Core Values, Mindset, Strength Training, Spiritual Wellness, 60 Day Challenge, Habit Tracker, Women Over 50, Functional Medicine, Longevity Lifestyle Habits For Women Over 50, How To Find Purpose After Retirement

    44 min
  6. Nutrition Nugget: STUFF

    MAR 13 ·  BONUS

    Nutrition Nugget: STUFF

    Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about STUFF, Stand Up For Fitness, and why even the most dedicated gym-goers might be living a sedentary lifestyle without realizing it. Could your daily workout actually be giving you a false sense of security when it comes to how much you truly move throughout the day? Jenn breaks down simple, realistic ways to weave more movement into your routine without breaking a sweat or requiring multiple gym visits a day. But here is the real question: Is five minutes of standing every half hour actually enough to counteract hours of sitting? Tune in to find out what Jenn has to say. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/ RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram Nutrition Nugget: Dead Butt Syndrome Nutrition Nugget: D.W.D.S. Nutrition Nugget: Temptation Bundling KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Sedentary Lifestyle Health Risks, Sedentary Lifestyle, Movement Breaks, Stand Up For Fitness, STUFF Philosophy, Exercise Snacks, Standing Desk, Blood Circulation, Brain Fog, Dead Butt Syndrome, Low Back Pain, Hip Flexor Tightness, Sitting Disease, Physical Activity, Wellness Tips, Weight Loss, Nutrition Nugget, Temptation Bundling, Walking After Meals, Dance Break, Squats At Desk, Stretching Breaks, Work From Home Wellness, Desk Job Health, Active Lifestyle, Fitness Habits, Health Coaching, Sedentary Habits, Movement Reminders, Standing Breaks, Exercise Habits, Healthy Living, Posture Health, Mobility, Family Wellness, Outdoor Activity, Gardening For Health, Phone Call Walking, Kitchen Counter Exercises, Body Positioning, Chronic Disease Prevention, How To Break Up Sitting During The Workday, Exercise Snacks For Sedentary Office Workers

    8 min
  7. Big Food, Big Ag, Local Farms (feat. Tara Vander Dussen)

    MAR 11

    Big Food, Big Ag, Local Farms (feat. Tara Vander Dussen)

    Do you know where your food comes from? Most of us buy and consume food every single day without understanding who grew it, how it was raised, or what the labels actually mean. What if the fear driving your grocery store decisions is based more on marketing than reality? On this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, Jenn Trepeck welcomes fifth-generation dairy farmer and environmental scientist Tara Vander Dussen of Discover Ag Podcast and Discover Ag TV for a grounded, no-nonsense conversation about the food system, family farms, organic versus conventional choices, and how consumers can make smarter decisions without the overwhelm. From antibiotic use in dairy farming to the truth about grass-fed beef, water recycling on modern farms, and the impact of imports and tariffs on local agriculture, this episode reframes the conversation and replaces fear with facts. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How the food system is divided between agriculture and big food, and why understanding that distinction helps you shop smarter and reduce unnecessary food fear ✅ What the organic label actually means as a farming practice, and how conventional dairy farming maintains strict quality and safety standards that often go unrecognized ✅ Why most cattle in the United States spend the majority of their lives on pasture, and what the real difference between grass-fed and grass-finished beef means for your plate ✅ How sustainable farming practices like water recycling, on-site veterinarians, and cattle nutritionists reflect a level of animal care and environmental responsibility that rarely makes it into the public conversation The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Breaking down the differences between agriculture and the food industry 06:17 Understanding pesticides, glyphosate, and bio-engineered crops as tools in the farmer's toolbox 09:13 Why food labels shifted from consumer information to marketing, and how to shop by personal values 14:29 The truth about factory farms versus family farms and why 98 percent of dairies are family owned 19:10 Conventional dairy quality: antibiotic protocols, testing standards, and why milk is one of the most tested products in the food supply chain 25:45 How animal welfare and farm transparency have improved, and the water recycling system on a dairy farm is explained step by step 29:29 Grass-fed versus grain-fed beef unpacked and why most cattle spend two-thirds of their lives on pasture 36:42 How tariffs and global markets affect dairy farming prices and why grocery store milk prices can mislead 38:57 The complicated relationship between consumer demand, imports, exports, and the modern food supply KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 The organic label is a farming practice, not a health guarantee. Understanding what it means operationally helps consumers make decisions based on values rather than marketing. 💎 The majority of farms in the United States, including large-scale operations, are still family-owned and operated. The idea that factory farms have replaced family agriculture is largely a myth built on online rhetoric. 💎 Every tanker of conventional milk is tested for antibiotics at the parts-per-trillion level, both on the farm and at the processing plant, making it one of the most rigorously tested products in the food supply chain. 💎 Consumer spending drives the food system. When purchases do not align with stated preferences, food companies follow the dollar, making intentional buying one of the most powerful tools available to consumers. ABOUT THE GUEST: Tara Vander Dussen is a fifth-generation dairy farmer, environmental scientist, and co-host of the podcast and TV series Discover Ag. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Soil, Water, and Environmental Science from the University of Arizona and spent more than a decade working as an environmental consultant for dairy farms. Through Discover Ag, Tara blends food, agriculture, and pop culture to make conversations about the food system accessible and engaging. Natalie Kovarik is a fourth-generation cattle rancher, entrepreneur, and co-host of the top-ranked podcast and TV series Discover Ag. She holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Montana and, alongside her husband, owns and operates Kovarik Cattle Co. in Nebraska. Through Discover Ag, Natalie helps reconnect consumers to their food by sharing the stories of farmers and ranchers in an engaging, modern way. RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram About Uncomplicating Wellness Text ‘Book’ to 833-801-0500 GUEST RESOURCES: Discover Ag DISCOVER AG ON THE ROAD - Instagram Discover Ag 'On The Road' - YouTube Discover Ag - Podcast DISCOVER AG - Instagram Discover Ag Podcast - YouTube Tara Vander Dussen - Instagram Natalie Kovarik - Instagram QUOTES: 07:22 "GMOs, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, all of those things are tools in farmers' toolboxes. Different farmers are going to use different tools in different ways, and that comes down to management decisions." - Tara Vander Dussen 09:55 "I don't want people to fear the food in their grocery store. I think we have gotten to a really bad place in this country where people have real fears around their food." - Tara Vander Dussen 12:01 "I believe changing our food system is about how we spend our dollars. The onus is not going to be on these food companies, it's on us as consumers to tell them what we want." - Jenn Trepeck 13:55 "We are even having this conversation so we can make informed choices versus the choices based on the fear mongering or the marketing or whatever is coming at us." - Jenn Trepeck 38:18 "So much of our food is local and there is so much that goes into creating that food source, even if it is not marketed to us or on that label." - Jenn Trepeck SEO KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Nutrition Nugget, Health Coach, Weight Loss For Real Life, Food System, Family Farm, Big Agriculture, Local Farms, Dairy Farming, Organic Label, Conventional Farming, Grass Fed Beef, Grain Fed Cattle, Pesticides, Glyphosate, Genetically Modified Organisms, Bio-Engineered Crops, Food Labels, Grocery Store, Farm To Table, Agricultural Sustainability, Water Recycling, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Food Supply Chain, Import And Export, Tariffs, Food Safety, Antibiotic Use In Dairy, Milk Quality, Cattle Nutrition, Pasture Raised, Grass Finished, Feedlot, Regenerative Agriculture, Consumer Food Choices, Food Fear, Farm Tours, Discover Ag, Direct To Consumer, Cotton Seed Feed, Citrus Feed, Food Pyramid, Fifth Generation Farmer

    48 min
  8. Nutrition Nugget: Dunkin's Protein Drinks

    MAR 6 ·  BONUS

    Nutrition Nugget: Dunkin's Protein Drinks

    Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Dunkin's Protein Drinks. Dunkin’ has officially jumped on the protein bandwagon and is rolling out a new line of protein drinks that have everyone asking: Are these actually a good source of protein? Jenn went straight to the source, visiting multiple Dunkin’ locations, digging into the nutrition facts PDF, and asking the questions most of us never think to ask. What she found might surprise you. On the one hand, Dunkin’ uses a real, recognizable dairy-based milk with a clean ingredient list and no added sweeteners or emulsifiers. On the other hand, the protein count may not be quite what the marketing suggests. Jenn also addresses the ingredients that go into your cup beyond that protein milk so that you can decide for yourself if this is a smart, satisfying option or just another trend wrapped in clever branding. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/ RESOURCES: Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member Jenn’s Free Menu Plan A Salad With a Side of Fries A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram Nutrition Nugget: Flavor Syrups Nutrition Nugget: Fairlife Protein Shake KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Dunkin Protein Drink, Protein Drinks, Fast Food Nutrition, Dunkin Menu, Protein Milk, Lactose Free Milk, Lactaid Brand, Nutrition Facts, Coffee Drinks, Protein Content, Starbucks Protein Drinks, Sugar Free Syrup, Vanilla Syrup, Almond Syrup, Protein Latte, Protein Refresher, Nutrition Nugget, Weight Loss, Wellness Podcast, Health Coach, Healthy Coffee Options, Nutrition Labels, Filtered Skim Milk, Reduced Fat Milk, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Lactase Enzyme, Artificial Growth Hormone Free, Dairy Milk, Non Dairy Options, Coffee Additives, Food Marketing, Added Sugar, Saturated Fat, Nutrition Myths, Healthy Eating, Protein Powder, Fast Food Coffee, Megan Thee Stallion Dunkin, Protein Trend, Is Dunkin Protein Drink Actually Healthy, Dunkin Protein Drink Nutrition Facts Review, Protein Coffee

    10 min
See All (669)

4.8
out of 5
113 Ratings

About

Nutrition tips that actually work. Real-life healthy eating, balanced diet tools, and weight loss tips you can use today with coach Jenn Trepeck.* If you have searched for nutrition tips, tried to keep a healthy lifestyle, or felt stuck following popular weight loss tips, this podcast is for you. Get straightforward wellness advice that works in real life, plus strategies for a balanced diet, sustainable healthy eating, and a smarter approach to fitness and nutrition. Is your diet making you hungrier, crankier, or less healthy? Tune in and find out.* Free gift: Schedule a 15-minute curiosity call with Jenn to explore what is possible for you. https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/contact/ Welcome to Salad with a Side of Fries, where wellness meets real life. Award-winning host Jenn Trepeck, health and lifestyle coach and author of Uncomplicating Wellness, cuts through the noise with clear answers you can trust. Ranked in the top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide, the show won Ear Worthy’s Best Health Podcast in 2024 and 2025 and was nominated for Best Independent Podcast both years. Jenn also won Women Who Podcast’s Stellar Interview award in 2025 after being named one of Podcast Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2022. Jenn’s motto is “wellness without the weirdness.” With more than 17 years coaching after solving her own food struggles, she knows how confusing the industry can be. Each week you get the foundations of a balanced diet, sustainable healthy eating, metabolism basics, and long-term holistic health, plus straight talk on fad diets and supplements. What you will get by listening: ✅How to eat and how to cheat, guilt-free ✅Nutrition tips that work in the real world ✅Weight loss tips that are effective, never restrictive ✅How to build a balanced plate at home, on the road, and eating out ✅Smart strategies for sustainable habits that include your favorite foods ✅Evidence-based insights on fitness and nutrition ✅Conversations about holistic health that go beyond food ✅Wellness advice you can use right away About Jenn Trepeck: Jenn is a health coach, speaker, and consultant who blends humor with practical science. She has helped thousands improve energy, metabolism, and confidence in their choices through one-on-one coaching, group programs, her book, and this podcast. Connect with Jenn and the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenntrepeck/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saladwithasideoffriespod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenntrepeck Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferTrepeck/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425796548337541/ Website: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/ If you are ready to trade guilt for freedom, confusion for clarity, and boring salads for fries on the side, press play. Health gets doable here. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This podcast and its guests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Information

You Might Also Like