Exam Room Nutrition: Practical Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals

Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN | Nutrition Educator
  • 5.0 (91)
  • Nutrition
  • Updated Weekly

Nutrition advice is everywhere. Your patients need help sorting through misinformation, and you need practical guidance for communicating nutrition clearly and compassionately. Exam Room Nutrition is the podcast for physician associates, registered dietitians, and healthcare professionals who want to stay current on nutrition and feel more confident counseling patients. Hosted by Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, each episode breaks down evidence-based topics including pediatric nutrition, weight management, diabetes, supplements, sports nutrition, and more. You’ll learn how to translate the evidence into realistic recommendations without judgment, shame, or overwhelming your patients. Whether you are a PA strengthening your nutrition knowledge or an RD sharpening your counseling skills, Exam Room Nutrition will help you bring practical, compassionate nutrition care into every patient conversation.

  1. 3d ago

    From First Foods to Family Meals

    This episode is part of our four-part Avocados in Practice mini-series, sponsored by Avocados – Love One Today®.  Today, we're exploring practical family nutrition strategies from first foods to family meals. Helping families eat well isn't about creating the perfect meal, it's about finding realistic strategies that work through every stage of childhood. In this final episode of our mini-series, Patricia Bannan, MS, RDN, and I discuss common nutrition gaps, first foods, picky eating, and practical approaches to building family meals that support healthy eating without becoming short-order cooks, including simple ways versatile foods like avocados can fit across ages and stages.  We Cover Nutrients children and families commonly fall short onWhat we know about maternal nutrition and infant outcomesCharacteristics of a nutritious first foodPractical strategies for navigating picky eatingHow to build family meals that work for every age and stageResources Mentioned: Healthy Beginnings (Toolkit) The Role of Lutein in Child Development: From Prenatal to Early Childhood Avocado Consumption During Pregnancy Linked to Lower Child Food Allergy Risk: Prospective KuBiCo Study How to Freeze Avocados for Smoothies Don't miss the rest of the series: Episode 1: Why Feeling Full Matters for Weight LossEpisode 2: Rethinking Cholesterol Counseling Episode 3: The Bigger Picture of Blood Sugar About Today's Sponsor Avocados – Love One Today® is a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados. Backed by science, Love One Today provides turnkey solutions that make it easy for health professionals to stay on top of the latest research and confidently recommend fresh avocados to patients. Embracing the diversity of Latin flavors and traditions while promoting a healthier lifestyle, Aguacates - Love One Today® also offers culturally inspired recipes, tips, and educational handouts para Latinos. Visit LoveOneToday.com for free evidence-based resources, recipes and patient education materials. Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

    From First Foods to Family Meals

  2. 4d ago

    The Bigger Picture of Blood Sugar

    This episode is part of our four-part Avocados in Practice mini-series, sponsored by Avocados – Love One Today®. Today, we're asking whether we're focusing on the right things when it comes to diabetes nutrition.  When someone is diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, nutrition conversations often become all about sugar and carbohydrates. But are we missing the bigger picture? In this episode, Patricia Bannan, MS, RDN, joins me to discuss glycemic load, diet quality, and why overall eating patterns deserve just as much attention as individual nutrients when supporting healthy blood sugar management and type 2 diabetes risk reduction.  What You’ll Learn How to shift the conversation from restriction toward overall diet qualityThe difference between glycemic index and glycemic loadNutrients to consider beyond total carbohydrates, such as unsaturated fats and fiberResearch exploring avocados, diet quality, blood sugar management, and diabetes riskPractical ways patients can incorporate avocados into balanced mealsResources Mentioned: The Role of Avocados in Managing Type 2 Diabetes Know the Difference: Natural Sugars vs. Added Sugars (Handout) The Effect of Including One Avocado Daily in a Habitual Diet on the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load in Free-living Adults with Overweight/Obesity Associations Between Avocado Intake and Measures of Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis in Hispanic Individuals With and Without Type 2 Diabetes Associations Between Avocado Intake and Lower Rates of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in U.S. Adults with Hispanic/Latino Ancestry Avocado Banana Dairy-Free Ice Cream (Recipe) Don't miss the rest of the series: Episode 1: Why Feeling Full Matters for Weight LossEpisode 2: Rethinking Cholesterol CounselingAbout Today's Sponsor Avocados – Love One Today® is a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados. Backed by science, Love One Today provides turnkey solutions that make it easy for health professionals to stay on top of the latest research and confidently recommend fresh avocados to patients. Embracing the diversity of Latin flavors and traditions while promoting a healthier lifestyle, Aguacates - Love One Today® also offers culturally inspired recipes, tips, and educational handouts para Latinos. Visit LoveOneToday.com for free evidence-based resources, recipes and patient education materials. Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

    The Bigger Picture of Blood Sugar

  3. 5d ago

    Rethinking Cholesterol Counseling

    This episode is part of our four-part Avocados in Practice mini-series, sponsored by Avocados – Love One Today®. Today, we're tackling one of the most common nutrition conversations in practice: cholesterol. Nutrition counseling often focuses on what patients should stop eating, but what should we encourage them to eat more of? Patricia Bannan, MS, RDN, joins me to discuss the types of food substitutions that can impact cholesterol, how current heart health guidelines support a food-first approach, and what the latest research tells us about improving cholesterol through practical, sustainable nutrition changes such as swapping foods with saturated fat for avocado We Cover Why restriction alone often isn't enough for cholesterol counselingThe science behind swapping saturated fat with unsaturated fatsThe types of food swaps that may improve cholesterol and triglyceride levelsNutrients that support cholesterol management and overall heart health, including fiber and unsaturated fatsCreative ways patients can incorporate avocados to get more unsaturated fats and fiber beyond avocado toastResources Mentioned: Avocados and Cholesterol Reduce Saturated Fat Intake With Fresh Avocados Avocados and Plant Sterols Avocados, Cholesterol and You (Handout) Effects of Replacing Solid Fats and Added Sugars with Avocado in Adults with Elevated Cardiometabolic Risk: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Feeding, Crossover Trial Don't miss the rest of the series: Episode 1: Why Feeling Full Matters for Weight LossAbout Today's Sponsor Avocados – Love One Today® is a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados. Backed by science, Love One Today provides turnkey solutions that make it easy for health professionals to stay on top of the latest research and confidently recommend fresh avocados to patients. Embracing the diversity of Latin flavors and traditions while promoting a healthier lifestyle, Aguacates - Love One Today® also offers culturally inspired recipes, tips, and educational handouts para Latinos. Visit LoveOneToday.com for free evidence-based resources, recipes and patient education materials. Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

    Rethinking Cholesterol Counseling

  4. 6d ago

    Why Feeling Full Matters for Weight Loss

    Many patients believe that feeling hungry is simply part of losing weight, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of our Avocados in Practice mini-series, sponsored by Avocados - Love One Today®, Patricia Bannan, MS, RDN, joins me to discuss why satiety matters, what the research says about fullness and foods and nutrients that influence it, and how clinicians can help patients build meals that are both satisfying and nutrient-dense. We also explore common misconceptions about higher-fat foods, practical nutrition strategies for patients taking GLP-1 medications, and simple ways to incorporate avocados into everyday meals to support fullness and satisfaction. What You’ll Learn Why hunger is one of the biggest barriers to sustainable weight lossThe role of satiety and meal satisfaction in weight managementWhat research tells us about avocados, weight, and body compositionWhy fiber and unsaturated fats  matter alongside protein, especially for patients eating less overallPractical ways to incorporate avocados for satisfying meals and snacksResources Mentioned Avocados, GLP-1 and Weight Loss Medications: Making Every Bite Count Avocados and Satiety: A Deep Dive Into Fullness and Weight Management Effect of Incorporating 1 Avocado Per Day Versus Habitual Diet on Visceral Adiposity: A Randomized Trial Using the Avocado to Test the Satiety Effects of a Fat-Fiber Combination in Place of Carbohydrate Energy in a Breakfast Meal in Overweight and Obese Men and Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial About Today's Sponsor Avocados – Love One Today® is a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados. Backed by science, Love One Today provides turnkey solutions that make it easy for health professionals to stay on top of the latest research and confidently recommend fresh avocados to patients. Embracing the diversity of Latin flavors and traditions while promoting a healthier lifestyle, Aguacates - Love One Today® also offers culturally inspired recipes, tips, and educational handouts para Latinos. Visit LoveOneToday.com for free evidence-based resources, recipes and patient education materials. Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

    Why Feeling Full Matters for Weight Loss

  5. Sep 9

    168 | Can You Starve Cancer? What the Evidence Says

    Apricot Kernels, Amino Acid Diet & Fasting in Cancer Care.  In this episode, I’m joined by oncology dietitian Ginger Hultin to break down some of the biggest cancer nutrition myths circulating online and explain what clinicians should actually be telling patients. We discuss: Whether sugar really “feeds” cancer and what the Warburg effect actually meansThe truth about soy, phytoestrogens, and hormone-sensitive cancersProcessed meat, red meat, and which foods are actually linked to cancer riskAspartame, artificial sweeteners, and what “possibly carcinogenic” really meansAlcohol and cancer risk—and why there seems to be some discrepancyWhether fasting during chemotherapy improves treatment outcomesEmerging research on restricting amino acids to slow cancer growthApricot kernels and the serious risks behind viral “natural cancer cure” claimsSupplements during cancer treatment, including potential interactions, over-supplementation, and when supplements may actually be helpfulHow clinicians can address cancer nutrition misinformation without dismissing or shaming patientsNutrition absolutely matters in cancer care. But restrictive “anti-cancer diets” and viral food cures can distract patients from what may help most: adequate protein, maintaining nutrition status, eating more fiber-rich plant foods, managing treatment side effects, and getting individualized support. Resources Mentioned: Episode 57: Cancer Survivorship and Nutrition Episode 75: Are Your Patients Taking Too Many Supplements? Connect with Ginger The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

  6. Sep 2

    167 | Type 1 Diabetes Update: Screening, Staging and Tech

    CGMs, Carb Counting and GLP-1s in Type 1 Diabetes  Type 1 diabetes care has changed a lot. From earlier screening and diabetes staging to diabetes technology, clinicians have more tools than ever, but also more to keep up with. In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Hormachea, RDN, CDCES, to break down what clinicians need to know about modern type 1 diabetes management. Key takeaways: Who should be screened for type 1 diabetes and what autoantibodies to look forThe difference between stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 type 1 diabetesWhy diabetes technology is changing how we teach carbohydrate countingHow to interpret CGM data without making patients fear every glucose spikeWhere low- and non-nutritive sweeteners fit into diabetes careWhy weight management is different for patients with type 1 diabetesWhat clinicians should know about GLP-1 medications in type 1 diabetesIf it’s been a while since you reviewed type 1 diabetes, this episode will get you caught up on what’s changing and what matters most in clinical practice. Peas and Hoppy Meal Guide  - use EXAMROOM for 20% off.  Resources Mentioned: Connect with Sarah ADA Guide to Nutrition Therapy for Diabetes 4th Edition Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy  Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

  7. Aug 26

    166 | Think You Can Spot an Eating Disorder?

    We Were Taught Eating Disorders Wrong  A patient can be purging, restricting, hiding food, or obsessing over their body and still have a “normal” weight and normal labs. That’s exactly why eating disorders are so easy to miss. In this episode, I sit down with eating disorder expert and dietitian Jessica Setnick for a conversation that completely challenges the way many of us were trained to recognize disordered eating. We talk about the stereotypes that keep patients from getting diagnosed, the well-intended things adults say and do around food that can backfire, and the subtle signs clinicians should be paying attention to long before the weight or labs change. Key takeaways: Why weight is not a reliable screening tool for eating disordersWhy restricting sweets, controlling portions, or labeling foods can make certain foods even more desirableWhat you need to ask when a parent says their child "sneaks food" Simple screening questions clinicians can use during a well visitWhat to say when a patient discloses purging, restriction, or body image concernsConnect with Jessica  Resources Mentioned: Episode 41: Silent Battles Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

  8. Aug 19

    165 | Fiber and Gut Health: Why “Eat More Fiber” Isn’t Enough

    Fiber, Fermentation, and the Gut Microbiome Healthcare practitioners can request free samples of NeuroFiber here We’re all guilty of telling patients to “eat more fiber,” but that recommendation is often too basic. Fiber type, diversity, tolerance, and the patient’s specific health goal all matter. In this sponsored episode, with support from NeuroFiber, you’ll learn why relying on one isolated fiber may not provide the same benefits as eating a variety of fiber-rich foods and how to give patients more practical, targeted guidance. Key takeaways: A better way to classify different types of fiberHow viscosity and fermentability affect what fiber does in the bodyWhy fiber diversity may help support microbiome diversityHow to make fiber recommendations more specific and practicalWhen a convenient fiber product can help bridge the gapThis episode was sponsored by NeuroFiber, a bar that provides 11 grams of fiber from 14 prebiotic and whole-food fiber sources, including a five-fiber prebiotic blend. NeuroFiber bars are gluten-free and made with real, whole food ingredients. Their formula was developed to support digestive health, microbiome diversity, and the gut-brain axis while offering a convenient option for patients who struggle to consistently meet their fiber needs through food alone. Any Questions? Send Me a Message Support the show Connect with Colleen: Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week. Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

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Nutrition advice is everywhere. Your patients need help sorting through misinformation, and you need practical guidance for communicating nutrition clearly and compassionately. Exam Room Nutrition is the podcast for physician associates, registered dietitians, and healthcare professionals who want to stay current on nutrition and feel more confident counseling patients. Hosted by Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, each episode breaks down evidence-based topics including pediatric nutrition, weight management, diabetes, supplements, sports nutrition, and more. You’ll learn how to translate the evidence into realistic recommendations without judgment, shame, or overwhelming your patients. Whether you are a PA strengthening your nutrition knowledge or an RD sharpening your counseling skills, Exam Room Nutrition will help you bring practical, compassionate nutrition care into every patient conversation.

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