The Geriatric Dietitian

Katie Dodd, MS, RDN, CSG, LD, FAND
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Alternative Health
  • Weekly

The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast is your go-to geriatric nutrition podcast for practical, evidence-based guidance to support healthy aging. Hosted by Registered Dietitian and gerontological nutrition specialist Katie Dodd, this podcast helps older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals better understand nutrition in aging without the confusion or overwhelm. Each episode delivers simple, real-life strategies to support strength, independence, and quality of life. If you're looking for straightforward nutrition guidance that makes sense for aging, you're in the right place.

  1. 5d ago

    TGD 025: When Someone Stops Eating at End of Life- Ending the Food Fight

    What happens when someone you love stops eating at the end of life? Watching a loved one refuse food can be incredibly emotional for family members and caregivers. Food is one of the ways we show love, provide comfort, and care for others. When someone stops eating, it can lead to fear, guilt, and anxiety. In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, registered dietitian Katie Dodd discusses what she calls "the food fight" at end of life. We explore why families may pressure a dying loved one to eat, how these conflicts can create emotional distress, and why understanding changes in eating at end of life is so important. The goal is to help caregivers spend less time fighting about food and more time connecting with their loved ones during the precious moments they have left. Read the full article: https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/embracing-hospice-end-of-life-nutrition/ This is part 2 of our five-part series on nutrition at end of life.

    TGD 025: When Someone Stops Eating at End of Life- Ending the Food Fight

  2. Oct 20

    TGD 024: Hospice, Palliative Care, and End of Life

    What is the difference between hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life care? In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, registered dietitian Katie Dodd kicks off a five-part series on nutrition at end of life. We discuss what hospice and palliative care are, how they differ, where hospice services are provided, and what it means when someone is approaching the end of life. We also explore why conversations about dying are so important and how understanding the end-of-life process can help reduce confusion, anxiety, and guilt for family members and caregivers. This episode sets the foundation for understanding why nutrition goals change as someone approaches the end of life. Read the full article: https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/embracing-hospice-end-of-life-nutrition/ This is part 1 of our five-part series on nutrition at end of life.

    TGD 024: Hospice, Palliative Care, and End of Life

  3. Oct 13

    TGD 023: Wanting to Lose Weight After 65? What to Consider First

    What if you're over 65 and you actually want to lose weight? In this final episode of our five-part BMI series, we take a closer look at intentional weight loss in older adults and why the decision is more nuanced than simply looking at a number on the scale or a BMI chart. We'll discuss why standard BMI categories may not tell the whole story after age 65, why weight history and weight stability matter, and why preserving muscle should be a major priority if intentional weight loss is pursued. In this episode, you'll learn: Why BMI alone shouldn't determine whether an older adult needs to lose weight Why usual body weight and weight stability matter How weight loss can include both fat and muscle loss Why muscle is so important for strength, mobility, function, and independence Why protein and resistance exercise are especially important during intentional weight loss Why protein intake throughout the day may help support muscle How malnutrition and sarcopenic obesity can occur even in someone living in a larger body Why overall health, nutrition, strength, and function matter more than chasing a specific number on the scale The big takeaway from this entire BMI series: preserve muscle. If intentional weight loss is appropriate for you, talk with your healthcare team and consider working with a geriatric dietitian who can help you look at the bigger picture. Visit The Geriatric Dietitian: https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/ Get my FREE healthy aging nutrition resource: https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/ This episode is for educational purposes only and is not individualized medical or nutrition advice.

    TGD 023: Wanting to Lose Weight After 65? What to Consider First

  4. Oct 6

    TGD 22: Unintentional Weight Loss in Older Adults- When to Be Concerned

    Unintentional weight loss in older adults is something we need to take seriously. In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, Katie discusses why weight stability matters as we age and why losing weight without trying can be a warning sign rather than something to celebrate. This is Part 4 of the five-part BMI in Older Adults series. In this episode, you'll learn: Why unintended weight loss in older adults is concerning How weight loss can contribute to muscle loss and loss of independence What is considered significant unintended weight loss Why gradual or insidious weight loss can still be a red flag The connection between weight loss, malnutrition, and mortality How the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is used to screen for malnutrition risk How dietitians assess muscle loss and nutrition status Why usual body weight and weight trends matter more than focusing on one number When weighing an older adult may not be appropriate Why preserving muscle should remain a priority Katie also discusses why weight loss should be evaluated in the context of nutrition, muscle, strength, function, health status, and an individual's usual body weight. Learn more at TheGeriatricDietitian.com. Next week, we'll wrap up the BMI in Older Adults series by discussing what older adults should consider when they intentionally want or need to lose weight.

    TGD 22: Unintentional Weight Loss in Older Adults- When to Be Concerned

  5. Sep 29

    TGD 021: Sarcopenia in Older Adults: Why Muscle Matters More Than Weight

    When it comes to healthy aging, the number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story. In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, we're talking about sarcopenia - the loss of muscle that occurs with aging - and why preserving muscle is so important for older adults. We'll look at the relationship between muscle mass, function, independence, falls, frailty, and mortality. We'll also discuss sarcopenic obesity and why someone can live in a larger body while still having inadequate muscle mass. In this episode, you'll learn: What sarcopenia is and why it matters Why weight and BMI don't tell us about body composition What sarcopenic obesity means How muscle loss can impact function, independence, and mortality Why weight loss isn't always a positive outcome in older adults Why preserving muscle should be a priority as we age This episode is part three of a five-part series on BMI in older adults. Learn more about BMI in older adults: https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/bmi-in-the-elderly/ Thanks for listening to The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast!

    TGD 021: Sarcopenia in Older Adults: Why Muscle Matters More Than Weight

  6. Sep 22

    TGD 020: Optimal BMI for Older Adults- What the Research Shows

    Is a lower BMI always better as we age? Not necessarily. In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, Katie takes a closer look at what the research actually shows about BMI and mortality in adults over age 65. Research suggests that the BMI range associated with the lowest rates of mortality in older adults may be higher than the standard "normal" BMI range used for younger adults. Katie discusses why this matters, why unintended weight loss deserves attention, and why muscle, strength, function, and independence should be part of the conversation when evaluating weight in older adults. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ Why standard adult BMI categories may not tell the whole story for adults over 65 ✨ What research shows about BMI and all-cause mortality in older adults ✨ Why a BMI around 27 was associated with the lowest mortality in a large meta-analysis ✨ Why unintended weight loss and muscle loss are important concerns with aging ✨ Why BMI should always be considered in the context of the individual Katie also shares why she uses approximately 23 to 30 as the BMI range associated with the lowest rates of mortality in older adults, while emphasizing that BMI is only one piece of the overall picture. Resources: BMI in the Elderly: What You Need to Know https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/bmi-in-the-elderly/ Free Healthy Aging Nutrition Guide https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/ The Geriatric Dietitian https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/ Be sure to subscribe to The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast so you don't miss the rest of this five-part series on BMI and older adults. In the next episode, Katie discusses sarcopenia and why muscle matters so much as we age.

    TGD 020: Optimal BMI for Older Adults- What the Research Shows

  7. Sep 8

    TGD 019: Understanding BMI in Older Adults- What the Number Really Means

    BMI is used everywhere in healthcare, but does the standard BMI chart really apply to older adults? In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, registered dietitian and geriatric nutrition specialist Katie Dodd breaks down what BMI actually measures, where it came from, its limitations, and why BMI needs to be interpreted differently as we age. In this episode, you'll learn: What BMI is and how the standard adult BMI categories are defined The surprising history of BMI and why it was never originally designed as an individual health assessment Why BMI does not account for muscle mass, body composition, nutrition status, physical activity, or functional status What research tells us about BMI and mortality in adults over age 65 Why a BMI traditionally classified as "overweight" may be associated with lower mortality risk in older adults Why unintended weight loss, malnutrition, and muscle loss are especially important considerations with aging Why healthcare providers should look at the whole person instead of automatically recommending weight loss based on BMI alone The big takeaway: BMI is just one piece of information. It does not define someone's health, and when BMI is used in older adults, it needs to be interpreted in the context of aging. This episode kicks off a five-part series on BMI in older adults. Next week, we'll dig deeper into optimal BMI for older adults and what the research tells us about why those numbers change after age 65. Learn more from The Geriatric Dietitian: BMI in the Elderly: What You Need to Know - The Geriatric Dietitian Get the FREE Healthy Aging Nutrition Guide: https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast and share it with someone who would benefit from evidence-based nutrition information for healthy aging.

    TGD 019: Understanding BMI in Older Adults- What the Number Really Means

  8. Sep 1

    TGD 018: Nutrition & Dementia- Practical Strategies for Caregivers

    In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, Katie is joined by registered dietitian Laura MacDonald, founder of The Seniors Dietitian, to talk about nutrition and dementia and practical ways caregivers can support their loved ones. Laura shares how dementia can impact every part of eating- from recognizing hunger and planning meals to grocery shopping, preparing food, using utensils, chewing, swallowing, and maintaining a healthy appetite. In this episode, we discuss: • How dementia can affect eating, appetite, and nutrition • Practical ways caregivers can support meals and food access • Chewing and swallowing concerns and when to seek additional help • Strategies for maintaining independence with eating • Reduced appetite, unintended weight loss, and ways to make every bite count Laura MacDonald is a registered dietitian and founder of The Seniors Dietitian. After more than a decade working in acute care with older adults, she developed a special interest in helping caregivers understand and navigate poor appetite, unintended weight loss, and other nutrition challenges associated with dementia. Connect with Laura: The Seniors Dietitian: https://theseniorsdietitian.com/ Instagram: @TheSeniorsDietitian Free Nutrition Guides for Seniors & Caregivers: https://the-seniors-dietitian.kit.com/3918450b79 Laura is also developing Feeding with Confidence, a comprehensive course designed to help caregivers navigate nutrition, low appetite, unintended weight loss, and eating changes throughout the progression of dementia. Get the FREE Healthy Aging Nutrition Guide: https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/ Learn more at The Geriatric Dietitian: https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/

    TGD 018: Nutrition & Dementia- Practical Strategies for Caregivers
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast is your go-to geriatric nutrition podcast for practical, evidence-based guidance to support healthy aging. Hosted by Registered Dietitian and gerontological nutrition specialist Katie Dodd, this podcast helps older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals better understand nutrition in aging without the confusion or overwhelm. Each episode delivers simple, real-life strategies to support strength, independence, and quality of life. If you're looking for straightforward nutrition guidance that makes sense for aging, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Katie Dodd, MS, RDN, CSG, LD, FAND
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The Geriatric Dietitian

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