Whether you are a diligent Life University (Life U) student supplementing a rigorous nutrition or dietetics education in the classroom or simply wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, there is so much information offered through informed podcasts on nutrition. Let’s introduce a few options that you might like to listen to on your commute or when you have some downtime. Verywellfit.com starts things off with some great suggestions in their article “Best Nutrition Podcasts of 2022.”

Living Life At Life U- Though our University podcast is not solely dedicated to nutrition content, tune in occasionally for targeted information about how to make the most out of your nutrition or dietetics education here at Life U, as well as helpful general nutritional health advice. Catch Dr. Denise Pickett-Bernard in a recent podcast about the different nutritional programs offered at Life U, equipping future nutritionists, dietitians and more. For all other podcast interviews, visit living.life.edu/living-life-podcast/

Nutrition Diva- This nutrition podcast attempts to bust food myths and provides practical, science-based tips for common nutritional concerns. The podcast centers lessons and discussions on eating, science and cooking, all while bringing to light common misconceptions about nutrition.

The length of episode time varies, ranging from a few minutes to just under half an hour. It’s been in production since 2008. Show creator, writer and host Monica Reinagel is a licensed nutritionist and professionally trained chef published in Food and Nutrition Magazine, Scientific American and The Huffington Post. She has also authored several books and appeared on “Today,” “CBS News” and NPR’s ‘Morning Edition.” Find new episodes of Nutrition Diva every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher.

Food Heaven- Centered around holistic nutrition, the Food Heaven podcast premiered in 2011 and since then has followed co-hosts and best friends Wendy Lopez (MS, RD, CDCES) and Jessica Jones (MS, RD, CDE) as they have shared their essential perspectives as black women in the holistic wellness space.

The podcast’s episode log features an eclectic mix of guests from all walks of life, tackling tough topics such as eating disorders, restrictive diets and the potential harm of passing wellness fads. For those in search of an inclusive exploration of nutrition, this is a good place to begin. Episodes air each Wednesday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud. Typical run time is roughly 15 to 60 minutes.

Food Psych Podcast- Do you ever take the time to really think about how and why you eat the way you do? Food Psych Podcast focuses on intuitive eating, diet culture and debunking potentially harmful fitness beliefs and behaviors. The podcast launched in 2013 and is hosted by Christy Harrison (MPH, RD), a registered dietitian, journalist, author and intuitive eating counselor certified by the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals.

This podcast is a bit of a wildcard, as it focuses on body positivity and finding a healthy way to live at whatever size. Some critics and reviewers take issue with that take, but it is wise to make one’s own judgments. Others have reported the podcast to be helpful in their attempts to stop yo-yo dieting, identify worrying eating patterns and learn about a unique approach to their wellness lifestyle. Each episode runs anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour and a half. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud or RSS.

Plant Yourself Podcast- Curious about how to live out a plant-based lifestyle? The Plant Yourself Podcast has provided helpful information for vegans, vegetarians and the plant-based curious since 2014. Host and author Howard Jacobson, Ph.D., works as a health behavior coach and obtained his doctorate in stress management. He was the co-founder and Chief of Behavior Science for Wellstart Health and the founder of Wellstart Health Coaching Academy. Jacobson’s gentle, welcoming and holistic approach is inviting and engaging, delving into topics such as nutrition, fitness, mental health, agriculture and more with his compelling guests.

Episodes can last from 30 to 90 minutes and are posted every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts and Player FM.

The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman, M.D.- The Doctor’s Farmacy is hosted by Dr. Mark Hyman and casts a critical eye on the nutrition landscape and current food system as a primary cause of chronic diseases. It poses lingering questions about healthcare and agricultural policies. The host guides listeners through a wide range of health issues like cancer and heart disease, shedding light on how diet and food selection can have an impact on these conditions. The podcast has over 600 episodes posted and is housed on Apple Podcasts, with 30-minute to hour-long episodes posted weekly. (Information from the Nutrisense article “14 Health and Nutrition Podcasts Recommended by Dietitians”).

Selecting the Best Nutrition Podcasts

Hopefully these recommendations are useful as you expand your nutritional knowledge. Remember that as you do so, it is important to keep in mind certain factors in order not to be misled by or disappointed in your experience. The best podcasts should hopefully have hosts with relevant experience and credentials, a consistent posting schedule, some longevity podcasting, a manageable episode length, cited research and, of course, entertainment value. Happy listening!

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