- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Katherine Zeratsky and Jennifer Nelson
Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D.
Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning."Nutrition is one way people have direct control over the quality of their lives," she says. "I hope to translate the science of nutrition into ways that people can select and prepare great-tasting foods that help maintain health and treat disease."
A St. Paul, Minn., native, she has been with Mayo Clinic since 1978, and is director of clinical dietetics and an associate professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
She leads clinical nutrition efforts for a staff of more than 60 clinical dietitians and nine dietetic technicians and oversees nutrition services, staffing, strategic and financial planning, and quality improvement. Nelson was co-editor of the "Mayo Clinic Diet" and the James Beard Foundation Award-winning "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook." She has been a contributing author to and reviewer of many other Mayo Clinic books, including "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody," "The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and "The Mayo Clinic/Williams Sonoma Cookbook." She contributes to the strategic direction of the Food & Nutrition Center, which includes creating recipes and menus, reviewing nutrition content of various articles, and providing expert answers to nutrition questions.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She's active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in wellness nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and nutrition related to weight management and practical applications of nutrition-related lifestyle changes.
Other areas of interest include food and nutrition for all life stages, active lifestyles and the culinary arts.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Nutrition-wise blog
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Aug. 22, 2012
Train like an athlete for better health
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Who can help but admire the accomplishments of elite athletes? But their success doesn't come overnight. They must first set goals, and overcome challenges and setbacks. All-star athletes dedicate time to training, which includes not only physical and mental exercises but also the right diet to fuel their bodies.
Let the spirit of athletics inspire you to be the healthiest you can be. Whether it's eating better, making time for exercise or managing stress, setting goals can set your training regimen into motion. Hit it with these tips:
- Target areas that need improvement. Do you need to make time for planning a grocery list, lunches or dinners for the week?
- Identify available resources. Need to learn a new skill? Look for classes in your community or online, or invest in a book.
- Plan to overcome obstacles. Money tight? Set up a workout routine at home instead of paying to join a gym. Shop smart with seasonal produce. Use frozen, canned and dried produce to keep you on track to a healthier diet.
- Celebrate successes. Pat yourself on the back no matter how small or large the accomplishment.
- Reevaluate and reset. Keep yourself moving forward. If you fall down, pick yourself up, brush yourself off and try again.
Can you see the finish line? What skills will you need to get there? How will you meet the challenges? Please share your successes and your advice for overcoming setbacks.
On your mark, get set and go!
Katherine
6 comments posted
December 3, 2012 10:31 a.m.
peter's my hero. my health is falling apart. compulsive overeater. love white sugar in coffee. i'm a daily walker, but my sugar is still high and insulin is the next step. what the hell happened?
- jim
December 1, 2012 12:45 a.m.
Started walking in retirement to deal with insulin resistance, overweight 5"10" 245lbs, poor endurance, waning libido and motivation. Walked 5 to 7 days, increasing time and distance for a year, gradually walking twice a day and then began to jog and walk, then run and walk. Changed diet completely to cut out saturated fats, reduce total alcohol, improve to red wine, increase fresh foods, fish/shellfish 1st, then poultry/eggs 2nd, then pork 3rd then beef 4th at ratios of 40,30,20 and 10% but obtained 2/3rds of protein from vegetable sources. Eat like a hunter/gatherer rarely sit down to eat a meal. No sweets except sugar in green tea drunk daily. Coffee black. Did not diet but changed the diet entirely. More nutritious and costs less with less calories. Lost 75 lbs without dieting and without any hunger. Down to 170 lbs and falling. Trim, lean, tanned. Libido back. :) Endurance, strength. Feel like and love like I was 35. Bought a triathlon bike this summer. Now able to run 10-12 miles nonstop. Able to bike for 2 hours at 13-15mph pace. Pulse 38, BP 100/60 Cholesterol 118 Triglycerides 35. Every test in the middle of its range except the above all below normal. I've been whistled at by women 20 years younger and told I was "hot" by a coed. I'm 64. I've found my groove and life expectancy over 100 estimated everywhere. I have 7 grandchildren and want to become a great-great grandfather.
- Peter
September 15, 2012 11:49 p.m.
I am overweight and few months ago I started jogging and dieting, and now my resting heart rate is 50! And I lost 8 kg so far,now I'm not gonna stop until I get all fit and toned!!
- Anand,India
August 31, 2012 2:47 p.m.
I am age 64 and was a competive powerlifter for many years. Now I have health issues due to all the heavy lifting. In May I started a cardio program and now do three twenty minute sessions every day, seven days a week. I just had my annual physical and have LDL of 47 and HDL of 50 and trigliserides of 107. These numbers are much lower than last year. I set a goal and reached it!
- Jerry
August 30, 2012 7:59 a.m.
Your blog comes at a very good time for me. I just went back to Weight Watchers. I have a long road ahead of me but plan to take it in very short laps in order to succeed. Thanks you.
- Barbara
August 30, 2012 6:18 a.m.
Sensible advice, doable!
- Patricia
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