
- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
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.
Latest entries
- Restaurants get on board with gluten-free cooking
May 25, 2013
- Juicing and blending with a focus on flavor
May 22, 2013
- Safe juicing and blending
May 14, 2013
- Is NEAT part of your weight-control plan?
May 1, 2013
- Exercise, hunger and weight loss
April 25, 2013
Nutrition-wise blog
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Feb. 23, 2008
Food and nutrition: Welcome to our new blog
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The new year is still young as we begin this new adventure — our food and nutrition blog. The prospects of what we can discuss are bountiful. Jennifer and I will present you with topics of interest — whether they are in the news or tips and tools to help you along your journey to a healthier lifestyle. We welcome you to share your thoughts and experiences. What are you interested in?
Ups and downs of weight control?
Latest diet fad?
How to dump those bad eating habits?
Common concerns - food fats, sweeteners, fruit vs. juice, pesticides, additives.
I'm struggling with ...
I've wondered about ...
Something else?
Let us know — and we'll dive right in along with the rest of you and provide lots of food for thought and straight talk.
To your health,
Katherine
93 comments posted
March 5, 2013 9:06 p.m.
My weight has been stabile for months and now has fallen several pounds with no change in food intake or activity.?????
- George
July 22, 2012 11:28 p.m.
I left Mayo Clinic in Rochester disappointed in their sevcire.My wife has had chronic pain for nearly 5 years. The pain is located in one area of the body and has progressed from a random flareup to a now constant dibilitating pain. Threfore we went to Mayo last month.We were in Rochester 23 days and she went through a number of tests. Some tests showed some abnormalites but the Doctors felt none are cause of her pain.Once finished they told her to live with the pain and go to a pain clinic. GOODBYEI could not beleive that Mayo would give up their search for the cause of her pain. We even called back and begged one Doctor to rethink what could bedone next. Their answer was that the Doctor and his PA would review and call us back. We waited several days and no answer came so we left town.She continues to suffer terribly and we have no idea what to do now. We know that somewhere there is a doctor that knows how to find the answer.My conclusion for Mayo is that they are a beautiful organization, very efficient, very busy and successful, BUT seem only interested in the Low hanging fruit that pass through their doors in hoards on a daily basis. Once they see that the soluition is difficult it is GOOD BYE to you.
- Pratt
September 29, 2010 11:07 a.m.
I have found that by tracking what you do, whether it is exercise or diet, maybe even your moods, that you are more able to be aware of what you are doing rather than just floating through life. When I track what I do for exercise, it makes me want to do the best I can because it has to go down on paper or computer, same goes for what I eat. There is an amazing app available that tracks, as well as graphs your exercise, diet, and other things! I have been using it and I love it.
- ExerciseMan
March 20, 2010 4:49 p.m.
I am diabetic, on byetta and other diabetes meds. I recently started the dtour diet and have realized I have not been eating enough and often enough. That said, I now have problems with iron defecient anemia. Could it be a by-product of not eating enough?
- Kathy
September 21, 2009 3:55 p.m.
Dear Tracy, Thank you for your post. You may find our article on vegetarian diets helpful: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-d
iet/HQ01596 - Katherine, your blog host
September 18, 2009 7:58 a.m.
I am a nurse practitioner in college health. I am looking for information on vegan diet. I have a student who is just beginning this diet. she has lost 100 lbs and a vegetarian diet and is looking for ways to count calories. I would like information as a practitioner on what supplements she may or may not need. I have no experience with vegan diet but I want to become knowledgeable as I can to help her. I will read anything but I want good scientific evidence in caring for her. Thanks so much!!
- Tracy
July 24, 2009 10:41 a.m.
I've seen my daughter struggle with food for far too long. A healthy diet and exercise is what is needed to start losing weight. My daughter has been struggling with childhood obesity. I think that the motivation from within is the biggest challenge. I came across this website http://www.psastation.com/obesity-prevention-
psas with great motivational and interesting commercials if you are interested in obesity prevention. I think that this would be helpful to anyone dealing with weight control. - Lauren
April 28, 2009 6:45 a.m.
Article on sea salt said both mined salt and sea salt were nutritionally equal. While true for refined salt, it would be helpful to add the many minerals available in unrefined sea salt including iodine.
- Emlynn Hamlin
March 10, 2009 7:12 p.m.
Was wondering if you can comment on Agaricus blazei murill. Would you recommend for healthy people to include in their diet for the health benefit?
- Rhonda
March 9, 2009 9:02 p.m.
Can you direct me to blogs regarding eating disorders. I feel my daughter is close to being at the bottom. She'll either change for the best or die. I've been to the hospital family sessions; I've given support and still give support. I love my daughter, but am looking for all avenues to encourage this last positive stand she needs. I'm searching for anything now....
- Kiheikat
December 18, 2008 6:38 p.m.
My husband was in a serious accident and has lost alot of muscle mass and weight. He is 5'9' and now weighs 115 lbs. Is there any supplement out there or drugs that can help him gain weight and/or muscle mass. He is doing therapy 3xs a week to help rebuild his body.
- Cindylmh5
November 21, 2008 12:05 p.m.
Please give me some info. on why eating only once a day is bad for you.I have a relative who says he only needs to eat once a day.He has been losing weight and is quite sickly(reason enough I'd say that he should eat more).I have read articles but I forget the terminology and I'd like something I can email that is not from myself. Thank you!
- Tara
October 29, 2008 10:20 a.m.
Hello, I'm seeking possible answers to my 62 year old mother's ailment. She's been losing weith constantly, has poor appetite, diarrhea, swollen legs, fatigue, her stomach feels tired and she's just started to complain about pain in her tailbone. She also got the flu recently which makes her feel even worse. She has had GERD for some time now and used to get painful cramps in her legs during the night. I'm worried because she's been wasting away so rapidly, has very little energy and sleeps most of the day. She also had an intestinal infection last year that was cleared with prescribed medication. She has an appt. to see her doctor on 3rd Nov., but I've been searching the net for possible causes of her ailment. Any suggestions?
- Nadine Carter
October 13, 2008 5:27 p.m.
keep losing weight,how many calories should i be taking in daily.to gain weight.
- kendall
September 24, 2008 5:35 p.m.
This blog is written in order to circumvent the medical profession's insistence on referring to cholesterol as a fat. IT IS NOT. It is a steroid and a lipiid, but definitely not a fat.
- Stanley M Hunter
September 23, 2008 6:47 p.m.
Is there valid research behind the "raw" diet tenet that cooked food develops insoluble bonds that make the nutrients unavailable to the body's digestion? Does our body not digest proteins and rebuild them to make what it needs?
- Kate
September 23, 2008 6:43 p.m.
What constitutes high quality protein in a vegan diet? Do I need to mix different proteins to make up a certain ratio?
- Kate
August 22, 2008 2:59 p.m.
my daughter eats no meats, and mainly pasta's, breads, and salads.. does anyone know a healthy diet to take off a few pounds without eating meat, but getting enough of the nutrition she needs daily>
- diane
August 18, 2008 10:29 a.m.
I was recently diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I have gained about 30 pounds. Since my energy level is low - how do I lose weight?
- Leah
August 11, 2008 9:09 a.m.
Are brown eggs more nutritious than white eggs? Is there a difference in the taste of brown vs. white eggs?
- Sue
July 22, 2008 10:33 a.m.
MSG is toxic and a cause of obesity, so what can we do to stop them from adding this to our food? It is disguised under many names such at hydrolyzed protein. No wonder obesity is such a big problem.
- Margaret
July 7, 2008 6:28 p.m.
Seeking Help! My mother is now 74 years old and has been plagued with a burning itch over her entire body for nine years. This condition is intensifying to the point where she becomes disabled until the attack lessens and the itching passes. These attacks occur daily. Sometimes there are several attacks in one day, anytime day or night. These attacks seem most intense after bathing or applying moisture of any kind. There are no visual signs of skin irritation: No rash or redness. She has been to an allergist and was given the “patch test”. None of the reactants indicated an allergy. She has called and talked to a neurologist and a hematologist; both of which told her “I really don’t think I can do anything to help you.” These results have been very disheartening and we are at wits end to know what to do. Please contact me at bethatabor@yahoo.com or call 765-644-5737 if you have any suggestions or know of a remedy.
- Beth A Tabor
June 15, 2008 10:32 p.m.
Looking for suggestions to INCREASE apetite, eating, weight in ten year old boy taking Concerta for ADHD. Even mac-n-cheese, chocolate milk, and soup (his favorites) do not intice him. Ocassionally, he will drink a Boost or Ensure. He eats breakfast, no lunch, and rice at eight o'clock at night! He is very thin by nature and no apetite is taking it's toll. I'm thinking of his immune system as well, however, he does take his vitamins each morning.
- Meg
May 25, 2008 2:05 p.m.
Look for ideas in nutrition for children, which could be used in a cookbook created for children to encourage kids to get healthy and get involved in the kitchen and cooking healthy. Please send your ideas to kitkcookbook@jlsil.org
- Junior League of Springfield
May 13, 2008 3:36 p.m.
In the May 13th issue, it states that DRINKING veggies is a good way to get them. I cannot digest tomatoes or I would be drinking V-8 juice. WHAT OTHER PRODUCT WOULD CONTAIN THEM?? I am 87 and don't cook.. Can't eat any fruit.
- Ginnie
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93 comments posted