- 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.
Latest entries
- Is the Mediterranean diet more than a diet?
Oct. 2, 2013
- Weight management mantra: Maintain, don't gain
Sept. 25, 2013
- Heavy coffee consumption — risky in younger adults?
Sept. 11, 2013
- Homemade baby food
Sept. 10, 2013
- Lessons learned from packing school lunches
Aug. 28, 2013
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Nutrition-wise blog
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Oct. 2, 2013
Is the Mediterranean diet more than a diet?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do factors besides the diet itself play a role in the benefits attributed to the Mediterranean diet? continue
3 comments -
Sept. 25, 2013
Weight management mantra: Maintain, don't gain
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Try thinking about about weight in a new way: Focus on a healthy lifestyle that prevents weight gain rather than on dieting for weight loss. continue
4 comments -
Sept. 11, 2013
Heavy coffee consumption — risky in younger adults?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
If you regularly drink coffee, you may want to take note of a recent report on heavy coffee consumption and risk of early death. continue
31 comments -
Sept. 10, 2013
Homemade baby food
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Making homemade baby food is a hot trend and one that may improve your baby's health. continue
4 comments -
Aug. 28, 2013
Lessons learned from packing school lunches
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You pack healthy lunches for your children, but how do you ensure that they eat the good stuff instead of dumping it in the trash? continue
3 comments -
Aug. 21, 2013
FDA defines 'gluten-free'
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
A new regulation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines the term "gluten-free" and how it may be used on food labels. continue
20 comments -
Aug. 14, 2013
Is the family dinner a thing of the past?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Don't give up on the family dinner. Eating together as a family at least three times a week has important health benefits. continue
7 comments -
Aug. 7, 2013
Calling all gardeners: Preserve your harvest
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Are you sad to see the end of the gardening season approaching? Do yourself a favor and preserve some of your harvest now to enjoy later. continue
23 comments -
July 31, 2013
Enjoy summer's bounty but don't neglect food safety
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
As tempting as that fresh produce looks, don't take a bite before you give it a good wash to remove dirt and bacteria. continue
4 comments -
July 25, 2013
Sports nutrition basics
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Thinking about tackling a marathon or triathlon? First, check out these sports nutrition tips to optimize your training and performance. continue
2 comments -
July 16, 2013
Summer salads
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Don't settle for the same old greens topped with a blob of dressing. Get creative with these tips. continue
12 comments -
July 9, 2013
Farmers market: A healthy way to buy local
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Spring is here and farmers markets are full of lovely local produce. They're a great way to freshen up your diet and support local growers. continue
9 comments -
June 26, 2013
Summer food safety tips
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Love picnics and cooking outdoors? Don't forget these food safety tips. continue
1 comment -
June 20, 2013
Nutrition info may soon appear on alcohol containers
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you know how many calories are in a bottle of beer? New rules may mean that you'll be able to answer that question via a nutrition label on the package. continue
2 comments -
June 4, 2013
Get sandwich savvy with these tasty tips
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The sandwich can be the foundation of the perfect meal — when you make it with these tips in mind. continue
6 comments -
May 25, 2013
Restaurants get on board with gluten-free cooking
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
More chefs are learning about celiac disease and adding gluten-free items to their menus. continue
3 comments -
May 22, 2013
Juicing and blending with a focus on flavor
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Are you on a liquid diet? Check out these tips for making your diet as nourishing and tasty as possible. continue
2 comments -
May 14, 2013
Safe juicing and blending
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Before you turn on the juicer or blender, be sure to read these food safety tips. continue
7 comments -
May 1, 2013
Is NEAT part of your weight-control plan?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Time spent at the gym doesn't tell the whole story when it comes to weight loss. Is NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) the missing piece? continue
9 comments -
April 25, 2013
Exercise, hunger and weight loss
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The connection between exercise, hunger and weight loss is not as straightforward as it may seem. continue
4 comments -
April 17, 2013
Another look at meat consumption and mortality
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
A small amount of meat can be a nutritious part of your diet, but quantity is important. continue
22 comments -
April 10, 2013
Sugar challenge: Cut the sweetness for 2 weeks
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Can you give up added sugar and artificial sweeteners for two weeks? You may never think about sugar the same way again. continue
18 comments -
April 4, 2013
Money talks when it comes to weight loss
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Would a financial incentive influence you to choose healthier foods and smaller portions, pass on dessert, and exercise more? continue
1 comment -
March 27, 2013
Calories reconsidered
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is the formula used for predicting weight loss flawed? What about how calorie counts are calculated? continue
6 comments -
March 16, 2013
Does diet have a role in rheumatoid arthritis?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
A healthy eating plan may help ease inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis. continue
10 comments
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