- 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
- 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
- Another look at meat consumption and mortality
April 17, 2013
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Nutrition-wise blog
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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
0 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
4 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
7 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
1 comment -
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
21 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
14 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
5 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
8 comments -
Feb. 28, 2013
Gluten-free whole grains
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Dietary guidelines recommend that half of your daily servings of grains be whole grain. How can you meet that goal if you're avoiding gluten? continue
5 comments -
Feb. 13, 2013
Lettuce gets a bad rap, but cooks need to clean up their act
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Prevent food poisoning with these simple food safety tips. continue
3 comments -
Feb. 6, 2013
Industry reacts to attacks on sugar-sweetened drinks
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Are makers of sugar-sweetened drinks responding with real change or just trying to retool their image? continue
6 comments -
Jan. 30, 2013
Restless legs and iron deficiency in children
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Restless leg syndrome in children is often underdiagnosed, written off as growing pains. Iron deficiency appears to play a role. continue
5 comments -
Jan. 23, 2013
Strategies for dealing with snack attacks
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Snacking can be a strategy to control hunger and overall calorie intake, if done smartly. continue
7 comments -
Jan. 16, 2013
Are sports supplements sabotaging you?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
If your weight loss has stalled, consider whether your pre- or post-workout snacks are sabotaging you. continue
4 comments -
Jan. 9, 2013
Restaurant trends — What's on the menu for 2013?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Restaurants are embracing locally sourced, healthier options for adults and children. Will these trends delight diners? continue
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Jan. 3, 2013
Is 'pink slime' making a comeback?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Companies that produce lean finely textured beef are challenging the media's description of their product as unsafe. Do they have a case? continue
11 comments -
Dec. 12, 2012
Healthy gift ideas for the holidays
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
'Tis the season for gift giving, but are you short on inspiration? Check out this list of fresh and fun ideas. continue
17 comments -
Dec. 5, 2012
Healthy holiday eating — Remakes of favorite recipes
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Holiday celebrations can make healthy eating a challenge. But these tips can help you can cut fat, sugar and salt while still celebrating in style. continue
18 comments -
Nov. 28, 2012
Healthy ideas for gobbling up leftover turkey
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Find inspiration and tips for using up leftover turkey. continue
2 comments -
Nov. 13, 2012
Holiday food safety tips
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Bone up on food safety to ensure that your holiday celebrations don't go awry. continue
1 comment -
Nov. 7, 2012
Sleep and energy balance
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Eating fewer calories than you burn should lead to weight loss, right? So why is it that this equation doesn't always seem to work? continue
3 comments -
Oct. 24, 2012
Pumpkins are good for more than carving
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Pumpkins are much more than decorations. They're delicious when roasted and they're packed with nutrients. continue
4 comments -
Oct. 17, 2012
Halloween can be a teachable moment
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Tired of acting as the candy cop at Halloween? Then try putting your kids in charge of dealing with the candy landslide. continue
22 comments -
Oct. 10, 2012
A healthy diet is a smart investment
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Isn't being healthy worth a little of your time and money? continue
3 comments
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