
- 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
- 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
Nutrition-wise blog
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Oct. 3, 2012
What will it take to reverse the obesity epidemic?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The rates of obesity and related diseases are on course to increase dramatically over the next 20 years. What can be done? continue
13 comments -
Sept. 26, 2012
Don't go against the grain — Go whole grain
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Grains are part of a healthy diet, and at least half should be whole grains. Try these easy tips for adding whole grains to meals. continue
4 comments -
Sept. 19, 2012
Eggs and heart disease — still controversial
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
If you're at risk of heart disease, a new study suggests you should avoid regularly eating egg yolks. continue
18 comments -
Sept. 12, 2012
What you can do to reduce food waste
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
A shocking amount of food goes to waste every day in the U.S., but you can help reverse that trend. continue
3 comments -
Sept. 5, 2012
What messages are kids getting about nutrition?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
What messages are adults sending children about weight and health? continue
4 comments -
Aug. 29, 2012
Cooking inspiration from Julia Child
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Find inspiration in Julia Child's legendary enthusiasm for good food and fresh ingredients. continue
5 comments -
Aug. 22, 2012
Train like an athlete for better health
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Let the spirit of athletics inspire you to be the healthiest you can be. continue
6 comments -
Aug. 15, 2012
Fruit or vegetable — Do you know the difference?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Can you explain the difference between fruits and vegetables? And do you get enough of both in your diet? continue
16 comments -
Aug. 8, 2012
Advice about feeding grandchildren — OK to speak up?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Should grandparents speak up or keep quiet when it comes to advice about feeding the grandkids? continue
11 comments -
Aug. 1, 2012
Drought and food prices
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
This summer's drought is likely to push up the cost of food. What can you do to prepare? continue
3 comments -
July 25, 2012
Sitting disease
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The number of hours you spend sitting each day can affect how long you live as well as your quality of life. continue
9 comments -
July 18, 2012
Bacteria's connection to health and weight
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Bacteria may not be the bad guy. In fact, bacteria may play a role in keeping you healthy. continue
6 comments -
July 11, 2012
Fasting and food choices
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you frequently skip meals? Be warned. After fasting, people often opt for calorie-dense foods. continue
4 comments -
June 30, 2012
Summer food safety tips
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Love cooking outdoors? Don't forget these food safety tips. continue
1 comment -
June 20, 2012
Marketing and Mickey — A change in food marketing to children
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is Mickey promoting health? And are you buying? continue
12 comments -
June 12, 2012
A call for healthier options across the globe
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
American's aren't the only ones who want help making healthy choices when they eat out. continue
6 comments -
June 7, 2012
Sugar is sugar — Don't be fooled
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Whether sweetened with sugar or corn syrup, soda and other sugary drinks have been linked to poor diet, weight gain, obesity and diabetes. continue
47 comments -
May 30, 2012
The new (ab)normal — Are bigger portions the norm?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Serving sizes have grown in the last 50 years. And so have waistlines. continue
17 comments -
May 23, 2012
Celiac disease: Building awareness and support
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Celiac disease is no longer rare. Learn more about it, including how you can help loved ones with the disease. continue
18 comments -
May 9, 2012
How to pick spring's freshest produce
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
What fruits and vegetables are in season now? Find out and get tips on how to choose the cream of the crop. continue
3 comments -
April 25, 2012
Eat fresh and enjoy the flavors of spring
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Celebrate spring with a quick and easy recipe that features fresh asparagus and morel mushrooms. continue
4 comments -
April 17, 2012
When you crave a savory taste, you want umami
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Umami, often described as a meaty taste sensation, is actually the fifth flavor. Use it to make dishes more flavorful. continue
3 comments -
April 11, 2012
Go green for the planet
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Check out tips and apps to ramp up your recycling efforts. continue
6 comments -
April 4, 2012
Pink slime and red meat — What's the takeaway?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Recent news reports about red meat reinforce the wisdom of eating less meat. continue
76 comments -
March 28, 2012
Play it safe when taking food to a loved one in the hospital
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Read these safety tips before you take food to a loved one in the hospital. continue
2 comments


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