
- 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
- 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
- Sugar challenge: Cut the sweetness for 2 weeks
April 10, 2013
Nutrition-wise blog
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July 13, 2011
What's OK to eat after gallbladder removal?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Get tips on what to eat to prevent problems following gallbladder surgery. continue
959 comments -
July 2, 2011
Remember 3 numbers for safely cooking meat
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is it done yet? New food safety recommendations make it easier to tell when meat is fully cooked. continue
3 comments -
June 16, 2011
Children and healthy eating: Parents set the example
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Dads, not just moms, influence kids' food choices. continue
2 comments -
June 15, 2011
Fighting childhood obesity
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Obesity rates among preschoolers have doubled in the past forty years. What can be done to reverse this disturbing trend? continue
6 comments -
June 3, 2011
Step up to MyPlate, the new food icon
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
MyPyramid has been put out to pasture. MyPlate has taken its place. Will this new food icon help Americans eat healthier? continue
38 comments -
June 1, 2011
Fish and heart health
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You know you should eat more fish, but do you know which to choose and how to cook fish for the greatest health benefit? continue
14 comments -
May 26, 2011
Confused about diet and heart health?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is wine good for your heart? Is sea salt lower in sodium than table salt? Get the answers and make heart-healthy choices. continue
6 comments -
May 18, 2011
Is cellulose the latest food additive?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Would you eat wood? Cellulose gum is made from wood pulp or other plant fibers and is a common food additive. continue
16 comments -
May 11, 2011
Can technology help you lose weight?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Weight-loss apps and online tools can reinforce your weight-loss efforts. continue
15 comments -
May 4, 2011
What do your kids eat away from home?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you know what your children eat when they're at day care? Are they learning healthy habits or sliding into overeating and inactivity? continue
1 comment -
May 4, 2011
What your scale won't tell you
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You're not overweight, and that's good. But do you know your body fat percentage? If it's too high, it can be a health risk. continue
9 comments -
April 19, 2011
Kitchen organization: Control the clutter in your kitchen
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
To make cooking more fun, get organized and control the clutter in your kitchen. continue
1 comment -
April 13, 2011
Meal planning 101: Tips and tricks
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
A dietitian shares her secrets for healthy meal planning. It's easier than you might think. continue
9 comments -
April 6, 2011
Does your kitchen need a spring cleaning?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Spring is the perfect time to clean your kitchen and review the food safety basics. continue
4 comments -
March 30, 2011
Savvy salad ideas for spring
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
3 comments -
March 23, 2011
Calling all gardeners
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
If you want fresh fruits and veggies on your table this summer, start planning your garden now. continue
18 comments -
March 2, 2011
Tips for healthy eating
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You've gotten on board with healthy eating, but you feel something is missing. Maybe it's time to rethink your approach. continue
22 comments -
Feb. 22, 2011
Should you be a flexitarian?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
If you'd like to eat a more plant-based diet, as recommended by the 2010 dietary guidelines, consider becoming a flexitarian. continue
21 comments -
Feb. 16, 2011
Picture perfect eating
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is meal planning a challenge? Here's a trick for planning healthy meals that please your eye as much as your palate. continue
4 comments -
Feb. 3, 2011
A healthy twist on chocolate
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Want to indulge your desire for chocolate without suffering too much guilt? Try thinking outside the heart-shaped box. continue
13 comments -
Jan. 25, 2011
War on salt — Report from the front lines
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You've undoubtedly seen the reports — Americans eat twice as much salt as is recommended. Efforts are under way on multiple fronts to turn this statistic around. continue
17 comments -
Jan. 18, 2011
Dietary supplements: Greater accountability needed
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
What is being done to address the problem of dietary supplements with undeclared or deceptively labeled ingredients? continue
10 comments -
Jan. 11, 2011
Going gluten-free: Reflections on what works
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Helping my husband cope with celiac disease has been an education. I share some of what we've learned. continue
85 comments -
Dec. 21, 2010
Weight control: What the research says
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
High protein? Low fat? What about glycemic index? Get help sorting through the plethora of advice on weight control. continue
18 comments -
Nov. 18, 2010
Junk food diet for weight loss?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is it possible to lose weight by eating junk food? One researcher put it to the test. The results might surprise you. continue
16 comments


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