- 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
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May 9, 2012
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April 25, 2012
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April 17, 2012
- Go green for the planet
April 11, 2012
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Nutrition-wise blog
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June 11, 2010
Heart-health benefits of wine questioned
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Alcohol in moderation is heart healthy, right? Maybe. A new study raises interesting questions about the connection between wine and heart disease. continue
5 comments -
June 4, 2010
Red meat — no longer bad for us?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
New research is raising questions about the long-held belief that red meat increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. continue
15 comments -
May 29, 2010
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
4 comments -
May 13, 2010
Serving sizes: Who decides what a serving is?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Serving sizes on packaged foods seem out of sync with the way Americans eat today. Should serving sizes be upsized? What message would that send? continue
12 comments -
May 8, 2010
BMI may underestimate obesity in women
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The mirror never lies, but your BMI — body mass index — might. Doctors use BMI to classify obesity, but is it the best tool? continue
21 comments -
April 23, 2010
Raw milk debate
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Fans of raw milk say it tastes better and has health benefits. Public health experts counter that raw milk poses a health threat. continue
50 comments -
April 17, 2010
Are you food illiterate? You're not alone
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You probably dismissed it when your grandmother said, "No one knows how to cook anymore." Turns out grandma was right. continue
8 comments -
April 2, 2010
Obesity: Doctors slow to address the problem
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Why are so many doctors hesitant to discuss weight issues with their patients? Is it a lack of resources or are other factors at play? continue
30 comments -
March 25, 2010
Nutrition month: Healthy eating from the ground up
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The theme for this year's nutrition month is improving your nutrition from the ground up. What better way to celebrate than by going green. continue
8 comments -
March 19, 2010
Misleading food labels prompt FDA action
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
To protect consumers, the FDA is stepping up enforcement of regulations ensuring the accuracy and usefulness of food labels. Protect yourself by staying informed. continue
13 comments -
March 12, 2010
Shaking the salt habit
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Cutting back on salt helps lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease. Yet the American diet keeps getting saltier. Are regulations the only way to kick the habit? continue
128 comments -
March 6, 2010
Relaxation drinks
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you need a drink to help you relax? Makers of new relaxation drinks think so. These non-alcoholic supplements are showing up on store shelves. continue
10 comments -
Feb. 27, 2010
Milk joins the roster of sports drinks
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Just finished a tough workout? Grab some milk. Research suggests that low-fat milk is effective for promoting recovery from strength and endurance exercise. continue
17 comments -
Feb. 19, 2010
Schools say no to sugary foods
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Will banning sugar-laden foods in school improve performance? The evidence and the opinions are mixed. continue
9 comments -
Feb. 5, 2010
Romantic relationships increase women's risk of being overweight
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Researchers are probing the connections between weight and relationships to discover why "living happily ever after" means being heavier thereafter for many women. continue
18 comments -
Jan. 15, 2010
Enlarged prostate — Does diet play a role?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Lifestyle factors such as diet appear to play a role in benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH. See what does — and what doesn't — reduce the risk. continue
23 comments -
Dec. 18, 2009
Tips for preventing holiday weight gain
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Is your goal to get through the holidays without adding anything but cheer? Then these healthy eating tips are you for. continue
7 comments -
Dec. 12, 2009
Portion control
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Heaping helpings often lead to bulging bellies. Learn to rightsize portions to downsize your waistline. continue
13 comments -
Dec. 4, 2009
Wild game
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Should you worry about serving your family the game your mighty hunter brings home? continue
8 comments -
Nov. 13, 2009
Healthy eating habits
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
During the holidays, don't obsess about what you shouldn't do. Instead, look for ways to add healthy habits to your lifestyle. continue
6 comments -
Oct. 24, 2009
Menu planning
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Think menu planning won't fit into your hectic schedule? Think again. Menu planning can save you time and money — and improve your diet. continue
11 comments -
Oct. 17, 2009
Soda tax
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you support the so-called soda tax? Proponents say it would curtail consumption and generate dollars for obesity prevention and health promotion. continue
94 comments -
June 13, 2009
Formulating fiber-rich foods
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Food manufacturers are finding new ways of adding fiber to a wide variety of prepared foods. continue
25 comments -
May 30, 2009
Overeating — What causes it?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Are we hungry, not full or just not satisfied? continue
20 comments -
May 23, 2009
The food and mood connection
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Does what we eat affect how we feel? continue
30 comments
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