- 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
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Nutrition-wise blog
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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
18 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
12 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
24 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
8 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
15 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
13 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
98 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
29 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
22 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
37 comments -
May 19, 2009
The new Mediterranean Diet Pyramid
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The foundation of this healthy eating plan remains the same, but three key changes bring the pyramid up to speed with the latest research. continue
46 comments -
April 29, 2009
Liquid calories
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Want to lose weight? Cutting back on sugar-sweetened drinks seems to be more effective than cutting food calories for weight loss. continue
20 comments -
Feb. 20, 2009
Home economics — Fast food vs. homemade
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
What's the best way to eat well and cheaply? Fast food restaurants tout their "value menus," but how does that compare to what you value? continue
21 comments -
Dec. 9, 2008
Help for the couch potato
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
If you're a couch potato, here are some helpful tips to get you up and moving on the road to better health. continue
9 comments -
Nov. 25, 2008
Getting a handle on meal portions
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Get some tips on reducing the size of your portions when eating. continue
11 comments -
Nov. 5, 2008
Infant feedings: Don't rush the transition
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Don't rush through the first year and drop breast-feeding too early. continue
29 comments -
July 17, 2008
Catfish and tilapia: Healthy or harmful?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Fatty acids fuel debate over relative merits of two popular fish. continue
40 comments -
June 4, 2008
Limit acrylamide in diet
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
As FDA research continues, it's a good idea to limit the amount of acrylamide that works its way into your diet. continue
30 comments -
April 11, 2008
Does eating fish make children smarter?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Fish consumption has risks and benefits. continue
19 comments -
March 6, 2008
Multivitamins — Are they the best thing for you?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Weigh the pros and cons before hopping on the vitamin bandwagon. continue
50 comments -
Feb. 23, 2008
Food and nutrition: Welcome to our new blog
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Food fads. Diet fads. Good habits. Bad habits. Healthy eating and nutrition provide a bounty of topics for the food and nutrition blog. Join in. continue
93 comments
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