
- 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
- Celiac disease: Building awareness and support
May 23, 2012
- How to pick spring's freshest produce
May 9, 2012
- Eat fresh and enjoy the flavors of spring
April 25, 2012
- When you crave a savory taste, you want umami
April 17, 2012
- Go green for the planet
April 11, 2012
Nutrition-wise blog
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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
0 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
0 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
5 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
2 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
70 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 -
March 21, 2012
Kids and sugar — The good, the bad and the ugly
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Kids eat too much sugar. That's no surprise, but it turns out that sugary drinks aren't the main cause. continue
2 comments -
March 13, 2012
Get your plate in shape
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Are you're putting the healthiest foods in the right proportions on your plate? continue
6 comments -
March 6, 2012
What's behind the buzz about coconut water?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Coconut water may be the next big thing, but what is it? continue
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Feb. 22, 2012
Why a picture of broccoli is worth a thousand words
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Kids need to be exposed to a food 10 or more times before they'll try it. Do pictures of food count? continue
7 comments -
Feb. 15, 2012
Will school lunch changes mean healthier kids?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
New rules mimic changes many families have already made, such as eating more fruits and vegetables. Will kids be healthier as a result? continue
14 comments -
Feb. 8, 2012
Meet the SuperTracker
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
From the creators of MyPlate comes SuperTracker — an online tool for creating a personalized diet and exercise plan. continue
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Feb. 1, 2012
Quick start for a healthy heart
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Take this two-week challenge for a quick start toward a healthier heart. continue
10 comments -
Jan. 25, 2012
Questions about nutrition — Top 5 FAQs
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Mayo Clinic dietitians answer the most common questions they get about how to lose weight and stay healthy. continue
7 comments -
Jan. 17, 2012
Restaurant trends — What's on the menu for 2012?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Restaurants are embracing locally sourced, healthier menu options. Will these trends delight or disappoint diners? continue
9 comments -
Jan. 4, 2012
Taking off the holiday pounds
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Put on weight during the holidays? Now's the time to take it off. continue
1 comment -
Dec. 21, 2011
Put the fruit back in fruitcake
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
It's time to rev up the taste and nutrition of this traditional sweet. continue
7 comments -
Dec. 13, 2011
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 -
Dec. 7, 2011
What food trends define the millennial generation?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Millennials' approach to food can be summed up as "I eat what I want when I want." But is that healthy? continue
2 comments -
Nov. 30, 2011
Healthy gift ideas for the holidays
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
'Tis the season for holiday gift giving, but are you short on inspiration? Check out this list of fresh and fun gift ideas. continue
16 comments -
Nov. 22, 2011
Cooking a turkey? Avoid these mishaps
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Want to disaster-proof your holiday dinner? Then check out the top turkey mishaps and see how to avoid them. continue
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Nov. 15, 2011
Updating Thanksgiving dinner
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Love Thanksgiving dinner but not the calories? Don't despair. Try these healthy updates to your favorite dishes. continue
5 comments -
Nov. 9, 2011
Sweet tooth linked to sweet disposition?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
People who like sweet foods may be seen as having a sweet personality.
continue 3 comments -
Nov. 1, 2011
Carbonated water and bone health
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Does drinking carbonated water weaken your bones? Get the facts. continue
7 comments

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