Did you know that cost, convenience and taste almost always beat out health when it comes to making food choices? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Nutrition Scientist at Stanford University. Gardner, who served on the 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, discusses the latest edition of our Dietary Guidelines, including the new confusing graphic of an upside-down pyramid. He explains the science behind protein requirements, and discusses dairy fat, seed oils, and how to make the best food choices to promote health while emphasizing the importance of enjoying delicious food. 

Related Websites:   https://med.stanford.edu/nutrition/news/press/2025_2030_Dietary_Guidelines

Did you know that The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and the International Year of the Woman Farmer? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Seth Itzkan, environmental futurist and cofounder of Soil4Climate, an international nongovernmental organization advancing the science, policy and practice of soil restoration through regenerative grazing and agroforestry practices as a climate solution. Itzkan discusses the role ruminants play in agriculture, soil restoration and sustainability. For state policies on soil health, see: https://nerdsforearth.com/state-healthy-soils-policy/ ; and for the  Friends of the Earth report on the misconceptions on  No-Till Farming, see: https://foe.org/resources/rethinking-no-till/

Related Websites: www.soil4climate.org

Did you know that eating well doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive?  Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Jill Nussinow, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian a.k.a. “The Veggie Queen.” Nussinow, an author, chef and culinary instructor, discusses ways to improve nutrition and lead a healthier, happier life. She provides specific information on mushrooms, fermented foods, fiber, gut and brain health.  Note: for information on safe mushroom hunting, see the North American Mycological Association: https://namyco.org/

Related Websites: https://www.theveggiequeen.com/

Did you know that the new GLP-1 drugs may be helpful for overcoming certain eating disorders? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mary Anne Cohen, LCSW, psychotherapist and Director of The New York Center for Eating Disorders. Cohen provides tips on overcoming emotional eating, and explains how GLP-1 drugs may help quiet “food noise.” She also addresses the role of social media in disordered eating and body image.

Related Websites: www.emotionaleating.org
Theme music: Kevin MacLeod 

Did you know that weight loss is one of the most common resolutions for the New Year, but that restrictive dieting is a gateway to eating disorders? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mary Anne Cohen, LCSW, psychotherapist and Director of The New York Center for Eating Disorders. Cohen, defines “emotional eating,” discusses why diets don’t work, and her latest book, Ozempic for Smarties: A Psychotherapist Tells the Straight Skinny.
Part 1 of 2

Related Websites: www.emotionaleating.org

Did you know that as consumers, we are all stakeholders in our food system? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mark Winne, MS, food policy expert, organizer and writer. The two will pick up their conversation from the week prior for a deeper dive into food justice and the importance of using our imagination to create a more just society, as told through stories from his latest book, The Road to a Hunger-Free America: Selected Writings of Mark Winne. (Part 2 of 2)

Related Websites: www.markwinne.com

Did you know that our food system provides opportunities to promote economic, environmental and social justice? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mark Winne, MS, non-profit food organization director, organizer, policy advocate and writer. The two will discuss Winne’s long career in food system justice and highlights from selected essays and articles from his latest book: The Road to a Hunger-Free America: Selected Writings of Mark Winne. (Part 1 of 2)

Related Websites: www.markwinne.com

Did you know that menopause influences women’s metabolism? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Hillary Wright, MEd, Registered Dietitian, and co-author of The Menopause Diet Plan: A Natural Guide to Managing Hormones, Health, and Happiness. Wright explains the hormonal, metabolic, and bodily changes related to perimenopause and menopause, and offers dietary strategies for managing weight, blood sugar, and improving overall health and quality of life. Learn more about the SWAN Study: https://www.swanstudy.org/ and probiotic guide www.USProbioticguide.com 
mentioned during the interview.

Related Websites:  www.HillaryWright.com

Did you know that food is more than medicine? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Kamyar Enshayan, PhD, former Director of The Center for Energy & Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Enshayan describes food system failures and solutions, and encourages us to treasure the farmers and those who produce our food in ways that protect public health and our environment. He advocates for reclaiming regional agriculture and food systems. Read a sample of his opinion editorials here: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2025/10/04/iowa-cancer-carcinogens-take-action/86463061007/ ; https://www.thegazette.com/guest-columnists/immigrants-make-life-richer/

Related Websites:  https://ceee.uni.edu/

Did you know that it’s impossible to separate children’s health from their environment? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Debra Hendrickson, MD, author of The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Frontlines of Climate Change. Hendrickson explains the unique physical and mental health challenges faced by children due to climate change, and offers collective, corrective actions and hope.

Related Websites:  https://debrahendrickson.com/