Why are habits so hard to build — and even harder to break? And do they really have to be perfect to improve your health?

On this episode of On Nutrition, Mayo Clinic dietitian Tara Schmidt sits down with health coach Jenn Trepeck to explore the science of habits and how small, realistic changes can lead to lasting results. From decision fatigue to mindset shifts, they break down why so many health goals stall — and what actually helps them stick.

They also discuss the role of health coaching, how habits evolve over time, and why flexibility — not perfection — may be the key to long-term success.

Whether you’re trying to eat better, move more or reset your routine, this episode offers practical strategies to help you build habits that work in real life.

⁠Sign up⁠ to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

Find us online at ⁠Mayo Clinic Press⁠ for

Do you have feedback, questions or topic

About 4.5 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with some form of liver disease, and some will go on to need a liver transplant. What interventions are available to help avoid that procedure? And if someone does receive a transplant, how can their diet support their new liver and help keep it as healthy as possible?

On this episode of On Nutrition, transplant clinical dietitian Heather Bamlet explains how she supports transplant patients and shares strategies to help prevent — and in some cases, even reverse — certain liver diseases.

Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for

Do you have feedback, questions or topic

Food is more than the sum of its parts. Nutrients in supplements act differently than the same nutrients in whole foods. The way those nutrients are packaged, bonded and processed all factor into what’s known as a food matrix.

On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Sally Cummins, a registered dietitian and senior vice president of nutrition affairs at the National Dairy Council. She shares the science behind the dairy food matrix and explains how you can see the food matrix at work in everyday foods.

Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for

Do you have feedback, questions or topic

Almost half of US adults have been diagnosed with hypertension, with the main culprit being a high-sodium diet. So how can we avoid being part of that statistic? And what food choices should we be making to keep a low blood pressure?

On this episode of On Nutrition, registered dietitian Laurie Molina describes the DASH eating plan, methods to maintain a low-sodium diet, and the surprising benefits of potassium.

Mayo Clinic's low-sodium recipes:

Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for

Do you have feedback, questions or topic

Stress, uncertainty and unmet emotional needs can influence eating patterns in ways that go beyond hunger. Research suggests that many adults turn to food for comfort when feeling tired, anxious, inadequate or lonely — a pattern often described as emotional eating. So how can we recognize these triggers and develop healthier ways to cope?

On this episode of On Nutrition, holistic nutritionist and health coach Ali Shapiro joins host Tara Schmidt, R.D.N., to discuss the root causes of emotional eating, how physiology and psychology interact, and practical strategies to pause, identify needs and build self-trust over time.

Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

 Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

 Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

Are your New Year’s resolutions supporting your long-term health, or sending you back into another cycle of short-term diet trends? Before you commit to the latest plan, learn which nutrition strategies are supported by evidence and can contribute to lasting well-being in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck is joined by Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic. Together, they discuss evidence-based nutrition, the role of GLP-1 medications, why weight management is not just about the scale, and how to build sustainable lifestyle habits that extend past January.

A Salad With a Side of Fries

A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram

 Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

 Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. 

 Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]. 

Almost half of U.S. adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease, and the effects can extend far beyond the mouth. Research has linked gum disease to more than 50 systemic conditions, including diabetes, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. So how can we help prevent oral inflammation and harmful bacteria from affecting overall health?

On this episode of On Nutrition, dentist Alex Silvia, D.D.S., explains why gum health matters, which nutrients may help slow disease progression, and whether that tongue scraper is worth adding to your routine.

Is it possible to run out of things to say about nutrition? Not at all! Coming up on On Nutrition: the oral-systemic connection, emotional eating, hypertension, and the food matrix. New episodes every other Tuesday.

 Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  

 Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. 

 Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]. 

Fatphobia affects more than social interactions; it can interfere with access to proper health care. But where do stigmas against larger bodies originate, and what can be learned from the space between diet culture and body positivity?

On this episode of On Nutrition, “Weight For It” host Ronald Young Jr. examines his experiences in medical settings, the popularity of the “What I Eat in a Day” trend, and how society defines the word “healthy.”

Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

 Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

 Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

Experiencing a menstrual cycle — or the lack of one — can bring up a lot of questions. Why do I have more bowel movements during my period? How concerned should I be about gaining weight during menopause? And do I need to stop using plastic cutting boards so I don’t get PCOS?

In this episode of On Nutrition, dietitian Danielle Cahalan discusses what the evidence shows about “cycle syncing,” offers tools for navigating menopause, and reviews dietary approaches that may support people with endometriosis or PCOS.

Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. 

 Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

 Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].