Vitamins are oh so important but there's a LOT to learn. This episode breaks down the vitamins. The goal is to simplify vitamins so it's easier to remember the unique properties of each of these incredible micronutrients. 

This is what you'll learn in this episode:

• The difference between fat soluble and water soluble vitamins
• A review of the fat soluble vitamins (ADEK) and some stories that make these vitamins unique
• A review of the water-soluble vitamins
• Deficiency and toxicity symptoms for each of the vitamins
• Food sources and a summary of absorption and transport

Another amazing RD joined the RD community. Listen now to hear me give a big shout out. And if you want a shout out on the podcast when you pass the exam, send me a message on Instagram @jananichollrd. I'd love to celebrate your huge accomplishment too.

Here's a glance at this episode:

[05:40] A review of the fat soluble vitamins

[09:01] A fun fact about Vitamin A 

[20:00] When someone would need to follow a consistent Vitamin K diet

[21:03] An overview of the B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12)

[30:00] A discussion of the vitamin pregnant women should consume in adequate amounts in order to prevent neural tube defects

[37:00] A history lesson on scurvy and how the cure was found

[38:35] The incredible role of choline

In this weeks episode of the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, you'll get a review of nutrition during pregnancy. In particular, you'll learn about the recommended weight gain during pregnancy as well as the recommended amount of calories and protein needed to promote a healthy pregnancy. 

There's a lot of vitamins and minerals (the micronutrients). You'll get a review of some of the important ones during pregnancy. 

And I give another incredible RD2Be who just became an RD a huge shout out. I love welcoming new RD's into this amazing community.

This is what you'll learn in this episode:

• A case study of a teenage pregnancy
• A review of the recommended weight gain in pregnancy
• The definition of preterm, term and postterm pregnancy
• The importance of optimal nutrition including adequate macronutrient and micronutrient intake during pregnancy
• A quick review of the role of hormones during pregnancy

If you have a question or topic you want featured on the podcast, send me a message on Instagram @jananichollrd.  

This weeks episode was requested by a listener and current RD2Be studying for the RD Exam. You're gonna learn about dumping syndrome. This is a condition that affects people who've had GI surgeries. Fortunately, as dietitians, we can have a big impact on improving patients quality of life who are struggling with this condition. 

I use a case study and review a story to reinforce concepts covered in the episode so you'll be more likely to remember how to manage these patients if you're asked a question about dumping syndrome on the RD Exam.

This is what you'll learn in this episode:

• What dumping syndrome is 
• Common GI surgeries that increase the risk of developing dumping syndrome
• Symptoms associated with early and late dumping syndrome
• How to manage dumping syndrome through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)

Here's a glance at this episode:

[05:00] A review of common GI tract procedures

[08:36] An overview of the symptoms associated with dumping syndrome

[11:50] A discussion of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) that can help control the symptoms associated with dumping syndrome

[15:00] A recap of dumping syndrome by applying the MNT to a case study

Refeeding Syndrome is a condition that affects patients who have gone long periods of time without adequate nutrition or have malnutrition. 

This episode breaks down refeeding syndrome so you'll be prepared to answer any questions that may show up on the RD Exam. But more than that, if you find yourself working with people at risk of refeeding syndrome, you'll know what it is and how to approach nutrition safely with these patients. 

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

• What refeeding syndrome is
• How refeeding syndrome occurs
• Symptoms associated with refeeding syndrome
• How to safely start nutrition in patients at risk of refeeding syndrome

This episode was requested by a listener. If you have a topic you want covered on the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, send me a message on Instagram @jananichollrd. 

AND, I take a minute to give a shout-out to another new RD who just joined our amazing community. Send me a message and let me know when you pass the RD exam so I can give you a celebratory shout-out too. 

If you're doubting your parenteral and enteral nutrition calculations, check out these resources that show you step-by-step how to calculate so you never doubt your math again:

How to calculate Parenteral Nutrition

How to calculate Tube Feeding

Here's a glance at this episode: 

[04:20] Who's at risk of developing refeeding syndrome

[05:50] What nutrient triggers refeeding syndrome 

[07:25] The mechanism behind refeeding syndrome

[08:55] Symptoms of refeeding syndrome

[09:55] What you can do as a dietitian to help patients at risk of develping refeeding syndrome

In this episode of the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, you’ll learn about the Exchange List. This trusted tool is extremely helpful. You’ll learn a general overview as well as a step-by-step breakdown of the exchanges. I also walk you through how to create a exchange list table for you to reference whenever you need it. 

Writing things out is very helpful when studying for a big exam like the RD Exam. 

Regardless of where you work, you'll need to know a basic understanding of exchanges and for the RD Exam, you may be asked to breakdown a meal. The tool you would use to do this is the exchange list. I want you to be prepared for any questions that might come your way.

This episode breaks down each category in the exchange lists: Starch, Fruit, Milk, Non-starchy vegetables, Meat, Fat, and Sweets. 

Lastly, this topic was requested by an RD2Be. If you have a topic you want covered on the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, send me a message @jananichollrd.

Here's a glance at this episode:

[02:50] An overview of Exchange Lists - why they're helpful and important to know

[05:13] A breakdown of the exchange list categories

[06:50] Step by step process on how to create your own exchange list table 

[08:00] A breakdown of each category in the exchange lists plus examples

[20:29] An example on how to use exchanges to breakdown a meal - something you might have to do on the exam

[25:32] A story that comes to mind when thinking about exchanges

In this weeks episode of the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, you're gonna learn about the "Acts" - government acts that is. This episode was requested by a listener like you. 

There's a lot of government acts but this episode reviews some of the most common ones regarding working conditions and expectations. I made a FREE cheat sheet for you that summarizes these laws. Download your cheat sheet here and follow along. You'll learn about:

• 1935: National Labor Relations Act
• 1938: Fair Labor Standards Act
• 1947: Taft Hartley Labor Act
• 1959: Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act
• 1963: Equal Pay Act
• 1964: The Civil Rights Act
• 1967: Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• 1972: Equal Employment Opportunity Act
• 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act
• 1993: Family Medical Leave Act
• 1996: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• 2020: Affordable Care Act

These laws are long and wordy. There's a lot to them so if you want to learn more about each of these laws, I recommend you research the laws further. The goal for this episode is to summarize the laws and break them down so you have a basic understanding if you were asked a question on the RD Exam. 

Be sure to listen as I give a shout-out to a listener who just passed the RD Exam. When you pass the RD Exam, I'd love to congratulate you on the podcast too. And if you have a question you want featured on the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, please let me know. You can send me a message on instagram @jananichollrd. 

Fire Safety and knowing how to protect yourself and others is something everyone should know. If you’re a manager, you're responsible for making sure your staff understand how to stay safe at work - that includes Fire Safety. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What RACE and PASS mean with regards to fire safety
• The different types of fire extinguishers
• What to do with food if the sprinklers are activated in the kitchen
• Storage requirements that meet fire safety regulations
• Joint Commission requirements regarding egress

I also give a big shout-out to a new RD who just passed the RD Exam. 

Here's a glance at this episode:

[03:10] Acronyms used in fire safety to help you remember what to do in case of a fire

[10:20] What to do with the exposed food if the sprinkler system is activated in the kitchen 

[12:55] Why wall maintenance and integrity are a big part of fire safety and what you can do as a manager to maintain wall integrity

[14:12] The role of fire doors and how fire door ratings determine how long a fire can be contained

[17:13] What egress is and how regulatory agencies make sure egress is maintained to keep people safe

This episode was requested by a listener studying for the RD Exam. If you have a question you want featured on the podcast, please send your request to [email protected]

Case studies, stories, and learning from others are the best ways to learn which is why I decided to break down Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) through case study reviews. 

Imagine never feeling full or satisfied. That's exactly what people with Prader-Willi Syndrome experience. 

In this episode, I review this genetic condition that affects chromosome 15.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

• What Prader-Willi Syndrome is
• The characteristics of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
• How to manage and treat the condition using medical nutrition therapy
• A review of 2 case studies with different nutrition therapy recommendations

As you listen to the episode, I want you to think big picture about the mechanism behind the symptoms/characteristics of the syndrome and how it impacts nutrition recommendations. 

I'd love for you to share your BIG wins with me. Let me know when you pass the RD Exam so I can give you a shout-out and officially welcome you into the RD community. You can contact me at [email protected]

Studying for the RD Exam (or any exam for that matter) can be overwhelming and time consuming. It's much easier when you know what to expect and where you're going. 

In this episode of the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, you'll learn some helpful studying and test taking tips to help you feel empowered and ready to tackle the exam - the last hurdle before you can use the "RD" or "RDN" credential. 

This is what you'll learn in this episode:

• Studying Tips to help you stay motivated and keep moving forward until you make it across the finish line
• Test Taking Tips to remember during the exam
• What to do when you don't know what the question is asking
• A breakdown of the RD Exam for 2022-2026 updated by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

If you need help creating a study schedule, get a FREE resource on how to create a study schedule here.

Here is some helpful information posted on the CDR website. You can find this information and more here. 

RD Exam Test Specifications

RD Exam Study Outline

Here's a glance at this episode:

[05:45] Tips on how to get started with studying

[07:11] Why it's important to know a timeline for studying

[08:11] Creating a studying schedule and tips on how to hold yourself accountable

[12:12] How to approach practice questions so they help you pass the exam the first time

[13:30] What to do when you get a scenario type question

[16:00] An overview of helpful test taking tips

[16:43] The importance of using Critical Thinking Skills plus a helpful acronym that will help you when you don't know what the questions asking

[23:00] An overview of the RD Exam and what to expect on the exam

Motivational Interviewing is a communication style to help people achieve their desired goals. It helps the individual overcome discrepancies and barriers in their life that interfere with the ability to get to where they want to be. 

It's a client-centered approach used by dietitians to help their clients/patients meet their desired goals. 

Not only does Motivational Interviewing help the client, it's also a great way for you, the dietitian, to get the information you need to truly connect with the client/patient. 

If you're an RD2Be preparing for the RD Exam, this epsiode covering Motivational Interviewing will help you with any questions that might show up on the exam. And...if you're a dietitian who needs a refresher on Motivational Interviewing, this episode is for you. A lot of information discussed in this episode is relevant throughout your career as a Registered Dietitian - long after passing the RD Exam. 

This is what you'll learn in this episode:

• How to get the conversation started
• The importance of maintaining a client-centered approach
• The 4 general principles of Motivational Interviewing
• How to use Reflective Listening plus examples of reflective listening statements
• Open-ended versus close-ended questions 
• Stages of change and how to determine the patient/clients readiness for change

Here's a glance at this episode:

[05:15] Strategies on how to get the conversation started

[06:30] Why taking a client-centered approach is the best way to help elicit change talk

[09:00] An overview of Reflective Listening and example statements you can use 

[14:40] A discussion of the 4 general principles of Motivational Interviewing

[16:36] Why open-ended questions are best for drawing out information and keeping the conversation flowing...plus some great examples of open-ended questions