Real World Nutrition
Move past the fads, gimmicks, trends, detoxing, cleanses, fasting, and other unrealistic ideas about eating in the real world. If you want to eat and enjoy food without being deprived because you live in the real world, join Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Shelley A. Rael as she sorts through the hype and gives and real talk about eating healthier.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 19 minutes
- Episodes
- 111
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
The Real Story About Sugar
Sugar is one of the most misunderstood parts of nutrition. Some call it poison. Others shrug it off as harmless. The truth is more nuanced. In this episode of Real World Nutrition, we explore the nat…
Black Tea vs Green Tea: Health Benefits Compared to Coffee
Black tea or green tea—which one is better for your health? This episode breaks down what the research actually shows about tea, including its antioxidant properties, impact on heart health, energy b…
Diet Trends, Food Fear, and Food Freedom
From keto to intermittent fasting to plant-based diets, it feels like diet trends never stop evolving. But do these diets really hold the answers to better health, or are they just recycling old idea…
Superfoods, Clean Eating, and Why Labels Don’t Help
“Superfoods” and “clean eating” sound like the fast track to better health, but do they really mean anything? In this episode, we break down what’s hype and what’s fact, how these terms can fuel guil…
Episode 201: Wellness Without the Hype: What Actually Works
This episode explores the true meaning of wellness and breaks down what truly helps you feel better in the long term versus what merely appears good on social media. Wellness isn’t a juice cleanse, a…
Episode 200: Decoding Food Ingredients: What’s Really in Your Food?
Episode 200: “Decoding Food Ingredients: What’s Really in Your Food?”
This episode breaks down the most common food ingredients and additives on U.S. labels—what they are, why they’re used, and wha…
Episode 199: Health Halo Hype: When Food Swaps Miss the Point
Is removing artificial dyes or switching sugars making food healthier—or just better marketed? This episode breaks down the “health halo” effect and why ingredient swaps often miss the bigger picture…
Episode 198: Should You Worry About the Dirty Dozen
Every year, the Dirty Dozen list shows up like clockwork, stirring up fears about pesticide exposure from conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. But is this list really giving you the whole pict…
Episode 197: Seasonal Eating: The Power of Summer Produce for Your Health & Plate
Summer produce isn’t just more affordable and flavorful, but it can also benefit your overall health and wellness. In this episode of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley explores the benefits o…
Episode 196: Hot Dogs, Ice Cream & Real-Life Moderation: Enjoying Summer Treats Without the Guilt
Summer is the season of sunshine, s’mores, and… stomach-stretching hot dog contests? In this episode of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley breaks down what moderation actually looks like when …
Episode 195: Coffee, Caffeine, and Energy: What Helps, What Hurts
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide, but when it comes to energy, there’s a lot of confusion about what actually helps and what might be working against you. In Episode 195 of the …
Episode 194: Whatever Happened to Dietary Cholesterol? Why It’s Not the Villain Anymore
Cholesterol has had a long, complicated reputation. For years, we were told to avoid eggs, shrimp, and other high-cholesterol foods. However, research has significantly altered our understanding of d…
Episode 193: Omega-6 Isn’t the Villain: What We Get Wrong About Seed Oils
In Episode 193 of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, Shelley Rael, RDN, dives into the controversy surrounding omega-6 fatty acids and seed oils. These oils have been getting a bad rap online, blamed …
Episode 192: What Even Is a Healthy Food? Cutting Through the Confusion
The word “healthy” gets tossed around a lot, but what does it actually
mean when it comes to food? In Episode 192 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley Rael, MS, RDN, discusses the complex lay…
Episode 191: Summer Eating Without Food Guilt: Tips for Grilling, Getaways, and Balanced Wellness
Summer is a time for sunshine, travel, and delicious food, but for many, it also brings a wave of guilt, restriction, or “starting over Monday” thinking. In this episode of the Real World Nutrition p…
Episode 190: Why It Could Be Too Late to Build Your Bones – But Not Too Late to Protect Them
May is Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Month, and in this episode of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley Rael, RDN, breaks down what you need to know about bone health, beyond just calciu…
Episode 189: Sipping Smarter: Mindful Drinking for Summer Parties
This Real World Nutrition episode discusses mindful drinking during summer celebrations, from Memorial Day to weddings, cookouts, and beach vacations. Shelley revisits some of the themes from last mo…
Episode 188: Food Freedom: What "Eat What You Want Day" Really Means
May 11 is Eat What You Want Day. But what if we stopped labeling foods as “good” or “bad” and just ate what nourishes and satisfies us? In this episode of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, Shelley Ra…
Episode 187: Fueling Your Fitness – Small Shifts for Sustained Summer Energy
In this episode of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley discusses realistic strategies for maintaining energy and hydration during the summer months. As warmer weather invites more outdoor activ…
Episode 186: Earth-Friendly Eating: How Your Food Choices Impact the Planet
In this episode of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, Shelley explores the connection between our dietary choices and environmental health. Building on the 2025 Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet…