Beans, Greens & Better Health: Simple Nutrition That Actually Works with Mayci Herbert

Nutrition doesn't have to mean restrictive diets, counting every calorie, or giving up the foods you love.

In this episode of the Shreveport Bossier Local Lens Podcast, Jeremy Sutton sits down with Mayci Herbert, Registered Dietitian and owner of Peas and Carrots Nutrition Counseling Services, to talk about a realistic, sustainable approach to eating healthier.

Mayci shares how her own experiences with body image and diet culture led her into nutrition, why she believes there is no single "perfect diet," and how she helps people improve their health by focusing on what they can add to their diet instead of constantly taking foods away.

They also discuss the challenges of eating healthy with a busy schedule, the importance of fiber, how to build a balanced plate, and why Mayci believes most of us could benefit from eating a lot more beans and greens.

In this episode, Jeremy and Mayci discuss:

• How Mayci became a dietitian and started Peas and Carrots Nutrition Counseling Services

• Breaking free from diet culture and the "all-or-nothing" mentality

• Why restrictive diets can be difficult to sustain long-term

• The psychology and emotions surrounding food

• Why one bad meal doesn't mean you ruined your entire day

• Mayci's approach of "nutrition by addition"

• How busy families can eat healthier without spending all weekend meal prepping

• Simple meal ideas including soups, curries, pasta dishes, and meal prep

• How to build a balanced plate: ½ vegetables, ¼ protein, and ¼ starches or whole grains

• Why beans and lentils are an overlooked source of protein and fiber

• Why Mayci calls "beans and greens" two of the most neglected foods in the American diet

• Easy ways to add greens to smoothies and meals

• Healthy ways to prepare Southern favorites without sacrificing flavor

• Why all foods can fit into a healthy eating pattern

• Nutrition for people with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes

• Nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum

• Nutrition strategies for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart health

• Why self-care can be especially difficult for women who have spent years taking care of everyone else

Mayci Herbert is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Peas and Carrots Nutrition Counseling Services. Her approach focuses on evidence-based nutrition, sustainable changes, and helping people develop a healthier relationship with food without relying on extreme or overly restrictive diets.

She works with a variety of clients, including people looking for help with:

Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes • Pregnancy and postpartum nutrition • High cholesterol • High blood pressure • Heart health • Healthy eating and sustainable lifestyle change

Healthy eating doesn't have to start with eliminating everything you enjoy.

Instead, start by asking:

What can I add?

More vegetables. More fruit. More whole grains. More fiber.

And, of course…

More beans and greens.

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