Social Media Is Confusing Your Patients.

In this episode, I’m joined by endocrinology PA Emily Stevens to discuss diabetes, insulin resistance, and blood sugar control and help you explain it in a way your patients will actually understand.

If your patients are asking about glucose spikes, CGMs, keto, or supplements like berberine, this episode will give you clear, practical answers you can use in clinic this week.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why "glucose spikes" are normal and how to explain this to patients without causing fear
• The truth about low-carb, keto, and intermittent fasting for diabetes management
• Why telling patients to “cut carbs” or “avoid fruit” is wrong advice
• How to use the Diabetes Plate Method for quick, effective nutrition counseling
• Why pairing protein + carbohydrates improves glycemic control (and how to teach it fast)
• What the evidence says about berberine, magnesium, and supplements
• When lifestyle changes are enough vs when medication is necessary
• Who actually benefits from continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) (and who doesn’t)

Key Takeaways for the Exam Room:

• Blood sugar isn’t meant to be flat. Help patients expect “rolling hills,” not a straight line.
• Carbs aren’t the problem. Focus on quality, pairing, and portions.
• Start with beverages. It’s often the fastest win for improving glycemic control.
• Don’t demonize fruit. You’ll create fear instead of sustainable change.
• Meet patients where they are. “Cut it in half” works better than “cut it out.”
• You can’t out-supplement a poor diet. Food first, always.
• Use visuals, not numbers. The plate method > gram counting for most patients.

Connect with Emily

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Teen Athletes Need Different Fuel.

What happens when well-meaning parents apply adult nutrition rules to teenage athletes? You get under-fueled kids, missed performance potential… and a whole lot of confusion in the exam room.

In this episode, I sit down with sports dietitian and former D1 athlete Maria Vallasciani to break down what teen athletes actually need and why most of them aren’t getting it. From skipped breakfasts to overhyped protein powders, we unpack the real drivers of performance, growth, and recovery in this population.

We also get into the practical side: what to ask in clinic, how to spot red flags early, and how to guide families who are trying to do the right thing… but missing the mark.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why teen athletes need more carbs, not more protein
• The most common red flags that a young athlete isn’t eating enough
• How to assess intake more accurately
• What realistic pre- and post-workout fueling looks like for busy teens
• When sports drinks and electrolytes actually make sense
• The truth about creatine, protein powders, and pre-workouts in adolescents
• How to approach weight and body composition without causing harm
• Simple, high-yield questions to improve your nutrition history in under 2 minutes

Grab your free companion guide

Connect with Maria

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
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Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Why Patients Overeat and Feel Out of Control

What’s really driving overeating: hunger, habit, or emotions? In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Johnston, a physician assistant turned eating habits and weight loss coach, to unpack why patients eat past fullness, why nighttime eating feels so out of control, and how to quickly uncover what’s actually going on beneath the behavior.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The difference between feeling satisfied and feeling full, and why that distinction matters in patient counseling
• Simple questions clinicians can ask to figure out whether a patient is eating from hunger, distraction, routine, or emotion
• Why patients who “eat perfectly” all day often feel out of control at night
• Practical strategies to help patients build awareness, slow down, and stop overeating without shame or rigid food rules

If you’ve ever had a patient say, “I’m doing everything right, but I lose control at night,” this episode will help you understand why, and give you better ways to respond.

Resources mentioned:

FREEBIE! 10 Sentences to Start Nutrition Conversations

Episode 33: End Emotional Eating

Connect with Kate

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Colleen:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Sign up for my FREE Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics delivered to your inbox each week.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.