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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.
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.
Episodes

Friday Nov 08, 2024
Episode 162: Immune-Boosting Strategies for Cold & Flu Season
Friday Nov 08, 2024
Friday Nov 08, 2024
In Episode 162 of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, host Shelley A. Rael, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, discusses immune health and what “immune-boosting” means.
Contrary to popular belief, no miracle food or pill can suddenly “boost” immunity. Instead, it’s about consistently maintaining a balanced lifestyle and supporting your immune system. Learn the nutrient-rich foods that aid immunity, including vitamin C sources, zinc-rich foods, and others that can help keep your immune system in top shape. Also highlighted are realistic routines, like maintaining proper sleep, managing stress, and staying physically active—all contributing to immune strength. And if you’ve ever wondered about popular supplements, we’ll review the evidence behind favorites like vitamin C and zinc, explaining what’s beneficial and overhyped. Listen for tips to stay healthier this season and help you face the cold months with confidence.
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Friday Nov 01, 2024
Episode 161: Navigating the Beverage Aisle: Healthier Drink Choices
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
In Episode 161 of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, host Shelley A. Rael, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, wraps up the Mastering the Grocery Store Series with a look at the beverage aisle.
Drinks can significantly impact your health, hydration, and daily energy levels, but not all beverages are created equal. This episode covers essential information on choosing water, flavored waters, juices, soda, coffee, tea, sports drinks, and even alcohol in a balanced way. Shelley discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each category, offers tips for reading labels, and shares practical advice on navigating this aisle with a health-focused approach. Whether you’re a soda lover or a coffee connoisseur, this episode will help you make smarter choices for hydration and health.
Read More: Drinks and Beverages: Making Healthier Choices for Your Health and Hydration
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Friday Oct 25, 2024
Friday Oct 25, 2024
In Episode 160 of the Real World Nutrition Podcast, host Shelley A. Rael continues her Mastering the Grocery Store series with a deep dive into the pantry aisle. Often overlooked, the pantry aisle holds the key to easily creating balanced, nutritious meals. Shelley covers how to stock up on essential staples like whole grains, canned goods, healthy oils, and spices to build a foundation for flexible and stress-free meal planning.
From choosing the right pantry grains for sustained energy to picking budget-friendly and nutrient-dense canned goods, Shelley provides practical tips on navigating this aisle to make healthier, long-lasting choices. She also shares advice on how to avoid overly processed options and read labels for the best quality items. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or looking to simplify your weeknight meals, a well-stocked pantry is the first step to success.
Read More: Stocking Your Pantry for Success: Must-Have Staples for a Balanced Diet
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Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Oct 18, 2024
In Episode 159 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley continues the Mastering the Grocery Store series by exploring the canned goods aisle—an often overlooked section of the grocery store filled with convenient and nutritious options. Whether stocking up for a busy week or prepping for emergencies, canned foods can be a valuable part of your pantry.
In this episode, Shelley confidently helps you navigate the canned goods aisle. She discussed how to read nutrition labels to ensure you select low-sodium and low-sugar options, understand the benefits of BPA-free packaging, and identify which canned items provide the most nutritional value. Shelley also shares tips on incorporating canned vegetables, fruits, beans, and proteins into your diet without compromising taste or nutrition.
Canned goods are also convenient, have a long shelf life, and can be a practical solution for time-saving meal prep. Join Shelley as she debunks common myths and misconceptions about canned foods and provides real-world strategies for making healthier choices in this aisle.
Read More: Navigating the Canned Goods Aisle: What You Need to Know
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Friday Oct 11, 2024
Episode 158: The Frozen Food Aisle: Making Healthy and Convenient Choices
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
In Episode 158 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley continues the Mastering the Grocery Store series by exploring the frozen food aisle, helping listeners understand how to make healthier choices beyond just convenience. From selecting nutrient-dense frozen fruits and vegetables to navigating pre-made meals, Shelley breaks down what to look for on labels and how to avoid common pitfalls, such as high sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats.
She also explores options like frozen grains, seafood, and lean proteins that can be part of a balanced diet while saving time in the kitchen. Shelley debunks myths around frozen food and shares practical tips for incorporating frozen options into your everyday meals. Tune in to learn how to stock your freezer with nutritious, convenient options and avoid the nutritional traps often found in the frozen food aisle.
Read More: The Frozen Food Aisle: Beyond Convenience
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Friday Oct 04, 2024
Friday Oct 04, 2024
In Episode 157 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley continues the Mastering the Grocery Store series by going into the egg section. Shelley explores the often confusing world of egg labels. With terms like ‘cage-free,’ ‘organic,’ ‘pasture-raised,’ and ‘omega-3 enriched,’ it can be challenging to understand what you’re buying and how it aligns with your values. Shelley breaks down the meaning behind the most common egg labels, discussing the differences in hen welfare, nutrition, and environmental impact. She explains why some eggs may offer more health benefits, like higher omega-3 content, and which labels prioritize the humane treatment of hens. The episode also covers how different farming practices impact the environment, offering tips for those looking to make sustainable choices. Whether you’re concerned about health, animal welfare, or sustainability, this episode will help you make more informed decisions in the grocery store. Tune in to get the real facts on eggs and what those labels truly mean.
Read More: Cracking the Code: Understanding Egg Labels and Choosing the Best Eggs
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Friday Sep 27, 2024
Episode 156: Healthy and Sustainable Choices in the Meat and Seafood Aisle
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
In Episode 156 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley continues the Mastering the Grocery Store series by heading to the back of the store and the meat and seafood aisle. With so many options, knowing how to make healthy and sustainable choices is essential. Shelley breaks down the different types of meats – from red meat and poultry to processed options – and offers tips on choosing leaner cuts and avoiding excess sodium. She also discusses the health benefits of fatty fish like salmon and provides insights into sustainable seafood options. For those looking to reduce their environmental footprint, Shelley explains how to look for grass-fed, pasture-raised, and sustainably caught labels. Whether you’re a meat lover or trying to cut back, this episode provides practical tips on making smarter choices that support your health and the planet.
Read More: Exploring the Meat and Seafood Section: Tips for Healthy and Sustainable Choices
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Friday Sep 20, 2024
Episode 155: Navigating the Bread and Bakery Section
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday Sep 20, 2024
In Episode 155 of the Real World Nutrition podcast, Shelley continues the Mastering the Grocery Store series by taking listeners through the grocery store's often confusing bread and bakery section. With so many different options, making the healthiest choice can be difficult. In this episode, Shelley explains the differences between white bread, whole wheat, multigrain, and gluten-free bread and advises on what to look for on nutrition labels. From choosing fiber-rich entire grains to understanding added sugars and sodium content, she offers tips on selecting the best bread for your health. Shelley also touches on bakery items like muffins, croissants, and pastries, sharing insights on how to enjoy these treats in moderation or opt for healthier homemade versions. Whether you’re looking to tweak your diet or overhaul your bread-buying habits, this episode will leave you with practical tips for making smarter choices in the bread aisle.
Read More: Navigating the Bread and Bakery Section: Making Healthier Choices
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Friday Sep 13, 2024
Friday Sep 13, 2024
In this episode of Real World Nutrition, Shelley Rael continues her Mastering the Grocery Store series by heading to the snack food aisle. With so many options marketed as “healthy,” it’s easy to be misled by packaging claims. Shelley explains how to navigate this confusing section of the grocery store by teaching listeners how to read nutrition labels, understand serving sizes, and avoid common traps like excessive added sugars and unhealthy fats. She offers healthier alternatives, such as air-popped popcorn, unsalted nuts, and whole-grain crackers, while also sharing practical strategies for portion control and mindful snacking. Whether you’re looking for convenient on-the-go snacks or something to satisfy your mid-afternoon cravings, this episode equips you with the knowledge to make healthier snacking decisions. Tune in to this episode to snack smarter and continue your journey toward better nutrition.
Read More: Smart Choices in the Snack Food Aisle: Tips for Healthy Snacking
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Friday Sep 06, 2024
Friday Sep 06, 2024
In this episode of Real World Nutrition, Shelley Rael continues her Mastering the Grocery Store series with a deep dive into the cereal aisle. The cereal aisle is filled with colorful boxes and confusing labels, making it difficult to make healthy breakfast choices. Shelley simplifies the process by teaching listeners how to read cereal labels, identify high-fiber and whole-grain options, and reduce sugar intake.
She explains what to look for in the ingredients list, how to choose cereals with minimal added sugars, and the importance of serving size when assessing calories. The episode also highlights healthy cereals, such as oatmeal, bran cereal, and muesli, and offers quick breakfast ideas to incorporate into a balanced diet. Whether you prefer traditional cereals or homemade options like overnight oats, this episode equips you with the knowledge to make informed and nutritious breakfast choices.
Stay tuned for the next part of the series, where Shelley will cover the snack food aisle and how to make healthier snacking decisions.
Read More: Conquering the Cereal Aisle: Making Smart Choices for a Healthy Breakfast
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Enroll in the Mini Course: 6 Tips for the Busy Person to Have Sustainable Energy: All-Day Energy Through Food AND Companion Workbook
