Exam Room Nutrition: Where Busy Clinicians Learn About Nutrition
As a clinician, your patients are asking:
“What should I eat for diabetes?” “How do I lose weight?” “My child is so picky. What do I do?” But here’s the problem—you probably didn’t learn much about nutrition in school. The National Academy of Sciences recommends 25 hours of nutrition education for med students. Most of us? We got maybe 5.
Enter Exam Room Nutrition. Hosted by Colleen Sloan, a PA and RD with over a decade of experience, this podcast gives you clear, actionable strategies to tackle those tough nutrition questions with confidence—even when you’re pressed for time. From picky eaters to diabetes management, I’ll renew how you approach nutrition.
Exam Room Nutrition: Where Busy Clinicians Learn About Nutrition
139 | The New Food Pyramid: Experts React to the Dietary Guidelines
The 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped and the new upside-down food pyramid caused quite the chatter online this week.
In this special Nutrition Newsroom roundtable, Colleen Sloan, PA, RDN, brings together nine nutrition experts to break down what the new guidelines actually are (and what they’re not), what stayed the same, what changed, and what’s missing.
You’ll hear respectful disagreement, real-world clinical concerns, and practical talking points you can use the next time a patient says, “So… butter is healthy now?”
Here’s what we discuss:
- What the Dietary Guidelines are designed to do and how they’re created. Plus what was different about the 2026 process
- Why the new pyramid graphic is creating mixed messages for clinicians and consumers
- The most controversial updates: saturated fat, full-fat dairy, added sugar guidance for kids, new protein targets, and alcohol recommendations
- How to translate all of this into patient-friendly counseling without fearmongering or food shaming
- What experts say the guidelines missed: fiber, cultural diversity, access/affordability, and community surrounding meals
What are your thoughts on the new guideline?
Resources:
Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee Process
Scientific Foundation for the New Guidelines
Connect with the experts:
Any Questions? Send Me a Message
Connect with Colleen:
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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.
