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
145 | A Nutrition Framework for Depression & Anxiety
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Mental Health Nutrition Starts Here.
When a patient opens up about their mood, we think therapy. We think medication. But do we ever pause and ask… are they eating enough to support their brain?
In this episode, I’m joined by registered dietitian Jennifer Hanes, who specializes in nutrition and mental health. We unpack how food impacts mood, why under-eating can worsen anxiety and depression, and how clinicians can confidently talk about nutrition without oversimplifying it.
You’ll learn:
- Why the nutrition hierarchy of needs matters for patients with anxiety and depression
- How chronic under-eating can worsen brain fog, irritability, and low mood
- The gut-brain connection and why IBS, inflammation, and mental health are so intertwined
- Which supplements (like fish oil, magnesium, vitamin D, and B12) may be helpful
Resources:
Listen to this next! Episode 14 Nutrition for Brain Fog
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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.
