Q+A: Monica Reinagel, Nutrition Diva

If you're looking to be scared into eating smarter, go ahead and rent SuperSize Me. If you want your nutritional education to be boiled down into a lesser-of-two-evils format, subscribe to Men's Health for its "Eat This, Not That" feature. But if you're just looking for good nutritional advice backed up by solid research—no gimmicks, no false promises—I highly recommend the Nutrition Diva podcast. 

I test-drove a slew of nutrition and healthy eating podcasts during my New Year's resolution phase in January, and only Nutrition Diva remains on my subscription list. (It also made it onto my list of the five podcasts that are making me healthier, which you can read here.) The bite-sized podcasts are informative without being didactic—and they'll help you understand why that SouthBeachJennyKins diet your friend is on probably isn't going to work long-term.

Nutrition Diva's host, Monica Reinagel, agreed to answer a few questions for Atomic Podcasts. She shared her take on one of the most pervasive nutrition myths, why you don't necessarily have to feel bad when you get an order of fries, and why she's optimistic about the future of nutrition in America.

When and why did you start this podcast?

I started out writing for traditional print media (books, newsletters, etc.) but it was clear to me that all the exciting stuff was happening in new media. Most traditional publishers have been slow to adapt to new technology and it has really hurt authors. The best way to build an audience today is through blogs, podcasts, and social networking, and if you’re working with most traditional publishers, you’re really on your own. I’d been writing a nutrition blog for NutritionData.com for a couple of years, and was interested in exploring the podcast format. I started trying to get up to speed on the various aspects: recording, editing, distribution, etc. It was a little overwhelming. But just then, I was introduced to the Quick and Dirty Tips (QDT)  publishers, who, as it happened, were looking for someone to host a podcast on nutrition.  It was perfect timing—and a good match. 

What podcasts do you listen to?

I listen to most of the QDT podcasts: Digital Marketer, Get-It-Done Guy, Grammar Girl, etc. I also listen to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!, This American Life, Onion News, OperaNow!, and ArsAntiquaPresents.  I used to love Jason Van Orden’s Podcasting Underground, but I think he’s discontinued that.

Of all the nutrition myths we've told ourselves, which do you think is the most dangerous?

There are so MANY! It wasn’t my intention to do a podcast that focused on nutrition myths but it’s getting to be a recurrent theme on the show.  I don’t know about dangerous, but this myth that eating more frequently speeds up your metabolism seems to be pretty entrenched. I was amazed at how many comments my show on that topic generated on the show’s website.  In general, the biggest myths seem to have to do with weight loss: that eating certain foods or certain combinations of foods or eating at certain times of day will make you gain or lose weight. Really, it mostly comes down to how much you eat.  Another big category of nutrition myths is the “super food” myth, that a certain berry, juice, seed, sprout, or whatever will cure all that ails you.  It’s just never that simple!

What's the most challenging part of putting together an episode of a podcast like yours that has so many elements (listener questions, actual research, etc.)?

Keeping it to five or six minutes is definitely the most challenging part. I’ve got a lot of say and its tough for me to keep the show topics focused.

Do people get worried when they realize they're going to go out to lunch or dinner with you?

Yes, people do sometimes feel they have to apologize for whatever they’re about to order—I just order French fries right away, to put everyone at ease! Seriously, I’m really pretty easy-going about food.  I enjoy treats as much as the next person.   I guess I live by a sort of 90% rule:  If 90% of your diet is wholesome, balanced, and nutritious, it’s okay to relax a bit with the other 10%.

We are a nation of crummy eaters, as evidenced by the obesity rate and the state of most companies' vending machines. Does knowing this depress you? Or do you see a glimmer of hope for us despite it all?

It’s funny; because of what I do, I feel like I’m surrounded by people who care a lot about health and nutrition and try to live healthy lives, so my personal experience is a little skewed. When I’m at the gym, or at the farmer’s market, or on a hiking trail, I see people all around me making healthy choices. If I hung out at the mall, I guess I’d see something different. But I know that what you’re describing is the reality. I don’t know if it depresses me as much as concerns me. I don’t know how we’re going to pay for the consequences of these behaviors in terms of health care costs and lost productivity.  I hold on to some optimism that the tide really is changing and that more and more people are prioritizing health and nutrition.

 

If you’re not familiar with Reinagel’s podcasts, she recommends getting started with her show on metabolism myths, which you can find here. Thanks, Monica!