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The New Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The New Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030: Meaningful Progress, Open Questions, and How to Put Them on Your Plate When national nutrition guidance shifts, it affects far more than headlines. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) quietly shape what ends up on grocery store shelves, what children are served at school, what hospitals and nursing homes feed patients, and how most health professionals are trained to define “healthy eating.” They influence SNAP, WIC,
Laura Duffy, MS, CNS, LDN
Jan 2910 min read


Magnesium + Vitamin D: The winter duo your metabolism and mood depend on
As daylight drops and vitamin D levels tend to decline, there’s a second nutrient that quietly determines whether your vitamin D does its job: magnesium. The enzymes that activate and deactivate vitamin D are magnesium‑dependent, so low magnesium can look and feel like “stubbornly low vitamin D” even when you’re supplementing. Magnesium 101: What it does and where it lives Magnesium is the body’s fourth most abundant mineral after calcium, sodium, and potassium. In a 70‑kg ad
Laura Duffy, MS, CNS, LDN
Dec 22, 20255 min read


The Hidden Heavy Metal Problem in Protein Powders: Why Plant-Based Isn't Always Better
Protein powders have become a staple in many health-conscious households, offering a convenient way to boost protein intake for busy lifestyles, athletic performance, and meeting daily nutritional goals. With the rise of plant-based eating, many consumers have gravitated toward plant-based protein powders, assuming they're the healthier, more natural choice. However, recent testing by Consumer Reports has revealed a concerning truth: plant-based protein powders consistently c
Laura Duffy, MS, CNS, LDN
Nov 24, 20259 min read


The Artificial Sweetener Deception: How These "Safe" Sugar Substitutes May Be Sabotaging Your Mental Health
When artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium were introduced to the market, they were heralded as revolutionary solutions to our sugar problem. The food industry has aggressively marketed these zero-calorie alternatives as beneficial to health, promising weight loss and improved metabolic outcomes. However, with the exception of a few industry-funded studies, research has consistently failed to support these claims. In fact, a comprehensive s
Laura Duffy, MS, CNS, LDN
Oct 28, 20257 min read


The Salt Paradox: Why New Hypertension Guidelines May Be Missing the Mark
The latest hypertension guidelines have doubled down on a familiar recommendation: drastically limit sodium intake. While this advice sounds logical on the surface, emerging research suggests we may be approaching blood pressure management all wrong, and potentially doing more harm than good in the process. The Unintended Consequences of Salt Restriction Here's what happens when we tell people to eliminate salt from their diets: nutritious, whole foods become unpalatable, and
Laura Duffy, MS, CNS, LDN
Oct 2, 20256 min read


The Biggest Loser's Biggest Lesson: Why Extreme Dieting Destroys Your Metabolism
A new documentary about The Biggest Loser has reignited conversations about something I've been saying for years: your body is not...
Laura Duffy, MS, CNS, LDN
Sep 4, 20253 min read
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