
- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Katherine Zeratsky and Jennifer Nelson
Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D.
Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the Food & Nutrition Center, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning."Nutrition is one way people have direct control over the quality of their lives," she says. "I hope to translate the science of nutrition into ways that people can select and prepare great-tasting foods that help maintain health and treat disease."
A St. Paul, Minn., native, she is certified by the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, has been with Mayo Clinic since 1978, and is director of clinical dietetics and an associate professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
She leads clinical nutrition efforts for a staff of more than 50 clinical dietitians and nine dietetic technicians and oversees staffing, strategic and financial planning, and quality improvement. Nelson was co-editor of the James Beard Foundation Award-winning "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook." She has been a contributing author to and reviewer of many Mayo Clinic books, including "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody," "The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and "The Mayo Clinic/Williams Sonoma Cookbook." She contributes to the strategic direction of the Food & Nutrition Center, which includes creating recipes and menus, reviewing nutrition content of various articles, and answering nutrition questions posed to Ask a Specialist.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
Latest entries
- Healthy eating habits
Nov. 13, 2009
- Healthy holiday eating
Nov. 7, 2009
- Diet and immunity
Oct. 31, 2009
- Curb the candy binge
Oct. 28, 2009
- Menu planning
Oct. 24, 2009
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Nov. 13, 2009
Healthy eating habits
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
During the holidays, don't obsess about what you shouldn't do. Instead, look for ways to add healthy habits to your lifestyle. continue
1 comment -
Nov. 7, 2009
Healthy holiday eating
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Holiday celebrations can make healthy eating a challenge. Don't despair. With these tips, you can cut fat, sugar and salt while still celebrating in style. continue
3 comments -
Oct. 31, 2009
Diet and immunity
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
It's flu season, and advice abounds about how to stay healthy. Should that advice include what to eat to boost your immune system? continue
8 comments -
Oct. 28, 2009
Curb the candy binge
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Taking a healthy approach to Halloween doesn't mean boycotting candy. But it does mean modeling moderation. Try these tips. continue
2 comments -
Oct. 24, 2009
Menu planning
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Think menu planning won't fit into your hectic schedule? Think again. Menu planning can save you time and money — and improve your diet. continue
5 comments -
Oct. 17, 2009
Soda tax
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Do you support the so-called soda tax? Proponents say it would curtail consumption and generate dollars for obesity prevention and health promotion. continue
33 comments -
Oct. 8, 2009
TV and weight
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
More TV shows feature people struggling with their weight, but do these shows reflect reality or perpetuate stereotypes? continue
5 comments -
Sept. 26, 2009
Food safety reform
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
While health care reform is debated, food safety reform is progressing. See what the government is doing to modernize food safety rules. continue
2 comments -
Sept. 19, 2009
Latin American Diet Pyramid
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Traditional Latino diets offer a healthy way of eating. The new pyramid is a useful tool for enjoying this culture's cuisine. continue
3 comments -
Sept. 12, 2009
Bottled or tap?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
How do you decide? continue
15 comments -
Sept. 2, 2009
Lunch boxes that pack a healthy punch
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
A new school year often means a new lunch box. Get back into the school routine with these tips for creating healthy and tempting lunches. continue
1 comment -
Aug. 19, 2009
Is organic food more nutritious?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Comparing apples to apples yields surprising results about the nutritional value of organically grown versus conventionally grown produce. continue
27 comments -
Aug. 5, 2009
Children offer lessons in healthy eating
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
What can kids possibly teach adults about healthy eating? continue
5 comments -
July 30, 2009
Feeding a toddler who is a picky eater
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Parents often worry that their toddlers are picky eaters, but is it really a problem? continue
0 comments -
July 24, 2009
Dining and dating
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
How do men and women decide what to eat and where on a first date? continue
1 comment -
July 18, 2009
Can one change improve your health and the world's?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
You know the benefits of eating less red meat, but did you know that cutting back could also help the environment? continue
9 comments -
July 11, 2009
Orthorexia — When eating healthy goes awry
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
What happens when you take healthy eating too far? continue
16 comments -
June 27, 2009
Fortifying junk food
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Does fortifying junk food make the best of a bad situation — or just make a bad situation worse? continue
7 comments -
June 20, 2009
Could you be a flexitarian?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Looking for a way to jump start your healthy eating plan? A flexible vegetarian diet might be for you. continue
8 comments -
June 13, 2009
Formulating fiber-rich foods
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Food manufacturers are finding new ways of adding fiber to a wide variety of prepared foods. continue
9 comments -
June 9, 2009
Pass the salt, please
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Throwing salt over your shoulder is supposed to bring good luck. Tossing salt from your diet may bring better health. continue
9 comments -
May 30, 2009
Overeating — What causes it?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Are we hungry, not full or just not satisfied? continue
18 comments -
May 23, 2009
The food and mood connection
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Does what we eat affect how we feel? continue
8 comments -
May 19, 2009
The new Mediterranean Diet Pyramid
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
The foundation of this healthy eating plan remains the same, but three key changes bring the pyramid up to speed with the latest research. continue
38 comments -
April 29, 2009
Liquid calories
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Want to lose weight? Cutting back on sugar-sweetened drinks seems to be more effective than cutting food calories for weight loss. continue
16 comments