BY NANCY CLARK
PHOTO BY ED MORAN
Thanks to the internet, we have abundant access to high-quality, science-based nutrition podcasts. We also have access to a lot of questionable nutritional information. To help guide your nutrition education options, I’ve identified a few credible podcasts that focus on general nutrition, sports nutrition, dysfunctional eating, injury recovery, and other topics of interest to athletes striving to improve their performance. In these podcasts, you will find reliable information on what, when and how to fuel your body for optimal sports performance, good health and high energy.
While you’re spinning, running, walking the dog, or washing the dishes, I hope you enjoy listening to these podcasts (some of my personal favorites). They offer a great opportunity to learn (for free!) from leading researchers and clinicians.
Podcasts focused on everyday nutrition topics
Sound clipsRD
Hosted by Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD Published twice a month, for about an hour.
Melissa is among the first dietitians to get into podcasting. She has now recorded over 226 episodes and has thousands of listeners. His information is popular with dietitians and the general public. You’ll learn all about your daily diet, with a focus on current food topics and controversies. Melissa does a great job of exploring the science, psychology, and strategies behind good eating and nutrition. Here are some examples of topics covered:
• Body image and your relationship with food
• The science of softness
• The difference between animal welfare and animal rights
Spot On!
Hosted by Joan Salge Blake, RD Posted twice a month, lasting approximately 30-45 minutes.
Joan teaches nutrition at Boston University. His podcast is aimed at students but is of interest to everyone. Joan’s lively and engaging style will hold your attention. She interviews top experts who offer accurate and practical health and wellness information on a variety of current topics and trends, including:
• What is sustainable food?
• The latest news on food allergies
• Do you need to build protein to bulk up?
Sports Nutrition Podcasts
The Long Munch – Nutrition for runners, cyclists and triathletes
Hosted by two Australian sports dieticians. Published weekly, about an hour.
Stephanie Gaskell has a particular interest in gastrointestinal nutrition and Alan McCubbin studies hydration and sodium for endurance sports at Monash University in Melbourne. To familiarize yourself with the rich variety of topics covered on The Long Munch, I suggest you listen to the Anniversary Year in Review. You’ll hear a three to five minute summary of each weekly podcast. You can then go back for more in-depth information by listening to the episodes that interest you. Examples of topics:
• Should I have regular blood tests? If so, what should I test?
• How much sodium should I replace during exercise?
• Are sports drinks and gels bad for my teeth?
Powerful power supply
Hosted by Dr. Marc Bubbs, Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Published monthly, approximately 60 minutes.
Marc is the Director of Performance Nutrition for Canada Basketball. In his podcast, he connects you with leading experts from around the world and discusses performance-related nutrition topics. A sample of topics:
• Nutrition and training for stronger tendons and ligaments
• The impact of dehydration on endurance teams and athletes
• The little-known science of metabolism
Nail your nutrition
Hosted by sports dietitians Marita Radloff, RD, and Sarah Schlichter. Published weekly, approximately 60 minutes.
The podcasters are athletes and moms as well as registered sports dietitians and they cover a variety of topics from many angles, such as:
• Nutrients of Concern for Plant-Based Athletes
• What my eating disorder has taken from me
• Diminishing nutrition for the marathon
Podcasts offering support to athletes struggling with food, injury and life
voice in sport
Hosted by Stefanie Strack, former athlete and advocate for the advancement of women in sport. Published weekly, approximately 45 minutes.
Stef interviews women who have excelled in sport and asks about their background. Its guests share untold stories on seldom-discussed topics, such as their struggles with body image, dysfunctional eating, mental health and nutrition. Young athletes will find hope and inspiration in this podcast as they hear how these women survived their tough journeys. Listeners will learn that they’re not the only ones struggling to transition from high school sports to college teams to professional sports. Examples of episodes include:
• Andi Sullivan, a soccer professional, shares how she gained confidence and improved her mental approach to the sport.
• Elyse Kopecky, author of Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow, shares her experiences as a runner facing multiple injuries.
• Allie Ostrander, runner and three-time NCAA champion, shares her journey with eating disorders.
The Health, Wellness and Performance Coaching Catalyst
Hosted by Brad Cooper, approximately one hour.
Health Coach Brad Cooper interviews best-selling authors, world-renowned researchers, elite athletes and respected coaches in an engaging format. The focus is on well-being. The varied topics will broaden your personal care plans. Some episodes that I really liked:
• Conflict: why we are trapped and how to get out of it
• Redefining Wealth: The Keys to True Wealth
• Our hungry brain: why we choose junk food and how to change
The Injured Athletes Club
Hosted by mental skills coach Carrie Jackson and health and fitness journalist and runner Cindy Kuma. Published weekly, about an hour.
Part of being an athlete includes being injured. That’s why these two athletes have joined forces to create a community that offers support and hope to aid recovery. They interview athletes who have recovered from injury (and, in some cases, injury after injury after injury). Topics include:
• Survive setbacks
• Recovery from RED-S
• Develop your identity
I hope you find this list of easy-to-listen podcasts educational, helpful in improving your athletic performance and well-being, and encouraging in meeting the challenges faced by athletes of all ages and abilities.
Listen !
