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 several credible podcasts that focus on general nutrition, sports nutrition, malnutrition, injury recovery, and other topics of interest to athletes looking 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 doing the dishes, I hope you enjoy listening to these podcasts (some of my personal favorites). They offer an amazing opportunity to learn (for free!) from some top-notch researchers and clinicians.
Podcasts focused on everyday food topics
SoundbitesRD
Hosted by Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD Posted twice a month and about an hour long.
Melissa is among the first nutritionists to venture into podcasting. She has now recorded more than 226 episodes and has thousands of listeners. Her information is popular with nutritionists and the general public alike. You’ll learn about all things related to your daily diet, with a focus on current food topics and controversies. Melissa does a great job of getting into the science, psychology, and strategies behind good food and nutrition. A few examples of topics covered include:
• Body image and your relationship with food
• The science of sweetness
• The difference between animal welfare and animal rights
On the spot!
Hosted by Joanne Salge Blake, RD Published twice a month, lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Joan teaches nutrition at Boston University. Her podcast is aimed at college students, but is of interest to everyone. Joan’s lively, 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 exactly is a sustainable diet?
• The latest in food allergies
• Do you need beef to bulk up?
Podcasts focused on sports nutrition
The Long Munch – Nutrition for runners, cyclists and triathletes
Hosted by two Australian sports nutritionists. It is published every week, lasting about an hour.
Stephanie Gaskell has a special interest in gastrointestinal nutrition and Alan McCubbin researches hydration and sodium for endurance sports at Monash University in Melbourne. To familiarize yourself with the rich variety of topics covered in The Long Munch, I suggest you listen to the birthday year in review. You’ll hear a three- to five-minute summary of each weekly podcast. You can then come back for more in-depth information by listening to the episodes that interest you. Example topics include:
• Do I need to have regular blood tests? If so, what should I test for?
• How much sodium should I replace during exercise?
• Are sports drinks and gels bad for my teeth?
Performance Nutrition
Hosted by Dr. Mark Bubbs, Doctor of Naturopathy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. It is published every month, lasting about 60 minutes.
Mark is the Director of Performance Nutrition at Canada Basketball. On his podcast, he connects you with leading experts from around the world and discusses performance nutrition topics. Sample topics:
• Nutrition and training for stronger tendons and ligaments
• The impact of dehydration on teams and endurance athletes
• The misunderstood science of metabolism
Make your meal
Hosted by sports nutritionists Marita Radloff, RD, and Sarah Schlichter. It is published every week, lasting about 60 minutes.
The podcasters are athletes and moms as well as registered sports nutritionists and tackle a variety of topics from many perspectives, such as:
• Nutrients of concern for plant-based athletes
• What my eating disorder took away from me
• Cut back on nutrition for the marathon
Podcasts offering support to athletes struggling with food, injury and life
A voice in sports
Hosted by Stephanie Strack, former athlete and advocate for the advancement of women in sport. It is published every week, lasting about 45 minutes.
Steph interviews women who have excelled in sports and asks about their journeys. Her guests share untold stories about topics rarely discussed, such as their struggles with body image, eating disorders, mental health and nutrition. Young athletes will find hope and inspiration from this podcast as they listen to how these women survived their tough journeys. Listeners will learn that they are not the only ones who find it difficult to make the transition from high school sports to college teams to professional sports. Sample episodes include:
• Andy Sullivan, soccer pro, talks about how she built confidence and improved her mental approach to the sport.
• Elyse Kopecky, author of Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow, shares her experience as a runner facing many injuries.
• Allie Ostrander, runner and three-time NCAA champion, shares her journey with poor nutrition.
Catalyst’s Health, Wellness and Performance Coaching
Hosted by Brad Cooper, about an hour long.
Health coach Brad Cooper interviews best-selling authors, world-renowned researchers, elite athletes and respected coaches in an engaging format. The overall focus is on wellness. A variety of themes will expand your self-service plans. A few episodes I really enjoyed:
• Conflict: Why we are trapped and how to escape
• Redefining Wealth: Keys to True Wealth
• Our Hungry Brain: Why We Choose Junk and How to Change
The Injured Athletes Club
Hosted by mental skills coach Carrie Jackson and health and fitness journalist and runner Cindy Kuma. It is published every week, lasting about an hour.
Part of being an athlete includes injury. That’s why these two athletes joined forces to create a community that offers support and hope to help make recovery easier. They interview athletes who have recovered from injury (and in some cases injury after injury after injury). Topics include:
• Experiencing failures
• Recovery from RED-S
• Expanding 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 as you tackle the challenges that athletes of all ages and abilities face.
Listen!