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The Organic vs. Conventional Food Debate: What You Need to Know
We're diving into the world of organic food which can be a quite overwhelming topic. People are drawn to the idea of organic food because they believe it offers superior health benefits and is better for the environment. In this episode, we dig deeper into the differences, pros, cons, and myths around organic vs. conventional foods so we can be educated consumers.
HOW TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM TRACKING YOUR MACROs
Eventually, there comes a time when you don’t want to or need to be tracking your macros all the time and it’s certainly not something you want to do forever. So, what’s the next step? In today’s post, I’m sharing how you can use what you’ve learned from the process of tracking your macros and transition to more mindful eating practices.
RECIPE: HIGHER PROTEIN CARBONARA PASTA
It’s time to take a trip to Italy - or as close as we can get! Join me in putting a simple spin on a classic meal that seems to be consistently demonized for its higher-than-the-sky calorie counts.
FROM A NUTRITION COACH: Kimberly Zehnder
As nutrition coaches, we have the privilege of building close relationships with our clients as we help guide them toward their goals - be those related to aesthetics or fat loss goals, performance goals, or goals of optimal health. Along the way, as we work on building a better relationship with food and our habits, we get to share parts of our stories that are relevant to our coaching styles. We’re taking time this year to share more about us, our nutrition journeys and transformations, our road to becoming nutrition coaches and educators, and the amazing clients we have the privilege of working with.
The Whitewashing of Healthful Eating: The Cultural Void in "Healthy" Foods
We explore the significance of integrating cultural foods into our sustainable approach to nutrition. By acknowledging the enjoyment and cultural importance of the foods we love, we can break free from restrictive dietary norms and embrace a more diverse and inclusive perspective on health.
WHY YOUR NUTRITION NEEDS AN OFF-SEASON: PERIODIZING OUR APPROACH TO NUTRITION FOR LONG TERM FAT LOSS, PERFORMANCE, AND HEALTH GOALS
It’s just as important to develop strategies for times when you don’t have the capacity for laser focus as it is to maintain consistency when you’re aggressively pursuing a goal. Maybe even more so, because you will have times in your life where your nutrition-related goals have to take a back seat.
Orthorexia: how Our Obsession With Healthy Eating is Making Us Unhealthy
Can trying to be too healthy have negative outcomes? Orthorexia is the product of taking health too far; when the pursuit of “clean” eating turns into disordered eating behaviors. Learn more about risk factors, statistics around orthorexia, and how we can bring awareness to our behaviors so we pursue our health in a safe and sustainable way.
HIGH PROTEIN PB&J GREEK YOGURT BOWL: A QUICK AND EASY MACRO FRIENDLY SNACK
Looking for a quick and easy breakfast or snack that's packed with protein and flavor? Look no further than this PB&J Greek Yogurt Bowl! With just a few simple ingredients and zero cooking required, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious.
Is Ozempic “Good” or “Bad?” Cutting through the noise and navigating the nuance of semaglutide injections
Discover the Pros and Cons of Ozempic: Unveiling the Good and Bad Impacts. We delve into the world of Ozempic, examining its potential benefits and drawbacks. Learn how this medication can positively impact your health, aiding in weight loss and blood sugar control. However, we also explore the potential side effects and considerations to keep in mind. Gain valuable insights and make an informed decision about Ozempic's suitability for you.
FROM A NUTRITION COACH: KENNY
As nutrition coaches, we have the privilege of building close relationships with our clients as we help guide them toward their goals - be those related to aesthetics or fat loss goals, performance goals, or goals of optimal health. Along the way, as we work on building a better relationship with food and our habits, we get to share parts of our stories that are relevant to our coaching styles. We’re taking time this year to share more about us, our nutrition journeys and transformations, our road to becoming nutrition coaches and educators, and the amazing clients we have the privilege of working with.
3 EASY SPRING SALAD RECIPES: HIGH VOLUME AND MACRO FRIENDLY SALAD COMBOS FOR WARMER WEATHER
To me, salads are a great way to add veggies to your day, to clean out your refrigerator and put leftovers to good use, and to pack in a lot of nutrients in a single meal. They are easy to customize, simple to make, a great option regardless of your nutrition goals, and a food I hope we can redeem after it has been clouded by diet culture.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: SOUTHWEST TURKEY BURGERS
Burgers are a love language in our household, so it only seemed fitting for me to share a burger recipe as a favorite of mine! These healthy southwest turkey burgers are in our monthly recipe rotation for meal prep because they’re that good. They’re great for weekly meal prep and also work wonderfully for a yummy weekend meal when hosting friends or for holiday weekends like Memorial Day coming up.
FROM AN ONLINE NUTRITION COACH: DIANA
As nutrition coaches, we have the privilege of building close relationships with our clients as we help guide them toward their goals - be those related to aesthetics or fat loss goals, performance goals, or goals of optimal health. Along the way, as we work on building a better relationship with food and our habits, we get to share parts of our stories that are relevant to our coaching styles. We’re taking time this year to share more about us, our nutrition journeys and transformations, our road to becoming nutrition coaches and educators, and the amazing clients we have the privilege of working with.
TRACKING MACROS WHILE TRAVELING
Whether you’re off to the beach for a summer vacation or heading out for some international adventures, traveling is great but can also be a bit stressful. We believe that eating the foods you enjoy should not require restricting, rationalizing, or guilt. This post will help you find strategies that will keep you on track as you travel and navigate situations that are not totally in your control.
EASY SHEET PAN DINNER RECIPE: HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN THIGHS AND VEGGIEs
The sheet pan meal: a forever go-to for my family and truly the MVP of easy, low-maintenance dinners. This honey garlic chicken and veggies recipe is simple and tastes great — and will fit your macros too!
FROM A NUTRITION COACH: CAITLIN
As nutrition coaches, we have the privilege of building close relationships with our clients as we help guide them toward their goals - be those related to aesthetics or fat loss goals, performance goals, or goals of optimal health. Along the way, as we work on building a better relationship with food and our habits, we get to share parts of our stories that are relevant to our coaching styles. We’re taking time this year to share more about us, our nutrition journeys and transformations, our road to becoming nutrition coaches and educators, and the amazing clients we have the privilege of working with.
VITAMINS: A DEEP DIVE
We have learned a bit of the background on vitamins and minerals - small examples of why they are important in our bodies and a few ramifications for overall health - and we can now deep dive specifically into one type of micronutrient: vitamins.
EASY PEANUT BUTTER MUFFINS: A QUICK AND HEALTHY SNACK RECIPE
When I say this recipe is quick and easy, I really mean it. It requires dumping a bunch of ingredients into the blender, blending, and then baking. Can you beat that?
HIGH FIBER MEAL PREP RECIPE: HONEY MUSTARD DENSE BEAN SALAD (WITH MACROS!)
If you’ve been on the internet recently you may have seen the popular trend of “dense bean salads.” In an online space where there are lots of questionable trends circulating, this is one that I can wholeheartedly get behind! The idea behind a “dense bean salad” is that it’s a recipe packed with ingredients that get better day by day as the ingredients marinate longer. This dense bean salad I’m sharing today is no exception. It’s flavorful, high in protein (with plant-based options available to boost protein without animal products!), high in fiber, and incredibly customizable.
WHAT PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT MAINTAINING WEIGHT LOSS
There will always be periods of time, whether it’s weeks, months, or years, where you may not be able to maintain your leanest or fittest point, and that’s normal. But if you take time to build foundational skills and habits, you can keep that maintenance range in a place that feels good to you. And you can always return to some of those more time-intensive skills and practices when capacity allows.
SOBER CURIOUS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: HOW ALCOHOL IMPACTS OUR MACROS, BODY COMPOSITION, AND OVERALL PROGRESS
The holiday season often conjures images of festive gatherings, joyous celebrations, and, inevitably, alcohol. For many, these moments include a glass of wine, a cocktail, or a beer to toast the occasion. However, an increasing number of people are becoming "sober curious," re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. This movement isn't about outright abstinence but about mindfulness and understanding how alcohol impacts our bodies, especially concerning health and fitness goals. Let's explore how alcohol affects our health, particularly in the realms of fat loss, sleep, and overall wellness.
MAKING MACRO-TRACKING BUDGET FRIENDLY
With grocery prices rising, getting high-quality food (especially protein!) can be challenging. In this blog post, I’m breaking down some great budget-friendly grocery options by macronutrients that is perfect for those tracking macros and looking to eat well without breaking the bank.
HAVING A COACH THROUGH “MAINTENANCE MODE”: INSURANCE FOR LONG TERM NUTRITIONAL SUCCESS
A maintenance phase is arguably the most important season of our nutrition since it’s where we can best focus on the habits that help us find harmony with our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Without the prioritization of changing our bodies, the other aspects of our lives that we value can better be at the forefront. However, that doesn’t mean that body composition can’t remain in the periphery. The foundational habits that we develop before or alongside a focused fat loss phase, with the goal of long-term physical change, continuously support small aesthetic changes over time.
Q&A: HORMONAL HEALTH, SUPPLEMENT SAFETY, AND SET POINT WEIGHT THEORY
The large majority of individuals probably don’t need to worry about their hormonal health. If you are struggling with your hormonal health, that is absolutely an indicator to see an endocrinologist - not a trainer, nutritionist, or wellness influencer! What supports our hormonal health most are the basics that support our overall health: exercising sensibly, giving ourselves time to recover, managing stress levels, eating a balanced and high quality diet and not chronically dieting. Hormonal health is incredibly important, so this is not about minimizing that importants; rather, it’s a reminder that the “boring stuff” is often what we overlook when it should be our first priority.
MACRO FRIENDLY DESSERT: SALTED CARAMEL APPLE YOGURT BARK
Tracking your macros doesn’t have to be restrictive and in fact, we pride ourselves on coaching our clients on ways to be more flexible with their food choices. We feel it’s important to include foods that you love and that means dessert and sweet treats! This peanut butter salted caramel apple yogurt bark is the perfect sweet treat for this season (or any season, really!) It’s super easy to make and for 22g of protein per serving, it can actually play a role in helping you nail your protein goals!
EMBRACE FLEXIBILITY AND ENJOY SOME PIZZA: TIPS FOR MACRO-FRIENDLY PIZZA NIGHT
When I start working with a client, they typically believe that they can't enjoy pizza AND eat “healthy” at the same time. Their experience tells them that pizza is a “bad” food, it’s a cheat meal, and it will definitely make them gain body fat. But often, that’s a fear of food and diet culture talking. By embracing a flexible approach to eating and incorporating some macro-friendly strategies, pizza can be part of a balanced approach to nutrition. Grab a slice, and let’s dig in!
TRACKING MACROS VS. COUNTING CALORIES: WHICH APPROACH SHOULD YOU TAKE WHEN WORKING TOWARDS YOUR FAT LOSS, PERFORMANCE, AND HEALTH GOALS?
At its core, counting calories is about ensuring you consume a specific number of calories each day. It's a straightforward approach focusing solely on energy intake versus energy expenditure. While this can be effective for weight management, it doesn't address the quality or composition of the food you're eating. Tracking macros, on the other hand, involves breaking down your calorie intake into three key nutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each of these macronutrients plays a unique role in your body. By paying attention to the specific amounts of each, you can optimize not only your overall caloric intake but also support your body's functional needs.
CHANGE TAKES TIME: WHY WORK WITH A NUTRITION COACH FOR 6 MONTHS?
At KLN, we require a six-month commitment from our clients, and there's a good reason for it. When you first join us, we take the time to get to know YOU – your habits, history, and what makes your daily life tick. This isn't something we can rush through-- it takes TIME! Time need to see how you live, how you interact with food, and how different factors affect your eating patterns. Getting to know you as an individual - your lifestyle, your needs, and what keeps you motivated - is crucial for providing the absolute best guidance and support from your coach.
3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR MEALS MORE FILLING: MACRO-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR SATIETY
If you’re in a calorie deficit and working towards fat loss goals, a main goal should be minimizing any feelings of restriction or hunger so you can maximize adherence to your deficit. This is why we, as coaches, take a strong stance against aggressive and unsustainable deficits. If our hunger is through the roof each day, it’s not very likely that we’ll be able to adhere to that calorie deficit for long. Luckily, there are tools that can help us minimize hunger and, luckily, those same tools also keep us well-fueled and promote our overall health as well.
EASY MEAL PREP LUNCH: TRADER JOE’S SHAWARMA CHICKEN SALAD
Using pre-made ingredients and components can really streamline your kitchen process and help you experiment with new foods and flavors without having to resort to complicated or time consuming recipes. Introducing a favorite of mine: this ridiculously easy, high protein, veggie-packed chicken salad.