By Jennifer Youngren, NDTR Most people carry a food story shaped not just by personal experiences but also by family dynamics, culture, and systemic diet messaging. In my work with adolescents and adults navigating eating disorder recovery, I often remind clients: you are not your food behaviors. What you eat or don’t eat has roots that deserve exploration, not shame. Food Behaviors Are Adaptive Responses Disordered eating isn’t rooted in vanity or lack of discipline; it’s ro

Some days begin in a hush. The sky is dim, the clouds hang low, and the air feels still. Rainy, gray weather has a way of making everything feel slower and more distant. If you have noticed changes in your mood, energy, or appetite during these kinds of days, it is not just your imagination. There are measurable, physiological shifts that happen in the body in response to prolonged overcast weather, and understanding them can help you care for yourself more intentionally. How

I'm so excited to share that I’ve been featured in the Spring 2025 issue of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (VN DPG) Newsletter, a professional publication by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This is a meaningful moment for me, not just as a credentialed Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR), but also as a passionate nutritionist continuing my graduate studies and working toward my RD credential. I’m incredibly proud to contribute to a c

By Jennifer Youngren, NDTR Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are essential for maintaining a variety of bodily functions. These nutrients support everything from immune function and cell growth to bone health and metabolic processes. The interesting thing is that they don’t directly supply the body with calories or energy. Instead, they enable the body to metabolize and use the energy stored in macronutrients effectively. For example, think about iron. Iron is