Discovering Nutrition with Cronometer

Do you need to balance your hormones? Is collagen worth buying? And can years of dieting really damage your metabolism? In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with registered dietitian and nutrition researcher Kevin Klatt, PhD, RD, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, to unpack the nutrition and wellness claims filling our social feeds. Kevin explains how he evaluates evidence, why a convincing biological explanation doesn’t establish that a treatment works, and why uncertainty belongs in honest health advice. He also shares his perspective as a researcher and someone navigating an autoimmune condition. Together, they discuss hormone balancing, perimenopause, protein and fibermaxxing, diet soda, collagen supplements, gut-healing claims, food-sensitivity tests, metabolic adaptation, and anti-inflammatory diets. They also explore MTHFR and prenatal vitamin claims, pregnancy nutrition anxiety, food guilt, and the role of nutrition tracking. Whether you’re choosing supplements, making sense of conflicting advice, or trying to feel more at ease with your food choices, this episode offers a candid and funny conversation about what we know, what we’re still learning, and how to keep wellness promises in perspective. Watch more episodes of Discovering Nutrition on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favourite podcast platform. Guest: Kevin Klatt, PhD, RD Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto Faculty profile Instagram: @kcklatt Kevin’s writing Key Notes What hormone-balancing claims mean and why specificity matters. What fiber and estrogen research can tell us about menopause claims. Why protein and fiber targets need the context of the whole diet. Why mouse studies don’t automatically translate into human diet advice. Kevin’s perspective on diet soda, collagen, and supplement priorities. Questioning gut-healing promises and commercial food-sensitivity tests. Metabolic adaptation and claims of permanent damage from dieting. Inflammatory markers versus improvements in symptoms and quality of life. MTHFR, prenatal marketing, and fear around pregnancy nutrition. Using tracking alongside flexibility and enjoyment of food. Timestamps: (00:00) Your Biggest Nutrition Questions (00:32) What Does Hormone Balancing Mean? (04:33) Perimenopause, Symptoms & Finding Good Care (07:59) Fiber, Estrogen & Menopause Claims (15:26) Women’s Health Research & Wellness Sales Pitches (17:26) Proteinmaxxing & Fibermaxxing (25:08) Mouse Studies & Human Nutrition Advice (32:49) Why Nutrition Is So Hard to Study (42:07) How Much Flexibility Is There in a Healthy Diet? (46:52) What Kevin Actually Eats (52:30) Food Guilt & Trying to Eat Perfectly (55:55) Tracking, Wearables & Health Habits (59:02) Diet Soda: What Does the Evidence Say? (01:03:03) Collagen Supplements, Skin & Protein Goals (01:08:40) Can You Heal Your Gut? (01:12:44) Food-Sensitivity Tests & Getting Support (01:20:35) Can Dieting Damage Your Metabolism? (01:24:49) What Does Anti-Inflammatory Mean? (01:37:15) Turmeric & Weighing Supplement Claims (01:40:35) MTHFR, Folic Acid & Prenatal Claims (01:46:11) Pregnancy Nutrition & The Pressure to Be Perfect (01:53:05) Heavy Metals, Fear & Your Social Feed (01:56:27) Where to Find Kevin & His Research

When GLP-1 medications change your appetite, how do you make sure your body still gets the nutrition it needs? In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with integrative registered dietitian Erin Jowett to explore nutrition on GLP-1 medications, the challenges of eating with a reduced appetite, and the importance of planning for weight maintenance. Drawing on her experience in medical weight management and longevity care, Erin explains how she distinguishes hunger, appetite, and cravings, why nutrient density matters when portions get smaller, and how nutrition tracking can help people make every bite count. Together, they discuss protein, muscle preservation, fiber, hydration, constipation, hair loss, and how Cronometer can support a closer look at nutrient intake. They also explore the emotional side of weight management, the influence of diet culture, and the shame that can surround using medication for weight loss. Whether you’re considering GLP-1 medications, already taking one, or curious about the nutrition behind weight management, this episode offers a practical and compassionate conversation about nourishing your body, building sustainable habits, and thinking beyond the number on the scale. Watch more episodes of Discovering Nutrition on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favourite podcast platform. Guest: Erin Jowett, RD Company: Integrative Weight and Wellness Website: integrativeweightandwellness.com Key Notes What Erin wishes people understood before taking their first dose of a GLP-1 medication. Understanding the differences between hunger, appetite, and cravings. Recognizing your body’s need for fuel when you don’t feel like eating. Making every bite count through nutrient density and food variety. How Cronometer can help you look beyond calories and understand your nutrient intake. The role of protein in supporting muscle during weight loss. Why fiber variety, hydration, and digestive comfort belong in the GLP-1 conversation. Discussing hair loss, rapid weight loss, and potential nutrient gaps with your care team. Planning for maintenance and exploring what happens after stopping medication. Navigating diet culture, stigma, and the idea that using medication is “cheating.”

Most of us don't think twice about what happens after we flush—but what if your poop could tell you about your gut health, hydration, and even your long-term health? In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with Scott Hickle, Co-Founder and CEO of Throne, to explore how our bathroom habits can reveal valuable insights about digestion, hydration, food intolerances, and overall wellness. Scott shares the story behind building a smart toilet device that automatically tracks gut health and hydration, why poop became such a taboo topic, and how continuous health tracking could help people detect changes in their health earlier. Together, they discuss the Bristol Stool Scale, fiber, coffee, period poops, travel constipation, GLP-1 medications, hydration, and why understanding your own digestive patterns may be one of the most overlooked tools in preventive health. Whether you're curious about gut health, fascinated by the science of digestion, or simply wondering if your poop is "normal," this episode offers an educational—and surprisingly entertaining—look at one of the most important indicators of overall health. Watch more episodes of Discovering Nutrition on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favourite podcast platform. Guest: Scott Hickle Company: Throne Science Website: https://www.thronescience.com Key Notes - Why Scott founded Throne after learning how often patients send photos of their stool to physicians. - What your poop can reveal about gut health, hydration, digestion, and overall wellness. - Why bowel movements became a taboo topic—and how that impacts public health today. - Understanding the Bristol Stool Scale and what a healthy bowel movement actually looks like. - How stress, travel, hydration, fiber, coffee, hormones, and food intolerances affect digestion. - Why colorectal cancer is increasing in younger adults and the importance of early detection. - How continuous tracking can help identify patterns that traditional recall often misses. - The science behind hydration, underhydration, and why water may be the "forgotten nutrient." - How GLP-1 medications can affect digestion and bowel habits. - Why personalized health tracking is key to understanding your own body's unique patterns.

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with Joel Holdener, a Cronometer user from Revelstoke, BC, to talk about his health transformation, his relationship with food, and how tracking helped him take control of his nutrition. Joel shares how he started using Cronometer in December 2024 after reaching his heaviest weight of 328.9 pounds, and how simply seeing what he was eating became the catalyst for major change. Joel opens up about the motivation cycles that kept him starting and stopping in the past, why extreme restriction didn’t work long term, and how tracking helped him move away from shame and toward awareness. Together, he and Eliisa discuss calorie deficits, moderation, binge-and-restrict cycles, GLP-1s, food noise, hydration, sleep, protein, body recomposition, and the role strength training has played in helping Joel feel healthier and more confident. They also explore Joel’s experience navigating an autoimmune diagnosis, why improving his physical health became something he could control, and how starting with small, realistic changes helped him build momentum. Whether you’re just starting your own health journey, trying to build consistency, or looking for a more sustainable way to track your nutrition, this episode offers an honest and inspiring look at what can happen when you stop relying on motivation and start building habits that last. Follow Joel on Instagram: beefyy.lifts   Key Notes: How Joel discovered Cronometer and why tracking what he was already eating helped him create awareness before making changes. Why motivation alone wasn’t enough, and how discipline and consistency helped Joel stay on track. How tracking helped Joel move away from food shame, all-or-nothing thinking, and the idea that one high-calorie day ruins your progress. Why hydration, sleep, protein, and strength training became key parts of Joel’s transformation. Joel’s experience with GLP-1 medication, food noise, and deciding to continue his weight loss journey through nutrition and training. How body recomposition, calorie awareness, and small adjustments helped Joel lose weight while building strength. Why Joel believes the best place to start is simply tracking what you eat, learning from the data, and making changes gradually.

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with fitness coach, creator, and Bounce Forward co-founder Marlie Cohen to explore what sustainable health and fitness can look like for women navigating motherhood, busy schedules, changing bodies, and years of diet culture. As a mom of two, Marlie shares why she rejects the pressure to “bounce back” and instead helps women build strength, confidence, and habits that move them forward. Marlie shares her own journey with postpartum fitness, macro tracking, and rebuilding trust with food. Together, she and Eliisa discuss the all-or-nothing mindset, why so many women fear carbohydrates, and how tracking nutrition can create more awareness and freedom rather than restriction. They also explore why under-eating during the day can lead to cravings at night, how food noise impacts daily choices, and why consistency matters more than perfection. Whether you’re trying to improve your relationship with food, build muscle, feel stronger, or create a routine that fits into real life, this episode offers an honest and practical look at macros, motherhood, strength training, and sustainable progress.   Key Notes: Why Marlie created Bounce Forward and why she believes women don’t need to “bounce back” after motherhood or major life changes. How the all-or-nothing mindset can keep people stuck in cycles of restriction, guilt, and starting over. Why tracking nutrition can create awareness, reduce food noise, and support more freedom around eating. How fear of carbohydrates, under-eating during the day, and cravings at night are often connected. Why strength training is so important for women, especially as they age, and how to start in a realistic way. How small habits like tracking protein, lifting weights, drinking water, and paying attention to how you feel can build lasting progress over time.

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with Aaron Davidson, Founder and CEO of Cronometer, to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in nutrition tracking and health technology. Together, they discuss why AI has become one of the biggest topics in digital health, how Cronometer approaches AI differently, and why accuracy, trust, and user privacy remain central to every feature they build. Aaron shares an inside look at how AI is already making nutrition tracking easier through tools like photo logging, voice logging, and AI Coach, while exploring why no AI system should replace critical thinking or reliable nutrition data. They also discuss the balance between innovation and responsibility, how AI can help people better understand their health, and why human expertise continues to play an essential role alongside emerging technology. Whether you’re curious about AI, interested in the future of nutrition tracking, or wondering how to separate meaningful innovation from hype, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation about building health technology people can trust. Key Notes: Why Cronometer has taken a cautious, evidence-based approach to introducing AI features. How photo logging, voice logging, and AI Coach are designed to improve the nutrition tracking experience while maintaining user control. Why accurate nutrition data remains essential when making health decisions. How AI can help users better understand their nutrition without replacing human judgment or professional guidance. Why privacy, transparency, and thoughtful product design are critical as AI becomes more integrated into health technology.

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with physiotherapist Fraser Sprigings, owner of Keystone Health in Revelstoke, BC, to explore the realities of concussion recovery and brain health. Drawing on more than 25 years of clinical experience, Fraser explains how concussions happen, why no two recoveries are the same, and what current research says about returning to activity safely.   Fraser shares practical guidance on recognizing concussion symptoms, avoiding common recovery mistakes, and supporting healing through gradual movement, proper sleep, hydration, and nutrition. They also discuss why helmets reduce, but don’t eliminate the risk of concussion, the importance of individualized care, and how multidisciplinary support can make recovery more effective.   Whether you’re an athlete, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply want to better understand how to care for your brain after a head injury, this episode offers an evidence-based look at concussion management, recovery strategies, and the importance of seeking professional guidance.     Key Notes: Why every concussion is different and how symptoms can vary widely from person to person. The latest guidance on concussion recovery, including why complete rest is no longer recommended after the first 48 hours.   How sleep, hydration, whole foods, and gradual physical activity support brain recovery.   Common concussion myths, including misconceptions about helmets, screen time, and waking someone overnight. Why working with healthcare professionals—and practicing patience and self-compassion—can improve long-term recovery outcomes.  

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with registered nutritional therapist Anna Mapson to explore the often confusing world of gut health. Together, they unpack why digestive symptoms can be so difficult to understand, how restrictive eating patterns develop, and why social media has made nutrition advice both more accessible and more overwhelming.   Anna shares practical insights on identifying food triggers, understanding the relationship between stress and digestion, and building a healthier, more sustainable approach to managing gut symptoms. The conversation also dives into probiotics, fiber, fermented foods, nutrition tracking, and the fear of eating that can emerge when digestive issues begin to impact daily life.   Whether you’re navigating IBS or other digestive concerns, or simply looking to better understand your body’s signals, this episode offers a balanced, evidence-based perspective on gut health that prioritizes curiosity, flexibility, and long-term wellbeing.   Key Notes: Why gut health is highly individual and digestive symptoms aren’t always caused by the same foods or habits. How restrictive diets and food fear can impact both nutrition and quality of life. The role of stress, probiotics, fiber, and fermented foods in supporting digestive health. Why social media nutrition advice can be misleading and how to focus on evidence-based fundamentals. Practical strategies for rebuilding confidence around food and expanding your diet over time.

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with women’s health dietitian Steph Greunke to explore how nutrition needs shift across adolescence, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. Together, they unpack why women are often underserved in these life stages, how social media has complicated nutrition advice, and what it means to take a more personalized, evidence-based approach to health. Steph shares practical insights on everything from bone health and iron needs in adolescence to choline, DHA, and protein during pregnancy and postpartum. The conversation also dives into body image, postpartum depletion, the pressure women face to “bounce back,” and why foundational habits like eating enough, prioritizing protein, and asking for support matter more than perfection. It is an honest, informative episode that brings nuance and clarity to women’s health nutrition. Key Notes: Why women’s nutrition needs change significantly across adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. How social media has made women’s health advice louder, more confusing, and often less personalized. Why pregnancy nutrition is about nutrient density, not simply “eating for two”. The often-overlooked reality of postpartum depletion and why moms need support, not just survival strategies. Why protein, movement, and metabolic health become even more important in perimenopause and menopause. How to focus on strong nutritional foundations without falling into perfectionism or comparison Links: https://www.stephgreunke.com/ https://www.instagram.com/stephgreunke/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/doctor-mom-podcast-practical-tips-to-be-a-proactive-parent/id973303969  

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with Matt Rosenan, better known as Cheat Day Design, to unpack the world of food labels, nutrition marketing, and the stories we tell ourselves about “healthy” eating. From RXBARs and Gushers to Pop-Tarts and protein claims, Matt explains how brands shape perception without technically lying, and why learning to read beyond the front of the package matters. The conversation also gets personal, as Matt reflects on his own early experiences with body image, calorie awareness, and fitness culture, and how those moments shaped the work he does today. Together, Eliisa and Matt explore the fine line between informed choices and food fear, why “good” and “bad” labels can be harmful, and how a more balanced, realistic relationship with food can support long-term health. This is a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about nutrition nuance, marketing tactics, and why enjoying food still matters.   Key Notes: How food packaging and marketing shape our definition of “healthy” Why front-of-package claims do not always tell the full nutrition story Matt’s personal experience with body image, calorie awareness, and fitness culture The harm in labeling foods as strictly “good” or “bad” How social media fuels nutrition confusion and oversimplifies health advice Why a balanced, realistic relationship with food matters more than perfection   https://cheatdaydesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cheatdaydesign/ https://www.youtube.com/mattrosenman