Cooking For One? Tips, Tricks, & Meal Ideas - Ask a Nutritionist

GLP-1 medications can support weight loss, but without proper nutrition, they may also cause fatigue, muscle loss, and nutrient deficiencies. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, our dietitians explain how these medications affect appetite, digestion, and metabolism, and what to eat to stay nourished. Learn practical strategies to prioritize protein, maintain energy, support gut health, and protect long-term wellness while using GLP-1 medications.

Cooking for one can feel like more effort than it’s worth, but it doesn’t have to mean takeout, snack dinners, or eating the same leftovers all week. In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Kara shares simple, practical strategies to make solo cooking easier, more flexible, and more nourishing. If you’re in a season of cooking for yourself, this episode will help you make real food feel doable again.     

Learn the basics of endometriosis: what it is, common symptoms, and why diagnosis can take years. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explain how inflammation, hormone imbalance, and gut health all contribute to this condition. Discover practical, nutrition-based strategies, including anti-inflammatory foods, essential supplements, and lifestyle habits, that may help reduce pain and support overall wellness for those living with endometriosis.  

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, dietitian Amy Crum explains how to identify if you’re lactose intolerant and what symptoms to watch for. Learn the difference between lactose intolerance and dairy sensitivity, why some people have trouble digesting lactose, and how gut health affects this process. If you’ve ever wondered whether dairy is causing your symptoms, this episode offers clear, practical guidance.  

After a concussion or traumatic brain injury, many people are told to rest and wait it out. But that is only part of the picture. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, licensed dietitians Britni Vincent and Brandy Buro share how real food nutrition can play a powerful role in brain recovery. They explain what happens in the brain after injury, why inflammation and blood sugar balance matter, and which foods and supplements may help support healing.

How much should you weigh? In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, dietician Leah Kleinschrodt breaks down common tools like BMI and ideal body weight formulas, where they fall short, and why weight alone doesn’t tell the full story. She also shares the health markers and lifestyle factors that matter more, from blood sugar and cholesterol to energy, sleep, body composition, and sustainable habits.  

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Brandy Buro discuss multiple sclerosis (MS) and the role of nutrition in supporting brain health and managing symptoms. Learn how inflammation, blood sugar balance, and nutrient deficiencies can impact MS, and discover how simple, practical diet strategies and real-food nutrition may help support the nervous system. If you or a loved one is navigating MS, this episode offers supportive, nutrition-focused guidance.

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, licensed nutritionist Kara Carper explores the connection between depression and gut bacteria, explaining how the gut-brain axis, serotonin production, inflammation, and microbiome diversity may influence mood and mental health. She shares current research on the link between depression and the gut microbiome, along with practical nutrition steps to support healthier gut bacteria.  

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, and research continues to show the important role nutrition and gut health play in prevention and recovery. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explain how diet, inflammation, and the microbiome influence colon health. Learn practical food strategies that support digestive health, including increasing fiber, prioritizing whole foods, and limiting ultra-processed foods.

What causes shingles to flare up later in life? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitian Amy Crum explains how the shingles virus can reactivate when the immune system is weakened. You’ll learn common shingles risk factors and simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies that may help support immune health, including the role of vitamin D, zinc, quality sleep, stress management, and balanced blood sugar.