Jen is the Manager of Nutrition and Healthy Living Programs at SAS Institute in Cary, NC. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner. Outside of work, Jen enjoys hiking with her family, practicing yoga and spending quality time with her dogs.
Most of us think about digestion only shortly after we eat or if we experience gastrointestinal symptoms, but our guts are busy clearing leftover food particles, waste, and bacteria long after a meal. This digestive tract housekeeping involves a pattern of cleansing waves called the migrating motor complex (MMC), and
When people talk about gut health, they often jump straight to probiotics, skipping over the foundation — feeding existing gut microbes a wide selection of plant foods. A variety of plants offer different fibers, resistant starches, and polyphenols that fuel beneficial microorganisms and support a diverse, resilient microbiome. In recent
We know eating in a way that decreases harmful chemicals in our environment and our bodies is a worthy cause, but trying to eat to support both your health and the Earth’s can feel overwhelming — especially when you also have a budget, a busy schedule, and a brain that’s
At the end of a long day, answering the question “What’s for dinner?” can feel like one more decision that you’d rather not make. AI can transform meal planning from just another task on your to-do list to an opportunity to organize and prepare meals at home with confidence, creativity,
From skin to muscle to bone to brain, vitamin D affects nearly every cell in the human body and impacts both short-term and long-term health. Unfortunately, indoor lifestyles, wintertime low-angle sunlight, and other factors make it challenging for many people to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D. In fact, recent
If you’ve ever been jolted awake by a muscle cramp in the middle of the night, you know just how painful and frustrating they can be, possibly leaving you sore for hours after the unwelcome surprise. Unlike typical muscle soreness, muscle cramps can strike unexpectedly extreme intensity, often when you’re
Have you ever found yourself bursting with motivation to overhaul your diet and dive into a new workout regimen, only to feel overwhelmed and burn out within weeks? Or maybe you’ve made such minimal changes — like swapping one processed snack for another — that you didn’t see any real
Dairy has been a dietary staple for thousands of years, providing essential nutrients and enhancing the flavor of many dishes. Although dairy is recognized for its strong nutritional profile, concerns about its potential to trigger gastrointestinal discomfort and inflammation have contributed to increasing confusion. In response to this confusion and
Choosing whole foods is the simplest way to eat high-quality ingredients like dietary fats. But let’s be real, packaged and convenience foods are part of most modern lifestyles. When you grab an ultra-processed snack or pre-made meal, front-of-package claims can be misleading. Knowing what to look for on the nutrition facts
Dietary fats often get a bad rap, but they’re essential for every cell in your body. Gram-for-gram, fats contain a little more than twice the calories of protein and carbohydrates, which is why they’re often targeted when trying to cut calories.
