Kara Lydon | The Foodie Dietitian Blog

The Facts About MSG and Umami (No, MSG is not bad for you)

October 15th, 2018 | Posted in health & wellness, Intuitive Eating | 16 comments

Have some preconceived notions around MSG? Today I’m providing the facts about MSG and umami so you can make an informed decision on whether or not your beliefs are worth holding on to.This post is not sponsored and was fueled by pure passion. However, I did receive sponsored travel this year to Japan and The World Umami Forum in NYC by Ajinomoto. Ajinomoto did not sponsor today’s post.

This post has been a long time coming. As a dietitian who works primarily with clients who want to make peace with food, dispelling food fears is my passion. With an overemphasis on (and borderline obsession with) health and wellness, coupled with fear-mongering media outlets and influencers, we have become a society that is fearful of the food we eat. Our restrictions, eliminations and rigid thinking around food in the pursuit of health is actually hurting our mental and emotional health and…

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese with Kale (and sage breadcrumbs)

October 11th, 2018 | Posted in Entree, Holiday, Recipe ReDux, Recipes | 46 comments

An inspired and elevated classic comfort food staple, this sweet potato mac and cheese with kale is packed with the sweet taste of sweet potato and the earthy, savory flavor of sage. Plus, the added veggies help make this a more balanced pasta dish!I think I’m having a pumpkin hangover. You know the feeling, right?! When you get really excited that fall is officially here and go on a pumpkin bender, eating, cooking, and pinning ALL THE THINGS PUMPKIN. And then you kinda crash and realize you’ve been neglecting all the other amazing produce of fall.Although seriously tempted to break out the pumpkin (I’ve still got some leftovers from last week’s Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl), I decided to be an equal opportunity fall produce enthusiast and make a dish featuring a different kind of orange – the sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are not only deliciously sweet, they’re packed with fiber, potassium, and…

3 Days in Lake Como (Varenna)

October 10th, 2018 | Posted in Travels | 8 comments

A guide for what to see and where to eat during 3 days in Lake Como, Italy.This kicks off our Italy travel series! I wasn’t sure whether or not you guys get sick of the multiple travel posts and if I should just do one 3-week Italy recap but I was psyched to learn from you guys on IG that you’re into the multiple detailed travel recaps! So let’s start with a quick rundown of our itinerary for 3 weeks in Italy in case you’re looking at big picture where to travel in Italy.

Day 1: Leave Boston

Day 2: Arrive in Milan (one night)

Day 3-5: Lake Como (3 nights)

Day 6-8: Venice (3 nights)

Day 9-11: Cinque Terre (3 nights)

Day 12-13: Florence (2 nights)

Day 14-15: Siena (2 nights)

Day 16-18: Montepulciano (3 nights)

Day 19-21: Rome (3 nights)

Would we change anything to our itinerary? The…

Slow Cooker Chipotle Corn Chowder

October 4th, 2018 | Posted in Appetizer, Entree, Recipes | 43 comments

Slow Cooker Chipotle Corn Chowder takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and packs in a bit of heat for a whole lot of flavor. Ok I know corn chowder is like a summer thing but roll with me for a minute.

Who wants to hot soup in the summer? I don’t care how fresh the corn is. You will rarely find me eating soup in the heat. Chowder in the fall though is something I can wrap my head around and sink my spoon into.

I figured this corn chowder would be the perfect beginning of fall soup because I’m still seeing the last of summer fresh corn at the farmer’s market and abundant in the grocery store. Also I LOOOOVE how easy this recipe is. The only work you have to do is chop some potatoes, shuck some corn, turn on your slow cooker and let it do the rest of…

40 Best Chili Recipes

September 28th, 2018 | Posted in Entree, Recipes | No comments yet

As the weather gets cooler, sweaters come out, and pumpkin pie spice lines store shelves, it’s the perfect time for chili. Ideal for weeknight dinners or to feed a crowd, I’m pretty sure chili is THE classic one pot meal. It’s also not just ground beef and tomatoes; chili is extremely versatile, showcased by the 40 best chili recipes below!Raspberry Chipotle Black Bean Chili via Fannetastic FoodInstant Pot Chicken and Sweet Potato Chili via Jessica Ivey

Hearty Beef and Bean Pumpkin Chili via Jennifer Hunt

Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin Chili via My Menu Pal

Sweet n’ Smoky Chili via Smart NutritionButternut Squash and Turkey Chili via Fannetastic Food

Three Sisters Chili via The Plant Powered Dietitian

Pumpkin Chicken Crockpot Chili via Bucket List Tummy

Easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili via The Foodie DietitianSweet Potato and Black Bean Chili via Liz’s Healthy Table

Comforting Homemade Turkey Chili via Sara Haas, Culinary…

How to Make Your Social Media More Body Positive

September 27th, 2018 | Posted in Intuitive Eating, Self-Care | 16 comments

Social media got you feeling crappy about your body? You’re not alone – research proves that social media makes us feel less satisfied. Which is why I’m sharing a step-by-step guide on how to make your social media feed more body positive.The average person spends two hours each day on social media. That’s over five years of your life spent on social.

For teenagers, it’s even more pronounced. According to a recent report, teens spend about NINE HOURS A DAY on social media. That’s more time than sleep, school, seeing their family, etc. For children ages 8-12 years old, they spend about six hours a day on social media.

Given the sheer amount of time spent on social, it’s no wonder that social media influences how we feel, think and act. And studies show it’s not making us feel any better about ourselves. One study a few years ago found…

Is Sticking to an Eating Routine Good or Bad?

September 20th, 2018 | Posted in Intuitive Eating | 26 comments

When it comes to intuitive eating, we talk about listening to your body to determine when to eat, so is there a place for an eating routine and structure with intuitive eating? In today’s post, we’re tackling the question, is sticking to an eating routine good or bad? Stick to an eating schedule!

Be more flexible with food!

You’ve heard versions of both of these before but which advice do we follow? The answer is…it depends.

It depends on the person.

What is your normal tendency? Do you thrive on routine and get easily stressed when you have to make changes to your eating plan? If you find yourself relying too much on strict eating routines, it might be a good idea to challenge yourself and switch things up from time to time to practice flexibility. If, on the other hand, your eating feels chaotic and there’s no consistency at all,…