Carrie Dennett, Registered Dietitian
@carriedennett.bsky.social
Registered Dietitian in OR and WA, nutrition columnist for The Seattle Times, avid gardener, voracious reader, buster of nutrition pseudoscience, owner of too many cookbooks. www.nutritionbycarrie.com
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, looking at the recent exploration of the potential health risks of ultraprocessed food, and what to do about it from a food systems approach.
The Lancet takes a nuanced, big-picture look at ultraprocessed food
Columnist Carrie Dennett discusses a recent three-part series of articles from the scientific journal The Lancet about ultra-processed food.
www.seattletimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, looking at the recent exploration of the potential health risks of ultraprocessed food, and what to do about it from a food systems approach.
Do you absorb less calcium from lactose-free milk? How can you wrestle winter squash without losing a finger? How can you keep a lunch salad habit going in the cooler months and stay satisfied? I answer those questions in my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com!
Answers to your questions on lactose-free milk, winter squash and more
Does lactose increase absorption of calcium? What's the best way to safely cut squash? Carrie Dennett dives into these inquiries and more.
www.seattletimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Do you absorb less calcium from lactose-free milk? How can you wrestle winter squash without losing a finger? How can you keep a lunch salad habit going in the cooler months and stay satisfied? I answer those questions in my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com!
In my latest On Nutrition column in The Seattle Times, I Iook at what the research has to say about the power of physical activity to lower blood sugar levels and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes.
Can physical activity help prevent diabetes? Yes, and here’s why
Columnist Carrie Dennett explains why physical activity can help prevent diabetes, and if increased sedentary time undoes the health effects of physical activity.
www.seattletimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:05 PM
In my latest On Nutrition column in The Seattle Times, I Iook at what the research has to say about the power of physical activity to lower blood sugar levels and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes.
My latest blog post explores the all-to-common yearning to have our teenage bodies back...and why that desire is futile and counterproductive on so many levels.
“I won't be happy until I have my 19-year-old body back” | Nutrition By Carrie
If you’ve ever said, "I want my teenage body back,"you’re not alone. But there is no universe in which you will have that body back.
nutritionbycarrie.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:46 PM
My latest blog post explores the all-to-common yearning to have our teenage bodies back...and why that desire is futile and counterproductive on so many levels.
In my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I talk with expert food allergy dietitian Sherry Coleman Collins about why food allergies are more common, and offer smart tips for navigating food allergies for both adults who have food allergies and for parents of kids with allergies.
Why are food allergies more common now?
To answer these questions, registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett spoke with Georgia-based dietitian Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN.
www.seattletimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:56 PM
In my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I talk with expert food allergy dietitian Sherry Coleman Collins about why food allergies are more common, and offer smart tips for navigating food allergies for both adults who have food allergies and for parents of kids with allergies.
My latest blog post looks at the potential risks and benefits of pursuing intentional weight loss, by whatever means.
Will weight loss make you healthier? Good question. | Nutrition By Carrie
Are you pursuing weight loss for appearance or because it will make you healthier? It's also important to consider the harms of weight loss.
nutritionbycarrie.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
My latest blog post looks at the potential risks and benefits of pursuing intentional weight loss, by whatever means.
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com looks at the 2.0 version of the EAT-Lancet report on the "planetary health diet." Now, with a new focus on food insecurity.
A diet not only good for your health — but for our planet, too
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett discusses the updated EAT-Lancet Commission report that emphasizes a Planetary Health Diet.
www.seattletimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com looks at the 2.0 version of the EAT-Lancet report on the "planetary health diet." Now, with a new focus on food insecurity.
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com looks at the benefits of ancient grains (think nutrition, texture and flavor) and offers a tasty recipe that unites quinoa and black beans with a tasty lime-cumin vinaigrette.
Ancient grains: A win for nutrition, health, flavor anid sustainability
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett discusses the different types of ancient grains, tips for using them and shares a recipe.
www.seattletimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com looks at the benefits of ancient grains (think nutrition, texture and flavor) and offers a tasty recipe that unites quinoa and black beans with a tasty lime-cumin vinaigrette.
I'm a supporter of nutrition research (obviously), but what annoys the bejeezus out of me is when research is communicated poorly, and almost falsely. In my latest ON Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I look at one recent and fairly egregious example of this spin-and-miscommunication.
Can a long weekend of ‘junk food’ really scramble your memory?
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett shares an example of how nutritional research studies are often inaccurately communicated.
www.seattletimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I'm a supporter of nutrition research (obviously), but what annoys the bejeezus out of me is when research is communicated poorly, and almost falsely. In my latest ON Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I look at one recent and fairly egregious example of this spin-and-miscommunication.
My latest blog post, looking at the science behind long-time advice to "not eat past 7 p.m." or "close the kitchen after dinner."
Does eating at night cause weight gain? Good question! | Nutrition By Carrie
“Don’t eat after 7 p.m.,” “Close the kitchen after dinner.” This advice assumes that eating at night causes weight gain. But does it?
nutritionbycarrie.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
My latest blog post, looking at the science behind long-time advice to "not eat past 7 p.m." or "close the kitchen after dinner."
There's so much chatter online and elsewhere about "hormone-balancing diets" that when I came across a study looking at how diet patterns affect hormone levels and breast cancer risk in premenopausal women, I reached out to the lead researcher for my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com.
Can diet reduce breast cancer risk? Yes, but leave hormones out of it
While we can’t change some cancer risk factors, such as genetic susceptibility, we can make changes to diet, writes columnist Carrie Dennett.
www.seattletimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:36 PM
There's so much chatter online and elsewhere about "hormone-balancing diets" that when I came across a study looking at how diet patterns affect hormone levels and breast cancer risk in premenopausal women, I reached out to the lead researcher for my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com.
In my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I look at why a "healthy" gut microbiome is not one-size-fits all, despite what some information floating around out there suggests. (Perfectionism and diet culture manage to creep in everywhere, unfortunately!)
What does a ‘healthy’ gut microbiome look like? The answer is unclear
As much research as we have on the gut microbiome, scientists are still figuring out the full complexity of these microbial communities, writes columnist Carrie Dennett.
www.seattletimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
In my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I look at why a "healthy" gut microbiome is not one-size-fits all, despite what some information floating around out there suggests. (Perfectionism and diet culture manage to creep in everywhere, unfortunately!)
The me from 2012 had a utopian ideal of what "healthy eating" meant that was frankly a bit elitist and healthiest. In my latest "Know Better, Do Better" post, I take that cringe-worthy 2012 post and dissect it, offering commentary on where I was then, and what I do and don't agree with now.
Are you really what you eat? Let's take a look | Nutrition By Carrie
I revisit a 2012 blog post, "Are you really what you eat?" that makes me cringe because my thinking has evolved substantially since then.
nutritionbycarrie.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The me from 2012 had a utopian ideal of what "healthy eating" meant that was frankly a bit elitist and healthiest. In my latest "Know Better, Do Better" post, I take that cringe-worthy 2012 post and dissect it, offering commentary on where I was then, and what I do and don't agree with now.
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com looks at the "gut-heart axis," and some of the ways the health of your gut microbiome can influence your cardiovascular health.
The links between the health of your gut and the health of your heart
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett explains the gut-heart axis, the two-way communication between your gut microbiome and your heart.
www.seattletimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com looks at the "gut-heart axis," and some of the ways the health of your gut microbiome can influence your cardiovascular health.
How did berries and plants from faraway places get elevated to the pinnacle of 'superfood' status when so many foods available in your local grocery store or farmers market offer the same nutritional benefits? In my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I explore 'everyday superfoods.'
These everyday ‘superfoods’ offer super nutrition
If you’re looking for better nutrition and better health, you don’t need to look to distant rainforests or mountains for the next superfood.
www.seattletimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
How did berries and plants from faraway places get elevated to the pinnacle of 'superfood' status when so many foods available in your local grocery store or farmers market offer the same nutritional benefits? In my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I explore 'everyday superfoods.'
Do you believe, ‘I’ll never be able to change’? When thinking about changing a habit or behavior, we can carry a lot of ambivalence. We see benefit in changing…but also in not changing. We see costs in sticking to the status quo, but also in making changes.
Learn more in my latest blog post!
Learn more in my latest blog post!
‘I’ll never be able to change’ (lies we tell ourselves) | Nutrition By Carrie
Do you believe “I’ll never be able to change”? Here's why that belief can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and what to do about it.
nutritionbycarrie.com
September 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Do you believe, ‘I’ll never be able to change’? When thinking about changing a habit or behavior, we can carry a lot of ambivalence. We see benefit in changing…but also in not changing. We see costs in sticking to the status quo, but also in making changes.
Learn more in my latest blog post!
Learn more in my latest blog post!
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I address some perpetual confusion about ounces and grams as they relate to protein, and answer questions about if fermented foods are more than a fad, and if reports that the Blue Zones are bunk are true.
Answers to your questions on protein, fermented foods and Blue Zones
Columnist Carrie Dennett clears up confusion about ounces and grams when it comes to protein, and answers questions about fermented foods and the Blue Zones.
www.seattletimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, I address some perpetual confusion about ounces and grams as they relate to protein, and answer questions about if fermented foods are more than a fad, and if reports that the Blue Zones are bunk are true.
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, in which I squeeze the 4,772 words of notes I took while watching the "Biggest Loser documentary" into about 585 words. I'm not gonna lie...it wasn't easy!
What the new ‘Biggest Loser’ documentary says about the show, and us
The producers, doctors and personal trainers on "The Biggest Loser" were playing fast and loose with contestants’ health and lives, writes Carrie Dennett.
www.seattletimes.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, in which I squeeze the 4,772 words of notes I took while watching the "Biggest Loser documentary" into about 585 words. I'm not gonna lie...it wasn't easy!
In my latest blog post, I look at why becoming more self-compassionate isn't just some fluffy self-indulgent endeavor. It can have real benefit for both physical and mental health. I also offer tips and resources to cultivate more self compassion in your own life.
Why try cultivating self-compassion? It's one key to true health | Nutrition By Carrie
Research shows that cultivating self-compassion is important for mental, emotional and physical health and well-being. Here's how to start .
nutritionbycarrie.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
In my latest blog post, I look at why becoming more self-compassionate isn't just some fluffy self-indulgent endeavor. It can have real benefit for both physical and mental health. I also offer tips and resources to cultivate more self compassion in your own life.
Are potatoes healthy? Not healthy? Does it "depend" on how you eat them? I explore the idea that potatoes are "unhealthy," along with some recent research, in my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com .
Breaking down myths about potatoes
The idea that potatoes are “unhealthy” is a myth born out of oversimplification that can partially be traced to a 2011 study, writes columnist Carrie Dennett.
www.seattletimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Are potatoes healthy? Not healthy? Does it "depend" on how you eat them? I explore the idea that potatoes are "unhealthy," along with some recent research, in my latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com .
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, looking at new research on preventing age-related cognitive decline.
New insights into how to keep your brain sharp as you age — maybe
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett discusses the results from a two-year intervention study that focused on age-related cognitive decline.
www.seattletimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
My latest On Nutrition column in @seattletimes.com, looking at new research on preventing age-related cognitive decline.
A conversation with a new client was the inspiration for my latest blog post, looking at some of the weight-based misconceptions that can get in the way of timely and appropriate eating disorder treatment. (I blame weight-centric healthcare and societal beliefs for much of this disconnect.)
Can you have an eating disorder if your weight is “OK”? | Nutrition By Carrie
Eating disorders are mental health disorders that can cause serious medical complications. This is true even if someone is not underweight.
nutritionbycarrie.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
A conversation with a new client was the inspiration for my latest blog post, looking at some of the weight-based misconceptions that can get in the way of timely and appropriate eating disorder treatment. (I blame weight-centric healthcare and societal beliefs for much of this disconnect.)
My latest On Nutrition in @seattletimes.com, talking about clickbait and influencer nonsense about protein recommendations. I also talk about what the, you know, actual SCIENCE says!
How much protein do we really need?
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett discusses the recent "pro-protein" trend and explains current protein intake recommendations.
www.seattletimes.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
My latest On Nutrition in @seattletimes.com, talking about clickbait and influencer nonsense about protein recommendations. I also talk about what the, you know, actual SCIENCE says!
What would your summer look like if you weren't concerned about your body's size, shape or ability? Heck, what would your whole YEAR look like? My latest blog post:
Are body concerns getting in the way of your life? | Nutrition By Carrie
Our bodies carry us through this world but they can also hold us back. Often, that’s t because of body concerns.
nutritionbycarrie.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
What would your summer look like if you weren't concerned about your body's size, shape or ability? Heck, what would your whole YEAR look like? My latest blog post:
n my latest On Nutrition column for @seattletimes.com, I raise some questions about that new "it's diet not exercise that's making people fat" study that's getting attention everywhere. (I use the word fat as a neutral descriptor of body size, btw.)
Is your diet to blame for weight gain? It’s not that simple
Registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett shares her thoughts on a recent study that names diet as the culprit in the "obesity epidemic."
www.seattletimes.com
August 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
n my latest On Nutrition column for @seattletimes.com, I raise some questions about that new "it's diet not exercise that's making people fat" study that's getting attention everywhere. (I use the word fat as a neutral descriptor of body size, btw.)