Hi Reader!

So, a question for you: What if the biggest influence on your food choices isn't hunger, or habit, or even health ... but a headline? 🤔

We’re living in a time where food has become -- kind of political. What you put on your plate isn’t just about nutrition anymore. It can reflect your values, your circle, maybe even how you see the world.

And the media (both social and traditional) knows exactly how to tap into that. Because nothing grabs attention quite like a good food fight.

That means most people aren't getting information -- they're getting a version of it, edited for outrage, or clicks, or SEO or a particular point of view. We're so easily influenced by a study that sounds sensational (and not in a good way) or by a celeb who changes their diet and then it becomes a movement. Doesn't everything seem like "breaking news" these days?

This is what I mean when I say media shapes what we believe about food. It's not just influencers pushing detox teas. It's the framing, the soundbites, the graphic that goes viral before anyone reads the actual report.

So in this issue, I want to help you slow down and look closer at the news, at the noise, and at how you can show up as a clearer, more confident voice in these conversations, whether you're talking to a reporter, a client, or just a very opinionated relative at dinner. 😉

With warmth,

Bon

P.S. I've shifted to sending this news digest to you less often, but when I do show up in your inbox, I want it to actually be worth your time. So grab a snack and read on!

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Bonnie's Bites:

Why Food Stories Go Sideways And What to Watch For

If you pay attention to how nutrition stories get covered, you start to notice some patterns. The same thing happens over and over, and once you see it, you can't unsee it.

A study might come out that has a narrow focus and done on a small sample. But if it has a 'newsworthy' finding, it makes the news. Chocolate prevents aging. Coffee causes hair growth. Eggs are back. Eggs are bad again. By evening it's everywhere. By morning, your clients are texting you about it.

That's journalism doing exactly what it's built to do, but here's what's worth watching out for when a food story starts making noise:

Who funded the research? Industry-funded studies shouldn't automatically be disregarded, but that relationship is something to take into consideration.

What did the study actually measure? "Associated with" and "causes" are very different things. Most headlines don't care about that distinction.

Is this new or newly rediscovered? A lot of "breakthrough" nutrition news is a repackaging of older findings with better marketing behind it.

Who's being quoted and why them? Reporters often quote the most available expert, not the most qualified one. If someone's name is in every food story, ask yourself: are they a great source, or just great at returning calls without delay?

None of this means you should distrust everything. It means you should read like someone with a critical eye.

You Asked:

I get approached by reporters fairly regularly, but lately every nutrition topic feels politically charged. How do I share my expertise without accidentally becoming someone's culture war talking point?

I Answered:

This is something more and more of my media training clients are wrestling with, and honestly, it's one of the more nuanced media skills to develop.

The short answer is: you can stay in your lane without going quiet.

Get clear on your actual lane before you respond. What are the two or three areas where you have genuine expertise and feel confident being quoted? Write down your soundbites. When a reporter calls, that list is your compass. If the story is veering somewhere you're not grounded in, you're allowed to say so.

Separate the science from the politics. When a topic has become politically loaded, you can actually name that directly: "This has become a politically charged conversation, so let me just speak to what the research shows." That one sentence signals to a good reporter that you're a reliable source, not an advocate. It also gives you a natural way to stay in your expertise without dismissing the question.

Don't fill silence with opinions. Reporters are trained to wait you out. An uncomfortable pause can pressure you into saying something you didn't plan to say. Answer the question you're comfortable with, then stop. Full stop.

"I don't know" is a full sentence. So is "That's outside my expertise." So is "I'd want to look at the actual data before I comment on that." So is (and this is my favorite), "I can't speak to that but what I can tell you is this...." None of these make you look weak -- they make you look credible. Reporters remember sources who don't overreach.

Watch out for the hypothetical. "What would you say if..." questions are a setup. You don't have to answer a hypothetical just because someone asks it. Redirect: "I'd rather speak to what we actually know."

The goal isn't to be bland or evasive ... it's to be useful and honest in a way that serves your audience and protects your credibility. Those two things can absolutely coexist, even in this environment.

How to Choose the Healthiest Canned Soup for Better Blood Pressure

Canned soup gets a bad rap when it comes to blood pressure.
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And yes… sodium matters. But so do practicality, budget, and real life.
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In my latest article for @EatingWell, I break down what registered dietitians actually look for when choosing a canned soup —> from smart sodium targets to potassium-rich ingredients and how to turn a simple bowl into a more balanced, heart-supportive meal with a few easy upgrades.
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Grateful to Kathleen Zelman, Melissa Levine and Michelle Routhenstein for sharing their expertise.
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Comfort food and heart health don’t have to be opposites.
Flip the can over before you toss it in your cart. Your heart will thank you for the label check.
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So… Read It Before You Eat It — it’s not just a book title. It’s good advice. 😉

👉 Read the details in the article on EatingWell.​

Beets & Your Kidneys: More Than Meets the Eye

They're beautiful, they're burgundy, and they might be doing more for your body than you think — or in some cases, more than you'd want. In my latest piece for EatingWell, I dig into how beets affect kidney health: from their blood pressure-lowering, blood flow-boosting benefits to the real concern around oxalates for anyone with a history of kidney stones. (And yes, I address the pink pee situation. It has a name. It's fine. 😅)

For most people, beets belong on the plate. But how you eat them matters — and the beet juice trend deserves a closer look.

👉 Read the full story on EatingWell​
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A Recent Episode of Media Savvy with Bonnie Taub-Dix Podcast:

Money vs. Morals: The Brand Deal Dilemma​
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A client called me a few weeks ago after landing exactly the kind of brand deal we had been building toward for months. Recipes, social media activations, blog features, consulting on their marketing materials. The whole thing.

She didn't sound excited. She said, "I should be thrilled, but I'm struggling with the moral side of this."

That one sentence opened up a conversation I think a lot of us in media need to have, because what she was describing wasn't really a moral crisis. It was an alignment question.

As dietitians, most of us work from a place of nuance. All foods can fit. Context matters. Health looks different for different people. But when your name goes on a brand, the questions get bigger: Does this match what I've been building? Would my audience understand why I said yes? Am I bringing my perspective to this partnership, or is the partnership slowly reshaping mine?

The answer isn't always no. Sometimes it's negotiating the recipe, adjusting the framing, or making sure balance and moderation are part of the story you're telling. But sometimes the answer genuinely is no, and knowing the difference is what protects your credibility long term.

I dig into all of this in episode 46 of the Media Savvy Podcast: Money vs. Morals: The Brand Deal Dilemma. If you've ever felt that quiet moment of hesitation when an opportunity lands in your inbox, this one's for you.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And I'm curious: have you ever had that internal wobble? You don't need to share details. Just reply with the word WOBBLE and I'll know exactly what you mean.
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👉Listen to Media Savvy with Bonnie Taub-Dix on your favorite podcast channel and watch us on YouTube or check links below.

What I'm Reading:​

​A Pinch vs A Dish -- Decoding Recipe Instructions​

​Can Brands Cut Sugar Without Killing Taste, Texture or Trust?​

​Quarter of Weight Loss Persists After Stopping GLP-1 Drugs​

One More Thing:

I recently watched a movie called Solo Mio.
A little sappy? Maybe. (OK so, yes.)
But I loved it.

Between the Italian backdrop and Andrea Bocelli’s voice, it just felt like a mini escape to Italy's countryside. Oh and the food...

Sometimes we need that.

Do you have a favorite feel-good movie or show you’d recommend?

Hit reply. I’m always looking for something new.

Until next time...

💥 NEWS FLASH 💥 : If we haven't personally connected -- let's do it! Send a DM to @bonnietaubdix and @BTDmedia on Instagram if you have any questions about how I can help you or... just hit REPLY to this email!​

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