Michelle Cardel, PhD, RD

01/20/2026

One reason people are pi**ed that people are taking medications, like

01/20/2026

01/19/2026

Things that annoy the sh*t out of me as a registered dietitian. Headline edition.

01/15/2026

2016 ✨

I was a brand-new mom and completely, joyfully obsessed with my kid. She went everywhere with me - conferences, hikes, snowshoeing adventures, to the lab, and on the boat with friends. If I was going, she was coming too. 💕

That year we visited Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Colorado, introducing our girl to the beauty of family time and the outdoors. I was also a new assistant professor at and was doing research and teaching, sharing nutrition information for families on TV and social media, and learning how to balance ambition with motherhood (still learning, honestly).

We were settling into our first home, one we bought in November 2015, and making it ours. I was madly in love with my husband, deeply grateful for our little family, and felt incredibly blessed by the life we were building.

And woven through all of it was family - so much time with my parents, siblings, and sister-in-law, and precious moments with my beloved grandmother, who was 86 then and died in June 2025 (and we miss her every day!). Generations together, love everywhere, memories I hold especially close. 🤍

So much togetherness. So much gratitude. So much love. 2016 was one for the books.

12/31/2025

I’ve always loved reading.
It’s my solace. The thing that settles my brain, slows my breathing, and helps me truly relax as a highly driven person.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I remember people telling me, “You won’t be able to be a working mom and keep up your reading.” I rejected that idea immediately. Not because I thought it would be easy, but because I believe deeply that if something matters to you, you find ways to make space for it.

That doesn’t mean I always read as much as I want. Some nights I get only a few pages in before exhaustion wins. Life is full, busy, and often chaotic. But I made a promise to myself to keep this piece of joy in my life, no matter how full the calendar gets.

As the nerd I proudly am (and someone who loves goal-setting), I started setting a yearly reading goal several years ago. This year, my kids encouraged me to stretch it to 55 books for 2025. They reminded me I could do it, cheered me on, and celebrated every milestone along the way, often asking me what number book I just finished.

And this year, I hit 55 books.
I’m incredibly grateful-not just for the books, but for the reminder that joy is worth protecting, and that our children are always watching how we honor what matters to us.

Here’s your gentle encouragement: you don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just have to keep choosing the things that fill you up, even in small moments. Those choices add up. ❤️

12/02/2025

11/28/2025

This year, our gratitude feels deeper than ever, especially for my mom.

In August, what was supposed to be a routine surgery turned into a terrifying journey. Complications led to her being intubated, in the ICU, and ultimately needing three additional surgeries. Over two hospital stays, she spent a total of 38 days in the hospital and nearly died twice.

My sister-in-law, my aunts, brother, stepmom, family friends, and I took turns living at the hospital. Not for one second was my mom alone. We were her advocates, her constant presence, and her support system. And so many of YOU were part of that support system too-praying for her healing, sending food, offering to sit with her, checking in with calls, visits, and messages.

Those prayers and that love carried us. And they worked.

This Thanksgiving, having my mom home with us is the greatest gift we could ask for. Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who walked this road with us. 💛✨

Happy Thanksgiving.

11/04/2025

Things that annoy the sh*t out of me as a registered dietitian: part 13.

10/21/2025

From fueling workouts to preserving muscle during weight loss, protein is essential.

In a new TODAY.com article, experts including myself share:
✨ How to calculate your protein needs
✨ Why it matters even more on GLP-1s
✨Easy, dietitian-approved protein snacks

Check out the full article at TODAY.com

10/17/2025

This week we wrapped up an incredible few days at , the world’s largest gathering of dietitians, researchers, and nutrition professionals, hosted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

It was such an honor to speak alongside Drs. and in our session moderated by Ellis Amy, “From Misunderstood to Mission Critical: Elevating Dietitian Influence Across Industries.” We explored how dietitians can lead in industry, entrepreneurial ventures, and the C-suite, driving impact and innovation in ways that often isn’t highlighted enough during training. A great example of this is , who is the chief Nutrition Officer at Simple.

dietitians, including our Director of Nutrition Lillian Yang, RDN, CDN, CDCES and our team of Nutrition Program Leads were in attendance and side note, we are hiring dietitians so please reach out if interested! I always love any opportunity to see these incredible women!

There’s nothing more empowering than being surrounded by thousands of people who have dedicated their lives to improving the health and well-being of their communities and patients. is always a reminder of the power of this profession, and a perfect place to connect with friends, new and old. 💚

10/07/2025

🥔 Starchy vegetables can be part of a healthy diet, even when you’re aiming to lose weight 🙌
I was honored to be quoted in recent piece by .ehsani_nutrition, “5 Starchy Vegetables That Can Help With Weight Loss.” The article does a great job busting myths and spotlighting how starchy veggies can absolutely earn a seat at your table, even in a weight-loss plan.

Here are a few takeaways I especially want to highlight:
🔍 Key Science — Why starchy veggies deserve respect
✔️ Satiety through fiber + protein: Vegetables like green peas pack about 8 g fiber and 8 g plant protein per cup, which can blunt hunger, reduce overeating, and is good for heart health.
✔️ Lower calorie cost than you think: A medium sweet potato contains ~100 calories and offers fiber, micronutrients (vitamin A, C, potassium), and more.
It’s all about how you cook & portion & what you pair it with to blunt a glycemic response. For example, white potatoes often get unfairly demonized, but when roasted, baked, or boiled (and not drowned in butter) and paired with a high protein and/or healthy fat food(s) (I love to eat a baked white or sweet potato with plain Greek yogurt, they can be part of a balanced, nutrient-dense plate.

💡 My take
Too often, people lump all carbs together and assume “starchy” = “bad.” But the data say otherwise. In a well-designed, calorie-controlled diet:
🥔 Starchy vegetables can contribute to fullness and provide a satisfying option in place of ultraprocessed foods
🍠 They supply essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients
🥔 They offer a budget friendly option that increases accessibility and helps keep meals varied, satisfying, and sustainable
🍠 When you combine them with adequate protein and/or healthy fats, smart portions, and movement, these vegetables don’t just fit, they can enhance a weight-loss plan by increasing livability and flexibility (and in our data, we even saw increased weight loss efficacy, albeit modest)

Let’s stop the “all-or-nothing” thinking. Starchy veggies can have a place in your healthy plate. 🌽

09/10/2025

Unfortunately… I love vaccines more than preventable deaths, pausturized milk more than E Coli, and my hormone therapy more than 2am wake ups drenched in sweat 🤷🏻‍♀️