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If bonding doesn’t happen in infancy, is it too late? No. There's hope.
In this post, we will explore whether bonding can occur later if it doesn’t happen in infancy. We begin with a personal experience and then look at the research.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
4 days ago4 min read


Is bonding critical? Yes! Feeling loved is essential for learning and growth.
Learn how to communicate with parents about the importance of parent-child bonding through a video and a demonstration.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 243 min read


Why do stories inspire success better than statistics? They connect.
This post shares a true story from my work to illustrate how I made a difference. The reason I have this story is thanks to a colleague who recommended that when we experience success, we should write it down and share it. What a good idea! I pass along that advice to you.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 174 min read


Want to make a difference and change lives? You can. Drive the magic bus.
If I’ve learned something about food and nutrition professionals, it is that we aspire to be life-changers. We don’t enter this profession because it will make us rich or famous. We entered it because we wanted to make an impact. A positive impact. A life-changing impact.
However, reality happens. We don’t have the impact we desire. Clients don’t show up. Audiences stop following. Our messages seem to fall on deaf ears. We get disheartened. We get burned out.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 105 min read


What makes a great media interview? Quality questions and answers!
This post shares 3 steps to prepare to be an interviewer and 6 characteristics of good interview questions.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Apr 33 min read


Why do Registered Dietitian Nutritionists need a seat at every table?
When it comes to conversations about food and nutrition, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are the trusted, evidence-based experts. But only if we are invited to the “tables” where these conversations are taking place.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Mar 272 min read


How strong is consumer trust in food and nutrition science?
For 20 years, IFIC has surveyed Americans about their beliefs and behaviors about food and nutrition.
In recent years, IFIC has conducted two surveys asking Americans specifically about their trust in food and nutrition science. In this post, we will explore the key findings of these surveys about consumer trust and how best to respond.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Mar 203 min read


When opportunity knocks, are you ready and willing to respond? You can be.
One of the defining patterns in my career journey is never actively seeking employment. Each job I have held has resulted from opportunity knocking and being prepared to respond in the affirmative. I stressed to the students that being ready and willing to respond when opportunity knocks will serve them well.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Mar 134 min read


Why 10 Years of Beach Visits Revealed These 5 Surprising Life Truths
What do you learn when you take a break from your routine, whether it be a vacation, time off from work, or something else? Take time to reflect. Life is full of lessons.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Mar 65 min read


Are you ready for National Nutrition Month? It’s here!
Each year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics selects a theme and key messages to promote healthful eating and physical activity. This year's theme is "Discover the Power of Nutrition."

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Feb 273 min read


Do you dream about publishing your recipes? You need this book!
In this post, I highlight my favorite features of The Complete Recipe Writing Guide.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Feb 203 min read


3 Things Dietitians Want Therapists to Know About Intuitive Eating
As an Intuitive Eating dietitian, I recommend that my clients also meet with a therapist regularly. Our relationship with food is tied closely to our mental health, so having a therapist to turn to when difficult topics come up is crucial for my clients in making progress. In this post, I share 3 things therapists need to know about Intuitive Eating.

Kathleen Hahn, MS, RD, LD
Feb 134 min read


How do we best make sense of the new dietary guidelines? Part 4
In this post, I make the case that as credentialled nutrition professionals, we are the superheroes for food and nutrition. We can rise above the conflict, remain true to the science, provide realistic and actionable guidance accounting for individual and cultural differences, and advocate for positive change within federally-funded programs.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Feb 65 min read


How do we best make sense of the new dietary guidelines? Part 3
In this post, we will look at what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s ugly about the newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 3010 min read


How do we best make sense of the new dietary guidelines? Part 2
The newest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the 10th edition, for 2025-2030, released in January 2026, has created more confusion and controversy than any previous version. Unlike previous editions, this edition rejected most of the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, instead using a new report generated using a different process than what was outlined in Part 1 of this series. This blog will describe why that report was trashe

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 236 min read


How do we best make sense of the new dietary guidelines? Part 1
This post looks at the history of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including their purpose and process of development.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 167 min read


Are you wasting your AI potential? Learn 10 strategies to maximize it.
As we revise Communicating Nutrition: The Authoritative Guide and create the 2nd edition, we are incorporating best practices for using artificial intelligence. The first edition never mentioned AI. Not once.
The second edition has more than 70 mentions of AI, detailing how to use it responsibly, ethically, and for its maximum potential. This post will share 10 strategies for maximizing your use of AI excerpted from the current first draft of the 2nd edition of the book.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 96 min read


Want the ultimate start to a successful year? Begin with a clean slate.
The new year. An opportunity to start fresh, to open a new calendar, bursting with potential. New beginnings are invigorating and exciting. To start fresh, we must wipe the slate clean. Don’t carry old burdens into the new year. Leave them behind.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Jan 22 min read


When is the best time to downsize and declutter? The New Year!
This season, when one year ends and another begins, can be one of the best for downsizing and decluttering. At New Year’s, when you think about downsizing and decluttering, think beyond your stuff: Downsize your goal list;
Downsize your calendar and time commitments; Downsize your stress – build margin in your life, schedule time for self-care and connecting with others, ask for help; And, yes, declutter your stuff…

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Dec 26, 20253 min read


Holiday stress making you crazy? Downsize and manage expectations.
Downsizing is a good way to think about managing holiday expectations and, in turn, reduce stress. Think about it. When we put too many demands on our time, too many events on our calendar, too many gifts on our shopping list, and more, we become overwhelmed. It’s time to downsize.

Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Dec 19, 20253 min read
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