Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black

06/15/2026

We don’t usually think about food when we think about mental health—but maybe we should.

In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Sravan Kakani to talk about how what you eat can affect how you feel.

We get into:

• The connection between your gut and your brain
• How everyday food choices influence mood and energy
• Why ultra-processed foods can make things harder
• Simple, realistic ways to support your mental health with food

This isn’t about a perfect diet. It’s about small, doable changes that actually fit into your life.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
https://eatgreenswithdrblack.com/food-mood/

06/01/2026

A lot of people think cholesterol is something you deal with "later" (whenever that is).

But the reality is—by the time there’s a clear problem, we’ve often missed years or even decades of opportunity to prevent it.

In this episode, I talk about a more proactive approach. Not with restrictive diets that suck the joy out of your life.

Just a few simple, realistic food changes that can help lower cholesterol over time and support your heart health long term.

If you’ve been told your cholesterol is high and aren’t sure what to do next, this will help make it clearer—and more doable.

Listen now: https://www.eatgreenswithdrblack.com/lower-cholesterol/

05/18/2026

Did you know we start losing muscle in our 30s? That's not a typo. THIRTIES!

And strength actually declines faster than muscle mass.

That matters — because muscle isn’t just about looking toned. It protects your metabolism, helps regulate blood sugar, supports your bones, and keeps you steady on your feet as you age.

In this week’s episode, I talk with my personal trainer, Laura Coleman, about:

✔️ Why muscle mass and strength aren’t the same
✔️ How strength training helps prevent diabetes and fatty liver disease
✔️ Why it reduces your risk of falls and fractures
✔️ Easy exercises you can do at home with almost no equipment

You don’t need an expensive gym membership.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to start.

Even 10 minutes counts.

Listen here:
https://www.eatgreenswithdrblack.com/strength-training/

05/04/2026

The subject of protein tends to get people fired up (myself included).

Some experts say we’re not eating nearly enough.
Others say we’re obsessing over it and missing the bigger picture. So I decided to tackle it head-on.

In this episode, I went into the science fully expecting it to confirm what I’ve been saying for years about plant-forward eating. But I also committed to keeping an open mind.
Want to find out my biases held up?

This episode will help you think clearly — without the hype, the tribalism, or the marketing noise.

Listen here:
https://www.eatgreenswithdrblack.com/protein/

04/20/2026

In this week’s episode of Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black, I talk with pediatric nurse practitioner April Jones about HealthQuest — a gamified program that helps kids and parents learn healthy habits together.

What I appreciate most about her approach is that it doesn’t assume families just need more willpower. It starts with a simple barrier assessment and small SMART goals. Kids learn by taking care of a virtual dragon while building real-life skills like:

• Recognizing hunger and fullness
• Understanding emotions that drive eating
• Practicing mindful eating
• Building confidence through small wins

We also talk about why prevention works best when it’s shared — not when kids are told to “just do better.”

If you’re trying to support your child’s health in a way that feels practical, engaging, and actually doable, I think you’ll find this conversation helpful.

Listen here:
https://www.eatgreenswithdrblack.com/healthquest

04/07/2026

Local central Texas friends! I'm hosting a live free demo at the San Marcos Public Library on 4/17.
Sign up at www.lllsanmarcos.org/lower-cholesterol or scan the QR code below.
I'll see you there!

04/06/2026

Raise your hand if you’d never heard of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans before this year 🙋‍♀️

You’re not alone—and that’s why I recorded this episode.

I break down what the new Dietary Guidelines actually say, what they get right, what concerns me, and how to use them in real life without overthinking food or chasing trends.

No extremes. No food fights. Just a clear, evidence-based way to make health doable.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.eatgreenswithdrblack.com/dga/

03/27/2026

National Nutrition Month Tip #4: Think About Your Protein Sources

Protein has become one of the most talked-about topics in nutrition. Depending on who you ask, we’re either not getting nearly enough—or we’re already eating far more than we need.

The truth is that the conversation is often more productive when we focus not just on how much protein we eat, but also where it comes from.

Research consistently shows that diets that include more plant protein sources are associated with improvements in cardiometabolic health and lower risk of heart disease.

Examples include:

• Beans and lentils

• Tofu and other soy foods

• Nuts and seeds

• Whole grains

These foods provide protein along with fiber and other nutrients that support healthy cholesterol levels.

This doesn’t mean everyone has to stop eating animal foods. But even occasionally replacing animal protein with plant protein can shift the overall dietary pattern in a healthier direction.

One simple place to start might be:

• A bean-based chili

• Lentil soup

• A grain bowl with beans or tofu

• Hummus with vegetables and whole-grain bread

I've got a podcast episode coming out soon exploring the protein debate and what the research actually shows about how much we need and where it can come from. For now, listen to my interview on preventing heart disease with Dr. Kelly Ratheal, a preventative cardiologist.

Learn how heart disease starts early and what you can do now to protect your health. Cardiologist Dr. Kelly Ratheal shares practical, evidence-based prevention tips.

03/22/2026

It’s a Fun Facts episode this week — and we’re celebrating National Broccoli Day! 🥦

Did you know:
🥦 One cup has more vitamin C than an orange
🥦 It’s packed with fiber
🥦 It forms powerful compounds when you chop it (so let it sit ≥10 minutes before cooking!)

Somethings are called "superfoods" for a reason!

Are you Team Broccoli… or still undecided?

https://www.eatgreenswithdrblack.com/broccoli/

03/20/2026

National Nutrition Month Tip #3: Build More Meals Around Whole Plant Foods

By the time we reach adulthood, many of the chronic diseases that shorten our lives—heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension—are already beginning to develop quietly in the background.

One of the most consistent findings in nutrition research is that diets centered around whole plant foods are associated with lower risk of these conditions.

Foods that appear again and again in studies of longevity and cardiometabolic health include:

• Beans and lentils
• Whole grains
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Nuts and seeds

These foods naturally provide fiber, antioxidants, and other compounds that support healthy cholesterol levels and metabolic health.

You don’t have to follow a strict dietary label to benefit. Even small shifts toward more plant-based meals can make a difference.

A practical place to start might be:

• A lentil or bean-based soup
• A grain bowl with vegetables and beans
• Stir-fried vegetables with tofu
• Oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts

If you’re interested in the research behind this approach, I recently shared a talk called “Eat Plants, Live Longer” on the podcast, where I walk through the evidence linking plant-forward diets with chronic disease prevention.

Dr. Black's talk on how a plant-based diet can help prevent, manage, and even reverse common chronic diseases on the latest episode of Eat Your Greens, recorded live.