Discovering Nutrition with Cronometer

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with Matt Rosenan, better known as Cheat Day Design, to unpack the world of food labels, nutrition marketing, and the stories we tell ourselves about “healthy” eating. From RXBARs and Gushers to Pop-Tarts and protein claims, Matt explains how brands shape perception without technically lying, and why learning to read beyond the front of the package matters.

The conversation also gets personal, as Matt reflects on his own early experiences with body image, calorie awareness, and fitness culture, and how those moments shaped the work he does today. Together, Eliisa and Matt explore the fine line between informed choices and food fear, why “good” and “bad” labels can be harmful, and how a more balanced, realistic relationship with food can support long-term health.

This is a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about nutrition nuance, marketing tactics, and why enjoying food still matters.

 

Key Notes:

How food packaging and marketing shape our definition of “healthy”

Why front-of-package claims do not always tell the full nutrition story

Matt’s personal experience with body image, calorie awareness, and fitness culture

The harm in labeling foods as strictly “good” or “bad”

How social media fuels nutrition confusion and oversimplifies health advice

Why a balanced, realistic relationship with food matters more than perfection

 

https://cheatdaydesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cheatdaydesign/

https://www.youtube.com/mattrosenman

What if you are eating all the right foods, tracking your micronutrients, and still feeling off?

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with holistic nutritionist, researcher, and founder of Good Phyte, Amy Puzey, to unpack a topic most of us were never taught: phytate.

Found in grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, phytate can bind to essential minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium, potentially limiting how much your body actually absorbs. For athletes, plant-forward eaters, women navigating perimenopause, and anyone focused on performance and longevity, this conversation adds an entirely new layer to nutrient tracking.

Amy shares how traditional food preparation methods like fermentation and soaking influence mineral bioavailability, why absorption may matter more than intake, and how the enzyme phytase could play a role in optimizing nutrient status.

Plus, exciting news: phytate tracking is now available in Cronometer, giving you deeper insight into not just what you eat, but how well you may be absorbing it.

If you care about data, performance, and truly understanding your nutrition, this episode is for you.

As always, this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace personalized medical advice.

 

Key Notes:

Absorption can be the missing link: Phytate in grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds can bind minerals, so hitting targets in your Diary does not always mean you are absorbing them.

Big players impacted: Iron and zinc are especially affected, which can show up as low energy, performance issues, or immune struggles (even with “good” intake).

Who should pay extra attention: Plant-forward eaters, endurance athletes, people with gut issues, pregnancy, and aging can have higher risk of falling short on absorption.

What helps: Traditional prep (soaking, sprouting, fermenting, sourdough) or phytase can reduce phytate’s mineral-binding effect.

New Cronometer layer: Phytate tracking is now available, adding context to micronutrient targets by showing a factor that may influence bioavailability.

 

https://goodphyte.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jointhegoodphyte/

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, Eliisa sits down with performance dietitian and coach Andres Ayesta to unpack a unique 60-day experiment that tested two very different ways of eating. For the first 30 days, Andres followed a strictly whole foods diet. Then, for the next 30, he transitioned into a carnivore diet and kept everything else as controlled as possible. Calories and protein were matched across both phases, and every detail was tracked using Cronometer, lab testing, wearables, and performance metrics.

The conversation dives into how each diet impacted his energy, mood, training, recovery, biomarkers, and mindset. Andres shares which phase felt easier, which one brought surprising benefits, and where things took a turn. They also explore the real-life challenges of eating in social settings, the risks of extreme restriction, and what happens when nutrition experiments have unexpected aftereffects.

Whether you’re exploring a new way of eating or just curious about what the data can reveal, this episode offers thoughtful insight and real-world takeaways.

 

Key Notes & Takeaways:

30 days of Whole Foods followed by 30 days of carnivore, with calories and protein kept consistent

All variables were tightly tracked using Cronometer, DEXA scans, blood panels, metabolic testing, and WHOOP data

Fat loss was nearly identical on both diets, reinforcing the role of calorie control over diet style

Whole Foods proved more sustainable long term, with fewer social limitations and rebound effects

 

www.planosnutrition.com/about

www.andresayesta.com/

In this episode of Discovering Nutrition with Cronometer, we sit down with Ethan Bernard, a former gaming broadcaster who once weighed 660 pounds. After surviving a life-threatening hospitalization, Ethan is now rebuilding his health and sharing the journey with hundreds of thousands online. He opens up about the realities of extreme weight loss, navigating criticism, and creating a sustainable approach with intermittent fasting, high protein, and balanced flexibility. His story proves it is never too late to take back your life!

Key Notes:

Starting Point: Ethan’s weight peaked at 660 pounds in January 2020 before a hospitalization for COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia changed his perspective.

Online Growth: How his broadcasting skills helped him go viral and connect with millions while sharing his journey.

Mindset Shift: Moving from body hate to self-respect and understanding the power of sustainability over perfection.

Tracking for Success: Using Cronometer to log everything—balancing accuracy with realistic, repeatable habits.

Nutrition Approach: Intermittent fasting, high-protein focus (250g/day), and balanced flexibility to allow for social meals and favorite foods.

Handling Opinions: Navigating unsolicited diet advice and “TikTok nutritionists” while staying grounded in his own plan.

Physical Challenges: Regaining independence after hospitalization and building strength through consistent gym work.

The Bigger Picture: Why he shares the ups and downs, not just the “before and after,” to inspire authenticity in others’ journeys.

 

www.instagram.com/ethanbenard/

www.facebook.com/EthanBenardLIVE/

 

www.cronometer.com

Whether you’re mountain biking, paddleboarding, chasing your kids or running just for the joy of it, how do you know you’re eating enough to keep up? In this episode of Discovering Nutrition, our host Eliisa sits down with registered dietitian and sports nutrition expert Claire Shorenstein to explore the energy needs of the everyday athlete. They dive deep into what proper fuelling looks like when you’re active but not training for a specific event, how to tell if you’re unintentionally underfueling, and why you might need to rethink rest days, recovery and those tempting wearable metrics. Claire shares practical tools, expert strategies and science-backed insights that can help you feel better, train smarter and live fully without obsessing over calories or falling into restriction. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who moves their body most days, not because they have to, but because they love to.

Key Notes:

Why everyday movement counts, even if you’re not training for an event.

Energy availability explained using the “bank account” analogy.

How to use wearables and nutrition trackers as tools, not rulebooks.

The hidden impact of underfueling on recovery, mood, hormones and performance.

What to eat and how often when you’re on the move for hours.

Why weight loss and performance rarely go hand in hand.

When supplements are useful and when they just add clutter.

How to build a long-term movement lifestyle without burnout.

 

Claire's website: https://www.eatforendurance.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/eatforendurance/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@eatforendurance

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eatforendurance/

 

www.cronometer.com