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A Food Scientist RD Shares His Favorite Veggie + Go-To Nutrient-Dense Meal

Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
Author:
March 17, 2021
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
Former mbg Vice President of Scientific Affairs
By Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
Former mbg Vice President of Scientific Affairs
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN is Vice President of Scientific Affairs at mindbodygreen. She received her bachelor's degree in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia.
Delicious mixed salad with sliced apple, pear, walnuts and pumpkin salad
Image by NATAŠA MANDIĆ / Stocksy
March 17, 2021
It's National Nutrition Month! All month long, we're highlighting the importance of a personalized nutrition approach and celebrating R.D.s across a range of specialties—hospitals, schools, community programs, universities, private practice, industry, and beyond.

Many of us have favorite, go-to healthy foods and supplements we like to keep in our refrigerator and pantry. But did you know, to formulate the ingredient matrix in those foods and vitamins, it takes a cross-functional team of experts—often including a registered dietitian? 

Trey Sanders, M.S., R.D., CFS, is just that—a food scientist and R.D. who specializes in nutrition product development. For the past decade, Sanders has developed many innovative food and dietary supplement products for international brands, including Wonderful Pistachios, Continental Mills, and Bulletproof 360. Sanders is currently the research and development manager at Bulletproof 360 in Seattle.

Sanders and I recently connected to chat about this year's National Nutrition Month focus on personalized nutrition. I also got to learn more about his personal dietary approach, plus foods Sanders can't get enough of right now, including one particular cruciferous veggie.

What does this year's National Nutrition theme "Personalize Your Plate" mean to you?

"Personalize Your Plate" resonates with me both personally and professionally. We know as nutrition experts that though there are similarities in the macro- and micronutrients people need, there are important differences in how everyone's body meets those needs. Helping people to understand and utilize nutrition to serve their individual bodies has been my overarching professional principle. This is a practice I follow in my own dietary habits, too!

Do you follow a specific dietary pattern?

I do not follow a specific dietary pattern. Instead, I'm intentional about incorporating a wide variety of foods across the food groups. My experience as an R.D. working with people, whether hospital patients in a clinical dietetics setting or food industry employees and professionals, is that each body responds to nutritional stimuli differently. Implementing the exact same nutritional patterns with different people will not guarantee the same outcomes. 

To live our best lives, it is important to pay attention to the nuance of how each unique body metabolizes and utilizes the nutrients we consume. Keeping a variety of healthful foods in my diet allows me the opportunity to meet my nutritional needs while also catering to my personal preferences, whether for taste, texture, or digestion.

What's your go-to nutrient-dense meal right now (breakfast, lunch, or dinner)?

When I approach meals, I often think big picture: protein, vegetable, healthy carb, and naturally sweet dessert. Following that framework, one of my favorite lunches right now combines fatty fish (I'm on a mackerel kick currently), the powerhouse cruciferous vegetable Brussels sprouts, and wild rice for a low-glycemic-index carbohydrate. My dessert combination is dairy plus fruit, which is nutrient- and protein-dense. Right now, I'm enjoying full-fat yogurt and berries, especially raspberries, cranberries, and blueberries.

Is there one "MVP" healthy food or meal addition you're personally loving right now?

Brussels sprouts! These cruciferous vegetables deliver some major nutritional benefits. They are high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidant micro- and phytonutrients. I love their delectable taste too. The Brussels sprouts grown today taste much better than in years past—now you get the dual benefit of nutrient density and enjoyable taste!

Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN

Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN is mindbodygreen's former Vice President of Scientific Affairsd. Ashley received her B.A. in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania (along with a double minor in Nutrition and Music) and Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia. Her research contributions span vitamin D, cardiometabolic health, bone density, and weight management. Ferira is a nutrition scientist and dietitian with experience in nutrition product innovation and development, scientific affairs, education, communications, and SEO writing for global firms, including Nature Made, Metagenics, Three Ships, and mindbodygreen.

In addition to her mindbodygreen contributions, Ferira is published in Health, Metagenics Institute, American Family Physician, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, and Osteoporosis International. She has a passion for the translation of evidence-based science into innovative and high-quality products and information that help people lead healthier lives. She is a believer in compassionate, informed, and personalized approaches to nutrition, health care, and wellness. Ashley lives in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, where she was born and raised. Whether savoring an orchestral performance or delectable meal at a local restaurant, you will find her enjoying Charleston’s cultural and culinary arts with family and friends.

Read More About Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN

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Functional Nutrition Training

Check out Functional Nutrition Coaching

A cutting-edge nutrition deep dive taught by 20+ top health & wellness experts

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More from the author:

Functional Nutrition Training

Check out Functional Nutrition Coaching

A cutting-edge nutrition deep dive taught by 20+ top health & wellness experts

Learn more
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN
Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN

Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN is mindbodygreen's former Vice President of Scientific Affairsd. Ashley received her B.A. in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania (along with a double minor in Nutrition and Music) and Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia. Her research contributions span vitamin D, cardiometabolic health, bone density, and weight management. Ferira is a nutrition scientist and dietitian with experience in nutrition product innovation and development, scientific affairs, education, communications, and SEO writing for global firms, including Nature Made, Metagenics, Three Ships, and mindbodygreen.

In addition to her mindbodygreen contributions, Ferira is published in Health, Metagenics Institute, American Family Physician, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, and Osteoporosis International. She has a passion for the translation of evidence-based science into innovative and high-quality products and information that help people lead healthier lives. She is a believer in compassionate, informed, and personalized approaches to nutrition, health care, and wellness. Ashley lives in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, where she was born and raised. Whether savoring an orchestral performance or delectable meal at a local restaurant, you will find her enjoying Charleston’s cultural and culinary arts with family and friends.

Read More About Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN

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