Beyond the Plate Blog 

Your guide to food and nutrition

Food is Political. If You Don’t Think So, You’re Privileged.
Jane Leverich, MS, RDN Jane Leverich, MS, RDN

Food is Political. If You Don’t Think So, You’re Privileged.

Food isn’t neutral. When people are scared to leave their homes, when grocery runs become risky, and when neighbors organize food deliveries to keep each other safe, you don’t get to pretend food is “just food.” That’s politics—and if you don’t see it, you’re privileged.

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Food Glow-Ups: When the Media Turns “Cheap” Into “Cool”
Jane Leverich, MS, RDN Jane Leverich, MS, RDN

Food Glow-Ups: When the Media Turns “Cheap” Into “Cool”

Cabbage is having a glow-up, and honestly? It’s about time. But the real question is: why do some affordable, nutrient-dense foods get trendy while others—like beans—remain overlooked? This post explores the media’s role in food “glow-ups” and why the best nutrition isn’t a trend, it’s a pattern.

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The Updated Dietary Guidelines, in a Nutshell
Jane Leverich, MS, RDN Jane Leverich, MS, RDN

The Updated Dietary Guidelines, in a Nutshell

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have sparked more public interest than usual—but what do they actually mean for how we eat? This post breaks down what changed, what didn’t, and why “eat real food” is easier said than done for many Americans.

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Why “Eat Real Food” Isn’t a Nutrition Strategy
Jane Leverich, MS, RDN Jane Leverich, MS, RDN

Why “Eat Real Food” Isn’t a Nutrition Strategy

The problem with telling Americans to “eat real food” isn’t a lack of nutrition knowledge—it’s a lack of access. When dietary guidance ignores affordability, food storage, transportation, and time, it stops being public health advice and starts becoming aspirational messaging for the few.

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Choosing a Word Instead of a Resolution
Jane Leverich, MS, RDN Jane Leverich, MS, RDN

Choosing a Word Instead of a Resolution

Instead of setting rigid resolutions this year, I’m choosing one guiding word: intentional. In this post, I reflect on why traditional goal-setting has felt limiting, what’s actually helped me build sustainable habits, and how intention—not perfection—will shape the year ahead.

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Yes, Dietitians Drink Too
Jane Leverich, MS, RDN Jane Leverich, MS, RDN

Yes, Dietitians Drink Too

December comes with parties, cocktails, and a lot of opinions about alcohol. As a dietitian who still enjoys a drink, I’ve been thinking a lot about why alcohol feels so moralized—and why enjoying it doesn’t have to mean abandoning your health.

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