2026’s presentations:

Menopause & Nutrition: Key Insights Every Dietitian Needs – Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD

Menopause is a growing focus in clinical and community practice. Lauren will share practical, evidence-based insights to help dietitians better support clients navigating this important life stage.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the physiological and hormonal changes during menopause and their impact on bone health, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and overall well-being.
2. Identify evidence-based nutritional strategies to address common menopause-related health concerns, including bone density loss, heart disease risk, diabetes, and cancer risk reduction.
3. Debunk common myths about soy and phytoestrogens while providing clarity on their role in menopause nutrition.

Around the World in a Teaspoon: A Virtual Journey Through Global Flavors – Bettina Applewhite, MS, RDN, LDN, SNS 

Explore how global cuisines, cultural food traditions, and flavor diversity can enhance nutrition practice and client engagement. This session will spark new ideas for culturally inclusive counseling, menu planning, and community programming.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify key spices and flavor profiles from various world cuisines and describe their cultural and nutritional significance and how they can be applied in dishes to improve nutrient variety in meals.
2. Apply global seasoning techniques to create culturally inclusive, lower-sodium, and flavor-forward dishes.
3. Integrate flavor storytelling and cultural context into client education or menu development to improve engagement and trust.

The MAHA Movement: How Can Registered Dietitians Correct Misinformation and Collaborate to Address Concerns? – Kristin Riggsbee, PhD, RDN,LDN

In today’s rapidly changing nutrition landscape, misinformation spreads quickly—and our role as trusted experts has never been more critical. Dr. Riggsbee will explore strategies for addressing misconceptions, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and strengthening collaboration within our communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the key beliefs and messaging of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement led by RFK Jr., including its perspectives on food safety, preservatives, and vaccines, and explain how these influence client attitudes and nutrition behaviors.
2. Demonstrate effective, evidence-based communication strategies that registered dietitians can use to address misinformation and build trust when collaborating with clients influenced by the MAHA movement.

Unpacking the Package: How Ultra-processed Foods are Eating Away at Our Health. –  Tina Marinaccio, MS, RD, CPT

Ultra-processed foods, a major component of the modern Western diet, are high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, artificial dyes, preservatives, and chemical additives, and contribute to rising rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. This presentation explores the health risks associated with consuming these products and the biological mechanisms through which they disrupt metabolism, gut health, and hormonal balance. Research shows that artificial colors and preservatives can trigger inflammation, alter the microbiome, and may even influence mood and behavior. Beyond individual health, ultra-processed foods perpetuate environmental and social inequities through aggressive marketing and unsustainable production practices. By understanding how these additives and industrial ingredients affect our bodies and food systems, we can make more informed dietary choices and advocate for cleaner, minimally processed alternatives. Practical strategies to reduce exposure, such as reading ingredient labels, prioritizing whole foods, and supporting policies that promote transparency and food quality will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key components that define ultra-processed foods.
2. Explain metabolic processes in how refined sugars, unhealthy fats, dyes, preservatives, and chemical additives contribute to chronic.
3. Evaluate the broader social impacts of ultra-processed food production, marketing, and accessibility, and how these factors affect food system inequities.

Protein and Fiber: Closing the Gap Between Guidelines and Reality. –Mary Finckenor, MA, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM, CSSD, CCRP

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify evidence-based requirements for protein and fiber across adult populations, including those on GLP-1 therapies or at risk for sarcopenia and metabolic disease.
2. Explain the physiological roles of protein and fiber in satiety, glycemic control, gut integrity, and healthy aging.
3. Describe the clinical consequences of chronic underconsumption of protein and fiber, including impacts on metabolic health, muscle loss, and gastrointestinal function.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring in T2DM – 2026 Update. – Emily Schilling, RD, LDN, CDCES

Continuous glucose monitoring continues to evolve, and so does our role as dietitians in diabetes care. Emily will provide the latest updates, practical applications, and insights to help you confidently integrate CGM data into patient education and management strategies.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the clinical benefits and applications of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
2. Interpret CGM data to identify patterns of glycemic variability and their nutritional implications.
3. Identify and troubleshoot common technical and user-related challenges associated with CGM use

SHIFT CARE Protocol: A Comprehensive Approach to Combating Cardiometabolic Conditions in Shift Workers. –  Chelsea Danna, DCN-C, MEd, RD, LDN

Shift work presents real challenges for metabolic health, sleep, and long-term disease risk. Dr. Danna will share evidence-based strategies and practical tools dietitians can use to better support this often-overlooked population.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define shift work to accurately identify comorbidities common in shift workers.
2. Identify risk factors that increase incidence of cardiometabolic conditions.
3. Describe effective recommendations for clients impacted by shift work.

Filtration to Failure: Advancing Renal Care Through Nutrition Therapy. – Carley Rusch, PhD, RDN, LDN

Renal disease management continues to evolve – nutrition therapy plays a critical role across the continuum of care. Dr. Rusch will explore evidence-based strategies and practical applications to support patients from early-stage kidney disease through advanced care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the progression of impaired renal function, including acute and chronic kidney disease, and implications for health.
2. Describe the impact of malnutrition and nutrition intervention strategies to support management of impaired renal function.
3. Evaluate guidelines for chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury throughout the continuum of care.

Precision Nutrition – Recent Advances and Controversies in Genetic Testing.  – Ahmed El-Sohemy, PhD

There is increasing awareness among researchers, educators, healthcare professionals and consumers that the one-size-fits-all, population-based approach to nutritional guidance is inefficient and sometimes ineffective. Genetic differences can explain individual differences in response to various dietary factors and randomized controlled trials show that DNA-based dietary recommendations can improve compliance. With increasing awareness and demand for genetic testing, there is a need for healthcare professionals to have sufficient knowledge to understand and determine the benefits and limitations of the science and testing.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how genetic variation impacts nutritional requirements.
2. Learn how to identify relevant genetic markers with clinical relevance.
3. Recognize the benefits and limitations of consumer genetic testing and understand what genetic tests can and cannot reveal about a person’s health and dietary recommendations.