Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about AND. What if the secret to achieving your 2026 health goals isn't about choosing between this OR that, but embracing this AND that? Jenn challenges the pervasive binary thinking that dominates diet culture—the "eat this, not that" mentality that's been marketed to us for years. But can we really have high protein AND high fiber, enjoy nourishing meals AND joyful treats, pursue professional success AND personal wellness? Jenn explores how the power of "and" might transform not just our relationship with food, but our entire approach to health, relationships, and even conflicting ideas. Is it possible to hold two seemingly opposite truths at the same time, or are we destined to choose sides? What does Jenn really think about finding balance in a world that demands we pick a lane? Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here:https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/
KEYWORDS: Jenn Trepeck, Nutrition Nugget, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Health Tips, Wellness Tips, Binary Thinking, Diet Culture, Nutrition Balance, Health Coaching, Quality Fuel, Plant Forward Eating, Animal Based Protein, Mindful Eating, Joyful Treats, Strength Training, Restorative Movement, Sleep Quality, Social Connection, Functional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Weight Loss Strategies, Wellness Goals, New Year Resolutions, Food Choices, Flexible Dieting, Intuitive Eating, Emotional Wellness, Mental Health Balance, Longevity Equation, Connection And Health, Pharmaceutical Alternatives, Supplement Integration, Blood Work Analysis, Personal Wellness, Professional Performance, Restrictive Mindset, Food Freedom, Healthy Habits, Sustainable Nutrition, Wellness Community, Health Transformation, Body Positivity, Nutrition Science, Wellness Myths, Evidence Based Nutrition, How To Stop Binary Thinking About Food, Integrating Health And Enjoyment In 2026
Transcripts
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[00:00:27] If you're listening the day this goes live, it is January 2nd, 2026. So happy new year and as we stand at the beginning of a new year. I mean, many of us are ready, right? Like we have big plans, big dreams, and I think a lot of times those come with expectations of our behavior. We expect ourselves to do some things or not do some things that we used to do.[00:01:00]
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[00:01:30] Instead of this or that, it was this and that. And when I do this with my clients, you know, with health coaching clients, it's health coaching and their doctors, it's health coaching and a physical therapist, a personal trainer who, whoever else is helpful in their care team, who's helpful in your care team and like when it comes to your food choices, how often do you find yourself saying good or bad?
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[00:02:28] So, funny enough, now, this was like ages ago, but MINDBODY Green posted something kind of like this related to health they said. The best health advice is usually somewhere in the middle. High protein and high fiber animal-based and plant forward nourishing meals and joyful treats, strength training and restorative movement, consistency and flexibility, quality, sleep and [00:03:00] social connection.
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[00:03:25] It's not typical blood work or functional blood work. It's typical blood work and functional blood work and lifestyle medicine. And I think we can also explore this in other areas of our lives. So when, you know, notice where else your thinking is almost creating a false choice, a new job title, or more money.
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[00:04:23] It sometimes requires us to hold two different things in our minds at the same time. And when it comes to our emotions, something can be deeply sad and enlightening. We can feel exhausted and excited. Like we can hold two emotions at the same time. And if we're willing to hold two emotions at the same time, what if we hold two conflicting ideas?
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[00:05:14] So could we in 2026 have conversations with people that maybe we don't agree with and function in a dialogue to explore how both of those opinions can be true? Like can we push ourselves to understand two seemingly conflicting ideas? And I think for what it's worth, even thinking about our conversations with others this way translates into our health and our wellbeing and our longevity.
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[00:06:08] Tara, I'm so glad you're here for this. What do you think? What do you wanna add? Nothing. Because
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[00:06:28] I'm sure in middle school I often say two things can be true at the same time, and I use it for my kids, or I use it in a conflict with someone. I love it because it's more of an additive mentality that I think we could all need, like we all can hold more instead of rejecting more like it's possible.
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[00:06:54] Jenn Trepeck: Yeah, but I love what you said too, of like holding more, creating the capacity for more, and [00:07:00] even just thinking about it with the end allows us to do that.
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[00:07:13] But generally speaking, when it comes to wellness, we can always be doing more. And I don't mean doing more like you can be getting in more steps you could have done. More exercise. I'm talking about like we can have more than we think. Like we can build upon our strengths. We can have more balance, we can do more balancing.
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[00:07:45] Jenn Trepeck: Yes. I love it. Alright friends, well, what could exist for you? In 2026, if you made this year all about the, and. We shall see. And as [00:08:00] always, I'm your host, gen Tpic.
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[00:08:24] Tara Schmidt. Thank you again for being here and happy New Year.
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[00:08:31] Jenn Trepeck: Likewise. Friends, if you are not already a member, join us in the Happy Healthy Hub. You'll go to a salad with the side of fries.com. This shows your support for this podcast, this community, and of course, more importantly, your health.
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[00:09:06] Thanks so much for joining us. Be sure to click subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform. Share us with a friend and we'll be back next week. Always remember you deserve it and you are worth it. Happy, healthy.
