Ryan Andrews is a principal nutritionist and adviser for Precision Nutrition and an adjunct instructor at Purchase College, State University of New York. He holds master’s degrees in both Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Kent State University and a BS in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado.
Andrews is also a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), a certified exercise physiologist (ACSM), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).
He frequently writes and speaks about nutrition, health, and sustainable food systems and has accumulated over 1000 hours volunteering at organic farms and with non-profit food recovery organizations.
Articles by Ryan Andrews, MS, MA, RD, RYT, CSCS
All About Vitamins & Minerals
It’s not breaking news that vitamins and minerals are essential to good health. Most of us have been told that since we were in diapers. Heck, even Lucky Charms brags about being “fortified with 12 essential vitamins and minerals.” So they must be important! But why, exactly? How many vitamins and minerals are there, and […]
18 ways to start transforming your body immediately.
Changing how you think is hard. Changing your environment isn't. By training your environment, your habits follow. Here, 18 strategies from the experts. They'll help you you improve your lifestyle and transform your body, no willpower required.
Are detox diets good for you?
Those colorful, expensive bottles of juice look healthy. But are detox diets good for you? Here’s what the science says — and how a juice cleanse landed one of our nutrition experts in the ER.
Becoming a vegetarian without giving up meat.
Becoming a vegetarian can make you healthier and leaner, but for most people the term brings to mind anemic zealots, astronomical Whole Foods bills, and a weepy goodbye to bacon. Here’s how to get the benefits of plant-based eating without all the crazy (and, yes, without giving up meat).
Living well with fibromyalgia
Once dismissed as a made-up problem, the pain disorder fibromyalgia is now confirmed to afflict millions, including a staggering 3.4 percent of adult women. The good news is that it’s easier than ever to feel better thanks to our (slowly) increasing knowledge. The bad news: As with any fledgling market, everyone wants to sell you a quick fix. But with help from trusted trainers and coaches, you can get the real answers, begin developing new lifestyle strategies today, and start feeling better tomorrow.
Exercise when sick:
Everybody gets sick. But it’s tough to know what to do about it; do you exercise when sick or not. Should you “sweat it out”? Or get some rest instead? In this article we clear up the confusion. Next time you come down with the flu or a cold, you’ll know what to do.
Tennis and golfer’s elbow:
The elbow may be known as the “funny bone” but if you suffer from tennis or golfer’s elbow, the pain you feel is no joke. Read on to discover why it hurts – and what you can do to regain comfort, mobility, and top performance.
Oil pulling for oral health
As people get proactive about health, they try to eliminate more and more chemicals from their environment. This means making smarter decisions about their food, drink, and self-care practices. Which is why, we think, oil pulling has seen a tremendous surge of popularity. Well, that, and the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow has been talking all about it.
Detox diets. Juice cleanses.
After a season of holiday indulgence, cleanses and detox diets are all the rage. But do cleansing diets really help? Do you need to detox, and can it benefit you? Join Ryan Andrews as he explains the science behind the hype and then, in the name of research, endures hunger pangs, headaches, and trips to the ER – and offers ten simple tips that are guaranteed to keep your body lean and clean.
Heartburn, reflux, and GERD:
What are the biggest-selling prescription medications in the United States? Statins for heart disease? Painkillers? Antidepressants? Actually, none of the above. The biggest-selling prescription drug in the US is Nexium, a treatment for acid reflux. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Acid reflux, or its big brother, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is the #1 disease of the digestive tract. Pretty much everyone will experience heartburn and reflux at some point in their lives. It this article we'll share 10 nutrition and lifestyle tips for feeling better now.
The dental diet:
Dental health is more important than most people realize. And nutrition plays a big role in this. Want to know what to eat to keep your teeth and gums strong? Chew on this.
Alkaline water:
Some people believe that alkaline water helps our bodies metabolize nutrients and expel toxins more efficiently than regular tap water, leading to better health and performance. Anecdotal evidence supports some of those claims. But so far, the jury’s still out on alkaline water’s benefits, and until we learn more, hydrating yourself with properly filtered tap water and supplementing with mineralized water is probably your healthiest and most economical choice.
Nutrition for bone health:
Strong bones are crucial to good health, and good nutrition is crucial to strong bones. By eating a whole foods diet high in essential minerals and vitamins, you can protect yourself from osteoporosis, the “silent thief.” Find out what you need to protect the health of your skeleton for years to come.
Phytates and phytic acid.
Phytic acid – the storage form of phosphorus – is one of those pesky "anti-nutrients" the Paleo community keeps telling you to avoid. It's often considered an anti-nutrient because it binds minerals in the digestive tract, making them less available to our bodies. Yet these same anti-nutrient properties can also help in the prevention of chronic disease.
All About Food Porn
Images of delectable food surround us these days. From the television or computer screen to the flyers coming into our mailboxes, we’re surrounded. And no, it’s not just your imagination: Pictures of food really do stimulate us to eat, and even to overeat. To find out how and why food imagery exerts such power – and what you can do about it – read on.
Nutrition for kids:
What does healthy nutrition for kids look like? In this article we discuss how childhood shapes brain development, metabolism, and overall health. And how to give our children a great start.
Roundtable interview: 3 people you should listen to, part 2
In Part 2 of this roundtable series, Ryan Andrews interviews Nate Green, Krista Scott-Dixon, and Brian St. Pierre about workouts, favorite quotes, supplements they like – and the most embarrassing items in their kitchens.
All About Endocrine Disruptors
Every day we’re exposed to specific chemicals that mess up or hormonal systems. While that sounds nasty, there's good news. Once you understand which to avoid, you'll be better able to protect yourself.
Roundtable interview:
In this roundtable discussion, Ryan Andrews quizzes PN superstars – and real people – Nate Green, Krista Scott Dixon, and Brian St. Pierre about nutrition, body composition, supplements – and their taste in trashy music.
All About Genetic Testing and Nutrition
Our different genotypes account for our differing nutritional needs and food sensitivities. In theory, genetic screening holds promise as a tool for fine-tuning individual diets. But for now, it’s still an often costly and error-prone procedure that may not provide the answers we want.
Infant nutrition:
New parents are subjected to all kinds of contradictory advice about infant nutrition. But with a few simple guidelines – and some advice from PN parents – you can be sure that you are getting your infant off to the healthiest start.
All About Potatoes
While many people avoid potatoes due to fear of toxins or excessive weight gain, the humble spud, if stored and prepared with care, is a nutritious, delicious, and environmentally friendly food source that shouldn't be ignored.
All About Folates and Folic Acid
Folate deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in developed countries, contributing to serious health problems such as neural tube defects (NTD), megaloblastic anemia, digestive disorders, cardiovascular disease, mood disorders, and more. Supplementing with folic acid or folinic acid can reduce the risks associated with folate deficiency.
A grain of truth:
Against the grain? Ryan Andrews is not. In this article he outlines why he prefers to eat grains. And why, unless you're intolerant to grains, you might consider them too.
Resistant starch:
Resistant starch is a type of starch that isn’t fully broken down and absorbed, but rather turned into short-chain fatty acids by intestinal bacteria. This may lead to some unique health benefits. To get the most from resistant starch, choose whole, unprocessed sources of carbohydrate such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans/legumes.
Healthy eating: Just what were you expecting?
Are your expectations for healthy eating too unrealistic? Are you making it impossible for yourself to succeed? If so, maybe it's time to test those expectations against reality.
Blood tests & lab analysis:
Blood tests (aka blood work) can show us, obviously, what's in our blood. (And, by extension, what's in our bodies). That's because blood gives us insight into what we can't see from the outside. In this article we outline how it works and what you need to know.
Cooking with kale
Kale is a nutritional superfood -- it almost makes broccoli look like Doritos. But if you're used to seeing kale as merely a garnish or perhaps an annual that provides colourful winter foliage for your garden, you might wonder how the heck to cook it. Don't worry: star vegan chef Chef Ryan is on the job. Bam!
All about grains:
Research suggests that whole grains are good for you. But before you feel smug about downing those "whole wheat" pretzels, organic corn chips, or "enriched" Wonder Bread slices, find out the facts about whole grains.
Are vegetarians too skinny?
Are vegetarians too skinny? Is there something to be said for this level of leanness? Are vegetarians just wasting away due to their food choices, on a collision course with anorexia and eventual death? Or is their leanness all part of some other plan?
Examining meal plans:
What if I told you that 1/2 cup oats, 4 egg whites, 5 ounces of chicken, and 1/2 cup broccoli was a recipe for getting fat? For most people, restrictive meal plans are the last stop on the expressway to overeating.
All about disordered eating:
Humans have starved themselves, over-eaten, and purged for thousands of years. Yet it was not until the 20th century that extreme slenderness became a widespread cultural ideal. Now we know that disordered eating in the 21st century is a complex phenomenon with many causes and consequences.
All About Genetically Modified Foods
If you're like 60% of Americans, you probably don't think you've ever eaten a genetically modified (GM) food. Think again. GM foods are everywhere in our food supply. Here's what they are, and why you should care.
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