Michelle Cardel, PhD, RD

Michelle Cardel, PhD, RD Dr. Cardel is a nutrition & obesity scientist and registered dietitian helping families become healthier through evidence based practice.

💥 Creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders anymore. I was excited to be quoted in this new  article by  and  exploring how c...
07/15/2025

💥 Creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders anymore. I was excited to be quoted in this new article by and exploring how creatine is gaining mainstream traction—especially among women focused on healthy aging and cognitive performance.

Key insights include:
✔️ Creatine is a natural compound that’s found in our muscles and brain that is incredibly well researched and plays a critical role in how our cells metabolize energy.
✔️ It can help build lean muscle mass and has been shown to improve athletic performance.
✔️ Creatine may help support memory and brain health but the research is emerging.
✔️ For women experiencing peri- and post-menopause, it can aid in maintaining muscle mass and bone health, making it a valuable tool for long-term vitality.
✔️ But it’s not a silver bullet and creatine works best when paired with progressive strength training and an overall healthy lifestyle, including adequate protein, calcium, and vitamin D.

The article does a great job breaking down the science behind creatine, highlighting how it’s being embraced by a broader audience—from athletes to health-conscious women—thanks to its well-researched benefits for both body and brain.
🧠💪

Read the full piece here: https://www.vogue.com/article/creatine

Summer ☀️🏝️
07/13/2025

Summer ☀️🏝️

Fuel your Fourth with festive, fresh, and feel-good snacks! Which red, white & blue treat would you try first? 🇺🇸       ...
07/03/2025

Fuel your Fourth with festive, fresh, and feel-good snacks! Which red, white & blue treat would you try first? 🇺🇸

Is protein overhyped for muscle gain? Years of data show that consistent resistance training is the largest driver of bu...
07/02/2025

Is protein overhyped for muscle gain? Years of data show that consistent resistance training is the largest driver of building muscle (~90% of gains). Protein does helps, but once you hit ~1.6g/kg/day, more won’t do much.

Bottom line: Train well, eat smart, and don’t stress
over chasing ultra-high protein goals!

It’s officially summer ☀️
07/01/2025

It’s officially summer ☀️

Your oral birth control might not be as effective if you’re on a GLP-1. Meds like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can slow...
06/21/2025

Your oral birth control might not be as effective if you’re on a GLP-1. Meds like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can slow digestion and cause vomiting which may reduce how well the pill works. Talk to your healthcare provider about what other options are available to you. 💊

Huge thanks to the wonderful  for writing this piece—“Wait, We’re ‘Fibermaxxing’ Now?”—and for featuring my insights alo...
06/16/2025

Huge thanks to the wonderful for writing this piece—“Wait, We’re ‘Fibermaxxing’ Now?”—and for featuring my insights alongside other amazing dietitians! In the article, Lauren explores the rising trend of “fibermaxxing”—a term that refers to intentionally maximizing your fiber intake by choosing high-fiber foods throughout the day.

She highlights how fiber plays a powerful role in helping us feel full, supporting digestion, balancing blood sugar, and even managing cholesterol. The piece also offers helpful reminders to increase fiber gradually, stay hydrated, and listen to your body as you make changes.

I appreciate the opportunity to have contributed my insights to such a thoughtful and practical guide—thank you again, Lauren!

A new study found postmenopausal women on hormone therapy + semaglutide lost ~33% more weight than those on semaglutide ...
06/12/2025

A new study found postmenopausal women on hormone therapy + semaglutide lost ~33% more weight than those on semaglutide alone (16% vs 12% at 12 months) 📉

Estrogen may boost how GLP‑1 meds work, helping with appetite, metabolism, and fat distribution. Note, this is a small study (PMID: 38446869) so would be considered preliminary findings but it is exciting nonetheless.Talk to your provider to learn more!

This week, we said goodbye to our beloved abuela, Mamá Cuca, at the age of 96. She was a force—vibrant, joyful, and full...
06/06/2025

This week, we said goodbye to our beloved abuela, Mamá Cuca, at the age of 96. She was a force—vibrant, joyful, and full of life until the very end. She loved the color purple, dancing until the sun came up, reading, fashion, champagne, God, traveling, and being surrounded by family. She wore her nails in a signature red and her giggles reminded me of a young girls, full of mischief & delight.

She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and wife. She was married to our wonderful grandfather, Bia, for over 60 years in a love that grounded and inspired us all. I was deeply honored to wear the dress she wore the night of her wedding when I married Dom 13 sweet years ago.

Every summer growing up, I lived with her in Puerto Rico. I learned to cook in her kitchen, where cookies and jello with fruit molded into it (it was the 80s 🤷🏽‍♀️) were always waiting, and love was served in every bite. Her cakes & cookies were the stuff of legend, and she would take them regularly to the fire department, police, church, neighbors, and friends and family. I cannot eat coffee cake without thinking of her.

We had so many adventures together—traveling as roommates and partners to Ireland, Argentina, Brazil, and countless places across Puerto Rico and the U.S. She never said no to a new experience.

Mamá Cuca taught me to say yes to life. She said yes to joy, to adventure, to connection, to living with gusto. She was effortlessly elegant, with a flair for fashion and a heart wide open. She told me often how proud she was of me and encouraged me in every step I took. When I was in college, she used to send me money to “buy a hamburger”, a small act of love that meant everything.

She never judged us—she simply loved us. She found pride in all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, focusing on what was beautiful and unique about each of us.

Her legacy, love, and the family she built lives on in her three daughters, six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren with each of us forever shaped by her light, her laughter, and her unwavering love.

We’ll miss her deeply, but she’s in everything we do. And always, always in the yes. 💜

Feeling honored and energized after an incredible few days at Nutrition 2025, hosted by the  in Orlando. I had the privi...
06/03/2025

Feeling honored and energized after an incredible few days at Nutrition 2025, hosted by the in Orlando. I had the privilege of speaking in two invited oral symposiums — one as a panelist on the importance of science communication, and the other on the nutritional and behavioral needs of individuals on GLP-1 medications.

In the latter, I shared the latest data on research conducted by the Science & Program Innovation Team, as well research we conducted in collaboration with Dr. Leslie Heinberg at Cleveland Clinic. The data demonstrated that when semaglutide or tirzepatide is paired with our WW GLP1 Companion Program, a behavioral program tailored to those on GLP1s to optimize health, well being, and attenuate side effects while on the meds, patients experience significant improvements in:
✅Overall diet quality
✅Resistance training
✅Reduced sedentary time
✅Blood pressure
✅Alcohol consumption
✅Quality of life

We also presented findings from a recent observational study of 200 WeightWatchers members who transitioned off their GLP-1 medication and relied solely on our behavior program. The result? Not only did they maintain their weight, they continued to lose — averaging an additional 1.8% body weight loss at 13 weeks. We’re now conducting a randomized controlled trial to rigorously test this exciting insight — with results expected by the end of the year.

Of course, one of the best parts was reconnecting with brilliant scientists from across the globe, colleagues, and friends, and diving deep into the latest in cutting-edge nutrition science. Grateful for the opportunity and inspired by the innovation in this field.

Inspired by what .tommymartin posted, I asked ChatGPT to tell me three things about me I may not realize based on our in...
05/27/2025

Inspired by what .tommymartin posted, I asked ChatGPT to tell me three things about me I may not realize based on our interactions. It made me teary 🥺

Can meditation actually help you manage your weight? 🧘‍♀️According to a comprehensive analysis of mindfulness-based inte...
05/21/2025

Can meditation actually help you manage your weight? 🧘‍♀️

According to a comprehensive analysis of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), the answer is yes! Research shows that MBIs can lead to moderate weight loss (up to 7.5 lbs) and significantly improve eating behaviors like emotional or binge eating. Try out a quick 5-minute meditation this national meditation day!   
        
Carrière K, Khoury B, Gßnak MM, Knäuper B. Mindfulness-based interventions for weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2018 Feb;19(2):164-177. doi: 10.1111/obr.12623.

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Gainesville, FL

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