Today’s Dietitian
Vol. 28 No. 1 P. 4
Kicking off the new year, Today’s Dietitian (TD) brings you our first issue of 2026, jam-packed with captivating topics. With the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition’s clinical nutrition conference right around the corner in February, we draw attention to our cover story, “Nutrition Therapy for Chronic Critical Illness,” which tackles the topic of postintensive care syndrome and how to deliver the best nutrition support for these complex patients. Another clinically focused story includes “The Real-Food Formula Dilemma,” which addresses the conflicted stance of enteral nutrition formula reimbursement (frequently overlooking foods first) in the face of dietary guidelines (emphasizing foods first) and how RDs can become powerful advocates for better alignment in care delivery. We also offer insights and practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent patients and clients in our feature, “Flexible Meal Planning for Autism and ADHD.” Additionally, since we can’t forget that February is American Heart Month, we bring you a clinically oriented story on the role of nutrition in atrial fibrillation.
As media outlets everywhere turn their attention to New Year’s resolutions, weight management is an all-too-familiar topic. At TD, we take this opportunity to showcase a feature story that reactivates our Great Debates series and captures the controversial discussion about the link between metabolic health and weight. Exploring concepts of “metabolically unhealthy normal weight” and “metabolically healthy obesity,” we hear from experts with various perspectives about what the latest research shows, what we know, and what questions remain.
With the new year, many are also considering ways to further advance their career, including pivoting, or leveling up their current game. In our feature story, “Beyond the Prison Bars,” we bring attention to a little-known area of dietetics—working with reentry populations—that may spark inspiration.
If you’re like some who may be sad to see the holiday season wane, we are here to give you a little boost by extending the spirit with our Cultural Foodways spotlight on German cuisine, which is never complete without a whimsical tour of the German Christmas markets.
I hope you enjoy the issue and Happy New Year!
— Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN, editor
TDeditor@gvpub.com