Lana McCarthy MS, RD, LD

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My perfect, derpy baby.💕🐾 Some days there isn’t a single thought behind those eyes. Other days she’s an evil genius, like most cats. And sometimes it seems her thoughts are 1990s metal music while she becomes the Tasmanian Devil. She’s weird. She’s loud. She’s a menace. She’s my Rikku. And I’m so thankful she was the one screaming loud enough for me to find her at the shelter that day. ❤️#furbaby #catsoftiktok

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I may or may not spend my free time investigating food labels for fun. 🤓 WHO RU TO JUDGE MEEEE? Once you know how ingredient lists work, they become little mysteries you can solve. Every ingredient list and Nutrition Facts panel give you more clues, and suddenly you start seeing foods (and supplements!) completely differently. It’s weirdly satisfying, helps you make more informed food choices, and can save you moolah too. What should we investigate next? 🔍 #dietitiantips #nutritiontips #foodlabels #nutritioneducation

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Cyclospora cases are increasing, but don’t panic. Here’s what you should know. 👇 First, Cyclospora is a parasite—not a bacterium. It’s spread by consuming food or water contaminated with human feces🫪, not by casual contact with someone who is sick. Unlike many stomach bugs, it isn’t typically spread directly from person to person. Current status: The CDC and FDA are actively investigating this year’s increase in cases. At the time of this post, they have not identified a single food or manufacturer responsible. 😭 Cyclospora outbreaks are historically difficult to solve because: 
• Symptoms often don’t appear until 2–14 days after exposure.
• By then, people have trouble remembering exactly what they ate.
• Fresh produce is usually gone by the time investigators begin traceback.
• Produce supply chains are incredibly complex, often involving multiple farms, distributors, and retailers. Freaking great!!! *sarcasm Some states have reported more cases than others, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those states are “unsafe.” It may reflect differences in testing, reporting, or where contaminated food happened to be distributed. Thirty-two states have reported cases so far, with Michigan reporting the highest number of cases. Common symptoms include:
• Watery (sometimes explosive) diarrhea
• Frequent bowel movements
• Stomach cramps
• Bloating and gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss If you develop persistent diarrhea, especially if you’ve eaten fresh produce recently, contact your healthcare provider. Ask if they test for Cyclospora, since it isn’t always included in every routine stool test. Cyclospora is usually treated with the prescription antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), commonly sold as Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. One last thing: the foods mentioned in this carousel are not “bad” or “unsafe” foods. They’re foods that have been more commonly associated with Cyclospora outbreaks in the past. Most people who eat them will never develop Cyclospora. The goal isn’t to stop eating fruits and vegetables—it’s to understand which food-handling practices can help reduce your risk while investigators work to identify the source of the current outbreak. May your butthole be safe in these troubling times 🫡🍩#dietitiantips #cyclospora #foodsafety #fruitsandveggies