Articles by Marie Spano MS, RDN

Tape Measure and Healthy Foods

Weighing Options: Too Many Americans Still Overweight or Obese

As plant-protein ingredients continue to gain ground, new introductions to the market offer formulators more options for experimentation
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
September 15, 2020
Where the focus in developing foods and beverages for better weight management once was on sweeteners and calorie cutting, today's weight-management products reflect the protein trend, especially the emphasis on plant proteins.
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Woman Drinking Water

Building Immunity

A healthy immune system keeps us active and energized
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
June 18, 2018
Vitamins, minerals, beta-glucans, antioxidants, oligosaccharides, probiotics, and plant compounds all do their part to help build the immune system and keep us active and replete with the energy needed to get through the day—and life.
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Endurance athletes, such as cyclists, often opt for a high-fat or ketogenic diet

Pairing Nutrition with Exercise

Nutrition needs differ for anaerobic versus aerobic exercise
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
October 18, 2017
Activity and diet are not mutually exclusive when it comes to weight management. It takes both for complete health. It also takes both types of exercise, anaerobic and aerobic, and each has its own nutrition needs.
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A Woman And Man Riding Bicycles Next to Each Other

Foods for the Muscle Bound

Protein reigns when it comes to combating muscle loss with aging
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
July 20, 2017

Low protein intake is associated with reduced muscle mass and strength throughout life. Healthy elderly adults who consume more protein than their peers or take protein supplements, while still at risk, will lose less muscle mass as they age.


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Resistance training is a primary component of strengthening muscle mass

Muscle Maintenance

Foods and beverages packed with proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins are being developed to better build and maintain muscles
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
January 12, 2016

Muscle loss is a serious issue for men and women.


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When intensity ramps up, so does an athlete’s reliance on carbohydrate to fuel muscular contractions

Functional Foods for Energy

Functional carbs, vitamins, minerals and stimulants could help weekend warriors or hard-core exercise enthusiasts keep up their physiological and mental energy
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
October 14, 2015

When it comes to refueling—whether running a Sunday 26-mile marathon or the weekly rat race—the requirements for both nutritive fuel carbs, proteins, fats and other energy sources is an inescapable need.


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cyclists, bikes

Sports Performance Nutrition

Food and beverages makers face complex challenges when targeting the needs of the active consumer. Many new and re-imagined ingredients are rising to meet those challenges.
Marie Spano, Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting
Marie Spano MS, RDN
November 21, 2013
Today’s sports nutrition formulations provide sophisticated ingredients, alone and in combination, for not only athletes and weekend warriors -- but also those engaged in the grueling competition of simply getting through the stressful marathon that is modern living.
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