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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD

@drsarahballantyne.bsky.social
2.1K followers 121 following 2.5K posts

Founder of Nutrivore 🍏 | PhD Scientist On a mission to make nutrient dense eating simple, joyful & sustainable. Free Beginner's Guide to Nutrivore ⬇️ www.nutrivorenewsletter.com

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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
In my newest Substack post, I’m digging into what chromium does in the body, what the research says about its health effects. open.substack.com/pub/nutrivor...
open.substack.com
The Surprising Health Problems from Not Enough Chromium
Learn the surprising ways that chromium supports our health, how much we actually need, and the best food sources.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
In my newest Substack, I’m digging into glucosinolates, their benefits for heart health, and the science behind these fascinating compounds. open.substack.com/pub/nutrivor...?
open.substack.com
Do you still get the benefits of cauliflower if it’s in pizza crust form?
Glucosinolates for cardiovascular health, how I think about healthified foods, and my recipe for Garlic and Lemon Roasted Cauliflower
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In my latest Substack post, I analyze 18 nutrients currently being studied for their connections to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease progression. If you are…as they say, “of a certain age,” you definitely won’t want to miss this one! open.substack.com/pub/nutrivor...?
open.substack.com
Nutrients for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
Learn about 18 nutrients that affect our risk for Alzheimer’s diseases and Parkinson’s disease, and which foods supply them.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This week’s newsletter digs into the fascinating research connecting beta-carotene with lower type 2 diabetes risk and better insulin sensitivity. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/beta-carot...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Beta-carotene can improve insulin sensitivity?
Beta-carotene for type 2 diabetes, cooking at home doesn’t have to mean cooking from scratch, and my simple recipe for Spiced Baked Sweet Potatoes
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
My latest post covers K1 vs. K2 (spoiler alert: Not all vitamin K is absorbed equally), the many roles vitamin K plays beyond blood clotting, and the foods that give us the most. I’m breaking it all down in my newest Substack, live today! open.substack.com/pub/nutrivor...?
open.substack.com
The Surprising Health Problems from Not Enough Vitamin K
Learn the surprising ways that vitamin K supports our health, how much we actually need, and the best food sources.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Make healthy eating patterns a habit, while ditching diet mentality I’m curious, but need more info nutrivore.com/start-here/w... I’m a self starter & enjoy learning nutrivore.com/book/ Just tell me what to eat & how much nutrivore.com/product/nutr... I need structure. nutrivore.com/nutrivore90/
nutrivore.com
What Is Nutrivore?
Nutrivore is a fresh, flexible approach to healthy eating that prioritizes nutrient-dense foods and embraces balance. Learn how to eat, not how to diet.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
My Substack post this week is all about calcium: its important biological roles, what happens when we don't get enough, and the top food sources. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/the-surpri...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
The Surprising Health Problems from Not Enough Calcium
Learn the surprising ways that calcium supports our health, how much we actually need, and the best food sources (including 20 non-dairy options).
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Timely article. Thanks for having me @womansworldmag.bsky.social www.womansworld.com/wellness/fro...
womansworld.com
Frozen vs. Fresh Vegetables: The Healthier Choice May Surprise You
Plus find out how much you really need to eat each day
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
In this week's article, I explore the science behind folate, the difference between folate and folic acid, its relationship to more than a dozen health conditions, and the best whole food sources to get more of it. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/the-surpri...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
The Surprising Health Problems from Not Enough Folate
Learn the surprising ways that vitamin B9 (a.k.a. folate or folic acid) supports our health, how much we actually need, and the best food sources.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
When people want to improve their diet, they often think about cutting foods out or making dramatic changes. But some of the biggest nutritional wins come from adding tiny things that barely change a meal at all. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/a-simple-t...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
A simple trick to get even more benefits from garlic.
Thiosulfinates, garlic with mashed acorn squash, and foods that make a big nutritional difference even in small amounts.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
In my latest article, I explore what the research says about the role of nutrition, including eight nutrients linked to reducing the risk and severity of pathological fatigue. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/nutrients-...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Nutrients for Chronic Fatigue & Fatigue
Learn about 8 nutrients that reduce risk of pathological fatigue including ME/CFS, and which foods supply them.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
One of the most interesting findings I came across is how consistently low vitamin B12 status shows up in depression research. It's not proof of cause and effect, but it's certainly enough to make you stop and ask questions. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/this-might...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
This might be the trickiest vitamin for vegetarians
Vitamin B12 for depression, plant-food sources of vitamin B12, and my favorite homemade beef sausage recipe.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Pomegranates are best known for their impressive polyphenol content, they're also a surprisingly good source of folate, a nutrient linked to lower levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and cardiovascular & brain health. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/dont-glaze...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Don’t “glaze” over this folate-filled salmon recipe, especially if you have inflammation!
Vitamin B9 for inflammation, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, and why small steps are the best steps
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
My newest Substack post dives into the research on vitaminB9 (folate), including its role in loweringinflammatorymarkers like C-reactive protein. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/dont-glaze...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Don’t “glaze” over this folate-filled salmon recipe, especially if you have inflammation!
Vitamin B9 for inflammation, pomegranate molasses-glazed salmon, and why small steps are the best steps
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
If you or someone you love is expecting and you want a deeper, evidence-based look at pregnancy nutrition beyond the usual surface-level advice, you won’t want to miss this Substack. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/nutrients-...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Nutrients for Pregnancy & Fetal Development
Learn about 13 nutrients that help support a healthy pregnancy, fetal growth and development, and which foods supply them.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Thank you for finding me on BlueSky. I am most active on Threads and I post daily videos on TikTok and YouTube. I also have a Substack, where I share my weekly newsletter. Links to everything is in my bio.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I have 3 databases that are free for anyone who wants to fall down a nutrient nerd rabbit hole. You'll learn what nutrients do in the body, foods to eat for nutrients & how they impact health. Foods: nutrivore.com/foods/ Nutrients: nutrivore.com/nutrients/ Health Goals: nutrivore.com/health-goals/
nutrivore.com
Foods Archive
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
You can absolutely enjoy your banana berry smoothies! youtu.be/JSooUcjvU6A
youtu.be
Banana Berry Smoothie? Let's talk about it
YouTube video by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Up now on Substack! Learn about 13 nutrients that help support a healthy pregnancy, fetal growth and development, and which foods supply them. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/nutrients-...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Nutrients for Pregnancy & Fetal Development
Learn about 13 nutrients that help support a healthy pregnancy, fetal growth and development, and which foods supply them.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Fruits are are particularly rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, which help protect against chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. Fruits also contain polyphenols and fiber types that aid digestion and support a healthy gut microbiome.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Vegetables are particularly rich in vitamin C, K, folate, potassium, and magnesium, while also providing diverse fiber types that support gut health. 3-5 servings a day is a good goal. A serving for most veggies is 1 cup raw, or about the size of a fist. Most shrink to about 1/2 when cooked.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Is red meat healthy, unhealthy, or somewhere in the middle?This week on Substack, I’m breaking down what the research actually says about moderation, dietary patterns, and why nutrition labels shouldn’t swing from fear to hype.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Soluble vs Insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the gut, slowing digestion and helping feed beneficial gut bacteria. As it ferments, it produces compounds like short-chain fatty acids and vitamins. Foods high in soluble fiber include whole grains, legumes, fruits & potatoes
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Vitamin D supplementation? Let’s talk about it. youtu.be/_aHr5kMYVVg
youtu.be
Vitamin D supplementation?
YouTube video by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Vitamin E may help protect against heart disease, blood clots, and even some cancers. It could also slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Nuts and seeds are the best way to get in your vitamin e, just about a small handful per day is all you need! What are your favorite nuts and/or seeds?
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
My newest Substack breaks down the biology of vitamin D and why it’s involved in everything from calcium regulation to immune signaling and insulin function. I also go through the research linking low vitamin D status with osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, type 2 diabetes, & cardiovascular disease.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
How to make a balanced healthy meal. Think about 50% of your meal being fruits and veggies you already enjoy, 25% being a starch of your choice (legumes, root veggies, whole grains) and the other 25% a protein food you like (animal and/or protein) then cook/dress with healthy fats.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
What is a Nutrivore? 1. A person who chooses foods to supply all the nutrients their body needs to thrive. 2. A diet predominantly comprised of nutrient-dense whole foods. 3. A radical yet simple idea: Get all the nutrients we need from the food we eat. Let me know if you want to learn more.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
One of the most overlooked aspects of nutrition is phytonutrient diversity. Different plant compounds appear to influence completely different pathways in the body, which is part of why “eating the rainbow” is associated with better long-term health outcomes.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Scallions, green onions, and spring onions? What's the difference? Scallions are younger than green onions and they come from a species of onion that does not form bulbs. Green onions come from onion varieties that do not form bulbs...
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Food doesn't have to be bland to be healthy! Adding flavor, like salad dressing to a salad, does not take away from all the beneficial nutrients your body gets from all the veggies in your salad!
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Dragon Fruit Haiku Unusual sight Select red, yellow, or white Exotic delight
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Sodium is an essential nutrient. Excess sodium intake increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, kidney stones, kidney disease, and stomach cancer, especially when potassium and calcium intake is concurrently low.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Top 5 Mushrooms Ranked by Nutrivore Score (a measure of nutrient density) 1. Enoki 4434 2. Shiitake 4343 3. Maitake 3551 4. Oyster 2550 5. Cremini 2279
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Tomato Haiku Nightshade family. A vegetable or fruit? Popular world-wide.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Making these foods the foundation of your diet covers the widest range of nutrients and health benefits. Then you can round out your diet with other foods you enjoy. Leafy greens Cruciferous veggies Root veggies Mushrooms Alliums Legumes Nuts & Seeds Seafood Citrus fruits Berries
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Honeydew Haiku Dripping with juices Honey flavored pale green flesh The sweetest melon
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Fruit are rich sources of diverse fiber types and a vast array of phytonutrients. In addition to vitamin C and copper, with many also being a good source of B-vitamins (especially B1, B2, B5, B6, biotin and folate), vitamin K, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. What are your favorite fruits?
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Looking for your vegetables to cover a wide range of nutrients and health benefits? Add in these vegetable families! Aim for 7 servings a week each of Leafy greens Cruciferous veggies Root veggie Aim for 3 servings a week each of Mushrooms Alliums
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Pecan Haiku Rich, sweet, buttery. Synonymous with dessert. Pronunciation?
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
For some of us tracking just doesn’t work. It can take too much time & mental energy to be sustainable. Replace time-consuming tracking with an easy-to-use checklist that focuses on foods to add, helping you build a pattern of eating that supports your nutrient needs. nutrivore.com/product/nutr...
nutrivore.com
Nutrivore Weekly Serving Matrix
The Nutrivore Weekly Serving Matrix is an easy-to-use and flexible weekly checklist designed to help you maximize nutrient-density.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Pineapple Haiku The king of the fruits. Regal crown, erect posture. Sweet and acidic.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Food contains 1 of 2 forms of iron: iron as a component of heme (precursor to hemoglobin) or non-heme iron (predominant form in plant foods, although it’s also present in meat). Heme iron-rich foods include liver, organ meats, red meat, and some shellfish (oysters, mussels, and clams).
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
For anyone curious, here are some of the most efficient ways to get in more fiber. But of course all veggies, fruit, legumes and whole grains are good sources of fiber!
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Watermelon Haiku More than just water. Favorite summer-time fruit. Full of nutrients.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Root vegetables, including carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes, are excellent sources of fiber, slow-digesting carbohydrates, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Many are also rich in B vitamins (B6, biotin, and folate) and beta-carotene.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
NEW Substack! Learn about 10 nutrients that reduce risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture (and 3 that increase risk), and which foods supply them. www.nutrivorenewsletter.com/p/nutrients-...
nutrivorenewsletter.com
Nutrients for Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Learn about 10 nutrients that reduce risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture (and 3 that increase risk), and which foods supply them.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Most of us know Calcium is important for bone health, it also helps reduce the risk of kidney stones, high blood pressure during pregnancy, colorectal cancer, PMS symptoms, and may support healthy body weight. It works best alongside vitamin D and magnesium.
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Mushrooms provide B vitamins, selenium, copper & potassium, along with fiber types like chitin and beta-glucans. They are also the best dietary source of ergothioneine! Aim for at least 3 servings per week ( ½ cup cooked)
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Sarah Ballantyne, PhD @drsarahballantyne.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
If you’ve read the book, explored the website, or soaked up all the Nutrivore goodness online, you already know the focus: nutrient density over restriction. The Nutrivore approach is about what you can add, not what you have to take away. It’s science-based, flexible, and rooted in real life.
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