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The Facts on Fats: Science to Practice for Dietitians

Explore the latest science on dietary fats and their role in reducing chronic disease risk, supporting nutrient absorption, and improving overall diet quality. In this expert‑led webinar, Jessica Steier, DrPH, Martha Belury, PhD, RD, and Vandana Sheth, RDN, translate emerging research into practical, evidence‑based strategies to help professionals communicate clearly, address misinformation, and guide sustainable, culturally relevant dietary changes.

This webinar covers:

• How to select and implement inclusive communication strategies to counter misinformation about fats with empathy and accuracy, helping clients feel respected, supported, and empowered in their food choices. The session addresses the gap between scientific reality and public perceptions, highlighting how Registered Dietitians are uniquely skilled to build trust through empathetic listening.
• How dietary fats and oils influence fatty acids in the body. The webinar explains how enzymes and cellular needs determine what happens to fatty acids after consumption, and how cardiovascular health and energy metabolism are closely linked to the types of fats eaten, with polyunsaturated fats shown to be health‑promoting.
• Client counseling case studies that demonstrate how nutrition guidance is most effective when it is personal, practical, and rooted in joy.

Speaker Bios

• Jessica Steier, DrPH, PMP, founder and CEO of Unbiased Science, is an accomplished public health expert and a respected independent voice on health science. Her August guest essay in The New York Times, The Playbook Used to ‘Prove’ Vaccines Cause Autism, tackled one of the most damaging myths in public health: that vaccines cause autism. Dr. Steier is dedicated to rigorous scientific inquiry and improving the health and welfare of communities. Her work has been featured in The Lancet, Salon, NBC, Forbes, Nature, Agro Food, and Medium, and she writes prolifically on Substack.
• Martha Belury, PhD, RDN studies how dietary fats influence food metabolites, target cellular phospholipids to impact energy metabolism and inflammation. With many students and collaborators, Dr. Belury has authored over 150 peer‑reviewed publications and has sustained 30 years of research funding from organizations including the NIH, USDA, American Cancer Society, American Institute for Cancer Research, private industry, and agricultural commodity groups. In 2011, Dr. Belury was elected Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2022, Dr. Belury was awarded the Ralph T. Holman Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) and in 2024 was recognized from the Taiwan Nutrition Society with their annual achievement award. Dr. Belury served on the board of directors for the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) where she also served as President. In her spare time, Dr. Belury loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She likes to read and listen to stories and music. Additionally, she enjoys biking, hiking, swimming and sailing when time allows.
• Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND is a nationally recognized and award‑winning registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified intuitive eating counselor, CEO of a successful nutrition and wellness coaching business, global media spokesperson and author of My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes. As a dynamic speaker, she is sought after to present on a variety of health and wellness topics at national and international stages. She is passionate about positively impacting people with science‑based nutrition information that is simple, realistic and flavorful.