RD Exam Ready Podcast
RD Exam Ready Podcast is a show designed to help future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists become exam-ready for the CDR Exam. Hosted by Zak Kaesberg, MS, RD, founder of RD Exam Ready and the Diet NPO Podcast, it breaks down challenging exam topics and offers practical study strategies. Episodes explore modern study techniques and highlight resources that support candidates in preparing with confidence. The podcast provides tools, insights, and encouragement for dietitians on their path to credentialing.
Episodes
FIFO/LIFO Inventory
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down FIFO and LIFO inventory management and inventory valuation methods that are helpful to know for the exam day. Don't get mixed up on this topic, come study it with Zak. You’ll review inventory rotation, valuation methods, and how FIFO and LIFO differ when determining inventory value and cost. The episode wraps up with p
Body Composition Assessment Tools
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down the different tools used to measure body composition and the key concepts you need to know for the RD Exam.You’ll review body composition models, what different measurement tools assess, and when certain methods may or may not be appropriate for different populations. The episode wraps up with practice questions from b
Pancreas & Gall Bladder MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down the gallbladder and pancreas, focusing on the anatomy, digestion and absorption, and medical nutrition therapy concepts you need to know for the RD Exam.You’ll review gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, nutrition interventions, and the differences between acute and chronic pancreatitis. The episode also covers pancreati
Food Science: Fats and Oils
Food Science: Fats & OilsIn this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down the food science of fats and oils and the key concepts you need to know for the RD Exam. You’ll review the functions and properties of fats, different types of fats and oils, and how their characteristics affect food preparation and quality.The episode also covers cooking with fats, smoke p
Leadership Styles
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down leadership concepts you need to know for the RD Exam. You’ll review types of power, leadership styles, and situational models while learning how to recognize these concepts in exam questions.The episode wraps up with practice questions to help you apply what you’ve learned and prepare for exam day.Join the email list f
Life Cycle Nutrition: Older Adults
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down the nutrition needs of older adults and the key concepts you need to know for the RD Exam. You'll review the physiological changes that occur with aging, how those changes affect energy and nutrient needs, and the nutrition recommendations most commonly tested on exam day.This episode covers calorie, protein, fluid, an
Choosing Nutrition Problems (PES)
In this episode, Zak Kaesberg breaks down how to choose the best nutrition problem statement using the PES format. You'll learn how to distinguish between the intake, clinical, and behavioral-environmental domains, prioritize nutrition diagnoses, and identify the most appropriate problem statement in common RD Exam scenarios.Through several patient case studies, Zak walks you through the
Nutrition Assessment Basics
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down nutrition assessment—the first step of the Nutrition Care Process and one of the most important concepts for the RD Exam. You'll learn the purpose of nutrition assessment, how to prioritize patients based on nutrition risk, and the key assessment domains that guide nutrition diagnosis and intervention.This episode also
Community Program Evaluation
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down the different types of community program evaluations to help you confidently answer public health questions on the RD Exam. You'll learn how to distinguish between formative, summative (outcome), impact, process, structure, and fiscal evaluations, when each is used, and the clues that help you identify the correct answ
Religious and Cultural Practices
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg breaks down religious diets and cultural food practices to help you confidently answer RD Exam questions involving food restrictions, dietary patterns, and special considerations.You’ll review key religious dietary practices including Judaism and kosher diets, Islam and halal foods, Mormon dietary practices, Hinduism, Buddhism, Se
Respiratory Disease and MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we review the respiratory system and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for pulmonary conditions that you need to understand for the RD Exam.We’ll cover respiratory anatomy and physiology, gas exchange, acid-base balance, and how lung dysfunction impacts nutrition care. We’ll also discuss MNT considerations for conditions including COPD, cystic f
Nutrition Labels and Claims
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we review the nutrition labeling concepts you need to know for the RD Exam. We discuss Nutrition Facts label requirements, ingredient and allergen labeling, and which foods and restaurants are required to provide nutrition information.We also break down the differences between nutrient content claims, structure/function claims, and health clai
Quality Improvement in Management
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks Quality Improvement in a clear, exam-focused way. You’ll learn about cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, performance improvement models, tools, and much more! We finish with 3 practice questions to prepare you for exam day. 📺 Join RD Exam Ready Live🗓 June 3 at 7:00 PM Central Time👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/zchUa5
Food Science: Fruits and Vegetables
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we review the food science concepts behind fruits and vegetables that you need to remember for the RD Exam. Zak breaks down the structure of plant cells, carbohydrates found in produce, important vitamins and minerals, ripening processes, storage techniques, cooking methods, and USDA grading standards for fruits and vegetables. We finish with
Anemia Labs and MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak break down Anemias. He expands this into the labs, deficiencies, and ways to differentiate each anemia from the other. We finish by doing 3 practice questions to test our knowledge. RD Exam Ready Live 5/20/26 7:00 pm Central Join the email list for notes and updates:http://eepurl.com/jvGxaAFollow RD Exam Ready:Instagram: @RDExamReadyTikTok
Conventional, Commissary, Ready-Prepared, & Assembly-Serve
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Foodservice Production Systems to help you feel confident tackling these concepts on exam day. This episode focuses on the four major systems you’re expected to know — conventional, ready prepared, commissary, and assembly serve — and how each one operates in real-world settings.You’ll review how food is prepared, transported,
Community Needs Assessment & Program Planning
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Community Needs Assessments and program planning to help you feel confident tackling these concepts on exam day. This episode focuses on how to approach community nutrition questions, understand the flow of a needs assessment, and apply critical thinking to identify the next best step in a given scenario.This episode emphasizes
Phytochemicals and Plant Pigments
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down phytochemicals and plant pigments to help you feel confident tackling these food science topics on exam day. You’ll review major phytochemical groups like polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and phytoestrogens, their food sources, and their roles in health. Zak also explains how plant pigments such as carotenoids, flavono
Wound Healing MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Wounds and Wound Healing MNT to help you feel confident tackling these topics on exam day. This episode focuses on the nutrition foundations behind wound healing — including pressure injuries, staging, and how nutrient needs change based on severity.You’ll review the phases of wound healing, types of wounds, and how to identify
Toddler Life Cycle Nutrition
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak walks through toddler and preschool nutrition and the key life cycle concepts you need to understand for the RD Exam. You’ll review how growth assessment changes at age two when we transition from WHO growth standards to CDC growth charts, including BMI-for-age classifications for overweight and obesity. Zak also covers feeding development
Food Science: Meat, Poultry, & Fish
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews the key concepts you need to know about meat, poultry, and fish for the RD Exam. You’ll walk through the physical and chemical properties of these foods, their nutrient content, and how structures like muscle, connective tissue, collagen, elastin, and marbling impact tenderness and cooking methods.The episode also covers USDA inspe
Endocrine Disorders MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Endocrine Disorders MNT to help you feel confident tackling these topics on exam day. This episode focuses on key non-diabetes endocrine conditions you’re expected to know — including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pituitary disorders, adrenal disorders like Addison’s and Cushing’s, and PCOS.You’ll review core physiology, lab
Menu Planning for Exam Day
*Sorry for the poor audio on this one folks. Turns out forgetting to plug in the correct microphone can decrease the quality! We'll get it right for next time, and this seemed like a fine topic for audio issues. Thanks!* In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Menu Development and why it matters for the RD Exam. From menu types (static, cycle, and single-use) to pric
Nutrition Assistance Programs
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews key Nutrition Assistance Programs you’ll want to understand for the RD Exam and real-world community nutrition practice. We break down what each program provides, who is eligible, and the income guidelines that determine benefits — from SNAP and WIC to school meals, older adult nutrition programs, CSFP, CACFP, and more. 📺 Upcoming
FTE- Full Time Equivalent Calculations
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) and staffing calculations, a topic that often causes confusion in foodservice management. You’ll learn how FTEs fit into the management functions, how to calculate FTEs per day, week, and year, and how to account for relief employees and adjusted FTEs. Zak walks through common exam-style scenarios,
Bariatric Surgery MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews the major types of bariatric surgery and the nutrition considerations you need to know for the RD Exam. You’ll learn how each procedure changes digestion and absorption, what vitamin and mineral deficiencies to watch for, and how these concepts show up in exam-style questions. The episode wraps up with practice questions to help yo
Fixed vs. Variable Costs
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down fixed, variable, and semi-variable costs in a clear, exam-focused way. You’ll learn how to identify each type of cost, avoid common points of confusion, and apply these concepts to calculation and break-even style questions. This episode is designed to help you think more confidently through foodservice finance questions on exa
Question Strategy to Pass Exam
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak focuses on one of the most important skills for passing the RD Exam: QUESTION STRATEGY. You’ll learn how to approach every question with confidence using process of elimination, smart calculation techniques, and structured thinking for more complex clinical scenarios. This episode is all about improving performance on questions—not just me
Management Functions: Organizing
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down the organizing function of management in a clear, student-friendly way. You’ll learn how managers group tasks, delegate authority, structure organizations, and manage staff through concepts like organizational charts, line vs. staff authority, span of control, and centralized vs. decentralized organizations. The goal is simple:
Inflammatory Lab Values
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down stress, inflammation, and the labs you’ll see in acute illness. Learn how acute phase reactants work, how to interpret albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, and CRP, and why inflammation—not nutrition alone—drives many lab changes in hospitalized patients. This episode helps you connect inflammation, metabolism, and nutrition care
MNT of Gastrointestinal Diseases
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak walks through common gastrointestinal disorders and the nutrition therapy used to manage them. You’ll review conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, with a clear focus on understanding etiology, signs and symptoms, medications, and nutrition interventions. The episode wraps up with practice questions to help you apply
Behavior Change Theory
YOUTUBE LIVE: 12/17/25 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time [VITAMINS WITH Q&A] Link:https://youtube.com/live/za_riY2HouY?feature=share In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down behavior change and educational theories you need to know for the CDR Exam. Learn how major models explain patient motivation, readiness to change, and counseling strategies—without getting lost in
Facility Equipment Breakdown
Episode Description: In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down the key equipment and facility standards you’ll need to know for the RD Exam. From understanding equipment requirements and dishwasher basics to lighting standards and common exam traps, you'll learn how to identify what matters most on test day. The episode wraps up with practice questions to help you appl
Research Types
Episode Description: In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down the major types of research you’ll need to recognize for the RD Exam. You’ll learn how to distinguish descriptive vs. analytical studies, understand common designs like case–control, cohort, cross-sectional, qualitative research, and RCTs, and use simple examples to keep them straight. The episode wraps up
Unions and Labor Laws
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak covers the essential employment laws and union concepts you’ll need for the exam. Learn his proven method for identifying Pro- and Anti-Employee acts, then put your knowledge to the test with focused practice questions designed to reinforce what you’ve learned.IG: @rdexamreadyYT: @RDexamready
Critical Care MNT
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down medical nutrition therapy for critically ill patients. You’ll review the metabolic stress response and how to identify the ebb, flow, and recovery phases, along with key nutrition considerations for patients with sepsis and major burns. Zak also covers calorie and protein prescriptions, when to use predictive equations, and why
Diabetes Carb Counting
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak breaks down Carbohydrate Counting for Diabetes in a clear way to apply to your exam day. You’ll review how to calculate carbohydrates in common meals and snacks, and what to know about starches, fruits, dairy, and non-starchy vegetables. Zak also walks through lean, medium-fat, and high-fat proteins to help you see how they fit into diabet
Baking Ingredient Functions
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews the key ingredient functions tested on the CDR Exam. From flour, eggs, and fats to sugar, salt, and leavening agents, you’ll learn how each ingredient contributes structure, flavor, stability, and tenderness to baked goods. Zak also breaks down common baking issues — like low volume, fallen centers, and tunneling — and explains how
Infant Nutrition
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews the key concepts of infant nutrition you’ll need to know for the CDR Exam. From growth assessment standards and nutrient needs to feeding recommendations, you’ll learn what’s tested and how to apply it. Topics include energy, protein, fat, vitamin D, iron, and fluoride requirements, along with how to interpret WHO growth charts for
Biochemistry of Fats
In this episode, Zak reviews the biochemistry of fats — what you need to know for the CDR Exam. From fatty acid structure and saturation levels to digestion, absorption, and metabolism, this episode breaks down how fats move through the body in both fed and fasted states. You’ll learn how triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols function — and how to connect these concepts to real RD Exa
Theories of Management
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews key leadership and management theories tested on the CDR Exam. From Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Model to Expectancy Theory, Reinforcement Theory, and McGregor’s Theory X & Y, you’ll learn the essentials of how each theory explains employee motivation and management styles. The episode wraps up with pra
Herbs & Botanicals
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak reviews the key herbs and botanicals you’ll need to know for the CDR Exam. From garlic, ginseng, and gingko to St. John’s Wort, valerian root, and more — you’ll learn what each claims to do, their risks, and the food–drug interactions that are most testable. The lesson wraps up with practice questions to help you apply the material and sha
Food Science of Water
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak tackles the physical and chemical properties of water — the very first topic on the CDR Exam outline. You’ll review the essentials for exam day, including freezing and boiling points, cooking applications, and how water behaves in different circumstances. Dive in (no pun intended) and solidify your understanding of this core food science c
Renal System
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we break down the renal system from the ground up. Zak covers kidney anatomy and function, filtration and absorption, and how the nephron maintains fluid, electrolytes, and pH balance. You’ll also learn about GFR, the RAAS system, and why nutrition is so critical in kidney disease. We finish with practice questions to help you connect the phys
Biochemistry of Protein
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we unpack the biochemistry of protein in a way that actually makes sense. From essential vs. non-essential amino acids to protein digestion, absorption, and metabolism, Zak breaks down the big processes like transamination and the urea cycle into exam-ready takeaways. To finish, we put your knowledge to the test with practice questions so you
Surveys and Surveillance Systems
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we break down the key nutrition surveys and surveillance systems you need to know for exam day. Zak reviews NHANES, What We Eat in America, NHIS, BRFSS, YRBSS, FSANS, TDS, and FLAPS — focusing on their acronyms, populations, and purpose. We’ll highlight how to differentiate between them and then reinforce the material with practice questions t
Digestive Tract Enzymes, Hormones, and Anatomy
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we explore the major structures and functions of the GI tract, the key enzymes driving digestion, and the hormones that regulate the process. Zak breaks down complex physiology into exam-focused takeaways — then applies the material to targeted practice questions. Happy Studying RD2Be!
Pregnancy Nutrition and Weight Gain
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we take a focused look at nutrition during pregnancy. Zak reviews key physiological changes, macronutrient and micronutrient needs, and pregnancy weight gain guidelines — all aligned with what you’ll need to know for exam day. Then, we apply it all to targeted practice questions using process of elimination to help reinforce your learning and
Heart Failure MNT and Pathology
In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, we break down the pathology and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for Heart Failure. From medical management to diet prescription, we cover it all! Learn about what you need to know about Heart Failure for your Exam Day! Subscribe to the RD Exam Ready podcast Youtube: @RDExamReadyInstagram: @RDexamready Practice Questions: 1. A patient is being
Breakeven Point
Does the word “calculations” make your chest tighten? You’re not alone. In this episode of the RD Exam Ready Podcast, Zak Kaesberg, RD, helps you tackle one of the most intimidating parts of the exam — math. You’ll learn how to confidently approach breakeven point calculations, when to use each of the two key formulas, and how to practice with purpose. With relatable examples, pneumonic t
Biochemistry of Carbohydrates
Struggling with your Biochem? In this episode, Zak breaks down the core biochemistry concepts you’ll need for the CDR exam — with a focus on what actually shows up on test day (no deep dives, just the essentials).You’ll learn:The inputs, outputs, and locations of key metabolic pathwaysHow your body uses and stores glucose through glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and glycogenesisWhat happens in
CDR Exam Outline & Build a Study Schedule
Starting your RD exam study journey? In this episode, Zak walks you through the CDR exam outline and shares a realistic, balanced study plan to help you prep smarter — not harder.You’ll learn:The breakdown of each domain and what to focus onA weekly study schedule that fits real lifeHow to shift from learning to applying knowledgeWhat to do (and NOT do) in the final 48 hours before your e
About this show!
RDs and RDs2Be! Come learn about this show and how I can help all students pass the CDR Exam!
