Food For Thought with Tamara Duker Freuman
Week of February 14, 2026
In this series of talks and activities, we’ll examine a variety of eating and lifestyle patterns associated with robust metabolic and cognitive function as we age, and explore the role of the “second brain” (the gut) as a key mediator for these relationships. You’ll leave with practical ideas about how to adjust what you eat—and when you eat it—to optimize brain and gut health. We’ll also keep our neural pathways from getting rusty by engaging all of our senses in some fun food play!
Nutrition for Cognition
There is increasing evidence to support the role of specific dietary patterns that help improve cognitive function and prevent (or slow) age-related cognitive decline. In this session, we’ll review the latest science on the Mediterranean diet, the MIND diet, specific dietary supplements as well as the new “US POINTER” intensive diet and lifestyle protocol for prevention of cognitive decline. You will emerge with specific and actionable recommendations for lifestyle choices you can make at any age to support robust cognitive function for the long haul.
Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis
Gut health is on everyone’s mind these days, as the linkages between the composition of our gut microbiome and our overall health are increasingly revealed. As research unveils a clearer connection between digestive health, cognitive function and the risk of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, we can start to unpack the mechanisms by which this connection takes place. In this session, we’ll dive into the science behind how our gut microbiome communicates with the brain; how the brain communicates back to the gut; and the connection between the composition of the microbiome, digestive health/symptoms and neurological health and functioning.
Eating for Longevity
We can gain a lot of insight into what an ideal dietary pattern looks like from the longest-living populations in the world—the centenarians of the world’s so-called “Blue Zones,” and examining their diet and lifestyle patterns can help answer the burning question of “What should I eat?” (Hint: there are many different versions of longevity-promoting diets, but they all have some common characteristics.) Diving deeper into the habits of the world’s longest living people, we’ll also touch on the role of circadian rhythms—or the “body clock”—in promoting metabolic health and longevity. You’ll leave with answers to all your questions about both what to eat—and when to eat it—to help achieve the ultimate prize of a long and healthy life!
Sensory “Circuit Training” Competition: Local Foods of Mexico!
Flex those neural pathways by engaging all of your senses through delicious play! If you love Mexican foods and flavors; fancy yourself a ‘super smeller or taster’; or just love a little bit of friendly competition, then put your senses to the test as you sniff, taste and touch a variety of local foods while blindfolded, and compete your fellow Ranchers to identify as many of them as possible! Your familiarity with the local feel, flavors and scents of Mexico will come in handy, as will your love of adventurous eating! (Note: the event will be allergen-free. Please inform instructor of any food allergies prior to starting so that your tasting circuit can be adjusted.)
Tamara Duker Freuman, MS, RDN, CDN is a New York-based registered dietitian, author and America’s Trusted Digestive Nutrition Expert. A nationally-known authority on nutrition therapy for digestive diseases, Tamara is a member of New York Gastroenterology Associates, a private Manhattan-based practice. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and completed her training at Mount Sinai Medical Center. In addition to her clinical work, Tamara is a high-profile nutrition writer whose advice on healthy living and dietary management of digestive disease is read by hundreds of thousands of people each month via leading online media platforms. She has been featured in leading TV, print and radio/podcast media, including TV’s Good Morning America, Live with Kelly & Ryan, Inside Edition, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, Prevention, Women’s Health, The Huffington Post, CNN.com, SELF.com, and Business Insider. She is the author of the acclaimed book, The Bloated Belly Whisperer(St. Martin’s Press, 2018).