Marie Spano MS, RDN

Marie Spano, MS, RDN, LD, CSCS, is a freelance writer and founder of Spano Sports Nutrition Consulting (www.mariespano.com), a company that specializes in sports nutrition, writing, product development, and spokesperson work. Readers may reach her at info@mariespano.com or through Prepared 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 MS, RDN

September 15, 2020

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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.

Developers Meet New Demands for Active Performance Products

Sports Stars: New approaches to crafting products for sport and activity.

Marie Spano MS, RDN

May 30, 2019

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Product developers seeking to meet the needs of more active consumers are adopting new approaches to crafting products for sport and activity.

Building Immunity

A healthy immune system keeps us active and energized

Marie Spano MS, RDN

June 18, 2018

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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.

Sports Report

Marie Spano MS, RDN

June 18, 2018

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Formulating for energy and recovery meets two of the important needs for sports enthusiasts as well as for the casual exerciser.

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 MS, RDN

October 18, 2017

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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.

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 MS, RDN

July 20, 2017

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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.

The sports nutrition industry has a number of existing ingredients that are multifunctional and perfectly suited to developing new sports performance products

Food and Beverage Ingredient Trends in Sports Nutrition

Sports activity demands specialized proteins, carbs, fats, and micronutrients— separately or in premixes

Marie Spano MS, RDN

September 15, 2016

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According to Infiniti Research Ltd.’s market research firm, TechNavio, the global sports nutrition product market is expected to grow by more than 8% until 2020.

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 MS, RDN

January 12, 2016

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Muscle loss is a serious issue for men and women.

When intensity ramps up, so does an athleteÃ¢â¬â¢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 MS, RDN

October 14, 2015

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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.

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 MS, RDN

November 21, 2013

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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.

In partnership with Deerland’s Family First platform, a content series helping product marketers connect consumers with the science-supported health product solutions they seek, this webinar will provide you with the information needed to formulate and market products to address the unique needs of family-conscious, health-minded consumers in today’s complex landscape.

The challenge to food producers in meeting this demand is producing products that match the taste and appearance of the animal products they are replacing. Enzymes play a critical role in processing and formulating many of the foods we consume every day, and they can be utilized to enhance a number of aspects of plant-based foods, from flavor and texture—to aroma, appearance and more.