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Podcast Episode

Ep. 34. Reclaiming Indigenous Nutrition Traditions w/ Denee Bex MPH RD CDCES LD

Food Culture Curious·Areli Gutierrez·7 May 2025·46 min

About this episode

Hey friends! In this episode of Food Culture Curious we’re joined by Denee Bex, a registered dietitian and diabetes nutrition educator. Denee discusses the traditional Navajo foods, the impact of colonization on indigenous diets, and the unique nutritional challenges faced by Native communities. Denee shares insights on the significance of cultural foods and emphasizes the importance of integrating these into modern nutrition practices. She also explores with us the broader health issues within Native communities, such as diabetes, malnutrition, and eating disorders. Listen as she highlights the role of cultural inclusivity in nutrition and the need to reclaim and honor indigenous foodways. 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Meet Denee Bex 02:14 Growing Up with Navajo Foods 04:52 Exploring Protein Sources 08:00 Rediscovering Forgotten Fruits and Vegetables 14:20 Learning and Sharing Cultural Food Knowledge 21:55 Integrating Traditional Medicine in Healthcare 22:35 Cultural Beliefs and Food 26:01 Myths and Misconceptions About Native Foods 32:20 Nutritional Challenges in Native Communities 37:22 Balancing Cultural Foods with Health Goals 44:36 Final Thoughts and Resources Like what you hear? Take a screen shot of this episode and share on social! You can find us on Instagram/Tiktok: @foodculturecurious You can also support by buying us a cafecito at buymeacoffee.com/foodculturecurious Or by following and rating our podcast Every click helps! Want more community? Join our private Facebook Group: Food Culture Curious Dietitians