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 diabetes meal planning. The episode wraps up with practice questions to test your knowledge and help you feel more confident for exam day.

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 ingredient balance affects final product quality. The episode wraps up with practice questions to help you apply the material and strengthen your food science knowledge for exam day.

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 infants. The episode wraps up with practice questions to help you apply these concepts on exam day.

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 Exam practice questions.

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 practice questions to help you apply the theories directly to exam scenarios.

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 sharpen your exam skills.

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 concept.

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 physiology to what you’ll actually see on exam day.

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 can know how to apply this information for exam day! 

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 to help you apply this knowledge with confidence.

*During this episode I mistakenly call the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System by many wrong names. Please note that whenever I specified Youth, I am referring to the YRBSS.* 

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! 

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 boost your confidence.

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!

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Practice Questions: 

1. A patient is being discharged from the hospital and the RD has been assigned to provide a discharge nutrition prescription. Which of the following would be the most appropriate prescription for a 100 kg male patient?

A. Sodium-restricted, fluid-restricted, low-protein diet 
B. High-sodium, fluid-restricted, low-fat diet 
C. High-carb, low sodium, high-protein diet
D. Sodium-restricted, fluid-restricted, high protein diet 

2. A patient with CHF is showing signs of lower extremity edema. This is likely due to: 
A. The ventricle size decreasing 
B. The patient is following the DASH Diet  
C. Aldosterone and angiotensin causing increased fluid and sodium retention
D. Excessive exercise 

3. A 75 kg female presents to the hospital with dyspnea and coughing. Her BNP is elevated and she reports recent weight loss secondary to inability to consume meals due to fullness and chest tightness. She is not able to provide a 24-hour recall during your assessment. What would be the appropriate nutrition problem for this patient? 
A. Inadequate energy intake 
B. Obesity
C. Unintentional weight loss
D. Severe Malnutrition 

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 tips, and a positive mindset, you'll see that “good enough” math can be more than enough to pass the RD exam.

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 pathways
• How your body uses and stores glucose through glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and glycogenesis
• What happens in fasted vs. fed states, and how hormones like insulin and glucagon play a role
• How to study biochem effectively with diagrams, stories, and active recall techniques

Whether biochem feels overwhelming or you're just looking to simplify, this episode will help you study smarter and feel more confident.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and keep moving forward, RD2Be!

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 on
• A weekly study schedule that fits real life
• How to shift from learning to applying knowledge
• What to do (and NOT do) in the final 48 hours before your exam

Whether it’s your first or fifth time taking the exam, this episode will help you build confidence and structure your prep the right way.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and set yourself up for success!

RDs and RDs2Be! Come learn about this show and how I can help all students pass the CDR Exam!