APPETITEFORLIFE
Free nutrition talks from UNC experts exploring the latest discoveries in health and nutrition.
Appetite for Life
Appetite for Life is a free community lecture series from the UNC Nutrition Research Institute that brings the latest nutrition research to life through engaging talks, cooking demonstrations, and conversations with leading experts.
Discover how food, genetics, and lifestyle shape health—and leave with practical, science-based insights you can use every day.
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Upcoming Events
GLP-1s Beyond the Headlines
Wednesday, August 12
12 PM | Virtual
Glucagon-like peptide-1, better known as GLP-1, has become a widely discussed topic in conversations about weight, metabolism, diabetes and long-term health. But what exactly are GLP-1s, and how do they work in the body?
Join us for a virtual Appetite for Life event on Tuesday, August 12 at noon featuring Danae Gross, MS, RDN, LDN, a Doctoral Candidate in Nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill. Danae will introduce the science behind GLP-1s, explain how they influence appetite, blood sugar and metabolism, and help clarify why these medications have become such an important part of today’s health conversation.
The talk will also explore the potential benefits and considerations of GLP-1 use, including what people may want to know when weighing the pros and cons. This program is designed for a general audience and will offer a balanced, science-based overview of a timely and often misunderstood topic.
Thriving Through Perimenopause: Science-Based Strategies for Health
Wednesday, September 9
12 PM | Virtual
Perimenopause is a major life transition, but it is also an important window of opportunity for supporting long-term health. Join us for Appetite for Life, a free Zoom webinar featuring Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD, Professor of Exercise Physiology, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition. Dr. Smith-Ryan will share how exercise and nutrition can work together to support muscle, metabolism, energy, mood and overall well-being during perimenopause.
This talk will offer practical, science-based takeaways for women, families and anyone interested in better understanding health during the menopause transition.
Registration coming soon!
Perfect Pairs: Exploring the Science and Stories Behind Food Combinations
Thursday, November 12, 2026
12 PM | Hybrid: Virtual and In-person
Why do some foods just seem to belong together? From apples and pork to collards and bacon, many familiar food pairings are rooted in more than flavor or tradition.
Join us for Appetite for Life as Carol Cheatham, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, explores the science of nutrient synergy: how certain foods and nutrients work better together to support absorption, brain health, and overall wellness.
This engaging talk will look at popular pairings, vitamin partnerships, and the value of eating a variety of whole foods — showing why, when it comes to nutrition, no nutrient plays a solo.
Registration coming soon!
Previous Events
STEM Night at the Ballpark
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 6 PM | Cannon Ballers: Atrium Health Ballpark
STEM Night is returning to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers stadium on April 7, and we invite you to join us for an evening of baseball, hands-on science, and community fun.
In partnership with the Cannon Ballers, the UNC Nutrition Research Institute is bringing interactive STEM experiences to the ballpark for children and families across Kannapolis and surrounding communities.
Throughout the evening, fans of all ages can explore hands-on activity stations around the stadium.
Between innings, enjoy live science experiments on the field. Ramses (and some rival mascots) will be roaming the stadium for photos and joining in on-field activities throughout the game. You may even head home with university swag.
Last year, hundreds of families joined us for a memorable night that celebrated curiosity, learning, and hometown pride.
Nutrition Myths: Fact or Fake?
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | Noon | Virtual
Join us on Tuesday, February 24 at noon for a free hybrid (virtual or in-person) Appetite for Life event with UNC Assistant Professor of Nutrition Katie Meyer, ScD.
Conflicting nutrition advice is everywhere, and it can be difficult to know what is actually supported by science. In this hybrid Appetite for Life program, Katie Meyer, ScD, will walk through common nutrition myths and misconceptions and explain what research really shows.
Dr. Meyer is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill and a principal investigator at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute. The discussion will explore where common nutrition beliefs come from, why they persist, and how scientists evaluate nutrition claims.
Exploring How Folate Works
Wednesday, January 28, 2025 | Noon | Virtual
Join us for a virtual Appetite for Life webinar on January 28 at noon, exploring the role of folate (vitamin B9) in cell growth, DNA repair, and disease. Natalia Krupenko, PhD, and Madeline Childress, a PhD student in the Krupenko Lab at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, will discuss how folate functions inside our cells, how cancer cells respond to folate stress, and how researchers use innovative tools to study these pathways in real time. This webinar offers an inside look at folate research happening at the NRI and how both faculty- and student-led science contribute to our understanding of nutrition and health.
The Truth About Sugar and Ultra-Processed Foods
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | Noon | Zoom
Ultra-processed foods and added sugars are often in the headlines, but what does the science actually say?
Join us online on November 12 at noon as Saroja Voruganti, PhD explores the health effects of these foods and how to navigate your grocery store and pantry more mindfully. This virtual session will include interactive polls, real-world food comparisons, and downloadable resources to help you make sense of food labels and processing levels.
Behind the Scenes at the NRI
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | Noon | Virtual
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute and see where discoveries are made. Learn how our scientists’ work is advancing nutrition and health.
Seasonal Bites: A Late-Summer Cooking Demo
Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6 PM | NRI Lettuce Eat Café
Join us on Thursday, September 25, at 6 PM for a free in-person Appetite for Life featuring a live cooking demonstration with Robert Weimer, our Metabolic Kitchen Manager at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute. This in-person Appetite for Life event will take you inside the kitchen to explore simple, seasonal recipes that are both delicious and nutritionally balanced. Participants will sample each dish, learn how to recreate the recipes at home, and discover how seasonal produce can support a healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re a home cook or just curious about the science of food, this evening offers a fun and flavorful way to engage with nutrition.
Understanding Your Metabolism:
How Nutrition Affects Energy Use
Virtual | Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Noon
Join us on Wednesday, August 20 at noon for a free virtual Appetite for Life event with UNC Assistant Professor of Nutrition Blake Rushing, PhD.
As summer winds down and routines reset, learn how your body uses energy and what role nutrition plays in your metabolism. Dr. Rushing will break down how diet and metabolism interact in simple terms and explain how research at the NRI is uncovering new insights into metabolic health.
3-Minute Nutrition Theories
Virtual | Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Noon
Last year, we heard from eight of the Nutrition Research Institute’s scientists. They explained what it is they’re investigating and why it’s so important—in just 3 minutes each!
We are holding this popular event again on May 28. Principal investigators, postdocs, doctoral students, and research specialists took to the mic to reveal the theories, concepts and ideas that underlie their exacting work in the laboratory and clinic. These 3-minute theory presentations are designed to effectively explain scientific research in down-to-earth language for a non-scientific audience.
NCRC STEM NIGHT
Cannon Ballers Stadium | Kannapolis, NC
April 29, 2025 at 6 PM
Mark Your Calendar: NCRC STEM Night at the Ballpark!
Join us at the Cannon Ballers baseball game on Tuesday, April 29, at 6 PM for an evening of fun and discovery!
Bring the whole family for an unforgettable night of baseball and brainpower!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to inspire young minds and celebrate the wonders of STEM!
Building a Better Basket
Virtual | Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Noon
On March 19 at 12 PM, attendees enjoyed Appetite for Life: Building a Better Basket, where experts from the Living F.R.E.E. Lab, run by Rachel Goode, PhD, shared practical strategies for grocery shopping with health in mind.
In celebration of National Nutrition Month®, attendees learned how to make nutritious choices on a budget and navigate the grocery store with confidence. This event features a presentation on the MyPlate method, offering easy ways to build well-rounded meals.
Attendees received the Smart Shopping Guide, filled with resources to help you plan, shop, and eat with health in mind.
Wellness Workshop
High Performance Training | Kannapolis, NC
112 S. Main St. Kannapolis, NC 28081
Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6 PM
On January 30, 2025, High Performance Training (HPT) gym hosted the Nutrition Research Institute for the fourth iteration of our annual Wellness Workshop. Attendees heard from NRI representative, Leah Bouk, who shared insights about the Nutrition for Precision Health study and how it is advancing our understanding of personalized nutrition. HPT owner, Sondra Merrill, challenged attendees to a physical fitness test, encouraging attendees to test their abilities and introducing workouts that are easy to complete at home.