Cook or compost? What to do with carrot tops, avocado pits and peanut shells

Cook or compost? What to do with carrot tops, avocado pits and peanut shells

Author: QuickAndDirtyTips.com, Monica Reinagel April 15, 2026 Duration: 11:49

860. Are you throwing away the most nutritious parts of your groceries? From blending avocado pits into smoothies to snacking on peanut shells, social media is full of "zero-waste" food hacks—but are they actually safe?

This week, Monica digs into the compost bin to separate the "hidden treasures" from the literal trash. We go over which veggie scraps are nutritional powerhouses (hello, beet greens!) and which ones—like rhubarb leaves and apple seeds—could actually be toxic. Plus, the truth about whether eating corn cobs and peanut shells is "fiber" or just a recipe for a digestive disaster.

Nutrition Diva is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast, hosted by Monica Reinegal.

New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! 

We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Staying Strong as We Age, Diabetes, Weight Loss That Lasts and Gut Health! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age

Have a question for Nutrition Diva? Email: nutrition@quickanddirtytips.com

Discover more from Nutrition Diva:

Facebook 

LinkedIn

Newsletter

Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


You're probably tired of the constant noise around what to eat, with every headline seeming to contradict the last. Nutrition Diva cuts through that confusion. Hosted by Monica Reinagel, a seasoned expert from QuickAndDirtyTips.com, this weekly conversation feels like getting clear, practical advice from a trusted friend who actually understands the science. Instead of pushing fads, Monica takes the latest nutrition research and unpacks it in a way that makes sense for real life, separating the solid findings from the hype. She directly tackles the questions that pop up in your own kitchen, whether you're wondering about a new superfood or just trying to pack a better lunch. The goal isn't perfection, but building a sensible, sustainable approach to food that leaves you feeling informed and in control. Tuning into this podcast means replacing anxiety with actionable knowledge, so you can make choices that are right for you without the dogma. It's a grounded resource for anyone who wants to think about health and eating well, but could do without the extreme diets and scare tactics.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Nutrition Diva
Podcast Episodes
Are protein powders as filling as protein from real foods? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
Are protein powders as filling—or as effective—as whole food sources like meat, fish, or tofu? New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and M…
What’s the problem with seed oils? (Reissue) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:47
Influencers are sounding the alarm about the many alleged dangers of seed oils. Let’s look at the evidence.Related listening:Does the Ratio of Omega-6 Fats Really Matter? (Nutrition Diva #185)New to Nutrition Diva? Check…
Are you making your smoothies all wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:16
Studies suggest that common ingredient combinations can reduce nutrient absorption. But don’t abandon your smoothie routine just yet. New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the…
Are GLP-1s the “cure” for our addictive food supply? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:12
Do the new anti-obesity medications treat a metabolic disease or a psychological one? New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica her…
BONUS: Dirty Dozen - Much ado about nothing? (Reissue) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:19
Monica revisits The Dirty Dozen list and whether or not these foods with the highest level of pesticides are, in fact, unsafe to consume. This is a reissue of an episode that aired in 2024, and remains relevant, as the 2…
Should certain foods come with warning labels? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:02
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler believes it’s time to treat certain foods the way we treat cigarettes. But food is not tobacco. Dr. Kessler's new book Diet, Drugs, and DopamineRelated Episodes:A provocative new stu…
Can we really be addicted to food? (With Dr. David Kessler) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:27
Today's episode explores whether certain foods can be addictive, with insight from Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine." Monica and Dr. Kessler discuss the concept of food…
Beef vs. beans: A shootout at the breakfast corral [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:59
Fiber and protein can both work to tame your appetite. But both have a lot of other important jobs to do as well. Can we optimize for both? Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/beef-vs-beans-a-shoot…