26 minutes | Apr. 29, 2026
What if the snacks we rely on for convenience are quietly stripping away the very nutrients we’re trying to give our kids? In this episode of In With the New, Avril Tomlin-Hood sits down with Sharon Cryan, founder of FoodNerd, to unpack the truth behind food processing and why it matters more than most parents realize. Sharon shares her deeply personal journey—from growing up with limited access to healthy food to becoming an attorney and eventually stepping into the world of food technology—to challenge how modern food systems prioritize convenience over nutrition.
Sharon breaks down the often-misunderstood concept of “processed food,” explaining that not all processing is harmful—but repeated, high-heat, and chemical-heavy processing can significantly degrade nutrients. This realization led her to develop FoodNerd’s “nutrient lock” cold-processing technology, a method designed to preserve the integrity of whole foods. The result is a snack that maintains the taste, color, and nutritional value of real fruits and vegetables—without additives, artificial flavors, or compromise.
Beyond the product, this conversation dives into the bigger picture: how early childhood nutrition shapes lifelong eating habits, the hidden influence of ultra-processed foods on children’s taste preferences, and the emotional weight parents carry when it comes to feeding their families. Sharon’s mission is not just to create better snacks, but to empower parents with knowledge, transparency, and realistic solutions—reminding us that small, intentional choices can have a lasting impact on our children’s health and relationship with food.
Listen in.
Episode Highlights:
- 01:05 What is FoodNerd and how it started
- 02:19 Discovering the problem with food processing
- 03:26 What “processed food” really means
- 05:31 How nutrients are lost through processing
- 08:48 Introducing nutrient lock cold processing
- 11:05 How FoodNerd preserves nutrients and flavor
- 13:05 How ultra-processed foods shape kids’ taste preferences
- 15:57 The importance of the first 1000 days of nutrition
- 18:54 Educating parents and building a better food system
Resources mentioned in this episode: