Episode 036 – The Intuitively You Podcast

Intuitive Eating for Pregnancy and Fertility

Did you know that intuitive eating for pregnancy and fertility can be helpful for those who are pregnant or looking to conceive? It’s true! While diet culture will tell you to “just lose weight” to conceive or “try not to gain too much weight” in pregnancy, intuitive eating takes a more holistic approach. It accounts for your long-term well-being and overall relationship with food.

In this podcast episode, we are joined by McKenzie Caldwell, RDN. McKenzie is a weight-inclusive and non-diet Registered Dietitian. She is passionate about showing people how an intuitive eating approach can work for a variety of people and works with:

• those with PCOS
• pregnant people with gestational diabetes
• pregnant people struggling with food or desiring a healthy pregnancy
• those who are looking to conceive
• those with specific reproductive concerns

This episode is incredibly valuable for anyone who is currently pregnant, hoping to conceive, or anyone looking to better support their reproductive health.

Body Image in Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body will change rapidly, which can be a lot to handle mentally and emotionally. This is why it’s crucial to have support and tools in place to help you cope with this change in a healthy way. While diet culture may promote “bounce back” culture and set unrealistic expectations for your body, by taking a weight-neutral approach and practicing body neutrality you can navigate this season with peace and joy.

In this podcast episode, McKenzie and I chat about pregnancy weight gain and how you can support a positive body image during this time. I encourage you to take a listen for more tips on fostering a positive body image and relationship with food.

Intuitive Eating and Reproductive Health

Not currently pregnant or trying to conceive? Intuitive eating is still for you! Whether you currently don’t have a period and are struggling with hypothalamic amenorrhea, or you are just looking to better support your overall health and well-being, this episode can give you some great tools to get started!

It’s tempting to think you should “just wait” until later to get your period back or consider your reproductive health. But this is important for all people- regardless of your current phase of life.

Things like eating balanced meals, not overexercising, and learning how nutrition can help your body thrive are great places to start!

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How a non-diet approach to nutrition can work for those who are pregnant
• Hypothalamic amenorrhea (losing your period due to over-exercise and undereating)
• Tips for general reproductive health
• Common pregnancy nutrition myths 
• Body image during pregnancy 
• Pregnancy weight gain
• “Bounce back” culture in pregnancy
• And more!

Whether you are just wanting to learn more about the connection between reproductive health and intuitive eating or you are navigating a current pregnancy-related health concern, I hope you will listen to this powerful episode!

Looking for more support? Join Embodied Food Freedom!

A 4-month highly supportive, small group intuitive eating coaching program. For those who are struggling with binge eating or emotional eating. If you are ready to finally stop feeling out of control around food for good, find your version of food freedom, and get tailored guidance & support – this is for you!

Apply here: theintuitivenutritionist.com/eff

This episode is a collaborative conversation with McKenzie Caldwell, RDN (@fertility.prenatal.dietitian) and Owner of Feed Your Zest, and Jenn Baswick, host of the Intuitively You Podcast.