Gender Specific Nutrition

Pregnancy, Peri & Post-Menopause, PCOS, Low Testosterone

Hormones play a profound role in the management of weight, mood, energy and well being. As the body changes in response to hormonal shifts, so do nutrient needs. In conjunction with our clients’ physicians we formulate dietary plans to meet these changing needs.

Pregnancy can be both thrilling and overwhelming. No one pregnancy is the same and neither is the person who is pregnant. Whether this is a first or third pregnancy, single or multiple pregnancy, whether in recovery from or struggling with an eating disorder or whether hit with “morning sickness” and aversions, our RD’s educate and guide their clients through the phases of pregnancy in a supportive manner.

How We Help

• Individualized Meal plans:  We provide meal planning specifically designed for the condition.
  
  
• On-going Support and Counseling:  We provide support throughout a pregnancy, especially those at higher risk with a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes requiring strict weight monitoring.
  
  
• Collaborative treatment planning:  We coordinate care with other applicable physicians and amend the dietary regime as indicated throughout the process.
  
  

Definitions:

Peri-Menopause and Menopause: Also called the menopausal transition, is the interval in which a woman's body makes a natural shift from more-or-less regular cycles of ovulation and menstruation toward menopause.  One’s periods may become irregular — longer, shorter, heavier or lighter, sometimes more and sometimes less than 28 days apart. Once a woman has gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, she’s officially reached menopause, and the peri-menopause period is over. Weight management becomes more challenging during this time and we are here to help guide our clients.

PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. The name of the condition comes from the appearance of the ovaries in most, but not all, women with the disorder — enlarged and containing numerous small cysts located along the outer edge of each ovary (polycystic appearance).  Weight management can be challenging and requires dietary changes.
 
Low Testosterone: Symptoms of low testosterone depend upon when in the life cycle it occurs.  Osteoporosis and loss of muscle mass are significant complications of low testosterone.  Weight management can be challenging and requires dietary changes.

Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy (especially during third trimester). Dietary planning is imperative.