Each stage of a prenatal journey will be a vastly different experience for every person. The demands placed on our bodies to grow and nourish another human being are likely the highest they will ever be in our lives. Having a healthy diet that is appropriately tailored to your body’s needs for a particular phase is important for optimal pregnancy outcomes for both the birthing person and the baby. However conflicting messages from social media or well meaning friends and family about what you should or shouldn’t be eating can create confusion. If you’re unsure of what a healthy diet should look like for you given your current situation, booking a nutrition consultation may put your mind at ease.
Who should work with a nutritionist?
Seeking guidance from a nutritionist can help create dietary strategies that can support:
- preconception nutrition
- natural fertility or assisted fertility treatments
- conditions such as PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, gestational diabetes, etc.
- pregnancy health and common challenges (e.g. nausea, constipation, cravings)
- postpartum nutrition to replenish nutrients and support lactation
- feeding infants
What can I expect from an appointment with a nutritionist?
Assessment
An initial consultation will involve an assessment of your personal circumstances, state of health and current diet. Through this exploration, we identity patterns in lifestyle and dietary habits that may be contributing to current health concerns or unknowingly creating nutrient deficiencies that can impact prenatal maternal health and pregnancy related outcomes.
Education
Throughout the consultation, you will learn about the connection between nutrition, lifestyle and mindset and their effect on your overall health. With an understanding of how proper nourishment can improve pregnancy and childbirth outcomes, we can then focus on practical measures that can be implemented to meet nutritional needs.
Strategies
Together we will identify attainable goals and devise strategies that can be achieved through inclusion in your routine. This may include the implementation of a specific dietary protocol or strategy, inclusion or exclusion of certain foods, recipe suggestions, incorporation of specific supplements, and lifestyle recommendations. Through this exercise we also explore the importance of behavioural change in creating sustainable habits.
Monitoring
Follow-up appointments allow us to effectively monitor your progress and make adjustments to account for any challenges experienced or changes to your circumstances. They also offer accountability which can help in the formation of new habits. Depending on the nature of your protocol established in the consultation, we will determine the frequency to monitor progress if necessary.
More information
If you would like to learn more about our holistic nutrition services, we offer free 15 minute consultations where you can speak with our nutritionist and determine if booking a consultation could be right for you.
