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In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson explains how to choose a high-quality protein powder and why reading ingredient labels matters. She breaks down the differences between protein sources, how much protein your body actually needs, and the ingredients she recommends avoiding if you're trying to support your metabolism, hormones, and overall health.
Protein plays an essential role in:
Dr. Pederson emphasizes that food should always be your primary protein source, with protein powder used to supplement when needed.
Not all protein powders are created equal.
Dr. Pederson explains:
Protein needs vary based on your goals and stage of life.
Higher protein intake may be beneficial if you are:
Dr. Pederson also explains why protein recommendations are based on kilograms, not pounds.
Instead of eating most of your protein at one meal, aim to:
Consistent protein intake supports muscle growth, energy, and blood sugar balance.
A quality protein powder should:
The fewer unnecessary ingredients, the better.
Many protein powders contain ingredients you may not want, including:
Dr. Pederson encourages choosing products with recognizable, minimally processed ingredients whenever possible.
Many flavored protein powders contain:
Dr. Pederson discusses why she prefers avoiding artificial sweeteners and instead recommends choosing unflavored protein powders or those sweetened with small amounts of real sugar if desired.
After reviewing countless products on the market, Dr. Pederson developed Vera's protein powder with:
The goal was to create a simple, plant-based protein with a complete amino acid profile and minimal ingredients.
Take a look at the protein powder you're currently using. Read the ingredient label, calculate your daily protein needs, and see whether you're meeting your goals through whole foods and quality protein sources.
If you're unsure how much protein you need or want personalized nutrition guidance, our team is here to help. We offer individualized nutrition counseling and evidence-based recommendations to support hormone health, fertility, metabolism, and overall wellness.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson breaks down how to evaluate a prenatal vitamin from a clinical perspective and why many prenatals on the market fall short.
She walks through exactly what nutrients matter, what forms your body can actually use, what’s commonly missing, and what to avoid so you can confidently choose a prenatal that truly supports your hormones, fertility, and early pregnancy.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
🧬 Why Prenatals Matter More Than You Think
⚠️ Why Many Prenatals Fall Short
🧠 Folate vs Folic Acid
💊 Key Nutrients to Look For
🧠 Common Nutrient Gaps
🌞 Vitamin D & Personalization
🚫 What to Avoid
🥗 Food Still Comes First
Weekly Challenge
Key Takeaways
Resources & Next Steps
📍 Westminster, Colorado
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson breaks down why sleep is one of the most powerful, yet overlooked, tools for hormone balance and fertility.
She explains how poor sleep directly impacts ovulation, egg quality, blood sugar, cortisol, and overall energy and shares simple, practical ways to improve your sleep starting tonight.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
😴 Why Sleep Is Critical for Hormones
🔁 The Link Between Sleep & Cortisol
💉 Blood Sugar & Insulin Effects
🧬 Sleep & Egg Quality
⚠️ Signs Your Sleep May Be Affecting You
🌙 How to Improve Your Sleep
🛏️ Create a Sleep-Friendly Routine
Weekly Challenge
Key Takeaways
Resources & Next Steps
📍 Westminster, Colorado
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson dives into one of the most overlooked tools in hormone and fertility health: learning how to truly listen to your body.
Through a powerful patient case, she explains how ignoring symptoms, pushing through discomfort, or following “one-size-fits-all” advice can actually delay healing and how tuning into your body can change everything.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
🧠 Why We’re Taught to Ignore Our Bodies
⚠️ Signs You’re Not Listening to Your Body
💛 Your Body Is Always Giving Feedback
🧬 Why Personalization Matters
🔁 When to Go Back to the Basics
📊 The Power of Tracking
🌱 Gentle Adjustments Over Time
Weekly Challenge
Key Takeaways
Resources & Next Steps
📍 Westminster, Colorado
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson walks through one of the most discouraging parts of a health or fertility journey: feeling like you’re doing everything right, but nothing is changing.
Through a real patient case, she explains why progress can stall and how to reset your approach without burning out or giving up on your body.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
😔 Why Feeling “Stuck” Is So Common
🧬 There May Be More Than One Root Cause
⚠️ Don’t Assume It’s Just One Diagnosis
⏳ Give Your Body Time to Heal
⚖️ Avoid the “Do Everything” Trap
🔁 Go Back to the Basics
📊 Use Data to Guide You
Weekly Challenge
Key Takeaways
Resources & Next Steps
📍 Westminster, Colorado
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson breaks down one of the most frustrating situations patients face: being told everything is "normal" when you still don't feel well.
Through a real patient case, she explains why standard testing can miss key issues and how a deeper, root-cause approach can uncover what's really going on with your hormones and fertility.
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IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN
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🔍 Why "Normal" Doesn't Mean Optimal You can have normal labs and still experience symptoms like:
Your body may still be out of balance even if basic tests look normal.
🧬 The Importance of a Full Hormone Picture Standard testing may miss:
Hormones must be evaluated correctly and in context.
🦠 Hidden Root Causes That Are Often Missed Deeper testing can uncover:
These can all impact fertility and hormone health.
⚠️ Why Fertility Treatments May Not Work Alone Medications like letrozole or IVF may not be effective if:
Addressing root causes is essential first.
🔁 Why Retesting Matters Lab results can change over time, and incomplete panels are common.
💛 Listen to Your Body Symptoms are your body's way of communicating.
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WEEKLY CHALLENGE
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If you've been told everything is "normal," write down your top symptoms and patterns. Use them as a guide to ask deeper questions or seek more comprehensive testing.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
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RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
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If you've been told everything is normal but still don't feel like yourself, we can help you dig deeper and find answers.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
🌐 verafertility.com
📧 @verafertility
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson shares simple, realistic swaps to help you reduce processed foods and add more nutrient-dense options into your daily routine.
If you feel overwhelmed by healthy eating, this episode breaks it down into small, doable changes that can support hormones, blood sugar, inflammation, and long-term wellness.
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IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN
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🥛 How to make simple nut milk
🍫 Healthier homemade sweet treats
🥗 Easy salad dressing swaps
💧 DIY electrolyte water and gummies
☕ Better coffee creamer options
🍌 Simple homemade "ice cream"
🍝 Pasta swaps with more nutrients
🥤 Homemade protein smoothies
🥚 Easy egg bites for breakfast
🫧 DIY sparkling water ideas
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WEEKLY CHALLENGE
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Pick one or two swaps from this episode and try them this week. Start with something you use every day, like coffee creamer, electrolytes, snacks, or breakfast.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
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RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
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Need help simplifying nutrition for hormone health or fertility? Vera Health & Fertility offers personalized support and nutrition guidance.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
🌐 verafertility.com
📧 @verafertility
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson shares the most important mindset shifts to help you stay grounded, consistent, and hopeful throughout your hormone and fertility journey.
If you've ever felt frustrated, stuck, or like "nothing is working," this episode will help you reframe your approach and better understand how your body is actually responding and healing over time.
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IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN
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🧠 Why Healing Takes Time Hormone changes are not immediate. Your body works in cycles, and improvements today may not show up for several months.
🔄 It's Not Failure, It's Feedback Every cycle gives you valuable information.
⏳ Timeline Does Not Equal Outcome Just because something is taking longer does not mean it is not working.
⚖️ Consistency Over Perfection You do not need to do everything perfectly to see results.
💛 Your Body Is Not Broken Your body is always responding and communicating with you.
🚫 Comparison Slows You Down Every body is different.
⚠️ More Is Not Always Better Overdoing supplements, workouts, or restrictions can backfire.
🌱 Small Habits Add Up Simple, consistent habits create long-term results.
🧪 You Can Experiment There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
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WEEKLY CHALLENGE
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Pick one mindset shift from this episode and focus on it this week. Write it down, keep it visible, and use it as a reminder to stay grounded and consistent.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
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─────────────────────────────
RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
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If you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, you do not have to do it alone. Vera Health & Fertility offers personalized care and support for your hormone and fertility journey.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
🌐 verafertility.com
📧 @verafertility
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson breaks down artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and “healthy” sugar substitutes that may be disrupting hormones, cravings, gut health, and fertility.
If you reach for diet soda, sugar-free snacks, flavored protein powders, or low-sugar treats thinking they’re healthier, this episode explains why those products may be sending mixed signals to your body.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
🍬 What Counts as Fake Sugar?
Common examples include:
Many sugar alcohols end in -ol.
🧠 Why Sweeteners Can Increase Cravings
Sweet taste tells the brain energy is coming. When sweetness arrives without real fuel, it may lead to:
💉 Blood Sugar & Insulin Effects
Some people still experience blood sugar spikes or insulin responses from sugar substitutes.
This may impact:
🦠 Gut Health Concerns
Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols may contribute to:
🔥 Inflammation & Hormone Stress
Dr. Sarah explains that heavily processed additives may create extra stress on the body, which can affect:
🚨 Where They Commonly Hide
Audit labels on:
Better Options
When choosing something sweet, consider real food sources in moderation:
The goal is reducing dependence on sweetness overall, not replacing sugar with fake sugar all day.
Weekly Challenge
Flip over labels this week and check what you use daily. Look for hidden sweeteners and choose cleaner, simpler ingredients when possible.
Key Takeaways
Resources & Next Steps
Need help simplifying nutrition, hormone health, or fertility support? Vera Health & Fertility offers personalized care plans.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson explains why the biggest drivers of fertility and hormone balance are not expensive supplements or trendy wellness products, but consistent daily habits.
If you’ve been researching the “perfect” prenatal, mold-free coffee, or the newest hormone supplement, this episode is a reminder that basics come first.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
🥗 Nutrition Comes First
You cannot out-supplement inconsistent nourishment. Focus on:
Whole foods and consistency matter more than perfection.
😴 Sleep Is Hormone Medicine
Sleep supports cortisol, insulin, and reproductive hormones.
Aim for:
Your body makes hormones best when well rested.
🏃♀️ Movement Over Intensity
You do not need extreme workouts. You need a realistic routine.
Examples:
Consistency beats going hard for two weeks then quitting.
🧘♀️ Stress Recovery Must Be Scheduled
Stress management should be treated like any other health habit.
Ideas:
Chronic stress can suppress hormones and fertility.
🚫 Stop Overcomplicating It
Organic food, specialty coffee, and supplements can have a place, but not before mastering:
Basics create the biggest outcomes.
Weekly Challenge
Pick one habit to master this month:
Keep it simple and sustainable.
Key Takeaways
Resources & Next Steps
Need help creating a personalized fertility or hormone plan? Vera Health & Fertility offers individualized support and testing.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
From the publisher's feed
The Hormone Café is your cozy corner for honest conversations about women’s health, fertility, and hormones. Hosted by Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility,…
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