In this episode, Trista chats with dietitian Cathy Chu about gut health and its unique challenges during the holiday season. They explore how stress, changes in routine, and the constant "food noise" can impact digestion, and discuss strategies for managing gut discomfort. Cathy shares valuable tips on setting boundaries around food talk and cultivating a balanced mindset.

You'll learn:

Episode links:

Meet Cathy 

1-on-1 nutrition coaching 

How to Maintain a Healthy Food Mindset Over the Holidays

In this episode, Trista explores the complexities of managing pregnancy with PCOS, focusing on dietary considerations, the safety of medications and supplements, and the importance of mental health during the postpartum period. She emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, the role of insulin and metformin, and the significance of support systems for new parents.

You'll learn:

Episode Links:

How to Manage Gestational Diabetes with Diet and Lifestyle

1-on-1 Nutrition Coaching

References:

In this episode, we're diving into a part of diabetes care that often gets overlooked - self-compassion and looking beyond the numbers.

I'm Trista Chan, a dietitian passionate about helping women manage their health without feeling defined by every metric. Today, I’m joined by my friend and colleague, Prabhsimran Saini, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator who takes a heart-centred approach to diabetes care.

Together, we’ll explore why managing diabetes often feels like a balancing act with A1c levels, fasting sugars, and daily glucose checks - and why it’s so important to look beyond these numbers. We’ll cover:

Episode links:

Prabhsimran Saini's ⁠⁠Instag⁠r⁠am⁠⁠ @southasianrd

Prabhsimran Saini's LinkedIn

Meet the team

When it comes to taming your pesky IBS symptoms, most of the content online is based in restriction. While dietary intolerances can be painful, there's usually a missing piece to the conversation: what you can eat instead to help manage IBS symptoms.

Stay tuned as I reveal the facts behind common misconceptions, and share a practical, "nutrition by addition" approach to managing IBS with food.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Episode links:

References:

Struggling to balance a busy life and healthy eating? You don’t have to choose between the two. Meal prepping is often suggested, but let’s be honest — it can feel stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes leaves you with food that’s more of a chore than a comfort. If you're stuck in this frustrating cycle, it's time to switch things up.

You don’t need a complete meal overhaul to see health benefits. Let's dive into easy, realistic meal prep tips that make healthy eating simple and time-saving. Discover practical solutions for creating balanced, nourishing meals without the hassle.

We cover practical, doable solutions so you can whip up balanced meals in a hurry.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Episode Links

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the conflicting information about managing your PCOS symptoms through diet, then you are not alone! Are you tired of counting grams of carbs and still not seeing the improvements you're hoping for?

Maybe you've been neglecting the quality and timing of your carbohydrate intake, and it's leaving you feeling exhausted, moody, and craving more. It's time to break free from the carb confusion and discover a sustainable solution that works for you and your unique needs.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Episode Links

References

Xenou M, Gourounti K. Dietary Patterns and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review. Maedica (Bucur). 2021 Sep;16(3):516-521. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2020.16.3.516. PMID: 34925611; PMCID: PMC8643565.

Now, as you can imagine, we get all sorts of questions about hormone health. We've compiled the Top 5 Questions about PCOS that commonly arise in our PCOS Recovery Program and Instagram. 

My special guest is Cathy Chu, a hormone and digestion focused RD dietitian at The Good Life Dietitian. Cathy brings a wealth of experience and expertise in supporting patients with PCOS and overlapping functional gut disorders.

In this episode, we answer the top questions:

Resources:

Have you ever been told that hormone health is all about eating the "right foods," only to feel frustrated when the relief you seek never comes?

If you're still battling symptoms like fatigue, irregular periods, insomnia, or bloating despite following all the advice, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to see the results they hope for when it comes to hormone health.

In this episode, we’ll explore the real impact of diet and lifestyle on hormones and share practical, effective changes you can make to finally start feeling better.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Resources:

References:

Want to understand and overcome the damaging effects of weight stigma in healthcare? In this episode, we dive deep into how weight stigma affects PCOS management and overall well-being.

We'll debunk the myth that willpower alone is the key to weight loss and explore how understanding the true impact of weight stigma can lead to a more holistic approach to health.

Join us as we challenge outdated beliefs and empower you with the knowledge to take charge of your health journey.

In this episode, you will learn about:

Episode Resources:

Is breakfast essential for hormonal health, or just another diet myth? Does it help or mess with blood sugars and insulin? Will it trigger daily bloat or cure it?

When it comes to managing hormone and gut dysfunction, breakfast may be more important than you think.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Episode notes:

References

Giménez-Legarre, N., Miguel-Berges, M. L., Flores-Barrantes, P., Santaliestra-Pasías, A. M., & Moreno, L. A. (2020). Breakfast Characteristics and Its Association with Daily Micronutrients Intake in Children and Adolescents-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 12(10), 3201.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103201

Franz M. J. (1997). Protein: metabolism and effect on blood glucose levels. The Diabetes educator, 23(6), 643–651.https://doi.org/10.1177/014572179702300603

Joo, H. J., Kim, G. R., Park, E. C., & Jang, S. I. (2020). Association between Frequency of Breakfast Consumption and Insulin Resistance Using Triglyceride-Glucose Index: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(9), 3322.

Levitt, N. S., Vinik, A. I., Sive, A. A., Child, P. T., & Jackson, W. P. (1980). The effect of dietary fiber on glucose and hormone responses to a mixed meal in normal subjects and in diabetic subjects with and without autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes care, 3(4), 515–519. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6475723/

Hiller-Sturmhöfel, S., & Bartke, A. (1998). The endocrine system: an overview. Alcohol health and research world, 22(3), 153–164.

Witbracht, M., Keim, N. L., Forester, S., Widaman, A., & Laugero, K. (2015). Female breakfast skippers display a disrupted cortisol rhythm and elevated blood pressure. Physiology & behavior, 140, 215–221.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.12.044

Zaplatosch, M. E., & Adams, W. M. (2020). The Effect of Acute Hypohydration on Indicators of Glycemic Regulation, Appetite, Metabolism and Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 12(9), 2526.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092526