The Whole Pineapple

One in eight women in the U.S will be diagnosed with breast cancer...

A year and a week after her previous clear mammogram, Dr. Michelle Tollefson went in for another. This one showed a lump.

On this week's short snack, Dr. Tollefson shares her experience as a doctor becoming a patient – of knowing the information but having to face putting it into practice. Tune in for an incredible story, and for actionable steps we can take to prevent and fight cancer with lifestyle medicine.

For more information:

American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR)

Improving Women's Health Across The Lifespan

https://www.amazon.com/Improving-Womens-Lifespan-Lifestyle-Medicine/dp/0367627639

Beth Frates - Paving the Path to Wellness

https://www.bethfratesmd.com/paving-the-path-to-wellness

Paving the Path to Wellness workbook

https://www.bethfratesmd.com/books

American Institute of Cancer Research Resource page

https://www.aicr.org/resources/media-library/

Mass General PAVING the Path to Wellness groups for those with breast cancer

https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/patient-and-family-resources/supportive-care/paving/?TRILIBIS_EMULATOR_UA=Mozilla%2F5.0+(Windows+NT+6.1%3B+WOW64%3B+rv%3A26.0)+Gecko%2F20100101+Firefox%2F26.0#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20principles%20of,a%20diagnosis%20of%20breast%20cancer.

American Institute of Cancer Research Resource page

https://www.aicr.org/resources/media-library/

Your Brain on Food by Uma Naidoo

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49088685-this-is-your-brain-on-food?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=YXDfXeexaL&rank=1

Your Body in Balance by Neal Barnard

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46208089-your-body-in-balance?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=pihtZD54kI&rank=2

The Good Germ Hotel by Kwon Soo-Jinn (Author), Kim Sung-Hwa (Author), Kim Ryung-Eon (Illustrator)

https://bookshop.org/books/the-good-germ-hotel-meet-your-body-s-marvelous-microbes/9781913750169

"Let food by thy medicine..."

We're not sure Hippocrates really said it, but whether he did or not, it's true. What we eat can promote health and healing and may help with fertility challenges. And few people have ever experienced serious side effects from a radish.

Equally, inflammatory foods can make conceiving harder, so it's good to know what foods are often culprits. And because every body is different, it's also good to learn your body's language, so you understand what it's trying to tell you.

In this episode, Ruby and Anne talk with Dr. Michelle Tollefsen about food, fertility, and overall wellness.

Dr. Michelle Tollefson is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in Denver, CO, and a Professor in the Health Professions Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver where she created and oversees the Lifestyle Medicine Program and the Wellness Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine Pathway.

And, be sure to check out the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's new course, Food as Medicine.

Each session within the ACLM Food As Medicine course series builds on practical strategies that help health professionals use nutrition to treat and even reverse common chronic diseases. Led by foremost experts and backed by strong evidence, sessions also consider various life stages, scope of practice, and pharmaceutical implications.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Improving Women's Health Across The Lifespan: https://www.amazon.com/Improving-Womens-Lifespan-Lifestyle-Medicine/dp/0367627639

Beth Frates - Paving the Path to Wellness: https://www.bethfratesmd.com/paving-the-path-to-wellness

Paving the Path to Wellness workbook: https://www.bethfratesmd.com/books

American Institute of Cancer Research Resource page: https://www.aicr.org/resources/media-library/

Mass General PAVING the Path to Wellness groups for those with breast cancer: https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/patient-and-family-resources/supportive-care/paving/?TRILIBIS_EMULATOR_UA=Mozilla%2F5.0+(Windows+NT+6.1%3B+WOW64%3B+rv%3A26.0)+Gecko%2F20100101+Firefox%2F26.0#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20principles%20of,a%20diagnosis%20of%20breast%20cancer.

American Institute of Cancer Research Resource page: https://www.aicr.org/resources/media-library/

Your Brain on Food by Uma Naidoo: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49088685-this-is-your-brain-on-food?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=YXDfXeexaL&rank=1

Your Body in Balance by Neal Barnard: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46208089-your-body-in-balance?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=pihtZD54kI&rank=2

The Good Germ Hotel by Kwon Soo-Jinn (Author), Kim Sung-Hwa (Author), Kim Ryung-Eon (Illustrator): https://bookshop.org/books/the-good-germ-hotel-meet-your-body-s-marvelous-microbes/9781913750169

Clinical studies show that many of us experience an increase in anxiety and depression during the holidays. And yes, this includes the spring holidays going on right now.

So on today's short snack, friend of the pod Jamie Mammenga shares some tools for navigating a fertility journey during this heightened time. Be sure to listen before heading out to family brunch. Jamie's wise and soothing words are like a gentle breeze.

We all have different shapes and sizes. And there's growing awareness that we can enhance health and well-being in every body.

On this week's short snack episode, we welcome back Judy Simon to talk about how we can engage in gentle nutrition and joyful movement instead of restrictive dieting.

And she talks about the imperative that medical professionals practice respectful patient-centered care and weight inclusivity.

Along the way, she debunks commonly held – and antiquated – beliefs about fatness and fertility.

About Judy:

Judy Simon practices as an RDN, certified health education specialist, and adjunct faculty at the University of Washington. She also owns a private practice, Mind Body Nutrition, PLLC, specializing in reproductive nutrition and eating disorders.

Contact Judy at her email, [email protected]; on Instagram @fertilenutrition; on Twitter @JSimonRD; on her website, www.mind-body-nutrition.com, or find her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judy-simon-9178267/.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

EATING DISORDERS

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

www.anad.org

http://www.diabulimiahelpline.org/resources.html

https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/recovery-centers/denver

https://www.emilyprogram.com/

HAES ® (Health at Every Size)

https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/

https://haeshealthsheets.com/the-health-sheet-library/

https://www.intuitiveeating.org

https://benourished.org/about-body-trust/

BOOKS:

Body Kindness: Transform Your Health from the Inside Out — and Never Say Diet Again by Rebecca Scritchfield

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28110894-body-kindness?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=e8FG1gCPQV&rank=1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/79534/9780761187295

The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34956885-the-body-is-not-an-apology?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DMkNIvKwDN&rank=1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/79534/9781523090990

Intuitive Eating 4th Edition Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51291382-intuitive-eating?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=GaaCwOqSNk&rank=1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/79534/9781250255198

If you've had fertility treatment, chances are you filled out some sort of intake form that asked questions about the foods you eat, how much you sleep, medications you take, and so on.

Did any of those forms ask about eating disorders?

Turns out, asking about eating disorders is really important - always - but especially when it comes to fertility. Nutrition and overall health are certainly reasons to ask about eating habits, but there are also questions of control, body dysmorphia, fear of weight gain, and even an over-emphasis on healthy eating that can lead to disordered eating.

Judy Simon practices as an RDN, certified health education specialist, and adjunct faculty at the University of Washington. She also owns a private practice, Mind Body Nutrition, PLLC, specializing in reproductive nutrition and eating disorders.

Judy co-developed the successful Food for Fertility Program with Dr. Angela Thyer and is recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and as a national leader in the area of fertility and nutrition.

Judy offers her patients the unique experience of a non-dieting, intuitive approach to healthy eating.

Please have a listen and pass this podcast along to anyone you think could benefit.

Contact Judy at her email, [email protected]; on Instagram @fertilenutrition; on Twitter @JSimonRD; on her website, www.mind-body-nutrition.com or find her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judy-simon-9178267/.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

EATING DISORDERS

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

www.anad.org

http://www.diabulimiahelpline.org/resources.html

https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/recovery-centers/denver

https://www.emilyprogram.com/

HAES ® (Health at Every Size)

https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/

https://haeshealthsheets.com/the-health-sheet-library/

https://www.intuitiveeating.org

https://benourished.org/about-body-trust/

BOOKS:

Body Kindness: Transform Your Health from the Inside Out — and Never Say Diet Again by Rebecca Scritchfield

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28110894-body-kindness?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=e8FG1gCPQV&rank=1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/79534/9780761187295

The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34956885-the-body-is-not-an-apology?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DMkNIvKwDN&rank=1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/79534/9781523090990

Intuitive Eating 4th Edition Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51291382-intuitive-eating?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=GaaCwOqSNk&rank=1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/79534/9781250255198

For Monica Bivas, pain became purpose. After going through years of her own fertility challenges, she became a fertility and IVF coach to support others experiencing the same difficulties.

On this week's short snack, Monica shares her journey, including grappling with endometriosis, miscarriage, and emotional tumult. And, she explains how a fertility coach supports clients.

If you're considering a fertility coach, or are interested in finding community with others who are facing fertility difficulties, this episode is for you.

Trigger warning: on this episode, we discuss: infant loss, stillbirth, miscarriage, and relationship challenges.

https://monicabivas.com/

[email protected]

IG @monicabivas

FB https://www.facebook.com/monicabivasfertilitycoach

The IVF Planner from Monica: https://www.amazon.com/Ivf-Planner-Personal-Fertilization-Positivity/dp/1982213256/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1W9RIIA05Z77U&keywords=monica+bivas&qid=1646334173&sprefix=monica+bivas%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1

Looking for more information on fertility and wellness? Visit our website TheWholePineapple.com!

It's International Transgender Day of Visibility, so Ruby and Anne are bringing you a bonus short snack episode to talk about identity, allyship, and how you can put your dollars to work for the LGBTQIA+ community. 1.4 million adults in the U.S identify as transgender, gender queer, diverse, fluid or nonbinary. Let's show our support!

Family Equality

http://FamilyEquality.org

Family Equality Book Nook

https://www.familyequality.org/family-support/lgbtq-books/

Contact your elected officials

https://www.familyequality.org/issues-advocacy/state-advocacy/

Donate:

https://donate.familyequality.org/give/282932/?_ga=2.79196820.1037584484.1648244697-538433170.1646093702#!/donation/checkout

National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center of The Fenway Institute https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/

Contact your elected officials

https://www.familyequality.org/issues-advocacy/state-advocacy/

The Trevor Project

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Transequality.org

https://transequality.org/state-action-center

The Safe Zone Project

https://thesafezoneproject.com/about/what-is-safe-zone/

ACLU

https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights

Trans Lifeline toll free - a lifeline for trans people run by trans people

US at 877-565-8860

Canada at 877-330-6366

The Trevor Project Lifeline

For LGBTQIA+ Youth under the age of 25

Toll free 24/7 by phone at 1-866-488-7386

Text the word START to 678678 (standard message rates apply)

Chat for free on The Trevor Project's website's online portal at https://www.thetrevorproject.org

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/07/27/rising-shares-of-u-s-adults-know-someone-who-is-transgender-or-goes-by-gender-neutral-pronouns/

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/health/transgender-population.html

https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/trans-adults-united-states/

https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/

https://transequality.org/state-action-center

https://thesafezoneproject.com/about/what-is-safe-zone/

http://FamilyEquality.org

The FDA is hands off when it comes to supplements, which means wading through the claims can be tricky and confusing. How do you know if what you're getting is the good stuff?

On this week's short snack, Anne and Ruby chat with board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Sarah de la Torre to demystify supplement labels, claims, and certifications. What do the percentages mean? How do you know if your fish oil is mercury-free? What if you're on a plant-based diet?

Tune in so you can feel more confident finding and consuming nutrition-packed supplements that won't waste your money.

Links:

Dietary Supplement Label Database

NSF

FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations

Consumer Reports: How to Choose Supplements Wisely

True Label Program

International Fish Oil Standards / International Krill Oil Standards

Marine Stewardship Counsel

Certified Vegan

Your average drugstore or grocery store holds a dizzying array of supplements. Gummies versus pills, this brand versus that, one-a-day versus as-needed, and don't get us started on the dosage discrepancies.

The FDA doesn't regulate nutritional supplements the way it does medications, even though some ingredients in supplements can have profound affects on the body.

When it comes to your fertility or your health in general, how do you know which one(s) to choose?

In this episode, Ruby and Anne talk with Dr. Sarah de la Torre, a board-certified OB-GYN who has worked in private practice for over 16 years.

A medical and wellness consultant for over 7 years, Dr. de la Torre is an ACLM Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician and has specialized training in Functional Medicine.

She joined SRM in 2019 and has been a leader in launching and developing our Wellness program, which has been a huge success and benefit to our patients here at SRM as well as those referred from clinicians outside our practice.

Links:

Dietary Supplement Label Database

NSF

FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations

Consumer Reports: How to Choose Supplements Wisely

True Label Program

International Fish Oil Standards / International Krill Oil Standards

Marine Stewardship Counsel

Certified Vegan

How can such a tiny gland have such big impacts on your health and fertility?

In this week's short snack, Ruby and Anne dig into the thyroid. What's the deal with T3 and T4? What's the difference between hypo and hyperthyroidism? What about the hypothalamus and pituitary gland? We even included some fascinating thyroid health history (hint: it involves seaweed in the year 2700 BC!).

If it sounds like a lot, fear not: Anne has a song that breaks it all down.