FROM WELLNESS EXTREMES TO A HEALTHY FOUNDATION - why getting back to basics, saying no to fads and fueling our bodies is the medicine women need with Nina Passero, FDN-P
Jun 21, 2022
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Nina Passero, a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, discusses her challenging health journey and the remedies that made a lasting difference. They cover topics like hormone health, birth control risks, cycle literacy, the importance of fueling the body properly, incorporating collagen and bone broth for healing, and getting back to basics for nourishment.
Focusing on foundational basics such as balanced nutrition and stress management is key for better hormone and gut health.
Eating a balanced breakfast with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates energizes the body and stabilizes blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for individuals with hormonal imbalances like PCOS, as it can worsen symptoms and disrupt hormonal equilibrium.
Collagen and gelatin promote gut health, aid in nutrient absorption, and support the immune system.
Incorporating the whole animal into the diet through bone-in meats and organ consumption provides a wide range of essential nutrients for gut health and overall well-being.
Deep dives
The Power of Education in Empowerment
In this podcast episode, the host expresses gratitude for the support received for the previous episode and introduces the guest, Nina Pissero, a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner. The conversation explores the beauty and challenges of their respective health journeys, discussing topics such as the importance of breakfast for hormone health, the risks of birth control, cycle literacy and self-advocacy, struggles with restrictive diets, and the importance of fueling the body correctly for better health outcomes.
The Journey from Wellness Extremes to a Strong Foundation
The speaker reflects on her and Nina's past exploration and experimentation with various wellness fads, from restrictive diets to specific vitamins. They both discovered that extreme approaches didn't yield lasting results. Instead, they found that focusing on foundational principles such as balanced nutrition, blood sugar regulation, and stress management led to better outcomes for hormone health, energy levels, and gut health. Nina's personal journey of healing, including hair loss and extreme diets, is highlighted as a testament to the significance of nourishing the body with the right foods.
Importance of Food Frequency and Balance
The conversation delves into the significance of food frequency and balance in achieving optimal health outcomes. The speaker emphasizes the importance of eating consistently throughout the day to provide the necessary energy for bodily functions, emotional regulation, and hormone balance. The conversation also highlights the impact of proper food combinations and the role of glucose and fructose balance in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Empowering Through Education and Small Changes
The podcast episode underscores the role of education in empowering individuals to make informed choices about their health. The speaker encourages clients to make lasting changes by focusing on simple but achievable goals, such as using high-quality oils, incorporating balanced snacks before bed for better sleep, and understanding the connection between emotions, stress, and energy consumption. The importance of foundational basics, stress management, and blood sugar regulation is emphasized as key elements in building a strong health foundation.
Importance of Eating a Balanced Breakfast
Eating a balanced breakfast is crucial for maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm and energizing the body for the day ahead. It helps to synchronize the body's natural cycles and sets the right tone for metabolism and digestion. By fueling the body in the morning, we provide consistent energy throughout the day, avoiding spikes and crashes. A breakfast rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates is ideal, such as soft-boiled eggs with melon or egg muffins with a side of fruit.
The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Hormonal Imbalance
Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with hormonal imbalances. Hormones play a vital role in regulating our metabolism, energy levels, and overall well-being. For individuals with imbalanced hormones, such as PCOS or other conditions, intermittent fasting can potentially worsen symptoms and disrupt the delicate hormonal equilibrium. It is crucial to listen to your body and work with a healthcare professional to determine the best approach to eating and fasting.
The Benefits of Consuming Collagen and Gelatin
Collagen and gelatin are highly beneficial for gut health and overall well-being. They support the integrity of the gut lining and help repair a compromised mucosal barrier. Consumption of collagen and gelatin can promote a healthy digestive system, aid in nutrient absorption, support the immune system, and reduce inflammation in the body. These nutrients are commonly found in bone-in meats and can be incorporated into meals and snacks to enhance nutritional value.
The Importance of Whole Animal Consumption
Incorporating the whole animal in our diet is a valuable practice for optimal health. Consuming all parts of the animal, such as bones, meats, and organs, provides a wide range of essential nutrients, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. This approach supports gut health, boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, and aids in nutrient absorption. Using bone-in meats and incorporating collagen or gelatin supplements can be a convenient way to obtain the benefits of whole animal consumption.
Importance of Incorporating Collagen and Gelatin into the Diet
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the importance of incorporating collagen and gelatin into the diet. They highlight how collagen and gelatin can support gut health and protect against the impact of pesticides. The speaker suggests that collagen and gelatin can be consumed in their isolated form or through the consumption of bone-in meats, which provide amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. They also emphasize the importance of diversity in the diet and the role that collagen and gelatin can play in nutrient variety and supporting overall health.
Fueling the Body with Nutrient-Dense Foods and Supporting Gut Health
The podcast discusses the benefits of consuming nutrient-dense foods and supporting gut health. The speaker emphasizes the importance of ancestral foods and smart food combinations in nourishing the body and repairing the gut lining. They highlight the benefits of stewed fruits, such as apples and pears, which provide pectin to support intestinal cell repair and remove toxins. The speaker also suggests incorporating bone-in meats, beans, and healthy animal fats into the diet to support gut health and remove toxins. They address the misconceptions surrounding dairy consumption and the importance of proper digestion for tolerating dairy. Additionally, the speaker shares practical tips on incorporating these foods into the diet, such as consuming stewed fruits, adding collagen to yogurt or smoothies, and including beans as a healthy snack.
Ep 52. Today I sat down with one of my best friends Nina Passero, FDN-P, to have a raw conversation about everything from the importance of eating breakfast for hormones, to the risks of birth control and the importance of self-advocacy, to the ugly truths of some of the toughest moments we experienced while struggling with our health and searching for answers. Nina went through one of the most difficult chronic health journeys I’ve witnessed: from PCOS to gastritis, extreme hair loss, endless food intolerances, gut infections, fatigue and brain fog – and yet never stopped digging for the root causes and remedies that would actually make a lasting difference. After trying every health fad and extreme in the book, from raw veganism to an “orange fast” to autoimmune elimination diets, today she’s the healthiest she’s ever been after blocking out the noise and focusing on what she calls the “foundational basics”: food-as-medicine staples that helped to heal her gut, fueling her body frequently enough (and with the right nutrient without restriction), and doing some deep emotional work that helped to build her stress-management + mindset toolbox. Nina has been able to transform her hardships into invaluable wisdom, becoming a talented functional practitioner who helps women around the world achieve food freedom, balance, hormone and gut health.
