Food Freedom and Fertility Podcast

Welcome to another episode of Food, Freedom, and Fertility. Host Caitlin and Sophia bring on RD Lily Nichols, a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition, to talk about the difference between folate and folic acid.  This episode is one you will definitely want to listen to if you are wanting to understand the importance of eating enough folate while you are trying to conceive.  Caitlin, Sophia and Lily engage in an in-depth discussion on healthy folate levels, what type of prenatal vitamins you should be taking, and so much more.  Be sure to have your notepads ready, as this episode is a goldmine of wisdom that you won’t want to miss. Tune in to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate your fertility journey with grace and clarity. Thank you to our Season 3 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   MyFertilityCloud: $25 off first appointment with link: https://bit.ly/Food-Freedom-Fertilitty   Needed: FFF20 for 20% off your order with link: https://www.thisisneeded.com/discount/FFF20?rfsn=7726780.70156a&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7726780.70156a You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility For more on RD Lily Nichols head to her website. https://lilynicholsrdn.com/about/

Welcome to the season 3 season opener of Food, Freedom, and Fertility. Host Caitlin and Sophia start season 3 talking about getting back to the basics and emphasizing on women diagnosed with PCOS. This episode is one you will definitely want to listen to if you are wanting to start from scratch and learn about things you can be doing now to help your fertility and get one step closer to getting those two pink lines. Caitlin and Sophia engage in an in-depth discussion on PCOS labs, workouts to help your fertility and ones to avoid, how to advocate for yourself at the doctor's office and so much more.  Be sure to have your notepads ready, as this episode is a goldmine of wisdom that you won't want to miss. Tune in to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate your fertility journey with grace and clarity. Thank you to our Season 3 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   MyFertilityCloud: $25 off first appointment with link: https://bit.ly/Food-Freedom-Fertilitty   Needed: FFF20 for 20% off your order with link: https://www.thisisneeded.com/discount/FFF20?rfsn=7726780.70156a&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7726780.70156a You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to the season 2 finale of Food, Freedom, and Fertility. Host Caitlin and Sophia embark on an exploration of PCOS labs. They delve into the crucial aspects of what to test for, how to inquire about these tests, and most importantly, how to interpret the results. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge, designed to empower you to advocate for yourself and ensure that you're armed with the right questions on your fertility journey. Caitlin and Sophia engage in an in-depth discussion about the specific labs that you should request, unraveling the reasons behind their significance. Furthermore, they provide invaluable insights on how to delve deeper into the results and navigate meaningful conversations with your doctor. The results of certain tests can serve as guiding lights on your path to starting a family. This episode carefully dissects these pivotal labs, shedding light on their importance and illustrating how to thoroughly review and apply the obtained results. Be sure to have your notepads ready, as this episode is a goldmine of wisdom that you won't want to miss. Tune in to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate your fertility journey with grace and clarity. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% Link from episode: WWW.thebloodcode.com/homa/ir/calculator   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Join us in this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility as we delve into the world of reproductive health and the crucial role of progesterone in pregnancy. Our special guest, Dr. Gary, a renowned reproductive endocrinologist from Fertility Cloud, sheds light on the importance of adequate progesterone levels during pregnancy. In addition to exploring the significance of progesterone, we also take a closer look at Fertility Cloud itself. Created amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fertility Cloud has revolutionized the field of fertility treatment. Dr. Gary explains how this innovative platform provides comprehensive support for patients, delivering everything they need right to their doorstep, excluding IVF procedures. With a shortage of fertility specialists nationwide, Fertility Cloud has emerged as a solution to expedite patient care and enhance accessibility. Through the power of telehealth, Fertility Cloud ensures that fertility help is easily accessible to individuals seeking assistance. Dr. Gary emphasizes the range of services offered by Fertility Cloud, including oral medications, injectables (which require ultrasounds), and comprehensive evaluations.  Dr. Gary also shares an inspiring success story of a patient who benefited from the services provided by Fertility Cloud. To learn more about Fertility Cloud and Dr. Gary, check out the link below.  Fertility Cloud   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility  

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility, we discuss God's Design for Sex and how to hold the goodness sex brings marriages during the hard season. We delve into the topics of sex and intimacy, challenges when trying to conceive and exploring a deeper understanding of connection within relationships. We have Francie Winslow, host of Heaven in Your Home Podcast that talks about sex, marriage and the mission of God.  The discussion begins with Francie sharing her personal story of her relationship wiht god and  the concept of purity and the potential challenges faced by individuals who struggle to embrace their sexuality after marriage, leading to feelings of disconnection and how to get through those. Francie invites listeners to consider God's purpose and intent for intimacy, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Adam and Eve. The idea that becoming "one flesh" extends beyond physical union is explored, highlighting the notion that fruitful living encompasses bringing forth goodness and benefiting the world through intimate connections. Moving forward, the episode discusses how sex can feel more like a job or chore within the infertility community. Caitlin and Francie also discuss intimacy with your partner and offer practical thoughts for those who feel exhausted or stuck in a sexual rut. The importance of viewing intimacy in a broader context is emphasized, with an emphasis on understanding that sex is more than a mere act. Genuine connection, vulnerability, and prioritizing one's unashamed, authentic self are vital aspects of nurturing and nourishing each other in a relationship.This concept can get lost when a couple's focus is trying to conceive.  The discussion continues by stressing the significance of building and maintaining connection and intimacy, particularly during challenging seasons. Practical tips for jump-starting marital connections are shared, aiming to reignite passion and intimacy. Shifting gears, the podcast delves into a candid conversation about female pleasure, providing insights into women's anatomy, such as the clitoris, and the importance of understanding individual preferences and pacing in order to experience pleasure. The episode mentions resources like Bonnie Burns' book "Unlock Your Orgasm," which offers guidance on enhancing intimacy and exploring pleasure within relationships. Concluding the episode, the focus turns to nurturing intimacy during pregnancy when individuals may not feel their most beautiful. Francie and Caitlin disucss various ways to build intimacy during this transformative period, encouraging listeners to explore the different facets of connection beyond physical appearance. Overall, this episode serves as an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of sex, intimacy, and connection, encouraging listeners to stay connected during the more difficlt times.  If you would like to learn more about Francie Winsow you can visit her website: www.FrancieWinslow.com   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20% You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses a birth story and if this is something you would like to skip over please feel free to do so. Last week on Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia shared what her TTC journey looked like and this week Sophia we delve into the story of baby Jenny’s birth. We hear about the ups and downs of her pregnancy, the preparations she made, and the moments that led up to the birth of her child. Sophia takes us through her journey, sharing her emotions and experiences along the way. She talks about the excitement and nervousness she felt as her due date approached, and the different strategies she used to manage her thoughts. As the story unfolds, we hear about the challenges Sophia faced during labor, and the ways in which she coped with the pain and uncertainty. We learn about the support she received from her partner, God,  and her birthing team, and the important role they played in helping her through the birthing process. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Today’s on Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia shares her trying to conceive journey. Sophia has helped so many families conceive in her career she and Caitlin thought it would be fun to turn the tables and share one of their stories.  Tune in to learn how Sophia and Caitlin met along with details about Sophia and her TTC journey even as far back as her early pre-pubescent years. Most listeners will be surprised by some of the experiences Sophia has had as a prenatal nutritionist. She is also dives deep in to her journey as a military spouse and how her and her husband started their family. Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

On this week’s episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are going to discuss Interstitial Cystitis and Fertility with Callie Krajcir, RDN, Nutrition Coach. Callie has lived with IC since she was very young.  Elementary through college her symptoms would cause her pain and put her on a rollercoaster of emotions as she continued to see a variety of doctors who did not know what was wrong with her. During college she tried a variety of treatment methods and learned to advocate for herself because doctors would eventually give up. She felt isolated and learned how to alleviate a lot of her symptoms through her diet. She entered the field of nutrition in hopes of being able to help others suffering from the same condition. Today, Callie shares with us her story and her symptoms, which started with burning while urinating. She also helps provide insight to what a flare up could look and feel like and how it affects her personal life and how to be a supportive partner/friend to someone who maybe suffering with IC. She also shares how her journey about how nutrition helps keep her symptoms minimal and exactly what foods and other triggers that can be bothersome for IC. IC is somewhat of a taboo topic because some people feel awkward with the discussion but 4-8 million women and 1-3 million men have IC in the US. There are subtypes of IC and Callie helps break down the differences.  The onset of IC is more common around the age of 30-40. Callie shares a quick list of foods that may cause a flare up and also supplements that can support IC patients, along with suggestions of what type of treatment team would be helpful. She also shares strategies that can be put into place to help with sex. If you or someone you may know maybe suffering from IC, please visit Callie’s website: https://www.callieknutrition.com to learn more. Callie has a signature program that is called Road to Remission, which she teaches about IC and nutrition After the 6 months of the program (Identifying diet triggers, elimination diets, etc.) the client gets a lifetime membership to the program. IC is a condition that requires a lot of community and support. When in Callie's program people feel as if a 50lb weight have fallen off their shoulders which helps them in the mental health arena as well as reducing the stress response in their bodies associated with that stress. You can find more information about Callie at the following links below: Website: https://www.callieknutrition.com IG: CallieKnutrition Podcast: ICYou Podcast    Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to Food, Freedom and Fertility. Today we have Diana Rodgers. She is a dietitian and the author of Sacred Cow. She is an expert on the intersection of nutrition and sustainable agriculture. One thing in her book that she discusses is that there are there are three separate buckets: nutrition, environment, and ethics. They are separate butintricately intertwined. Those buckets are: 1.     Nutrition 2.     Environment 3.     Ethics Diana shares how they chose the bucket topics and how the order was chosen. In her book, Sacred Cow she does a wonderful job explaining it in the most understandable way. You can find her book HERE   We have all heard the rumor that “Americans eat too much meat”, well Diana debunks that myth and shares some other shocking numbers with the listeners and she also explains the optimal amount of protein needed and why beef is such a great option. She also explains why meat is so important in fulfilling your micronutrient dietary needs. She likes to use Chronometer to track micronutrients. You can find the Cronometer HERE. Another topic that comes up often is that red meat is considered a carcinogenic. She breaks down the scale of how the rating compares to other daily activities and the percentages so that listeners can make an informed decision on if the value of red meat outweighs the risk. Spoiler alert… Diana, Caitlin and Sophia all agree that red meat has some extremely wonderful prosperities that our bodies need especially when TTC or breastfeeding. Should you spend the extra money on grass fed beef? Today’s episode covers this topic from a nutritional perspective and an ethical standpoint.  Diana shares her advice on what you should be eating if you are trying to conceive. She recommends fatty fish, eggs, and fatty cuts of meat. 4-6 oz of meat three times per day, or 30 grams of protein per day. Cronometer is important to keep track of your dietary intake. If you enjoyed this episode you can find Diana Rodgers and would like to learn more you cna find her at the following: Website: https://www.sacredcow.info/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/sustainabledish/ Amazon: Watch in your Amazon Prime Video App   Other show links: Cronometer Sacred Cow book Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to another episode of Food Freedom and Fertility. This week we have Robyn Johnson, RD as a guest to discuss minerals and hormonal health. Robyn’s expertise is as follows: ·      Registered Dietitian Nutritionist ·      Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska ·      Master of Science from Kansas University Medical Center ·      Trainings in clinical nutrition, women’s health, skin health and functional & integrative medicine therapies This is a very educational episode as Robyn and our hosts discuss the way minerals work in your body, specifically focused on hormonal health. Robyn’s journey with Rayvi started when she created a mineral mocktail that went viral on social media and she realized there so many people need to give attention to their mineral intake. Robyn wanted to help deliver a nutritious solution to match clinical needs with convenience. After working with clients for years, she has seen first-hand how powerful optimizing mineral intake can be. From supporting energy levels, to gut health, skin and hormones, minerals are foundational to good health. Robyn shares with us how minerals work in the body. Minerals allow all the signals in the body to work, without them…body signals would not be able to communicate properly and for the most part… we don’t make the minerals our body needs, we should be getting them from our food intake but with the stress of daily life and the declining levels of minerals in our food supply majority of us are deficient and our cells (and health) are left to struggle. During this episode as we discuss different minerals and all that surrounds them, keep in mind that majority of the studies done to test the soil quality are not current, most of the studies were completed in the 1970’s so the data isn’t up to date. Sodium is a feared mineral but Robyn helps clear up myths about it and also shares with you some symptoms that point to mineral imbalance. Some of those symptoms are: fatigue, afternoon crashes, constipation, feeling puffing, and drinking water but still feeling puffy. She also discusses the difference between trace mineral drops and Rayvi. Rayvi is Robyn’s company that makes mineral intake easy. It supports energy and vitality by properly hydrating your cells and providing an antioxidant boost. If you are unfamiliar with trace mineral drops, they have a little bit of a lot of minerals where as Rayvi has a lot of potassium and focuses on macro minerals. Rayvi also has high standards in place, such as ingredients are sourced from regenative farms, that are taking care of the land and the soil. Rayvi’s current flavors include Hibiscus Raspberry, Passion Pineapple and Ginger Turmeric. An at home DIY mineral cocktail could be: Coconut water, pinches of salt, splash of cranberry. Minerals in relation to  trying to conceive, pregnancy and men’s health is a hot topic and this episode supplies info on all of those areas. Robyn explains why it is hard to overdose on minerals why you are pregnant. It also shares tips about how minerals can help any vomiting during pregnancy and other helpful facts. As a breastfeeding mother it is important to ensure you have quality mineral absorption as your needs are high because breastfeeding is a demanding process, hydration is boosted by proper minerals which allows you to produce milk. You are your babies entire nutrient support  as a breastfeeding mother. Robyn also discusses how minerals affect the sex hormones and how certain levels of minerals can fluctuate your hormones. Water carries a lot of minerals in it so this is broken down for you so that you can understand the quality of minerals in your drinking water. It all depends on your water source and your city. Certain water filters should be chosen to minimize contaminates but you must be careful and research your water source because some filters can also filter out minerals and you will need to replace them. To learn more about your local water check out the EWG tap water data base. You can also have your water tested through the company Simply Water. While listening to this episode you will ask yourself… how can I be more proactive in choosing foods that might also be helpful in my mineral status… well don’t worry! That question is answered. The easiest way to remember is : Roots and Fruits! We all know fruits but these are some great roots to include in your diet:  potatoes, beets, carrots, rutabagas, turnips, parsnips, and squashes. If you can source your veggies and fruit from nutrient dense soil that will help your mineral intake as well. Animal based foods will help your mineral intake along with adding brewer’s yeast, coco powder or bee pollen to recipes, smoothies and meals. If you would like to try out the Rayvi products checkout the links below and be sure to try out some of their at home mineral mocktail recipes. However, if you feel like you are running on survival mode and have some of the symptoms discussed in this episode you should consider talking to a medical professional for additional help. Connect with Rayvi:  Website: www.RayviShop.com Use Code FFF10 for a special discount Rayvi Recipe guide: https://rayvishop.com/pages/recipe-guide Mineral mocktail guide with at home recipes: https://www.nutritionbyrobyn.com/mineral-mocktail-freebie   Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount. Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15   FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men’s pre-natal The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%   You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility