McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN

Intuitive fertility & pregnancy nutrition🤰🏽
HAES approach to HA, PCOS, GDM 🍋

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Halloween PSA for those pregnant or trying to conceive: sugar is not toxic to you or your baby. Your body can handle some candy 🍫🎃

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Nutrition without restriction BEFORE pregnancy plays a key role in your mental and physical well-being all the way through postpartum. Don't wait until you're not feeling well to start nourishing your body 💕

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

PSA: You did not give yourself gestational diabetes.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

What if you actually need to do less, not more for your fertility?
Less intense exercise, less stress, less dieting, less supplements. How would that feel?

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

It's ok to use meds to regulate your cycle and hormones, and it's also ok to ask tough questions, try nutrition/lifestyle changes AND add supplements. These are not mutually exclusive interventions.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

I don't know who needs to hear this but your fertility/pregnancy diet should not have you eliminating or feeling guilty about eating your cultural foods.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

North Carolina has local elections coming up. I will absolutely be at the polls.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

As a reproductive health dietitian, this needs to be said. I have patients of all different backgrounds and beliefs, but here's why I will ALWAYS a supporter of your right to choose:

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Your life and your health matter. You are not a baby making machine.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Vote! Your voice matters. Elect officials willing to invest in clean energy, agricultural worker's rights, safe housing for all, and scientific research & education.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Happy Earth Day!
When we protect the planet, we protect our reproductive health. Here's a few ways you can have an impact:

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

When possible, buy food that's grown or raised locally. Often small farms will use less pesticides and the food doesn't have to travel as far, resulting in less carbon emissions.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Gatekeeping fertility care through weight bias. People in all bodies deserve access to evidence based advice and treatment beyond "come back after losing X lbs."

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

It should not be up to the individual patient to demand respect in reproductive healthcare. On my mind this week of things that need to change: a thread.

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

Treating pregnant people like actual adults instead of baby-making robots incapable of decision making without fear-based advice. How about we bring back informed consent?

[McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN @feedyourzest]

The difference between a fertility diet and practicing intuitive eating on your fertility journey is that we're not looking for a quick fix or magic pill - we're finding self-care through evidence -based nutrition that fits with your values.