Fertility and Nutrition with Rachelle Mallik
How many old wives’ tales have you heard about nutrition and fertility?
More importantly, how often have doctors told you that intentional weight loss will miraculously improve your IVF outcomes? If you’re even slightly “overweight” and experiencing fertility issues, it’s common for doctors to subtly (or not so subtly) suggest you “lose a little weight” as a solution.
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However, this outdated advice is based on research that isn’t clear-cut. Intentional weight loss isn’t the magic solution for better IVF outcomes. Who knew? More nuanced food and movement changes (if any at all) might actually be more beneficial. But hey, why have clarity when you can have mixed messages?
Health-promoting behaviors are far more important than obsessing over weight. If you thought counting calories was your secret weapon, think again. While nutrition plays a role, it’s not the magic bullet. If obsessing over food choices makes you anxious or rigid, it’s time to step back. You’re already doing enough—cut yourself some slack!
Fixating on weight alone can make you miss the bigger picture. And let’s be real, who wants to miss out on a healthier lifestyle for the sake of a number on the scale? If stressing over every bite you take is adding to your anxiety, maybe it’s time to rethink your approach. The goal here is to promote health, not to drive yourself up the wall (which actually increases stress which decreases health).
In this episode, I’m joined by Rachelle LaCroix Mallik. We’ll take a deep dive into the limitations of studies claiming that weight loss boosts health. Spoiler alert: these studies often miss the mark by not considering other crucial factors like specific eating habits, physical activity, and improved glucose metabolism. Imagine that!
Rachelle (Rachel) LaCroix (LaCwa) Mallik (Mal-ick), MA, RD, LDN. She is a dietitian and founder of The Food Therapist, a virtual private practice specializing in nutrition counseling and education for reproductive health. Rachelle supports clients who are trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding or managing conditions like PCOS and endometriosis with a weight-inclusive approach that focuses on nourishment rather than restriction.
Rachelle has been working in reproductive health for 18 years, starting as an IVF patient coordinator at the Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine, and is a mom to two young children.
Rachelle is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, including the Women’s Health Dietetic Practice Group. She is also an active member of the Nutrition Special Interest Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Rachelle serves as the reproductive nutrition content expert for the Nutrition Care Manual. She has presented for the Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and at the ASRM Scientific Congress, and advocates for the role of nutrition and dietitians in multidisciplinary reproductive healthcare.
In this episode, we’re discussing:
The limitations of studies showing that weight loss may improve health and IVF outcomes.
The importance of focusing on health-promoting behaviors rather than on weight.
How nutrition can serve as a support tool during the fertility journey.
The difference between correlation and causation in nutritional studies related to fertility.
Managing stress and avoiding rigidity when consuming information about fertility nutrition.
The natural gravitation towards controlling food intake during the fertility journey and its potential dangers.
Reducing the sense of responsibility and blame individuals may feel regarding their diet and fertility.
The benefits of a Mediterranean diet and anti-inflammatory foods for improving fertility. (Probably only if you don’t have an ED history, though.)
The role of dietary patterns and specific nutrients in enhancing fertility outcomes, emphasizing a balanced dietary approach.
The complexity of categorizing foods like non-dairy milks as ultra-processed and the importance of considering overall diet quality rather than strict food avoidance.
The lack of definitive data linking sugar, seed oils, and ultra-processed foods to fertility, with a focus on balanced nutrient intake.
The positive correlation between seed oils and heart health, and their beneficial monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats for fertility.
The "pro-fertility diet" and its neutral to favorable effect on fertility, especially regarding dairy and soy consumption.
The nuanced relationship between nutrition and fertility, emphasizing the role of different eating habits without causing stress or disordered eating.
Navigating conflicting advice from healthcare providers regarding weight loss and fertility, and the importance of focusing on overall health and nutrient-dense foods.
The need for weight-inclusive care and the potential harm of weight-focused treatment recommendations in fertility clinics.
Strategies for working with healthcare providers to find weight-inclusive fertility care and setting boundaries to avoid harmful weight loss pressures.
Supporting fertility through nutrition while maintaining a healthy relationship with food, and the limitations of solely focusing on weight loss.
Note: We’re celebrating three amazing years of the Understanding Disordered Eating podcast! Just as a reminder, we’re taking a two-week break at the end of August. We’ll be back with fresh content after Labor Day weekend, on September 10th. In the meantime, catch up on our older episodes—they're still gems!
Tweetable Quotes
"Intentional weight loss doesn't necessarily improve your IVF outcomes." - Rachelle LaCroix Mallik
"If any of the information that you are consuming, whether it’s on this podcast or outside, especially in regards to fertility, if it makes you stressed and anxious, it is not for you." - Rachelle Heinemann
"We all have to eat, so let's use nutrition to really work for us and help us feel as good as we can along that journey." - Rachelle LaCroix Mallik
"Nutrition may have an impact on both natural conception as well as fertility treatment outcomes." - Rachelle LaCroix Mallik
Resources
Connect with Rachelle here: http://www.rachellemallik.com
Find Rachelle on Instagram! @rachellemallik
Learn more about her Fertility Foundations nutrition course here!
Grab the Replay of the Resistance in Treatment Webinar
Now accepting new clients! Find out if we're a good fit!
Related Episodes
Episode 131. Real Nutrition Information Minus the Shame with Claire Chewning RDN
Episode 130. So You Think Processed Foods Caused Obesity and the Answer is Weight Loss
Episode 96. What ED People Got Wrong About Science with Dr. A'nna Roby
Episode 87. Ultra Processed Food, Food Addiction and Eating Disorders with Dr. David Wiss
Episode 39. Weight Inclusive Endocrinology with Dr. Gregory Dodell
Episode 31. What Does the Research Actually Show? with Molly Fennig
Episode 29. PCOS and Disordered Eating with Julie Duffy Dillon MS, RD, NCC, LDN, CEDRD-S
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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