Nourished with PCOS – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to a new episode of the Nourished with PCOS Podcast, where we’re diving deep into the often-misunderstood world of missing periods. 

This episode is all about differences between the two biggest causes of missing periods, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA). 

Joining us today is Lindsey Lusson, a registered dietitian with personal experience in overcoming amenorrhea, or a loss of period. In this episode, we'll unravel the confusion surrounding PCOS and HA, the barriers to an accurate diagnosis between the two, and the subtle nuances that differentiate the two conditions.

Lindsey shares her compelling journey from a decade-long battle with a missing period to her self-healing process that led to pregnancy. We'll discuss the implications of lifestyle habits on hormonal health, the misconceptions regarding exercise and diet in relation to PCOS and HA, and the crucial role of thorough medical evaluations. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What hypothalamic amenorrhea is
• Signs and symptoms of HA
• How HA is different from PCOS
• Weight stigma and diagnosing PCOS vs. HA

Whether you're dealing with irregular cycles, facing fertility challenges, or just eager to understand your hormonal health better, this conversation with Lindsey Lusson is an invaluable one. 

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Have you ever been told that you have fatty liver? Receiving a new diagnosis can be scary, but this episode is going to break down fatty liver in a super simple way so that you can feel informed and empowered.

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat builds up on the liver. It affects about 25% of the population and PCOS increases the risk of developing it. While we don’t know exactly what causes NAFLD, it’s believed that the insulin resistance and metabolic factors are associated with why it’s seen more in PCOS.

In this episode, Sam discusses:

• What fatty liver is
• How fatty liver impacts long-term health
• Testing for fatty liver
• Nutrition recommendations to help!

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

In today’s episode of the Nourished with PCOS Podcast, Sam is joined by her client, Kara, to chat about Kara’s non-diet journey managing PCOS.

They begin the episode by discussing Kara’s story of suspecting she had PCOS but being dismissed by several healthcare providers before she was finally taken seriously.  Kara then shares her experience trying different restrictive diet changes and what prompted her to want to take a different approach. 

Kara shares how choosing the non-diet route transformed her health and PCOS symptoms in unexpected ways. She explains that letting go of  dieting and finding more acceptance with her body was freeing and relieved a lot of mental stress. When her mental health improved, she noticed that her physical health also improved and she began to make specific food choices because she felt empowered to do so.

In this episode, Sam and Kara also discuss:

• How taking a non-diet approach has been helpful for PCOS management.
• Specific nutrition misinformation that Kara followed and how it impacted Kara to let go of these.
• Kara’s advice for those who don’t want to diet anymore but are scared to embrace a non-diet way of eating.

Kara's story is a testament to the freeing feeling that comes with embracing a more flexible approach to food. Your well-being is worth the journey, and with Kara's uplifting message, you can take those first steps towards a more authentic and empowered life with PCOS.

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Ready to let go of dieting but not quite sure where to start?

In today’s episode of the Nourished with PCOS Podcast, Sam is joined by fellow registered dietitian Colleen Christensen. 

Colleen has not only navigated her own journey through disordered eating but has also transformed her struggles into a passion for helping others. From controlling food habits to binge eating, and finally finding balance, Colleen’s story is both inspiring and relatable. 

Sam and Colleen explore how mindset and self-talk can set the foundation for this eating style, why a little structure can still be intuitive, and the importance of meeting yourself where you are on your journey. Colleen also brings to light how humor and social interaction can influence our nutrition choices, and the significance of understanding our bodies, especially when navigating conditions like PCOS and insulin resistance.

In this episode, Sam and Colleen also discuss:

• How you can take a non-diet approach to nutrition even with a medical condition like PCOS.
• Misconceptions about intuitive eating.
• Colleen’s top tip if you’re ready to let go of dieting.

Whether you're dealing with PCOS symptoms, transitioning from a dieting mindset, or simply looking for a healthier relationship with food, this episode is full of advice around creating a embracing a non-diet approach to nutrition.

To connect with Colleen, click here.

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Do you ever wonder how to approach nutrition recommendations for PCOS when you’re trying to be an intuitive eater?

That’s exactly what is covered in today’s episode of the Nourished with PCOS Podcast!

It’s a common misconception that intuitive eating is about “eating whatever you want, whenever you want”. Intuitive eating is actually about blending nutrition education with how your body is feeling and what will feel best for you mentally, emotionally, and physically. And this can be done even if you have a medical condition like PCOS!

In this episode, Sam discusses:

• A brief overview of Intuitive Eating for PCOS
• The difference between implementing nutrition recommendations with diet culture vs. intuitive eating
• How to approach nutrition recommendations with autonomy and flexibility

If you’re newer to intuitive eating then you might want to check out the series Sam did all about Intuitive Eating for PCOS: 

Ep 18: What is Intuitive Eating?

Ep 19: How Intuitive Eating Looks Different with PCOS

Ep 20: How to Overcome Common Intuitive Eating Obstacles

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Do you love the idea of having food freedom but you still care about your health with PCOS? You’re going to want to tune in to today’s episode.

Sam is joined by her former client, Melissa, who discusses her non-diet journey managing PCOS and has been able to regain her period, lower her A1c and liver enzymes, and find more peace with her PCOS diagnosis.

The episode begins with Melissa sharing a little bit about her experience getting diagnosed with PCOS. Like many listeners, she was told to “just lose weight” and take medication to manage her symptoms.

Melissa shares how she pursued nutrition coaching in the past but ultimately ended up feeling dismissed and was taking a large amount of supplements. She shares how Sam’s non-diet messaging really resonated with her and how in Sam’s program, Melissa was able to redefine what health with PCOS looks like for her.

In this episode, Sam and Melissa discuss:

• How redefining health with PCOS can help you find more peace.
• Their thoughts on the general experience getting diagnosed with PCOS and how it can be less distressing.
• Melissa’s advice for someone wanting to take a non-diet approach to managing PCOS.

Join us as Melissa shares vital insights on the journey to balance and wellness with PCOS, and stay with us as we offer encouragement for anyone walking a similar path. It's all about finding that happy medium, managing symptoms without compromising the joy of living.

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Have you ever felt confused about whether or not you have insulin resistance?

This is a common concern with PCOS, especially if you’re newly diagnosed or didn’t get the best information when you were diagnosed.

In today’s episode of the podcast, Sam is helping you understand how insulin resistance is diagnosed so that you can feel more comfortable with your plan for managing PCOS and speaking to your care team. 

Sam begins the episode by discussing how insulin resistance impacts most people with PCOS. She shares some statistics around this and also discusses how weight, nutrition, and lifestyle don’t cause insulin resistance per the research that we have.

In this episode, Sam also discusses the following:

• Physical signs of insulin resistance
• Lab recommendations for diagnosing insulin resistance
• New guidance from the updated PCOS guidelines
• Whether you need to check your actual insulin levels

Sam ends the episode by sharing her personal opinion on when it’s worthwhile to pursue labs.

Disclaimer: This episode is not medical advice. It is just educational information to help facilitate conversations with your healthcare team. 

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Have you been wondering if you could possibly have PCOS? With an increase in PCOS awareness and education, more and more folks are recognizing symptoms like irregular periods, acne, hirsutism, and hair loss, asking their doctor to be screened for PCOS.

It can be frustrating if you think you may have PCOS and your concerns are dismissed. On today’s episode of the podcast, Sam is discussing how PCOS is diagnosed so that you can have more information and a better understanding of the diagnostic process if you do pursue a diagnosis with your doctor. 

Sam begins the episode with a reminder that PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other medical conditions with symptoms that overlap with PCOS usually need to be ruled out first prior to being diagnosed with PCOS.

Sam then goes on to share the three different pieces of diagnostic criteria and the specifics of each one. 

In this episode, Sam discusses:

• The formal criteria for diagnosing PCOS
• Why you don’t necessarily need labs or an ultrasound for a diagnosis
• Other medical conditions that share PCOS symptoms
• Tips for communicating with your doctor if you’d like to be screened for PCOS

Sam ends the episode by discussing two medical conditions that she sometimes see in practice that are misdiagnosed with PCOS.

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

Sam is joined by guest Dr. Asher Larmie (he/they), a transmasculine general practitioner and expert in weight stigma.  Sam and Asher tackle the complexities and nuances surrounding these popular medications. 

They explore their impact on weight loss, management of type 2 diabetes, and the long-term relationship with our health. Asher brings up concerns over the use of these drugs in nondiabetic individuals, the risks that accompany their benefits, and the importance of informed consent in medical treatment.

Today’s conversation isn’t just about medication—it’s about empowerment, offering personal insights, and the right to autonomy in medical decisions. We’ll discuss the unforeseen consequences of pathologizing weight and how a history of weight stigma has led to delayed diagnoses and a plethora of physical and mental health challenges.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Asher became a weight-inclusive physician
• When a GLP-1 agonist may be beneficial for PCOS
• The risks and side effects of these medications
• What the research says about Wegovy and weight loss
• Tips for talking to your doctor about semaglutide

So, listeners, sit back, open your hearts and minds, and let’s get nourished with the knowledge and experiences shared in our discussion with Asher Larmie on Ozempic, Wegovy, and their use for weight loss.

Please visit our podcast page for the show notes, study information, and Asher’s contact information.

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/

Have you ever felt conflicted about wanting to let go of dieting but also caring about your health?

This is a common concern for anyone wanting food freedom or to embrace intuitive eating with PCOS. In this episode of "Nourished with PCOS” Podcast, Sam gives advice about the struggle of wanting to ditch diets but still caring about PCOS symptoms and long-term health. 

Since we’re surrounded by diet talk and diet culture, we internalize that dieting means we’re improving your health. But diet culture is a multi-billion dollar industry that profits when you stay stuck in the diet cycle. You can definitely give this cycle the middle finger and still have health goals!

In this episode, Sam discusses:

• The fears around what letting go of dieting will mean
• Practical tips for redefining what health means to you
• The statistics about dieting and health outcomes
• Why you should trust your personal experiences

Sam's down-to-earth approach will resonate with anyone looking for a non-diet approach to managing their PCOS. So grab a cup of tea and tune in!

✨ Resources & Links ✨

🎉 Join the waitlist for Nourished with PCOS. Registration will open in mid-September! https://pcosnutritionco.com/nourished-waitlist/

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcos.nutritionist/