Dr. Mindy Pelz, a bestselling author, women's health, hormone and functional health expert, and lifestyle advocate has dedicated her career to empowering women, encouraging them to ‘Believe Their Bodies’ as she puts it.
She’s a pioneer in the fasting movement, has released bestsellers like “Fast Like a Girl” and “The Menopause Reset,” among others, and has a podcast where she engages other leaders in the health space in insightful conversations, from Max Lugavere and Dr. William Li to Nutrisense's co-founder and VP of Health, Kara Collier, RDN, LDN, CNSC.
She’s also a fan of the Nutrisense program, having used it herself, and she recommends it to her clients! In this interview, she shares her insights on integrating the Nutrisense program with its expert support into her health routine, why she loves it, the importance of understanding metabolic health with your body’s data, and the unique challenges women face in aligning their diet with hormonal health.
She also discusses her books, "Fast Like a Girl" and the upcoming October release: "Eat Like a Girl," which focus on practical guidance for women to nourish their bodies in accordance with their metabolic needs. Here, in her own words, is Dr. Pelz’s journey toward advocating for women’s health through knowledge and technology.
Hi Mindy! We’d love to know what motivated you to integrate Nutrisense into your health routine. What specific issues were you looking to address, and how did they align with your health goals?
Integrating the Nutrisense program with access to CGMs and expert guidance into my health routine was driven by a desire to understand my body's unique glucose responses to different foods and lifestyle factors. Specifically, I wanted to address how energy fluctuations relate to hormonal health.
How did seeing the real-time data from your CGM in the Nutrisense app impact this understanding of your body’s unique responses to diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors?
Seeing the real-time data provided me with a nuanced understanding of how my body reacts to various foods, exercise routines, and lifestyle choices, especially in my post-menopausal stage of life.
How has the knowledge you gained with Nutrisense influenced your approach to women’s health and real-time metabolic data?
The real-time data reveals how uniquely our bodies respond to various factors, such as diet and stress. This is particularly crucial during menopause, when hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact metabolism. This personalized insight empowers menopausal women to make informed health decisions.
Understanding how glucose levels are affected during this life stage helps craft tailored strategies, allowing them to better manage symptoms like energy dips and weight changes.
That's great to know! Turning to your books, from “Fast Like a Girl” to “Eat Like a Girl,”… did you already have your new book in mind when you wrote the first one in this series?
Yes, when I was writing "Fast Like a Girl," I was already contemplating "Eat Like a Girl," as I wanted to expand on the concept of aligning diet with hormonal health.
My motivation was to provide women with practical guidance on nourishing their bodies with an understanding of their unique metabolic needs.
Your work helps women mitigate this alignment of diet and hormonal health; what common misconceptions and myths about fasting, women’s, and hormones do you wish you could dispel through their health journey?
Women often face health challenges with a lack of personalized dietary guidance and the prevalence of one-size-fits-all approaches.
Common misconceptions include the belief that fasting is universally beneficial without considering hormonal phases. I aim to dispel these myths by providing evidence-based insights tailored to women's hormonal health.
And what are your thoughts on women's health research right now, and what improvements would you like to see, especially with the role of technology in personalized healthcare?
Women's health research is progressing, but there's a need for more studies focusing on hormonal health and personalized interventions. I hope to see technology play a bigger role in offering real-time data and insights, enabling more customized healthcare solutions for women.
Your book also includes some great recipes! What are your personal favorites?
The book includes recipes that focus on balancing hormones and supporting metabolic health. My personal favorites are:
- The Buddha Bowl
- The Lime Ginger Mint Mocktail
They incorporate nutrient-dense ingredients and are easy to prepare, and some of these recipes you can even eat while you’re fasting!
What message do you hope readers take away from "Eat Like a Girl?” And what's next for you after this?
I hope readers understand the power of aligning their diet with their hormonal needs and feel empowered to take control of their health. I'm excited to explore further research on the intersection of nutrition, technology, and women's health in upcoming projects.
Engage with Your Blood Glucose Levels with Nutrisense
Your blood sugar levels can significantly impact how your body feels and functions. That’s why stable blood glucose levels can be an important factor in supporting overall wellbeing.
With Nutrisense, you’ll be able to track your blood glucose levels over time using a CGM, so you can make lifestyle choices that support healthy living.
When you join the Nutrisense CGM program, our team of credentialed dietitians and nutritionists are available for additional support and guidance to help you reach your goals.
Ready to take the first step? Start with our quiz to see how Nutrisense can support your health.