All things nutrition with Liv Nutritious
Liv is a degree-qualified nutritionist with a heart-led mission to help others achieve a healthy, lively and sustainable relationship with food. Her clinic is up the hill form Manly in Fairlight on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Anyone that has met Liv would agree with me in saying, that she is an absolute ray of sunshine and has a way of making you feel warm, comfortable and safe.
What does a normal week in the life of Liv Nutritious look like?
An ideal week is feeling contempt with my workload with enough time for activity every day. Clinic hours are busiest at lunch and in the evenings, after typical work hours. While this isn't overly ideal for lunch and dinner, this works well for me as I am a morning person by nature so this means I can spend my morning hours in nature. Sunrise is the most important time for me, followed by breakfast. Every day involves walking my pooches Lewis and Tango and some kind of weights or cardio...excluding Sundays where I enjoy slothing around. Some weeks I travel for work with my side business, 'Body Bloom'. This secondary school program educates teenage women on nutrition for hormone health with intuitive eating practice and body image support. It's a career highlight for me!
What are some examples of common types of clients you would see in the clinic? Do you have any special interests?
I have quite a varied client pie which I love, it keeps me researching and constantly learning. Having studied Master's in Womens Health Medicine, I do have a natural pull towards female hormone health and have a particular focus on endometriosis, PCOS and fertility. This area is incredibly rewarding because the change in a womens life is so rewarding to be a part of.
A lot of prenatal women who come through my doors are often struggling with low iron. What are some tips on easy ways they can incorporate more iron into their diet?
Aside from low dietary intake, low circulating or stored iron can be from varying or combination of factors, pregnancy, heavy and clotty periods, high activity load, GIT dysfunction and absorption issues, inflammation infection and illness. Red meat twice a week is an old-school way of thinking and doesn't reflect the needs of so many women for varying biochemical, psychosocial, and cultural reasons. Like with everything and everyone, I will always take a deep dive into the individual case to get to the root cause. But yes, for the sake of not over-complicating the answer, some women simply need to increase their red iron-rich plate of red meat, tofu, greens and poultry drink caffeine away from meals and consider supplementing with a maintenance dose supplement to keep their stores healthy.
It may be less known that a nutritionist can be of great benefit to women who are struggling with irregular cycles or their fertility. How do you support these clients? And what would be some specific things you would look at or discuss in these appointments?
Regulating cycles is actually my bread and butter and the area I enjoy the most. If I am being honest, I became so passionate about this area because of my journey, I have spent so many hours researching and piecing together hormone puzzles. Irregular cycles can be influenced such an array of factors, namely PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid dysfunction, over-exercising, under-eating, weight, inflammation, illness, stress, poor sleep, frequent travel, and medications. Regulating a cycle takes holistic care and time (at least three months actually as this is how long healthy progesterone takes to build). This area is so deeply individual. Based on my personal experience and education, I encourage all women who are relying on social media for cycle health tips to stop scrolling and seek the help of a nutritionist who specialises in womens health. You may need an A-team, and you should never feel you should have to do it alone. Trust me, a regular and healthy cycle is truly life-changing due to the positive effect on your overall mood, health, GIT function, and overall health.
My favourite question, any favourite spots on the Northern Beaches for a good cup of coffee, afternoon drink or bite to eat?
Market Lane for coffee, is hands down the best. I love the pavilion for a sunset drink purely because the view brings a Mediterranean feel but the best wine selection and dry gin martini is Banco on Whistler Street. Bite to eat, I also love Banco for their picky bits, the octopus is incredible and so is the lobster roll, but if every day was a sunny Saturday with a little extra cash to spare, it's Ormegio for the win!
Anyone that knows you, knows that you are a style queen. Favourite go-to brands? And what is your favourite item in your wardrobe at the moment?
Oh, thanks love! In another life, I would love to be a stylist. My rule, I don't follow trends, I follow what I'm feeling, and I am open to all brands. I am a vintage hunter and a lover of jewellery. My favourite item has always been my vintage YSL scarf that I found in a Brocante while living in France. No word of a lie, it cost me 4 euros and I didn't even see the stunning/hidden YSL pattern in it until my bestie borrowed it and was wearing it over her shoulders. Another would be a lime silk crop and pants set from Cult Gaia and also a burgundy glittery crop knit from Zara... these items have been on high rotation for at least 5 years. Also, I am a denim girl, I have all the cuts and washes...likely will need storage soon!
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