EPISODE SUMMARY:
One of the most common struggles we may face in midlife is weight and nutrition. The calories that were once so easy to burn in adolescence become harder to shake as we age and having to navigate the proper dietary and exercise habits can be complicated. Val Schonberg is an expert in nutrition that strives to help women, especially those in midlife, deal with these complicated relationships between diet and exercise. With a Master of Science degree in nutrition as well as certification in Sports Dietetics and the North American Menopause Society, Val is trained in knowledge in eating disorders, sports nutrition, and women’s health. She currently runs a nutrition consulting company called EnlightenU, which offers personalized approaches to a person’s individual journey with nutrition, physicality, and aging. In this week’s episode, Val shares with us midlife and weight, why menopause is the perfect storm for weight gain, which foods are best for staying healthy as we age, and much more.
Val Schonberg
Val Schonberg is an expert in nutrition with focuses in eating disorders, sports nutrition, and women’s health. Having grown up in Nebraska, Val has always had a passion for helping others achieve nutritional health. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Val went on to receive a Master of Science degree in nutrition and a dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota. Val is also Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics, certified by the North American Menopause Society, and has a certificate of training in adult weight management. She has spoken at numerous schools and organizations on nutrition-related topics and has also had her work published in The Women’s Health Report and Woman’s Day Magazine. Though her expertise stems beyond eating disorders, Val has a passion for offering eating disorder prevention information as well as nutrition care for populations vulnerable to eating problems, including athletes and women in mid-life. Val also shares her knowledge through her blog and monthly e-newsletter.
EnlightenU• Serviceso Workshops and Speaking▪ Group Events• Cooking Classes for Athletes and Teams• Women, Wellness and Menopause• Corporate Wellness Lunch & Leans• Grocery Store Tours▪ Group Presentations• Dieting, Weight and Exercise: Finding a Healthy Balance• Nutrition for Student Athletes• Eating for Optimal Athletic Performance• Lost in a Box of Chocolates: Managing Mood, Emotions and Stress• Women, Weight and Menopause: Nutrition and Fitness for Optimal Healtho Specialized Nutrition Services▪ Sports Nutrition• Val works with elite and recreational athletes of all ages• She does both individual and team counseling• Helps athletes to balance unique aesthetic aspects of sports while also striving for optimal performance without injuryo Eating Disorders▪ Nutrition education to develop deeper understanding of your body’s physiology and nutrition needs▪ Menu planning and grocery shopping▪ Cooking together in your home▪ Eating meals and snacks together at your home, my office, or in a restaurant environment▪ Challenging food fears through education and exposure therapy▪ Exploring strategies to help you replace disordered behaviors with new self-care behaviors▪ Outpatient Nutrition Counseling• Individuals participate in weekly office visits to receive education and nutrition therapy• Individual being treated must form an outpatient nutrition team that collaborates with the dietitiano Team includes a psychotherapist, a medical doctor, and a psychiatristo Aging and Menopause▪ Providers are certified by the North American Menopause Society to provide menopause-related information• Practice involves translating research related to the effect of aging and changing hormones on a woman’s body to practical application with food, eating, and weight• Goal is to provide innovative and effective nutrition interventions for managing symptoms and helping women feel confident, empowered, and involved in their health care decisions
In this episode, we discuss…
• [0:01] Introduction
• [0:56] Guest Introduction
• [1:20] Start of the Interview
• [2:16] Main Issues Women Face During Midlife
• [4:08] How Val Connects with Clients and Their Stories
• [6:50] The Mid-Life Middle
• [9:11] The Perfect Storm for Menopausal Weight Gain
• [13:06] Yo-Yo Dieting and Weight Gain
• [16:34] Outside Pressure on a Woman’s Physical Appearance
• [19:26] Estrogen and Increased Appetite
• [22:05] The Right Foods for Our Bodies as We Age
• [25:10] Phytoestrogen and Supplements
• [28:14] Probiotics
• [31:19] Foods That Contribute to Weight Gain
• [35:27] Intermittent Fasting
• [38:53] Increased Intake of Alcohol and Aging
• [42:05] Weight Management and Midlife
• [44:29] How Often Should You Work Out
• [50:41] First Steps for Managing Weight Gain in Midlife
• [53:11] Sugar Intake in Midlife
• [55:14] How to Get in Touch with Val
• [56:08] Closing Thoughts
• [57:42] Outro
Useful Resources:
Val’s Twitter I [https://twitter.com/valschonberg?lang=en]
Val’s Linkedin I [https://www.linkedin.com/in/val-schonberg-ms-rd-cssd-ld-ncmp-98a4616]
Atlanta Center for Wellness I [https://atlantacenterforwellness.com/val-schonberg/]
EnlightenU Nutrition Consulting I [https://www.enlightenunutrition.com/]
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