The Zesty Dietitian

McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Health & Fitness

A sassy and informative podcast about weight inclusive nutrition for reproductive health. No diets. No BS. Just good, solid info to help you ditch perfectionism around food and your body, so you can live nourished through fertility, pregnancy, and beyond.

  1. May 15

    Episode 16: GLP-1s and Fertility

    In Episode 16 of The Zesty Dietitian Podcast, I dive into a huge topic lately - GLP-1s and fertility. We go over what a GLP-1 is and what it does, how it may help with PCOS/PMOS, side effects and nutrition considerations, and how to make the best decision for YOU about whether a GLP-1 is the right step for your reproductive health journey. We also answer a few questions from our listeners about nutrients to test for in labs if you’re on a GLP-1, GLP-1s for PCOS, GLP-1s while breastfeeding, and navigating anxiety about weight gain when coming off a GLP-1 for pregnancy. Get the show notes and transcript here: www.feedyourzest.com/blog/2026/15/5/glp1-fertility-podcast Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠: ⁠https://www.feedyourzest.com/nutrition-counseling Copyright 2026 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Podcast intro/outro music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  2. Feb 26

    Episode 15: Endometriosis, Fertility, and Disordered Eating with Lindsay Helton

    In Episode 15 of The Zesty Dietitian Podcast, I interview my good friend and colleague, Lindsay Helton! Lindsay is a Registered Dietitian and owner of New Paths Nutrition, a North Carolina group practice specializing in eating disorder care. Over the past six years, she and her team have helped clients heal from eating disorders, untangle disordered eating patterns, and address health concerns using a weight-inclusive approach. Lindsay focuses on meeting clients where they are and creating a supportive, comfortable space for healing. She lives near Charlotte in the Lake Norman area, where she recently opened a new office for the practice. When she’s not working, she enjoys time with her family by the water-ideally with an iced latte in hand. In this episode, we discuss Lindsay’s work as an eating disorder dietitian, her personal journey with infertility, the process of getting diagnosed with endometriosis, and ways she’s taking care of her body as a dietitian with endometriosis. Follow Lindsay on Instagram: @newpathsnutrition Work with Lindsay and her team of eating disorder dietitians: www.newpathsnutrition.com Resources: Feed Your Zest blog posts on endometriosis  Lindsay’s blog post: Non Diet Strategies for Managing Endometriosis  Dance Party Workouts with MadFit  Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠ Copyright 2026 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Podcast music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  3. Jan 20

    Episode 14: Prenatal Vitamins and Entrepreneurship with Zawwar Khan

    In Episode 14 of The Zesty Dietitian Podcast we’re interviewing my internet friend and fellow prenatal nutrition nerd, Zawwar Khan. Zawwar Khan is the founder of CareNatal, a prenatal vitamin brand delivering comprehensive prenatal nutrition as an easy to drink powder vitamin. After graduating as a mechanical engineer and then working in product development for companies like Proctor and Gamble and PepsiCo, Zawwar took his career down a different path - entrepreneurship. In this episode, Zawwar and I chat about his journey to entrepreneurship, the process of developing a prenatal vitamin, and what it’s like being in the prenatal vitamin space as a man. Follow Zawwar on TikTok Follow Zawwar on Instagram Episode Sponsored by CareNatal: www.carenatal.com Resources: Prenatal vitamin comparison chart Feed Your Zest Prenatal Vitamin Guide Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠: ⁠https://www.feedyourzest.com/nutrition-counseling Copyright 2026 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Podcast intro/outro music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  4. 12/08/2025

    Episode 13: PCOS, Lactation and Birth with Natalie Ostrowski

    In Episode 13 of The Zesty Dietitian Podcast, I interview our associate dietitian and lactation consultant, Natalie Ostrowski MPH, RDN, IBCLC. We dive into Natalie’s personal journey with PCOS, trying to conceive, her pregnancy journey and birth story, as well as her experience with lactation, with tips for each stage of the journey overall! A little more about Natalie: She is a registered dietitian nutritionist and international board certified lactation consultant. Prior to joining the team at Feed Your Zest, she worked in community health centers as well as a birth center and a breastfeeding medicine clinic. Beyond her clinical experience, she understands firsthand the difficulty of navigating the US healthcare system, feeling confused by irregular menstrual cycles, and experiencing challenges with fertility. She is deeply passionate about supporting folks in attaining their reproductive and nutrition health goals while also making the world of nutrition more clear and approachable. Sometimes sifting through the myriad feelings and emotions that come up when we talk about food and body image can be challenging. She sees it as her role to help guide you through these conversations while offering tailored, evidence-based recommendations to help you along the way. Read Natalie’s bio Follow Natalie on Instagram Book an appointment with Natalie Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠: ⁠https://www.feedyourzest.com/nutrition-counseling ⁠ Copyright 2025 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Podcast music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  5. 11/03/2025

    Episode 12: Twin Pregnancies and Prenatal Sports Nutrition with Ella Schwochert

    In episode 12 of The Zesty Dietitian Podcast, I interview my friend and fellow registered dietitian Ella Schwochert, MPH, RDN. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ella and her team of dietitians at Fuel NC Nutrition specialize in intuitive eating and sports nutrition. She likes to say “Think of me as your hype woman for carbs, curiosity, and body respect.” We talk all about her experience with a twin pregnancy, her passion for movement and fueling for activity, and listening to your body when it comes to staying active while pregnant. Follow Ella and her team on Instagram: @fuel.nc.nutrition Work with Ella and her team: fuelnc.com Resources: Learn about Intuitive Eating: https://www.intuitiveeating.org/about-us/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/  Learn about Health at Every Size: https://asdah.org/haes/ Run Raleigh (same building as Fuel NC Nutrition): https://runraleighpt.com/ Studio Brick Strength and Conditioning (same building as Fuel NC Nutrition): https://studiobrick.com/ More about thyroid and nutrition (The Zesty Dietitian Podcast Episode 6): https://www.feedyourzest.com/blog/2024/9/30/podcast-episode-6-hashimotos  Information about medications for pregnancy nausea: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠: ⁠https://www.feedyourzest.com/nutrition-counseling ⁠ Copyright 2025 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Podcast music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  6. 10/03/2025

    Episode 11: Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Culture with Reatna Taylor

    Season 2 of The Zesty Dietitian is here, and we’re starting off with a super cool interview with my friend and colleague, Reatna Taylor! Reatna A. Taylor, MPH, RDN, LDN, is a bilingual, first-generation Panamanian-American registered dietitian with over five years of experience providing culturally sensitive nutrition care, particularly for Latino communities facing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. She currently serves as the Nutrition Program Manager and Food Pantry Coordinator at Camino Salud, a community health center in Charlotte, NC. In this role, she develops personalized nutrition plans, leads culturally focused cooking and wellness classes, and addresses food insecurity with a focus on health equity. Reatna earned her Master of Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill and her Bachelor’s in Biology from Johnson C. Smith University. Her work is driven by a deep respect for culture, community, and the lived experiences of those she serves. In this episode, we dive into Reatna’s experience with both a hospital and home birth, and the intersection of food, culture, and nutrition in her personal experience and in her work as a dietitian. Find Reatna as @rea_tay on Instagram. Read more about Reatna’s work at Camino Salud here: https://www.caminosalud.com/ Resources: Evidence Based Birth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/ Peruvian “Parto Vertical” https://www.unfpa.org/news/born-end-rope-embracing-indigenous-childbirth-traditions-save-lives https://www.asedoulacare.com/  Queen City Cocoa BEANS https://qccocoabeans.com/ Mind Body Baby NC https://www.mindbodybabync.org/  Diversify Dietetics: https://www.diversifydietetics.org/  Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠: ⁠https://www.feedyourzest.com/nutrition-counseling ⁠ Copyright 2025 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLC Podcast music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  7. 04/24/2025

    Episode 10: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals with Judy Simon

    In Episode 10, we’re diving into a hot topic: endocrine disrupting chemicals! This can be an overwhelming, nuanced topic - know that our intention in this episode is to help you feel informed and empowered, not scared. Our guest on the podcast is one of my dietitian heroes, Judy Simon! Judy Simon, MS, RDN, CD, CHES, is an esteemed registered dietitian nutritionist with a focus on reproductive health. As the founder of Mind Body Nutrition, PLLC, she integrates a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition therapy, mindfulness, and intuitive eating to help individuals improve their health and fertility. Judy specializes in fertility, PCOS, eating disorders, and weight-inclusive healthcare. Her work emphasizes a non-judgmental, inclusive approach to health, and she is the co- founder of the Food For Fertility program. In addition, Judy co-authored Getting to Baby: A Food-First Fertility Plan to Improve Your Odds and Shorten Your Time to Pregnancy (BenBella Publishers, 2024), which offers a science-backed, nutrition-centered approach to fertility.  Follow Judy: IG: @fertilenutrition Threads: fertilenutrition FB: Mind Body Nutrition   Work with Judy: www.mind-body-nutrition.com Endocrine disruptors mentioned (because spelling is hard): Phthalates BPA and other bisphenols PFAs Additional resources: Getting to Baby by Judy Simon and Dr. Angela Angela Thyer Recipes for safer cleaning products from King County Hazardous Waste Blog post: 6 tips to reduce toxin exposure in fertility and pregnancy Work with a Feed Your Zest dietitian for 1:1 nutrition counseling⁠: https://www.feedyourzest.com/nutrition-counseling Copyright 2025 Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness, LLCPodcast music by⁠ ⁠⁠Myles Maxwell⁠

  8. 04/01/2025

    BONUS Webinar Recording: Navigating Constipation in Pregnancy & Postpartum with Dr. Quana Jackson

    In this webinar, McKenzie & Dr. Q walk you through ways to navigate constipation during pregnancy and postpartum. Discover effective strategies to manage constipation during pregnancy and postpartumMaster essential dietary and pelvic floor techniques for optimal digestive healthLearn practical ways to apply expert advice in your daily routine This webinar was broadcast live on 3/28/25! McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN is the Founder and Lead Dietitian at Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness. McKenzie helps folks ditch perfectionism around food and their bodies so they can live fully nourished through fertility, pregnancy, and beyond. Find more information about working with her team at https://www.feedyourzest.com Dr. Quana Tribble Jackson is the Founder and Physical Therapist at PTforHer Pelvic Health & Wellness. Dr. Q has extensive experience in treating pelvic floor disorders and is passionate about helping patients improve their quality of life. She specializes in pregnancy and postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy. Find more information about working with her at https://www.ptforher.com

    BONUS Webinar Recording: Navigating Constipation in Pregnancy & Postpartum with Dr. Quana Jackson
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A sassy and informative podcast about weight inclusive nutrition for reproductive health. No diets. No BS. Just good, solid info to help you ditch perfectionism around food and your body, so you can live nourished through fertility, pregnancy, and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN
  • Show Website
    The Zesty Dietitian