62. Diet Culture and Nutrition Trends with Maiya Ahluwalia
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Join Surabhi Veitch and registered dietitian Maiya Ahluwalia as they discuss diet culture and debunk the “bounce back” culture for postpartum bodies.
We discuss:
Nutrition Tips for Postpartum Folks
Diet Culture
Bounce Back Culture
Lack of Education About Women's Health
Endometriosis
Diet Trends During Pregnancy & Postpartum
Sugar Cravings
Providing Clients with Culturally Targeted Advice
Nurse Practitioner at Nourishing Balance
What the Actual Fork: Maiya's Favourite Podcast
Dismantling Diet Culture
Maiya Ahluwalia Bio
Maiya Ahluwalia, RD is a registered dietitian with a Bachelor’s in Applied Human Sciences and Masters of Nutrition from the University of Guelph. Maiya works with a variety of clients and specialize in working with women and children. Whether you are seeking a dietitian for preventative reasons, digestive issues, beginning a new chapter in life (pregnancy, introducing solids to your toddler), or need support with a new diagnosis (PCOS, Endometrosis, Thyroid Disease etc.) - Maiya is here to support you. Additionally, coming from a South Asian background Maiya is also passionate about supporting her clients in embracing their cultural foods. She believes you can enjoy all foods while still supporting your health history and dietary requirements.
Connect with Maiya & Important Links:
—Follow Maiya of Nourishing Balance on Instagram @nourishingbalance.women.kids
—Nourishing Balance Website: www.nourishingbalance.ca
https://nourishingbalance.ca/free-health-resources/
—Book an Appointment with Nourishing Balance: https://nourishingbalance.ca/book-with-us/
Connect with Surabhi:
Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca
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Please note that the timestamps are slightly off as the podcast teaser and intro music occur before the start of the episode.
Surabhi: [00:00:00] Hi friends, and welcome back to another episode of Mom's Strength. This is your host Surabhi Veitch, and I'm really excited to have on, one of my guests here today who is a dietician Maiya Ahluwaila. And so first of all, I think Maya and I connected over. I wanna say like a year, a year and a half ago on social media.
Um, you know, I really liked her posts and she liked my posts and we were kind of going back and forth. And then she invited me to connect over this, , type of, kind of like a business group, mentorship group. And then we just got to know each other since we worked with a lot of similar clients, uh, and I really value her expertise.
So I'm really excited to have you on here, Maya. Welcome. Welcome. Thank you. And so, yeah. And so I know you work with a lot of women and kids, am I right? Yeah. Um, and what, can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Like what made you wanna become a dietician and you know, how you got to working with the group of people that you do now?[00:01:00]
Maiya: Yeah, I've always had an interest in food and nutrition. Growing up I did a lot of sports and I actually initially kind of had an interest in sport nutrition. , and believe it or not, when I went into nutrition in my undergrad, I actually want to be a dentist. So what I was like, I like food, I like nutrition.
It's, I'm gonna get a bachelor of science and then I can still become a dentist. But I literally did not know what a dietician was. And everyone in my class, I didn't realize how niche my course was that I was taking my program and everyone around me was like, oh, like I'm here to be a dietician. I was like, what is a dietician?
Um, but when I learned that I could like counsel and educate about food and nutrition, I was like, oh, okay. This is what I wanna do actually. Um, I just didn't even know that that was like a career option.
Surabhi: An option. Yeah. That's the thing a lot. I didn't, I didn't know that. Yeah. I had no idea and I never would've considered it because I didn't hear of it.
Yeah, exactly. [00:02:00] And so you became a dietician and how did you get to working with women and kids? Was that always your passion kind of working with that group? Because you mentioned sports.
Maiya: Yeah, so initially when I started practicing, I was working in sport nutrition. I was working at a clinic, um, that was like physios in Cairos and in a sports facility.
Um, and that was where my passion was initially and. When I actually started practicing more, um, a lot of my, like friends, family were asking me questions about like pregnancy and babies, and I honestly didn't really know a whole lot because it wasn't something that was taught to me in my undergrad or my internship really.
But as I started reach researching for them, I was like, oh, this is actually really interesting and I feel like it's an area that's still like very untapped. Um, so that's where my interest really grew. And I think as I went into private practice, I. That's where I started to focus a little bit [00:03:00] more on and just focus my like, own education and understanding.
And that led me to wanting to work with those clients and, and thankfully now being able to specialize in those areas, um, in my private practice.
Surabhi: It's so true because most of the time, this is kind of similar to my journey as a physio. I worked in sports medicine and orthopedics, and before I had kids myself, I would always wonder like, why are moms not getting better?
Why are they not doing their exercises? And the reality is we didn't study how to actually support. Mothers who are oftentimes the ones who are cooking for their families, who are oftentimes doing so much and working with that substantive population, you have to have more information and more learning.
So that's very cool that you got into, um, that line of work.
Nutrition Tips for Postpartum Folks
Surabhi: And I would love to actually ask you a few questions on just some tips that you have for postpartum folks in supporting their nutrition. Cuz I can tell you, That was something that was really important to me, especially after my first [00:04:00] kid. I made everything from scratch.
I, I made a bunch of like healthier muffins and bars and balls that kept it in the freezer. Always had stuff stocked now with two kids. Yeah. I can tell you I have not cooked more than 10 times in the past two years. It's usually my husband, which I'm very grateful for. Yeah. But I wanna get back there.
What are some simple ways we can get back to focusing on our nutrition, um, without it feeling so overwhelming?
Maiya: Yeah. I mean, I think life gets busy, but I also think like prioritizing ourself is important. Um, I always talk about like with the moms that I work with, like you're telling me all these things that you're doing for other people, but like, what are you doing for yourself, right?
And thinking about feeding yourself, moving your body is things that like you need to do for yourself. Right. Again, we're not gonna like feel guilty if we don't, but like thinking of it like, I need to shower, I need to brush my teeth, I need to eat right, and like prioritizing that. As an important piece, um, of your [00:05:00] own, like lifestyle.
Um, the other thing is I do think like that planning piece can be really helpful, especially kind of in the early stages of postpartum, whether it's, again, relying on like family members to like help bring some meals for you or if there is opportunity for you to like, prepare some things before you deliver so that you have those easily available for you when you do.
Um, Need them. And then also like, don't be afraid to like cut those corners as well. I feel like again, um, people are like always thinking that I'm gonna tell them like, you have to make everything from scratch and only shop and like, style. Yeah. Um, but again, like I love bag salads. Like I love like getting things like whole roasted chickens, let's say I'm pulling that apart.
Canned beans are great. Like don't feel like you have to make everything from scratch.
Surabhi: It's that it's very similar approach that we have in terms of like even in fitness, it's that all or nothing approach that people have is like, if [00:06:00] I can't work out four days a week, then I Why bother? Right. And it's like you can just do a little bit and that's okay.
It doesn't have to be everything. Yeah. Um, and that something is better than nothing. And you know that approach of moms as women, as people who are having. Babies, we are also worth taking care of ourselves. You know? Yeah. Like we're, we are important too. And, um, so much of, I think so much of our lack of self-care stems from a lack of like self-worth and us being told all our lives that we are there to take care of others.
Yeah. About ourselves. Um, and that definitely impacts food.
Maiya: Yeah, I mean thinking like, oh, I need to like wash the dishes before I need to like feed myself. Right? I feel like a lot of moms can relate to that. Or I need to like, I don't know, vacuum the floor before I'm going to make myself a meal.
Right? Yeah. But like that floor can wait. Right? But like you need to eat. Um, so I think like, [00:07:00] again, that's like shifting those priorities and knowing like again, what we see on social media and like in society isn't like reality, right? And we have to work on changing that narrative and like it starts with us and what we show up and do and show others.
Surabhi: And, and you're right because on social media it's very easy to see even like a nutritionist diet, sorry, dietician's page and be like, oh my gosh, like I don't eat anything like that. I'm so unhealthy. And you're like, you know what? That person is probably also not eating that all that way all the time.
Yeah. And they're sharing meals as ideas, but we, we get this assumption that everyone else is so healthy. Everyone else is so fit and I'm not doing enough. But the reality is that we are all kind of the same, and we all have. Days where we move more, we, we eat, you know, more nutritious foods than days where we don't.
Yeah. Um, and I love that you take that kind of shame and guilt aspect off, out of it cuz there's so much guilt associated with food. Yeah. Um, do you, can you tell me a,
Diet Culture
Surabhi: let's talk [00:08:00] about diet culture because ultimately people have babies and they're told. You're beautiful. When you're pregnant, this big, big, beautiful bump, you're glowing.
And the second that baby's out of you, you are ignored. You're like waste. You're literally like an empty bag of milk that you're like being disposed of. And so there's this huge shock to your self-esteem and self-worth because you did feel very beautiful in pregnancy, or a lot of people did. I'm not saying everybody.
Yeah. But then postpartum you feel, you know, you're like, ah, I'm so ugly. And there's this like, I need to control how I look to get back to how I used to look. Yeah. Um, and you know, the fit influencers we see online posting their thin, thin before after bodies or bounce back bodies. Does that come up a lot in your line of work?
Maiya: Yeah. Yeah, I think again, being a weight inclusive dietician, um, a lot of people still that find me on [00:09:00] Google or like find me through different websites don't realize like what I do. So I find most people are still coming to me saying, Hey Maya, like I'm here to lose weight. What can you do to help me? Um, and I really set those expectations from the beginning because again, like we need to be a good fit to work together, right?
So, You know, I really support clients from creating lifestyle changes, um, making sure that they're sustainable. We don't just look at what we look like or the number on the scale. We talk about how are we feeling, what is our blood work showing us? Um, You know, what's our relationship with food, our relationship with our body?
And I know we're gonna talk a little bit about like the team as well that we have, but that's why it's really important to take that holistic approach to health and like not just looking at like one problem for as is, right? So I can say, okay, yeah, you wanna lose weight. Okay, let's focus just on the number on the scale.
But we're missing out on all these other things. Like how does this person feel? , is there any sort of like disordered eating happening [00:10:00] here? You know, what is happening in their life that like, we need to consider? Right? So when we are only focusing on that one thing, like weight loss or bouncing back, we're not focusing on like really what is happening in their life.
Right? And so, again, like, like you said, you know, we see all those like before and afters and the, you know, Pregnancy versus postpartum images. And that can cause a lot of triggering and trauma for like a lot of people too, right? So, I think really, I, I always should explain like, you're never going to bounce back.
Why would you want to bounce back? Because you just birthed a beautiful thing, right? Like, it's important to like acknowledge that we wanna move forward, right? Mm-hmm. I always say like, , if our knowledge in life never grew, like where would we be? Right? So like, our bodies are gonna grow too.
Our bodies are meant to change the same way. Like our knowledge in life is meant to change too.
Surabhi: I love that this is a lot of confirmation bias because I'm like, [00:11:00] yes, cuz these are the messages that I like to share as well. And one thing that you mentioned that's really important is that. It is a lifestyle approach change, and sometimes that word lifestyle gets a negative connotation.
Like, oh my God, change your lifestyle, change your life. But it's actually true because when you start to work on those habits and behaviors and understand why that person may even want to lose weight, is it a low self-esteem? Is it being bullied as a kid? Is it, you know, when you get to know the person in front of you then you understand why they have the goals that they have and then you can properly support them in a kind of a holistic whole person sense. Yeah. Um, I see a lot of, I get that too. Usually if people find me on Instagram, they're like, we're already a good fit. Cuz they've been following me for a while.
They kind of know who I am, but if they've found me on Facebook or if they've found me on like Google or they just somehow heard of me sometimes yeah, it's that conversation. But this might not be the right fit because I am not. Weight [00:12:00] loss fitness coach, you know, I'm here to help you feel good, get strong and in a holistic sense.
Yeah. Do you ever have to turn people away who are there for solely weight loss? Or are you feel, or do you feel like you can na help them navigate that change as well?
Maiya: Yeah, I mean, I think actually a lot of people, once I explain what I can help them with, they're like, oh yeah, that's actually like what I was looking for.
Um, so that's really nice to hear. But again, that's good. You know, there is still a lot of people that are gonna come to you and they only want to see that like number change. Right. And again, we can't change people's thoughts always, right? So people have to want to make that change. And it has to align with like our approach too, right?
Because I don't wanna waste people's time, money, resources, when. I'm not gonna be able to give them also like what they're looking for, and I'm not gonna be able to give 'em what they're looking for if they're not in that readiness to change. Right. Or they're open to [00:13:00] kind of like work together in the way that I approach things too.
So, I mean, there's definitely, like I, I always offer what I call free discovery calls so people can always like connect and we can talk a little bit more about my approach, what they're looking for. So there's no commitment when it comes to that. But then, You know, there's obviously people that definitely don't follow through with booking an appointment, and I'm okay with that, right.
Because I think that's part of the process and like also realizing like, You're meant to work with the people that you're meant to work with. And Yes, it's, and you know, there's a lot of people that come back,
Surabhi: I was just gonna say, they, they might not be ready now, but in six months they might be, and they might have the finances or resources or time.
Um, and I, I love that. I feel like that speaks to a lot of integrity in the way you approach your work. And that's one of my values in my work too. And I think it's, Important. You know, earlier on in my career, I used to say, yeah, I help everyone, right? Yeah. But then when you help everyone, you're like, I actually help no one, [00:14:00] because there are other people who are better at helping that person with a concussion than I am.
So that person is gonna be better at, you know, helping that person, not me. And so I think that's actually a part of like learning and growing as a, as a healthcare practitioner ourselves.
Maiya: I think that's also where like our team comes in, right? So, you know, on our team at Nourishing Balance, we have three dieticians.
So if I'm not a good fit, maybe one of our other dieticians is a good fit to work with you, right? So again, a lot of people don't realize that we have our team. And so when they call in, let's say, Hey, I'm looking to book an appointment with Maya. They maybe aren't a good fit to work with me, and we let them know we do have someone that is a good fit, right?
So it's nice to kind of have, again, those different options for people. Um, but again, we all do work from that like weight inclusive lens, right? It just depends on like what areas in health that we focus on, health and nutrition.
Surabhi: And so what are some of the areas that your, your team, um, Kind of not [00:15:00] targets, but encompasses, who do you work with?
Maiya: Yeah, so as I mentioned, I primarily work with like women and kids. So it's a lot of, uh, endocrin conditions, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and then intro to solids and children nutrition. I. Um, Anika, one of our dieticians who I know we've connected with the three of us, um, she focuses more on chronic disease, gut health and eating disorders and disordered eating.
Um, and then our third dietician, Lena actually has more of that sports focused lens, , and then also has training in like women's health and disordered eating as well, which is. You know, believe it or not really prevalent. Right? So, we again all kind of use a similar approach in terms of that sustainability piece when we work with our clients.
Um, but it's nice that we have different options available for people depending on what they're looking for because we know what we're great at. And like you said, I don't want to disappoint someone in the care that I wanna give them.
Surabhi: We [00:16:00] wanna give people the best care. And yeah, we know that there's some people who we can't give the best care to because we're just not the best fit.
Bounce Back Culture
Surabhi: And so that's interesting. So, because I feel like what you just mentioned about disordered eating Yeah. It can impact anyone whe whether it's they're an athlete, they're a, a mom, you know, a lot of my clients have disordered eating, and in the sense that maybe it's not intentional disordered eating, but it's like, oh, they haven't eaten until 3:00 PM that day.
Oh. They are busy feeding and taking care of everyone else and they're eating one meal or a day and like losing weight too quickly, postpartum. But these are seen as society as a beautiful, oh wow, you bounced back. Yeah. Ooh, you look great. Yeah. But in reality, that mother is not very healthy and she doesn't feel good.
Yeah. And you know, bounce back culture, uh, I had made a post a while ago. It's like, it doesn't take six weeks. You know, it takes like, 18 to 24 months minimum to fully recover. And everyone just looks at the physical [00:17:00] piece cuz you can see that visibly. But like the mental, the emotional, the even just starting to cook for myself again, like I'm two years postpartum with my second, and now I feel ready to invest more time, you know, attention, energy, and actually enjoy the process before it's like rush, rush, rush.
Yeah. And now I'm like, oh, kids are a little bit older. There's a little bit more breathing space, and so when we try to bounce back, we miss out on that, that whole process and journey. Um, yeah. What's it like for you, because I know you don't have kids. Do you feel, how do you feel working with kids d does it become, um, do people question that?
Does it become a barrier?
Maiya: Um, I mean, I'm excited for the day where I can like really, really truly relate. But I mean, I have nieces and nephews that I get to like, Be in their nutrition and like food journey, which is like really nice. Love it. Yeah. Um, so I'm, I've been around that and I think, again, that's like where my passion stemmed from.
[00:18:00] Um, and I mean, I'm always learning too, right? So I have a nephew that was recently born, and when we get ready to introduce solid, I say we, as if I'm like into it, you're like, I'm,
Surabhi: I'm the mom here. I'm gonna be introducing solids here.
Maiya: Um, but like when I get asked. To help, which I know will happen. Um, you know, I, I'm always learning too, right?
And I think every family though, is so different. Yes. With where their readiness comes from, you know, whether the child's ready, whether the parent's ready, the method in which they choose to introduce things. And I think for me it's, it's not even necessarily like being a parent that I need to relate to.
It's just like being understanding, right? Like everyone's journey looks different and I think like it. That's important to just recognize no matter like who you're working with, whether it's children or an adult. Um, Depending on where, where they're at. So I always like make that very clear to people, right?
Like, I'm not here to tell you what to do. I'm here to work with you and meet you where you're at. [00:19:00] And that's where, again, like there's no one size fits all when you're working with us, which is unlike a lot of other. You know, diets or programs Yeah. That you may see, right? It's very individualized and it takes time, right?
Like, like you said, it's not gonna happen overnight. It's not gonna happen in a week. Um, and it's gonna take time, right? So we need to work together, but that person needs to like, want to hear and listen and learn, and, and I'm here to like work with them to figure out what works.
Surabhi: And like some of the conditions that you work with, like P C O S or endometriosis, like they're not overnight fixes or, you know, it's a long journey to figure out what is the best way to support, you know, your body if you ha if you have those, um, endocrine conditions.
Lack of Education About Women's Health
Surabhi: And, I really tru truly think if we're open and honest right off the bat and say that this is not an overnight thing, people respect that. Mm-hmm. And then the people who are ready. Come to us ready. Like, it's incredible. You know, I've worked with some of the [00:20:00] best people now that I'm like, I love this because this is such a perfect fit and they're just so ready for the work that needs to happen.
Maiya: And especially like in that space of women's health, I feel like there's just such a lack of education. So I think just educating people on like what they're actually going through. Like I've had so many patients that. When I first asked them like any medical history I should be aware of, they're like, oh, no, nothing.
And then we start talking about like periods and menstruation. They're like, oh yeah, I don't really get my period. Oh, I think I was told I had cysts at some point in time. Right? And then I'm like, oh, and then like it gets brought up later down the road, right? But again, it's like because things are so brushed off in our system, That like people don't even know what they're living with, so how are they supposed to even find resources, find tools, get support, um, you know, work with someone when they don't even actually like, know what they're living with, right?
So I always say like, it can be really [00:21:00] overwhelming to get a diagnosis, but having an answer and knowing what that answer is, I find it so powerful because then you can go and find the resources and tools that you need.
Surabhi: I agree. I, I think a lot of the times, unless you're in a, at a state of stress or crisis, the healthcare system here won't look at you.
Yeah. So if you're just like, ah, things don't feel right, but you know, it's not an emergency, they're like, all right, see ya. You know? And with P C O S, so many people living with, P C O s or thyroid issues. It's not like a major crisis until maybe they're trying to get pregnant or, you know, and that's when these issues really come up to surface.
But meanwhile, they've had these issues since they were a teenager, right? They
Maiya: just, like you said, go on birth control, come back when you wanna get pregnant. Right? But like, So many people don't wanna go on birth control. So like what is the alternative answer from our medical system? Right. And usually like there's not really much.
[00:22:00] Um, so I mean, I can only imagine how it feels and that's why like, I'm really passionate on being able to support those women. Like even in their like teenage years, right? When like they feel like there's no other answer. Yes. Um,
Endometriosis
Surabhi: yeah. What's your, um, can you talk a little bit about endometriosis? Because some people don't even know what, what that is, and I think it can be a very freeing, like you said, powerful diagnosis to receive because you're like, like, that's why I feel the way I do.
Right. Um, yeah. Can you tell me what it is and you know how it affects people?
Maiya: Yeah. Endometriosis is, It can be like really painful and debilitating. Um, basically where like tissue that usually lines certain organs of your body, the inside of your uterus. Mainly it starts growing outside of the uterus and it can grow on other parts of your body, um, even like over your gut area.
Um, and so it [00:23:00] can lead to other complications as well, right? Um, digestive issues, pain, um, fertility issues. . So it's, it's really hard because again, with endometriosis it's really unique for everyone in terms of like where that tissue starts to develop. And it's usually sta scar tissue that tends to develop as well.
So it's really hard to, um, I guess like manage, but again, like when you work with a specialist. So I actually don't work too, too much with patients with endometriosis, another dietician, um, and colleague friend of mine that's, All she does, and she lives with endometriosis as well. So I usually actually will refer to her if, um, a patient is like coming to me just for the support of endometriosis.
Again, a lot of patients may be on medications that like has their endometriosis and in control, right? And then maybe they're working on more. So like, okay, I wanna work on like how I can diversify my diet or just improve [00:24:00] like, Balancing up my meals. So like in that situation, okay. Like I have an understanding of endometriosis, um, and I can still support them on like their present goals.
But if someone's coming to me usually like with a diagnosis and they're like, Hey, I need that help, I usually will refer to the other dietician, um, call me.
Surabhi: That's awesome that there's people who specialize in just. Just that. Yeah. Um, and that's a really cool way to collaborate too, you know, with, with your colleagues.
Um, thanks. I know, I know I have, I've worked with a few clients who've had endometriosis. Yeah. Um, and it is my old, uh, my best friend and my old roommate has it as well, and like everyone in her family does. And I, I've seen how it could be so debilitating for people. Yeah. Um, and
Diet Trends During Pregnancy & Postpartum
Surabhi: one thing that I wanted to ask is a lot of the times in the postpartum.
Space, there's this rush to, um, you know, stop eating gluten, stop eating this, stop eating, like, cut out entire food groups, [00:25:00] maybe for the baby, maybe if you're breasts or chest feeding. But sometimes it's just, you know, people develop these sensitivities, it seems. Can you talk a little bit about that and like what that's like?
Yeah.
Maiya: Yeah, I think we're like always really fast to like, be like, I need to eliminate this, this, and this. Especially when it comes to like, breastfeeding. Um, because we're trying to like, do what's best for the baby, let's say like they're, you know, more colicky or like they're gassy or they're constipated.
Like, I feel like it's, we're really fast to be like, I need to do X, Y, and Z, like right now. And firstly I would say like if you do all those things at once, how are you gonna know what works? Right? So like
Surabhi: you're like, I'm only eating tomatoes. That's the only thing I can eat right now.
Maiya: Yeah. So it's like how you used to know like what caused anything.
If you remove everything from your diet Yeah. Or add all these like supplements, let's say, into your diet all at once. Um, you don't really know like what worked or what didn't work [00:26:00] and what someone's reacting to if you do everything at once. So it's like that's where working with someone that is a professional is like really helpful.
I know there's like so many mom groups and there's a lot of like health medical questions that get asked in there. Yeah. Um, and again, like what worked for one mom may work for you, but it also may not. Right. So it's important to take caution when you're taking anything. Um, Or even eliminating things, right?
Because that can lead to nutrient deficiencies and you may be thinking you're doing like yourself good or your baby good, but you may not be right. Yeah. Um, the other thing to consider, like the way that I like to approach it is like, what can we do to like, add things into your diet, to balance things out more as opposed to from that like restrictive.
Perspective, um, you know, as a new mom or just anyone in general, we're so busy, so. What can you do to like actually [00:27:00] make eating and feeding less stressful as opposed to more stressful? We're already probably stressed and panicked thinking like, I need to eliminate, or I need to make some change. But like, wouldn't it feel a lot better if we could , add something in there that would balance things out, balance it out, or,
Surabhi: and that, that's right in your name too, right?
Nourishing balances. Yeah. ,
Sugar Cravings
Surabhi: one thing that I often hear is like, moms. Um, eating a lot of sugar and I did this too cuz you're exhausted. You're up at 2:00 AM Yeah. And you're up at 4:00 AM and you're like, I just need to stay awake so I don't fall asleep on this baby while I'm feeding them. Yeah. And so you reach for something to eat.
With my first, I literally, every time she would feed, cuz she like was a monster feeder, she would drink everything up. My body was like, you know, it was just an overdrive. I had oversupply so I had to eat a lot to keep up with it. And I was a very thin person going into that pregnancy, so I had to like eat a lot to kind of like gain the weight to be able to breastfeed.
But I found is that then I felt like I [00:28:00] was just eating things that were like sugary all the time. Right? Like cereal or um, I. Quick, easy things like cookies. And back then I did spend more time baking and preparing foods that had more like almonds and nuts and so that there was a bit of fiber. But then with my second, like I said, I didn't have time or I didn't, didn't prioritize that.
Right. And it was just like, Sugary snacks, chips, all that stuff, and you're like, this is not actually sustaining me. Mm-hmm. I had a client yesterday who was like, yeah, I feel really bad. I just eat sugary things all day. And she's a single mom of two. So like what kind of advice would help somebody to just add more to.
Balance all that out.
Maiya: Yeah. Um, I was working with a client as well that was postpartum and she just felt like she was constantly craving like sweets, um, or sugar. And so what we really realized and I find is often. An issue is that we're lacking protein in our diet, in this, in those [00:29:00] case scenarios. So we're hungry, we're like, I don't know what to grab, so I'm gonna grab something easy.
But again, that's like quick energy. It's gonna give you energy, but then you're gonna crash, so then you're gonna grab it again. Right? But usually what we're lacking is like those satisfying meals. So having things on hand, like even just like some cashews and not, so even if you are having something like chocolate or, or a granola bar that maybe has more sugar.
Well, what can we do to balance that? Right? So maybe we can have some like almonds or cashews or walnuts to go with that. Or can I grab something like a yogurt and maybe add like some. Whatever sweetness thing that we want, or like maybe a sweeter granola into that, or, um, maybe we can crumble even a cookie into that, right?
We can have fun foods and also balance those fun foods out so that we're not feeling like we're only eating that sugar. Right. We're also having some easy things that we can grab that are also like protein rich to help satisfy you too, for longer.
Surabhi: That's one thing that [00:30:00] I, um, Since I started eating more protein, like instead of granola bars, have a protein bar.
Yeah. Like even just switching to a little bit more protein in my diet has made it way easier. Yeah. Um, and for those of us, like I'm vegetarian and I am like a dairy does not feel good in my body. So a lot of traditional diet culture, not diet culture, diet advice is like, eat, eat meat, eat the yogurt, and you're like, You know, a dairy yogurt has protein, coconut yogurt doesn't.
Right? Yeah. So it's, it's, it looks the same, but it's not the same substitute. So, yeah.
Providing Clients with Culturally Targeted Advice
Surabhi: I think that's important for me is to just, you know, have an understanding of people's like cultures. And so for you yeah. You're South Asian. Yeah. How do you find that that helps your clients, um, in terms of like giving them realistic advice that they can follow?
Maiya: Yeah, I think it's huge, right? Like, I think as a team as a whole, we really take that like [00:31:00] cultural sensitivity to things and understand that like, again, we're all learning. But also I think for a lot of people, I'm actually working with a, a mom who is really stressed and overwhelmed and she just said like, I just don't have the time or energy to explain what I'm needing to someone else, right?
So there may be someone that may be able to help me with my goals better, quote unquote, um, but she just wants someone that really understands her diet. And a lot of my clients, because of my name, will find me, um, and they'll be like, I just want an Indian dietician to work with. Um, and so I think it really helps understanding.
What their diet does look like and being able to, or we can understand, but we may not be able to make recommendations, right? Like an understanding and being able to recommend things is really different. The biggest thing I find with my clients, and I work a lot with, um, vegetarian clients or pescatarian clients, [00:32:00] Is that usually when we're having like, let's say like a roti and a dish, it's one dish that we're having with it and it's either a vegetable or a protein item.
Mm-hmm. It's never both being really present there. Um, and I noticed from a lot of the clients I work with is that, Um, they really are used to having like fresh made things every day, especially if they came to Canada not long ago
Surabhi: and you're like, reused or like leftovers. You're like, it's gotten fresh every day.
Maiya: Yeah. Yeah, especially like depending on, um, their class. Like in India, let's say as an example, right? Yes. Like you have people to help cook for you. That was like my family. And, and do you have to do it all on your own? Right? Um, it's so hard. So I mean, we're still cooking every day, but like now we're only making one thing per day and it's usually lacking one thing or the other.
Right? Right. So, um, We really try to work on like what are some [00:33:00] easy things that we can do to, um, you know, make sure that you're getting all of those three components there. Right? So like, let's say we're having like a doll, which is a lentil and like a roti. Well, can we add even in some like chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and onions on the side of that.
So you're getting some fiber to go with that too, right? Um, Or like, is there a veggie, even if it's like a bagged frozen veggie that you can, like saute with, like some seasonings that you like. Um,
Surabhi: that's a good idea.
Maiya: It can be anything. Right. But that's where like, again, I work with people one-on-one and we figure out like what works,
Surabhi: what's actually realistic and sustainable, like you said, and
Maiya: like what more way work for you where you maybe have your husband's help may not work for someone else.
Right. So it's like, How can we figure out what works for you is really working like one-on-one, um, with, with the client.
Surabhi: That's awesome. Um, I agree. I don't wanna, you know, if I'm going to see someone, I don't wanna be like, oh, doll is [00:34:00] this, and you know, Rajma is this. I just want that person to know what those foods are.
Yeah. And that's an extra level of labor on the. Like the clients shouldn't have to do more labor. You're paying someone to do this job for you, right? Yeah. It's like I don't wanna have to explain myself. And I think that's such an important thing. We just started, we as if I started it, um, Janelle Howell, who's a pelvic health physiotherapist, started this woman of color, pelvic physical therapy directory.
Mm-hmm. Because she was finding, and we all, we all find this because most of the time you look up pelvic physios, every directory is just. Everybody's white. Even in the social media space, there are so many white physical therapists or physios in fitness pros. And so as a brown or as a black person, as an Indigenous person, as an Asian person, you're looking at this and you're like, I don't see myself represented anywhere.
And sure you might seek out services, but we all know that like when you don't see yourself represented, you don't even know that these things are for [00:35:00] you. Mm-hmm. And so I really do think that it's important that your team has this cultural sensitivity lens and. You know, Is open about it and actually supports the clients that oftentimes get probably turned away or shamed.
I know when my parents moved here, I was 10 and the, the principal gave us the Canada's food guide. We're like, it's the meat, meat, meat and carbs. And then there's like, Like, there's like no legumes. It's all just dairy. And like my parents didn't, we don't eat like that. Right? Yeah. It's not even close to how we eat.
I started drinking four cups of milk a day, cuz I was told I had to drink three to four cups of milk and I was too thin. And so I developed horrendous acne that none, nobody in my family had, because dairy in my body did not get along. Yeah, it's very different. Putting a bit of gee on your food versus like drinking four cups of milk a day or like, Eating cheese with every meal.
So yeah, I really value that there are people like you now when you know too bad I didn't meet you when my or my parents didn't meet you when they [00:36:00] first moved you, because it's hard for immigrant families.
Maiya: Yeah, for sure. And we also just brought on like a South Asian therapist to our team as well. And again, that's because.
We want people, like a lot of our clients are South Asian, right? And they want someone that understands like their life and what they go through. Right. One of the biggest things that even I've learned cuz like I was born and raised in Canada, um, and my grandparents have lived here as well, but a lot of my clients have parents back home.
Yes. And so they don't go to bed till like 12, one in the morning because they're spending that time talking to their family. Back home. Right. So it's like trying to figure out what works for them based off of like where things are at. Like, I'm not gonna tell them, okay, you can't talk to your family. You need to go to bed.
Yeah, yeah. But like, how can we make sure that like, you're getting adequate sleep, right? Yes. Um, and like we look at those things, right? Like movement, sleep, stress, like it's all very interconnected.
Surabhi: [00:37:00] Yeah. And I think that's, yeah. You can't shame someone for being awake when they're like, this is the only time I can talk to my parents.
Yeah. And I need this for my sanity and also the luxury that we have. My parents and I, you know, we in immigrated together, so I am very fortunate, but there are a lot of people who come here by themselves knowing no one else. And that journey is so much harder for them. They don't have people bringing them food in the postpartum phase, and so they're having to figure it out and navigate it all for themselves.
And, um, I usually encourage my, my clients to, you know, food prep for postpartum, especially when they're pregnant, but also reaching out to a dietician. Is your work ohip covered in Ontario?
Maiya: Uh, so no, our services aren't OHIP covered at all. Um, if people have extended health benefits, then they may have coverage for registered dietician.
Perfect. Um, in terms of our company as a whole, um, so we also brought in a nurse practitioner about six months ago, um, [00:38:00] because we really saw the gap in the industry around, um, especially women's health. We felt that in mental health, a lot of doctors don't feel comfortable. Commenting on mental health, women's health.
And so we felt like we were doing a disservice to our clients because we weren't able to, uh, really give them that like full circle approach. So I'd be like, oh, you know, there may be something happening here, but like, I can't order you testing as a dietician. So you need to go and talk to your family doctor.
Well, some of those clients don't have family doctors. Um, I know I never, I didn't have a family doctor till like, probably three years after I graduated undergrad. Cause I would just go to the student, uh, office and just go see them there. Yeah. Um, and then it's so hard to get a family doctor as well, especially a female one.
So a lot of people are just going to walk in clinics, which again, can kind of just get pushed on quick rug or it's a one problem per appointment type thing. Right. So,
Surabhi: which is so hilarious cuz [00:39:00] you're like, but all of this is related, but Okay. I'll tell you about my, like, neck, you know? Yeah. It's like, it's such a, , like dehumanizing approach.
Let's just take off your pelvis and we'll talk about that today. We'll take out your shoulder like, but like we're all connected and I love that you do that.
Nurse Practitioner at Nourishing Balance
Surabhi: So a nurse practitioner, what role do they play so that you can order blood work through, uh, your nurse practitioner?
Maiya: Yeah, so we are a virtual practice, so really the scope of a nurse practitioner here is.
The exact same as a family doctor actually, but we have limitations being virtual. So obviously we can't do those physical examinations, let's say like a pap test or anything like that. If we were in person, that is possible. Now what our nurse practitioner does is she usually is. Um, you know, working alongside my clients or people are booking in to see her, whether it's, let's say a woman's health consult or a chronic disease consult where they would get a full body [00:40:00] assessment examination.
Um, and again, looking through different aspects of their. Their full health history as opposed to just that one problem, one thing. Um, and she also works in the space of like pediatrics as well. So, um, you know, postpartum, uh, newborn consults, mom mental health, postpartum mental health consults, um, and then if there is blood work needed, um, Then she would order that, that is OHIP covered to most, uh, degrees.
So the same way it would be if you went to like a family doctor that would be covered through that is OHIP covered. Um, and then any requisitions that are needed for, let's say like ultrasounds or MRIs, whatever can be done. And then you would meet with her again to review the results and if there's, let's say a prescription needed or.
Anything needed like that the same way again, it would look like if you were going to like your family physician, she can provide that. So there's just a [00:41:00] fee for the consult to see her. But any of the testing or prescriptions, that would be the same way. It would work through like our, our OHIP system system.
Um, now what makes it really unique is, again, it's like a lot more thorough, right? So she has that training when it comes to mental health or women's health or chronic disease where she'll assess things more in depth and also not just like throw medicine at you when it's not unnecessary.
Surabhi: Yeah. And do you see, describe, but do you see out of province clients as well?
Maiya: Yes. So I do, um, our nurse practitioner can't, um, I believe that's what I was wondering, Ontario, just because of the fact that she's writing like lab requisitions and things like that. Yeah. So that has to be, um, in Ontario. Um, but. Our other team members? Yeah. Depending on like what provinces we can work outside of those provinces or outside of just Ontario.
Surabhi: [00:42:00] And so dieticians can work outside of Ontario?
Maiya: Yeah, depending on what province. Um, usually again, like. I also offer like coaching too, right? So if people are outside of Ontario Yeah. Um, depending on like what their goals are, then yeah, I do, I can offer like nutrition coaching for them
Surabhi: too. Very cool.
That's good to know because I have, uh, clients from outside Ontario as well. Yeah. Um, that I do, that I coach as well for, um, movement and a lot of the stress management and lifestyle changes as well. But when it comes to nutrition and diet I always like to, um, refer to the experts, you know? Yeah. It's, it's something that's important.
Um, awesome. So is there anything else that you'd like to add about where can people find you? What's your website? Where's, what's your Instagram? What are, uh, how do people book with you?
Maiya: Yeah, all the things, as I mentioned, we're virtual, so all of our services, um, usually happen via [00:43:00] phone call or video chat.
I usually prefer video chat. Uh, so you can book with us@nourishingbalance.ca and like I said, we offer free 15 minute discovery calls, so if you wanna feel us out and get to know us a little bit more, um, you can book that discovery call first. Make sure you check your benefits right, because we nice, we have, um, therapists, we have a social worker, we have dieticians, and then we have the nurse practitioner as well.
So you may have coverage for all of those. , so don't let those go to waste. Especially with the year coming to the end
Surabhi: year end is coming. Yeah, exactly. Um, and so, so many people that's a barrier. Financial, they have a financial barrier. So I, I do think it's important to recognize that, you know, they can get this covered partially, if not the whole thing.
Maiya: Yes. For sure. Yeah. And um, again, if. If finances are an issue, there's different resources that we can obviously provide. We also have, like , I've created an online course for introductions to solids. So again, like if [00:44:00] that's what you're reaching out for, but maybe you not looking to work one-on-one with someone, I have a course that you can also, um, purchase, which is a lot more affordable. Um, so there's a lot of different resources that we do have available and lots of freebies, recipes on our website as well. So definitely check those out.
Surabhi: Awesome. And I'll, I'll share a link to those things so that people can easily find you. Um, and what's your Instagram?
Maiya: Yes. So, my personal Instagram is Nourishing Balance Women, kids, and then our team Instagram is Nourishing Balance Health Team. Perfect.
Surabhi: Awesome. Um, and any workshops, any things coming out soon?
Maiya: Nothing launching as of yet. We did a workshop in September, so I'm sure there'll be some, some new things happening in the new year, but nothing, as of yet.
Right now we're just working on like the one-on-one consults and usually end of year gets really, really busy, so I [00:45:00] would encourage people to, to book ahead. But yeah, that, that's what's happening for us right now and we're always growing. , like I mentioned, we just brought on the third therapist, so we always are looking for feedback too.
But you can find out and follow us along on Instagram.
Surabhi: Awesome. So now I wanna know, I have some final questions, final thoughts. Um,
What the Actual Fork: Maiya's Favourite Podcast
Surabhi: I wanna know some stuff about you. Obviously we've talked about your work and what you do, but I wanna know, what is a book or podcast that has been life changing for you?
Maiya: Yeah. I mean, I've been listening to a lot of different podcasts. I did a road trip all the way to Chicago, so I listened to like, I love Chicago, yeah, podcasts. Um, the one that I actually recently started listening to is called What The Actual Fork. I love the name. So I'm like, I have to listen to this. I love it.
Um, so that's a really great one. Again, like dismantling diet culture and just giving true evidence. Um, I really like that one right now.
Surabhi: That [00:46:00] sounds interesting. Yeah. Um, I'll check it out.
Self Care
Surabhi: What are three things that you like to do for yourself every day? Hmm. Um, do you have any rituals or any things that you're like, it's a good day as long as I get these, these things done?
Or not even things done, but like self-care things for yourself?
Maiya: I would say like taking my vitamins and being intentional about that is one thing. I would say doing my skincare routine is important. So like, sometimes I'm lazy and I don't like taking makeup off. If I've worn, like, especially mascara, that's what I hate taking off the most.
Hmm. Um, so making sure that I do my skincare routine is something that I try to do. And just like, I feel like just spending time to relax and like debrief with myself at the end of the day, like, Sometimes I'm just like, go, go, go. And being like working for myself sometimes I'm working till like nine o'clock at night.
For sure. And don't for sure. That [00:47:00] time to just like unwind, be with yourself.
Surabhi: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I've been, I've been weaving in more breaks during the day because I find I. Yeah, with the kids it's really difficult when they're home to be ever relaxing. It's like you can be relaxed, but you're still on cuz you're the parent.
Yeah. So I'm like during the day because I have the freedom to kind of build that in. I do that so that if I am working in the evening, I'm like, I don't feel so bad cuz I'm like, I've chilled for like an hour midday or like in the morning. So, , I love that you do that for yourself too, and. Also, my eyes are so sensitive.
My skin is so sensitive. I don't think I've ever gone to bed without my makeup off. Not that I wear makeup often, but like, yeah, I am like that person who's like, I have to get up no matter how tired I am, especially if it's eye makeup, because for sure I'll end up with like a stye or an eye infection or something from it.
Yeah. Um, so if you don't, you're, you're lucky.
Maiya: I'm usually, I'm pretty lucky. So. That's why I feel like I [00:48:00] can like be lazy about it. Even something like sunscreen, right? Like it can dry out your skin so Oh, so dry. Especially with these winter months, I'm like, I need to make sure I'm like washing my face before bed and like moisturizing.
Surabhi: Moisturizing. Yeah.
Dismantling Diet Culture
Surabhi: What are you really passionate about right now?
Maiya: Huh? Right now? I would say probably. One of the biggest things is just helping dismantle like diet culture and like educating people on the fact that like, I'm not here to tell them what to do, but I'm here to like work with them to find what's like the best fit for them or what's gonna work for them really.
Um, and I feel like, again, a lot of people think like dietician, I'm gonna put them on a diet, but just I think really talking about how we can like overcome this like, Diet culture that we've had engraved in our head for so long.
Surabhi: Absolutely. And that work is needed. I [00:49:00] wish everybody, um, I think it is coming.
I think more people are talking about it and realizing that it's not their bodies that are the problem, that it's this societal expectation we've had on our over us, the entire, our entire lives. Um, I love that. And if you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Maiya: Um, I think probably along my last point, like, just like when we talk about dismantling diet culture, like just not, especially for women, like that stigma of like, we need to be thin, we need to look like a model constantly.
Um, so I think just like realizing that like all bodies are meant to be different and like we are all beautiful. Um, and I think just if there was more awareness of that, I think that would be really huge.
Surabhi: Huge. I mean, that's like half the world are Yeah. Like women are people with vulvas, so it's like what?
Yeah. You know, like literally half the world has had the, and I think it affects men [00:50:00] too. It does. . Right. Um, for sure. What do you think is your biggest strength?
Maiya: Um, I think I alluded to this before, but I think just listening, um, and always like wanting to learn from others.
I think sometimes we're like, I know what I need to do and I'm just gonna do it my way. But I think like being open to learning from others, um, is really huge. I attended a session a couple weeks ago and one of the presenters was just talking about how like, sometimes now like our students. Are excelling past us.
Yes. Because like our ego gets in the way from like just making change or like wanting to learn from other people. Right. And I think just being open to like learning from others, no matter, like where they're at in their journey or their age or what they look like, I think is, is really important. So I would say, One of my strengths is like, not letting that get in the way and like being open, and I think I'm always working on that, but that's something [00:51:00] that I, I think, has allowed me to be able to get to where I am.
Surabhi: And I feel like you're a natural, um, you kind of like bring people together and you're very collaborative, which I don't, which is not common to be honest. Yeah. It stands out about you. And I think that, um, Probably speaks to a bit of the, you know, your listening skills and your ability to learn from people who are very different from you in some ways, right?
Mm-hmm. And I, um, admire that about you. I think that's awesome. Yeah.
Maiya: I think connection is so, so important. Yeah. And like we can, we need to be working together because we're only gonna make ourselves all stronger by working together.
Surabhi: Absolutely. And like I, I think about this as, um, as a physio with my clients.
Like they know their body's the best. Yeah. I'm not here to tell them, you know, that I know better. I'm just here to guide them. And I think that. Some people want [00:52:00] somebody to tell them what to do, and we know we talked a little bit about that, and that's that very like patriarchal model. I know better and you have to listen to me.
Yeah. But we're, we're doing something different where it's like we are on the same page here. Yeah. We're, we're working together as a team and I feel like that's a big part of parenthood too. We have to be obviously more, more of an leadership role as parents, but I learned something new from my kids every single day and they are like incredible teachers.
And I think sometimes as parents, people have, they have too much ego to admit that like they don't know everything that they do make mistakes all the time. And, um, That's one of my, one of the things that I really admire about, you know, our generation. I think we are doing better for ourselves and then therefore for future generations too.
Sure. Um, thank you so much Maiya, for sharing your time with me, with us with the audience. Um, You know, your Instagram is the at nourishing balance dot women dot kids. I [00:53:00] will share that in our, um, in my show notes so people can find you. Um, your work is so important and I'm so glad that you're doing it, and I'm excited to see where you go, you know, in the next few years.
Maiya: Awesome. Thanks for having me
