Videos by Nourished by Aly. Aly Cassata, NTP, CLC Nourishing moms and babies through functional nutritional therapy & lactation counseling
Did you know that incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet can significantly benefit your fertility? 🐟 Omega-3s, particularly from SMASH fish (a helpful acronym for remembering the low mercury, high omega 3 fish: salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring), play a crucial role in reproductive health – I’d recommend aiming to include these fish in your diet 2-3x per week Here's why: 💡 Hormonal Balance: Omega-3s help regulate your menstrual cycle by balancing hormones, making it easier to conceive. Balanced hormones = optimal fertility! 💡 Egg Quality: These healthy fats improve the quality of your eggs, increasing the chances of successful fertilization and healthy embryo development 💡 Inflammation Reduction: Omega-3s have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation in the reproductive organs and creating a healthier environment for conception 💡 Sperm Health: Omega-3s aren't just for us ladies! They also improve sperm quality and motility, increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy 💡 Rich in DHA: SMASH fish are packed with DHA, a type of omega-3 that is essential for brain development. Ensuring you have adequate DHA before and during pregnancy supports your baby’s brain growth and cognitive function #fertility #ttc #preconception #eggquality #hormonalbalance #omega3s #womenswellness #pregnancy
For all my perfectionist girlies – this one’s for you! This is a topic I talk about ALL OF THE TIME with my clients because it’s THAT important when we’re talking healing, even more so if we’re talking hormonal balance, healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and recovering after having your little one As someone who struggled with perfectionism, believing I had to follow rigid routines and do everything * right * in order to feel better, I totally get the desire for perfectionism By sticking to a strict regimen, we have control over our health, when any kind of health concerns usually have us feeling helpless and like we AREN’T in control, right? Wrong! This mindset is what held my healing back for years! The rigidity added stress, worsening my symptoms instead of helping anything What I’ve learned since is that healing really starts when we give ourselves permission to do LESS Listening to our body’s needs, slowing down, doing less, and finding the gray areas of balance allow our bodies to shift into a more calm, safe side of the nervous system – where we’re actually capable of healing because our body doesn’t think we are fighting for survival, it knows it can rest and recover True healing will ALWAYS happen in the gray area of life – where we give ourselves grace, compassion, learn to slow down, and listen to our body’s true needs #healingjourney #healingisntperfect #perfectionist #nutritionist #slowdown #slowliving
Hey new mamas! 🌟 I know you’ve got a whole tiny human to care for now, but it’s so important to care for yourself too. Postpartum stress is real, and managing it is crucial for both you and your baby’s well-being. Here’s why it’s essential to prioritize stress management during this challenging yet beautiful phase: 1. Your Well-being - High stress levels can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Taking time to relax helps you stay energized and emotionally balanced 2. Milk Supply - Stress can affect your milk supply, making breastfeeding more challenging. A calm mind supports a healthy flow 3. Bonding with Baby - When you’re relaxed, you’re more present and able to bond deeply with your baby, creating a secure attachment 4. Mental Health - Prioritizing stress management can help prevent postpartum depression and anxiety, ensuring you feel your best during this special time 5. Co-regulation - Your calmness helps regulate your baby’s nervous system too, promoting a sense of security and well-being Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish – it’s essential. A happy, healthy mom means a happy, healthy baby 👩🏻🍼 Comment "STRESS RELIEF" if you agree & want my list of 40+ ways to support relaxation 🧘🏻♀️ #newmom #postpartum #breastfeeding #nutritionist #lactationcounselor #mentalhealth #selfcare #relaxation #slowdown
BLACKBERRY REFRESHER 🍋🟩🥥 Welcome back for part two of my hydrating summer mocktail series for all of my pregnant and breastfeeding mamas (or anyone trying to drink less and hydrate more) support their bodies and beat the heat ☀️ What you'll need: - 1 cup coconut water - 1/2 cup fresh blackberries - 1 lime, juiced - pinch of sea salt - ice cubes - lime wedge for garnish What you'll do: - muddle the blackberries, lime juice, and sea salt in the bottom of two glasses - fill each glass with ice, on top of the berries - top with coconut water, give it a quick stir, garnish with lime, and enjoy! #hydration #electrolytes #nutritionist #pregnancy #postpartum #breastfeeding #mocktail
Let me let you in on a secret I learned way too late 👀 Eating to really nourish your body and feel GOOD doesn’t have to be time consuming, complicated, or require 400 ingredients at a time. If you’re anything like I used to be, you might look at recipes or photos of other people’s perfectly styled meals on social media and think: “wow I could never do that”, or “who has the time for that” as you scroll on Uber Eats figuring out what you’re going to order in as you finish up a busy work day… Here’s a glimpse of a pretty regular, quick and easy throw together meal for me now, sautéed ground meat, sautéed pre-shredded or frozen veggies, and some rice, cauli rice, or beans – because who has time for elaborate recipes every night? (Or ever?) Definitely not me Keeping my fridge/pantry stocked and keeping meals simple are my secrets to staying sane, healthy, & off of my meal delivery apps 🙃 Here’s my go-to formula: 1️⃣ Start with a base of greens, steamed frozen veggies, or roasted veggies you meal prepped on Sunday 2️⃣ Add a protein source (my in a hurry go-to’s are rotisserie chicken, ground meats I can sauté in big batches, or canned wild-caught seafood) 3️⃣ Include a starch you enjoy (for time saving I love frozen rice/quinoa; baking a bunch of sweet potatoes in advance, using canned beans/chickpeas, or chickpea/lentil pastas) 4️⃣ Toss in some healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, olives, nuts, seeds, or a sprinkle of hard cheese The result? A delicious, balanced meal that’s ready in minutes. No stress, no fuss — just real food that fuels your busy life Remember, it’s not about making meals picture perfect — it’s about making healthy eating doable. Next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner, keep it simple and enjoy the process, you’ve got this 💪🏼 #nutrition #nutritionaltherapy #busymom #easymeals #pregnancy #postpartum #healthyeating #balancedmeal #bloodsugarbalance
To all my busy ladies - you’re not still skipping breakfast are you? 👀 It’s long past time to get off the intermittent fasting train – we now know the importance, for women especially, of eating a protein-rich breakfast shortly after waking to support cortisol, your circadian rhythm, hormonal balance, energy levels, & more! But Aly… - I have no time for breakfast - I’m rushing out the door for work - I’m not hungry when I wake up (if this one is you, let’s DEFINITELY chat!) - I don’t like eggs - I have to exercise first - [Insert any other reasons you’ve told yourself to justify not eating in the AMs] I promise you, I’ve not only heard it ALL from clients, but I’ve probably said & believed each of these reasons for skipping breakfast 100x in my life, & I’m still here to tell you… 🚨 EAT ANYWAY! I totally get it — between high-pressure jobs, juggling family, & trying to squeeze in any self-care, mornings can be a whirlwind or maybe you’re dealing with cortisol imbalance & your hunger cues are confusing you into thinking you’re *not hungry*. But here’s a little secret I share with all the busy mamas & hardworking women I work with: getting protein first thing in the morning is one of the best things you can do to support your hormones, blood sugar, & energy levels to better fuel you through your busy days 💪🏼 Protein helps stabilize your blood sugar, keeping energy crashes & sweet cravings at bay. It’s also ESSENTIAL for hormonal balance, which is so important for our overall health, but especially when thinking about trying to conceive, having a healthy & energized pregnancy, & recover postpartum If eating meat or eggs is not your jam in the morning, or if you’re newly adding this meal in without much of a morning appetite, start with a high-quality protein powder - hit the link in my bio to get my favorite protein (and use NOURISHEDBYALY for 15% off) So, how can you add this in? - Sip it solo, mixed