Plant-based nutrition for hormone health with Rohini Bajekal MSc

The Allsorts Podcast

If you’ve been inundated with people talking about hormone health online, you’re not alone… it’s definitely a big trend.

And in some ways, I am happy it is. As a dietitian, I know how common reproductive issues like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are and I also know how little we talk about them.

But there is another side to this hormone health trend, one that is a little less helpful. Like the misinformation about how soy affects your hormones. Or, telling us we have to seed cycle in order to get our menstrual cycles on track. The internet is bombarding us with information - some valuable, others downright harmful - and we need a little help setting it straight.

So this week, as the final episode in our miniseries on hormone health, we’re speaking with Rohini Bajekal, a evidence-informed nutritionist and co-author of Living PCOS Free, which she wrote with her mother, an Allsorts Podcast fave, Dr Nitu Bajekal MD.

Rohini generously shares her own experiences with PCOS, her frustrating efforts in trying out online advice, and how she developed a solid, evidence-based lifestyle approach for caring for hormone health.

This episode shines a light on all too common reproductive conditions that often go undiagnosed. We talk about whether or not you can actually “balance” your hormones and what the research says about nutrients and dietary patterns that do - and do not - help you heal.

About Rohini Bajekal MSc:

Rohini Bajekal is a nutritionist with a first class Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences and a board-certified Lifestyle Medicine professional. She is the co-author of Living PCOS Free: How to Regain Your Hormonal Health with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which she wrote with her mother, ObGyn Dr Nitu Bajekal.

On this episode we chat about:

• What do we mean by “hormone health”?
• Why you need to be incredibly cautious with hormone health info online
• How leaving her plant-based home revealed a huge change in Rohini’s health
• Mental health and mood in gynecological conditions like PCOS
• Keto vs plant-based for hormone health
• Maintaining balanced blood sugars with plant foods
• The nutrients that matter for hormone health
• The link between endometriosis and IBS
• The risks of underfueling and malnutrition
• Some real talk on supplements

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @rohinibajekal as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

Full show notes, including show links and recommendations, available at www.desireerd.com/podcast