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Writer's pictureilana hart

My story

Updated: Oct 22

I've always been passionate about healthy eating, but I didn't look at food as a way of healing until I had to deal with my own set of health challenges


Hi, my name's Ilana, and I am a Nutrition Coach, specializing in pregnancy and postpartum wellness. I help women achieve better health by identifying the foods that nourish and fuel them, and give them the knowledge and guidance to feed themselves with confidence.


As a busy mom of two, who has little time to spend in the kitchen, I understand the struggles of eating well and making sure that the whole family eats well. I’m always thinking up creative and practical ways to nourish the body, and especially enjoy making healthful snacks & desserts.


How did I get to where I am?

Have I always eaten well? Usually, but not always. Sure, I included lots of veggies and nutrient-dense foods in my diet, but I also ate “nutrient-empty” foods like candy bars and muffins. I was occasionally at odds with my weight and tried to shed a few pounds, but I was athletic and usually focused these efforts on ramping up my fitness routine, rather than cutting out certain foods.

In general, I tried to live a healthy lifestyle and felt like I was doing okay – except, I suffered from chronic stomach aches and indigestion. After several medical evaluations, which found no sign of infection or illness, I was given a diagnosis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), offered pills to ease the symptoms, and sent to a dietitian, who basically confirmed that I should continue eating the way I was eating.


Fast forward several years when my husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby. I went off the birth control pill only to discover that my hormones were out of balance and I was facing fertility challenges. My blood sugar levels were a bit high, I was suspected of having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (even though I did not display most of the classic symptoms), and my gynecologist suggested I go onto more hormone drugs to "reset" my cycle.


I was frustrated with my doctors who couldn’t give me a reasonable explanation for my ailments, and decided that there must be a more natural and holistic way to remedy my health situation. Intuitively, I turned to a naturopath in the hope that the right foods and supplements could help me heal. Did it? Yes, partially. My digestion significantly improved, and I ovulated for the first time in more than a year after ditching the pill.


But, while this process was immensely healing, it was also incredibly stressful – that’s where acupuncture came into the picture. Together with dietary changes, acupuncture enabled me, within several months, to achieve a healthy pregnancy.


But the story doesn’t end there. During my pregnancy (and a subsequent pregnancy two years later), I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and instructed by my doctor to follow a new set of dietary guidelines specifically focused on blood sugar balance. Yet, I often felt hungry and frustrated with meal times, and struggled at times to keep my sugar levels within the required range. I suspected that there must be a better approach to all of this – and that’s when I decided to dive deeper into the topic by studying nutrition and doing my own research.


Where has all this led me to today? In 2018, I completed my certification as a Culinary Nutrition Coach from the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. And in 2022, I graduated from the Professional Perinatal Nutrition Program, as a certified expert in the field. As well, I continually participate in webinars and courses on related topics and conduct research to remain up to date on evidence-based best practices.


I'm excited to use this knowledge to help others have a smoother ride on their journey through motherhood!


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