Healthy Chicks in the Community Series: Meet Dietitian & Nutritionist Lily Nichols
Hello beauties! I can’t believe we’re already approaching the end of summer. Time is flying and we’re about two months away from meeting Baby Boy!
It’s time for this month’s spotlight on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world & beyond. I’m thrilled to feature Dietitian & Nutritionist Lily Nichols, who’s is all about educating women on real food and nutrition during pregnancy.
I first discovered Lily through her book Real Food for Pregnancy, which I thoroughly soaked up during my pregnancy with Isabella. I especially loved her approach on postpartum nutrition, and the importance of incorporating nurturing, healing foods during the transition. Truly, it couldn’t be more important and I know it’ll be a key part of my recovery this fall as well.
In this inspiring interview, we chat with Lily about a day in the life of an RDN, her go-to foods (and why she’s not afraid of fat), and the number one message she wants to share with mamas-to-be on their pregnancy journey.
NAME:
Lily Nichols
WHERE DO YOU LIVE:
Washington state, but I’ve lived all over the country.
GIVE US A SNAPSHOT INTO A DAY IN THE LIFE AS AN RDN:
Well, my schedule has shifted a lot over the years. Currently, I work part time as much as I can fit in with two young children and limited childcare. My work for the past 5+ years has been primarily in writing (books, blogs, social media, etc.) and in teaching other professionals (via webinars for the Women’s Health Nutrition Academy, of which I am a cofounder). I also devote time to supporting the women in my online gestational diabetes course and private clients.
Given all of the above, every “day in the life” is different. Some days I don’t work much at all, while other days I can devote 3-5 hours of time to any of the above tasks as well as all the behind the scenes work that’s inevitable as a solopreneur (like the endless emails!).
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WISH MAMAS & MAMAS TO BE KNEW ABOUT DURING PREGNANCY?
It’s hard to choose just ONE thing. After all, I’ve written books on pregnancy nutrition. Honestly, I think the most important thing is to trust your intuition and trust your body.
Pregnancy can be a bit of a roller coaster and is ultimately a time to learn to surrender to your ever changing needs, ever changing body, ever changing energy levels, food preferences, hopes/fears… you can go on and on. The more you embrace mindfulness and honoring your body during this time, the better prepared you are for birth and motherhood that lay ahead.
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D TELL YOUR CHILDHOOD SELF:
Have fun and work hard. Don’t worry about what you “should” like doing. Do what you love and embrace what skills come naturally.
FOODS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL ALIVE & BRING THE MOST JOY:
Excellent quality butter and cream to have alongside other fresh ingredients, like farm fresh eggs cooked in butter, wild berries drizzled with heavy cream, chive butter atop a juicy steak… you get the idea! Fat makes everything better.
THREE FAB THINGS ABOUT YOU:
I don’t take myself too seriously, I question everything (even if I think I’ve made up my mind on a topic, I’m always open to conflicting opinions), and I’m always game to chow down on a delicious meal.
SOMETHING IN YOUR “WELLNESS TOOLBOX” YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:
Sleep. I always prioritize sleep. In the early years with kids where the nights are often interrupted, that means going to bed early so I can still piece together some semblance of a full night of sleep.
FEMALE LEADER(S) YOU LOOK UP TO:
I have so much admiration for Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, author of The Fifth Vital Sign. Her knack for research, her incredible work ethic, natural business skills, the warmth and depth she brings to her interviews — she’s someone I definitely look up to.
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE PERSON TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD IT BE & WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE THEM:
Gosh this is hard because I’m not one to fawn over celebrities or public figures. I suppose if I had to choose, and assuming I could go back in time, it would be Julia Child. I’d make a roast chicken and vegetables or maybe chicken soup.
MESSAGE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER HEALTHY CHICKS:
Trust your gut, eat real food, and enjoy the ride.
