Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover nutrition counseling for perimenopause and menopause?

Yes — and this surprises most women. I work with most major insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield through Berry Street Nutrition. Berry Street verifies your benefits before your first appointment so there are no surprises. Most of my clients pay $0 out of pocket, and many have access to unlimited nutrition visits. The best way to find out is to check your coverage directly — it takes about two minutes.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No referral needed. You can book directly through Berry Street and they'll verify your insurance benefits before your first appointment. You don't need permission to prioritize your health — and you don't need to wait for your doctor to suggest it.

Where are you located? Do you see clients virtually?

Yes — all appointments are via telehealth so there's no commute and no waiting room. I am based in Denver, CO. Virtual nutrition counseling available for residents of: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia.

What happens in the first appointment?

Your initial appointment is 90 minutes — which is intentional. That's enough time to actually understand your story. We'll review your health history, current symptoms, labs, medications, diet, and goals in depth. No rushing, no shortcuts. By the end of our first session you'll have a clear picture of what's driving your symptoms and a roadmap for what we're going to address together.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

The more context you can bring, the better — but nothing is required ahead of time. If you have them, recent labs (within the last 12 months), a list of current medications and supplements, and any notes on symptoms or concerns are incredibly helpful. If you don't have labs yet, that's okay — identifying what to test is often part of our first conversation. Come ready to share your story. That's what matters most.

How often will we meet?

It depends on where you are and what you need, but most clients follow a similar arc. Early sessions are typically weekly — that's when we're building your roadmap, analyzing labs, dialing in your supplement protocol, and troubleshooting your meal plan. Once things are moving and your macros, micros, and habits are on track, we usually shift to monthly check-ins to assess progress and adjust the plan. Think of it as intensive at the start, sustainable from there.

What if I've already tried everything?

That's exactly who I work with. Most of my clients come to me after years of being told their labs are "normal," their symptoms are "just part of aging," or that they simply need to eat less and move more. Functional nutrition starts where conventional medicine stops. We look deeper — at how your hormones are metabolizing, what your gut is doing, where your micronutrients actually stand — and build a plan around what's really driving your symptoms, not just managing them.

How is this different from seeing a regular dietitian?

A conventional dietitian appointment is often 30–45 minutes, focused on general dietary guidelines, and rarely includes advanced lab interpretation or hormone-specific nutrition. My approach is rooted in functional nutrition — we investigate root causes, not just symptoms. That means looking at your labs, your hormones, your gut health, your stress response, and your metabolism together as a system. You won't leave with a generic meal plan. You'll leave with a personalized strategy built around what's actually happening in your body.

What is insulin resistance and how does it affect perimenopause?

Insulin resistance means your cells aren't responding efficiently to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar, increased fat storage — especially in the belly — cravings, and energy crashes. As estrogen declines during perimenopause, insulin resistance often worsens — even when nothing in your diet has changed. This is one of the most overlooked drivers of perimenopause weight gain, and one of the most responsive to targeted nutrition intervention.

What is GI-MAP stool testing and why does it matter during menopause?

The GI-MAP is one of the most comprehensive functional stool tests available. It evaluates your gut microbiome and identifies imbalances, infections, or inflammatory markers that a standard doctor's visit would never catch. Your gut plays a direct role in how your body processes and eliminates hormones, manages inflammation, and regulates mood. For women in perimenopause and menopause, gut health is often a critical and overlooked piece of the puzzle. I use this test when clinically indicated, not routinely.

How does inflammation affect menopause symptoms?

Chronic low-grade inflammation can worsen nearly every menopause symptom — joint pain, brain fog, fatigue, mood changes, and weight gain. As estrogen declines, its natural anti-inflammatory effects also decline. Targeted anti-inflammatory nutrition, omega-3 protocols, and identifying food sensitivities are tools I use to address this systematically rather than symptom by symptom.

Which micronutrients matter most during perimenopause and menopause?

Magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and iron are among the most commonly deficient — and most impactful — during this transition. Magnesium supports sleep, stress response, and blood sugar regulation. Vitamin D is essential for bone density and immune function. B vitamins support energy and mood. These deficiencies often go undetected on standard panels but can significantly drive the fatigue, mood changes, and brain fog many women experience.

What is the DUTCH hormone test and do I need it?

The DUTCH Complete is one of the most advanced hormone panels available. Unlike standard blood tests, it measures not just hormone levels but how your body is metabolizing and clearing those hormones — a critical distinction during perimenopause and menopause. It evaluates estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, androgens, and key metabolites through a simple dried urine collection done at home. This test is particularly valuable if you're experiencing symptoms that don't match your standard labs, or if you're on HRT and want to understand how your body is actually processing it. I use the DUTCH when clinically appropriate — it's a powerful tool, not a routine add-on.

Why does stress management matter so much for hormonal balance during menopause?

Cortisol — your primary stress hormone — directly competes with and disrupts estrogen and progesterone. Chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, which impacts sleep, promotes belly fat storage, and worsens insulin resistance. Resistance training, sleep hygiene, and stress reduction aren't optional add-ons — they're essential parts of the plan.

How does nutrition work alongside hormone replacement therapy?

HRT and nutrition work best together — they're not either/or. HRT addresses the hormonal shifts of menopause directly. Nutrition addresses everything that influences how well those hormones function. Combining the two improves insulin sensitivity, supports bone density, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall symptom relief in ways that neither approach achieves alone. For many women, the right nutritional foundation also means being able to manage symptoms effectively at lower HRT doses.