The Catholic Fertility Podcast

💛 Episode SummaryIn today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked—but foundational—pieces of fertility and hormone health: blood sugar.If you’ve been told you have “unexplained infertility,” are dealing with irregular cycles, low progesterone, or just feel like something is off in your body… this episode is for you. I’m breaking down how blood sugar impacts ovulation, hormone production, energy, mood, and even your body’s ability to feel safe enough to conceive—all in a simple, practical way.We also talk about why so many women are unknowingly dealing with blood sugar dysregulation (even without a diagnosis), how this connects to cortisol and stress, and what your body might already be telling you through symptoms like fatigue, cravings, or waking up in the middle of the night. Plus, I’ll walk you through simple, realistic ways to start supporting your blood sugar today—without restriction or cutting out carbs.⏱️Timestamps[00:03] – Why blood sugar is one of the most overlooked factors in fertility[03:30] – “Unexplained infertility” and why I don’t believe in it[06:45] – The Catholic perspective on supporting your body vs. defaulting to IVF[09:10] – How blood sugar signals safety (or stress) to your body[13:20] – The connection between blood sugar, cortisol, and ovulation[18:40] – How high cortisol can lower progesterone and impact pregnancy[23:15] – Common signs your blood sugar may be off (energy crashes, cravings, waking at night)[29:50] – My personal experience using a glucose monitor[33:10] – Simple, practical ways to balance your blood sugar daily[38:45] – Why you shouldn’t cut carbs for hormone health🔗 Links and Resources: Free Catholic Woman's Fertility Guide: The 5 Labs You Need To Help You Get PregnantApply to get 1:1 fertility support Blood Glucose Monitor (Stelo)If this episode resonated with you, I would love for you to share it with a friend who needs to hear this. And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow, rate, and leave a review—it truly helps this podcast reach more women who are looking for natural, faith-centered fertility support. 💛Keywords:natural fertility, Catholic fertility, hormone balance, blood sugar and fertility, progesterone levels, irregular cycles, natural conception, women’s health, fertility awareness, cycle health, holistic fertility, cortisol and hormones, blood sugar regulation

If you feel like you’re doing everything right—eating healthy, taking supplements, tracking your cycle—but still not getting pregnant, this episode might completely shift your perspective.In this episode, I’m sharing the very first nutrition change I make with clients who are trying to conceive—and it’s probably not what you expect. Before supplements, protocols, or advanced fertility testing, your body needs one essential signal to feel safe enough to ovulate: enough nourishment. We’re diving into why under-eating is one of the most overlooked root causes of fertility struggles and how supporting your body with adequate food can be the missing piece.We’re unpacking why eating too little—even when your diet looks “clean”—can disrupt hormones, delay ovulation, and impact progesterone production. I walk you through the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs your body isn’t getting enough fuel and explain how energy intake directly affects your metabolism, thyroid, and menstrual cycle.You’ll also learn how to start nourishing your body in a way that supports fertility, balances hormones, and promotes a healthy cycle—without overcomplicating your routine or feeling overwhelmed.Timestamps[00:00] – Why eating enough is the first step I take with every fertility client[02:23] – Why your body views reproduction as “non-essential” and shuts it down when energy is low[04:11] – The hidden downside of eating “too healthy” (and why low-calorie clean eating can backfire)[07:17] – Common under-eating habits: skipping meals, intermittent fasting, and long gaps between eating[09:32] – How chronic under-eating impacts metabolism, thyroid function, and ovulation[11:52] – Your menstrual cycle as a vital sign: what irregularities reveal about your nutrition[13:31] – Physical signs you may not be eating enough (hint: it’s not about willpower)[16:44] – Waking up between 2–4am? How blood sugar and under-eating are connected[19:49] – The mindset piece: how food restriction creates stress in the body[21:45] – Reconnecting with hunger cues and understanding intuitive eating[24:32] – Practical ways to increase calories without overwhelm[26:39] – Where to start today: simple, sustainable nutrition shifts for fertilitySigns You May Not Be Eating EnoughIrregular or missing periodsShort luteal phase (under 10 days)Light or absent menstrual flowAlways feeling cold (especially hands and feet)Afternoon energy crashesEvening cravings for carbs or sugarHair thinning or sheddingWaking between 2–4amBloating or constipationBrain fog or trouble concentratingIrritability or anxiety when hungryLinks and Resources📖 Intuitively Full — My book on healing your relationship with food📖 The Intuitive Eating Workbook⁠— A step-by-step guide to reconnecting with hunger cues📖 ⁠The Intuitive Eating Book🧪 Download Our Free Guide: The Five Fertility Labs to Help You Get Pregnant💛 Apply here to work with our teamConnect With MeInstagram: ⁠catholic.fertility.dietitian⁠ Website: ⁠www.savorli.co⁠If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need this encouragement on her fertility journey. 💛

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal,” but you’re still not getting pregnant, this episode is for you. Especially if you’re a Catholic woman trying to conceive and feeling stuck in the frustration of not having answers.In this episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I’m sharing how functional lab testing shifted my own fertility journey postpartum—when I knew something in my body was off, even though conventional labs didn’t show anything wrong. We’re talking about what functional testing actually looks like, why “normal” labs don’t always mean optimal health, and how to uncover the root causes behind hormone imbalances, missing ovulation, and unexplained infertility.I also walk you through the deeper factors that impact fertility—like nutrient deficiencies, undernourishment, gut health, and postpartum depletion—and how to begin restoring your body in a way that aligns with your faith and supports natural conception.What I cover in this episode: What functional lab testing is and how it’s different from conventional labsMy postpartum experience and discovering nutrient depletionWhy “normal” labs don’t always mean optimal fertilityThe connection between under-eating, depletion, and hormone imbalanceHow minerals, gut health, and nourishment impact ovulationWhy data + interpretation matters in fertility careAdvocating for yourself when something feels offTrusting your body and God’s design in the healing processTimestamps [00:00] – Introduction + why functional lab testing matters[02:00] – Postpartum depletion and early symptoms[05:00] – “Something feels off”: learning to trust your body[07:00] – Functional labs vs. conventional labs[10:00] – Why “normal” labs don’t mean optimal health[13:00] – Nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalance[16:00] – Restoring nourishment + getting your cycle back[19:00] – Gut health and deeper healing work[22:00] – Advocating for yourself in your fertility journey[25:00] – Trusting God’s design and next stepsLinks & ResourcesDownload our free guide: A Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get Pregnant⁠Apply to work with our fertility team Connect With MeInstagram: catholic.fertility.dietitianWebsite: www.savorli.coIf this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need this encouragement on her fertility journey. 💛

Episode SummaryIf you’re a Catholic woman trying to conceive, dealing with missing periods, or feeling stuck in the world of “unexplained infertility,” this episode is for you. In this very first episode of The Catholic Fertility Podcast, I open up about my personal journey—what it looked like to go over 10 years without a cycle and how I eventually conceived both of my children naturally.I’m walking you through what actually restores fertility—not quick fixes, but rebuilding your foundation, nourishing your body, and learning to trust God’s timing in the process. We’ll talk about the real root causes behind hormone imbalances, how stress and nutrition play a role, and what it means to approach fertility in a way that aligns with your faith.What I Cover in This EpisodeMy story: going over a decade without a menstrual cycleThe connection between stress, undernourishment, and hormone healthWhy foundational healing matters more than quick fixesBirth control and why it doesn’t restore natural cyclesMisdiagnosis vs. identifying the true root cause of amenorrheaHealing your relationship with food and your bodyThe role of faith in your fertility journeyCycle tracking and understanding your hormonesWhat it looked like to conceive naturally after years of struggleTimeline Highlights[00:00] – Welcome + introduction to the podcast[00:30] – My story: 10 years without a cycle[02:21] – Dieting, body image, and early patterns[03:48] – College years + chronic stress[07:27] – Medical approaches vs. foundational healing[08:25] – Nutrition, sleep, and creating safety in the body[10:13] – Healing in the right order[11:04] – Birth control explained[11:34] – PCOS vs. true root causes of missing periods[12:02] – Faith and being led toward healing[13:27] – Getting my cycle back[14:24] – Learning through cycle tracking[16:01] – Trying to conceive[16:57] – Pregnancy story[18:21] – A faith-aligned approach to fertility[18:49] – Encouragement for your journey[19:47] – Resources[20:17] – Closing thoughtsLinks & ResourcesIntuitively Full Lucia’s book on healing, food, and faithA Catholic Woman's Guide to Unexplained Infertility: The 5 Labs You Need To Get PregnantApply to work with our team 1:1Connect With MeInstagram: @catholic.fertility.dietitianWebsite: www.savorli.coIf this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need this encouragement on her fertility journey. 💛

The Catholic Fertility Podcast is for Catholic women who want to support their hormones, restore cycle health, and conceive naturally while honoring the faith and the design of their body.Hosted by Lucia Harmeling, MS, RDN, LD—functional dietitian, women’s health expert, and mom of two—this podcast explores the root causes behind hormone imbalance, irregular cycles, PMS, infertility, and miscarriage.Episodes launching soon!