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Women are being encouraged to join a free five-day sugar-free challenge for the benefit of their hormone health.
Local nutritionist, Sarah Dumont-Gale, is running the event to “provide a space for women to improve their health naturally with support from like-minded individuals".
“All our hormones are interconnected so, when one is off balance, it is going to effect the functioning of everything else,” she said.
“You can think of your hormones working a bit like an orchestra, if one section misses their cue from the conductor, then the overall melody is going to be effected."
Pictured: Mrs Dumont-Gale will communicate with participants via a Facebook group, including live videos.
Mrs Dumont-Gale continued: “Sugar in particular has a big impact on our blood sugar management hormone insulin. Eating excess sugar can cause our insulin levels to spike, which can result in blood sugar imbalances, and if sustained can even lead to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.”
This will be the third sugar-free event that Mrs Dumont-Gale has run.
“I wanted to make the event free to the general public to include as many women as possible and not just those who have the resources available to work one-to-one with a nutritionist,” she said.
“The feedback I received from previous participants is that many were amazed at how different they could feel after just five days.
“Participants reported more energy, better sleep and a reduction in their cravings. I decided to theme the free challenge as sugar-free as it is easy for people to understand what the week is about and almost all of my clients want to look at reducing their sugar and five days is often enough time to feel a difference.”
Pictured: Participants will be given recipes for the five days which include different options for various dietary requirements.
The challenge will focus on reducing or eliminating participants’ consumption of refined sugar.
Participants will receive a five-day sugar-free meal plan, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy-free options, a preparation guide, snack ideas and live daily online workshops.
“I view insulin, and our stress hormone cortisol, as the two 'master hormones'. From my experience working with clients, getting both these hormones in check has a positive impact on all other hormones in the body,” said Mrs Dumont-Gale.
“Blood sugar management through reducing our intake of sugary foods, as well as refined carbohydrates, is one of the best things we can do for our health as women, in my opinion.”
Pictured: Sarah Dumont-Gale said she is "extremely passionate" about helping people to live healthy lifestyles with a particular interest in hormone health.
Mrs Dumont-Gale said the challenge “is not another diet”.
“The challenge is a nice way to help people who perhaps have no idea where to start or need additional motivation and support,” she said.
“It will be a kickstart for participants to make better choices to support their health and nourish their hormones during the five days, but will also give participants the tools and resources for going forward.
“Everyone will come to the challenge with a different background, different dietary habits and different things they want to get from the challenge or what they want to work on, which is great; everyone is welcome.”
Mrs Dumont-Gale said that previous participants, who join via a social media group, have been “supportive” of one another.
Pictured: Mrs Dumont-Gale hopes the challenge will be a springboard for participants to continue making healthier choices.
“The challenge is a great way to spark a change in your diet with lots of support both from me and others along the same journey,” said Mrs Dumont-Gale.
“Results will differ depending on the individual and how much they can make a shift in their diet over the five days, however many previous participants noticed changes in their energy levels, stress levels and sleep and saw their sugar cravings reduce or disappear completely.
“It can be difficult to make changes alone so making changes in a supportive group and with guidance is the perfect way to start.”
The Facebook group is open to women only and will focus on the benefits for female hormone health.
“It’s going to be a really fun week and I’m sure participants will get a lot from it, whether that’s learning more about what to eat to nourish their body and their hormones, how to start working on dropping the on/off diet mindset or how to improve their health in general,” said Mrs Dumont-Gale.
The challenge will start on 23 May.
You can join the group HERE or email s@sarahgalenutrition.com for more information.
Mrs Dumont-Gale is featured in the current issue of Connect Magazine, available HERE.
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