There’s arguably no time more important to get nutrition right than during pregnancy, yet for many women, it’s one of the most confusing and overwhelming stages when it comes to food, supplements, and health advice.

In this episode of From A to Zinc, I’m joined by registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Lily Nichols, bestselling author of Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes.

With her evidence-based, real-food approach, Lily has helped women worldwide nourish themselves and their babies with clarity, confidence, and science-backed guidance.

Together, we break down what truly matters when it comes to pregnancy nutrition, prenatal supplements, and blood sugar — without fear, myths, or guesswork.

In this episode, we cover:

🧠 Pregnancy Nutrition Foundations

• Why there is still so much conflicting advice around pregnancy nutrition

• How nutritional needs change from preconception through each trimester

• Is folate only important early in pregnancy — or throughout?

• The best real food sources of key nutrients

• Can women realistically meet nutrient needs through food alone?

• The most overlooked nutrients in pregnancy

• Common myths like “eating for two” and vitamin A fears

• When nutritional testing makes sense

💊 Prenatal Supplements & Vitamins

• When to start supplements — before, during, or after pregnancy

• What to actually look for in a high-quality prenatal vitamin

• The most common mistakes women make when choosing prenatals

• Folic acid vs methylated folate — who really needs to care?

• Should you continue prenatals postpartum?

• Which supplements may be helpful (omega-3, vitamin D, CoQ10)

• Supplements and ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

📊 Blood Sugar & Gestational Diabetes

• What actually causes gestational diabetes

• How nutrition influences blood sugar during pregnancy

• Practical strategies for stable glucose levels

• Common mistakes that worsen blood sugar control

• Are low-carb or keto approaches safe in pregnancy?

• How Lily thinks about carbohydrates in prenatal nutrition

🌱 Long-Term Health & Postpartum Nutrition

• Why postpartum nutrition is often overlooked

• How maternal diet affects breast milk quality

If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, postpartum, or simply want clarity around prenatal supplements and nutrition, this episode will give you practical, evidence-based guidance you can trust.

Because nourishing your baby starts long before birth.

Support the show

In this episode of From A to Zinc, I’m joined by Shawn Wells, one of the world’s leading supplement formulators with over 1,200 formulas to his name.

We break down the supplement industry from the inside out, so you can finally make smart, confident, evidence-based decisions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
•How to read supplement labels properly
→ What are real green flags, what are red flags, and how to spot marketing vs science
•How great supplements are actually formulated
→ Where to start, common mistakes to avoid, and why most formulas fail
•The future of supplements
→ What Sean is betting on, what’s changing, and what consumers should expect next

Whether you’re a consumer, athlete, health professional, or just tired of confusing supplement claims — this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been looking for.

🎙 From A to Zinc - demystifying supplements, one expert at a time.

Episode 6 - From A to Zinc: The Supplement Podcast

Fuel Like an Olympian: How to Use Supplements for Peak Performance with Olympic Nutritionist Professor Louise Burke

What does it really take to fuel like an Olympic athlete?

In this episode of From A to Zinc: The Supplement Podcast, host Charleen speaks with Professor Louise Burke, one of the world’s leading authorities in sports nutrition and the former head nutritionist for Olympic athletes, to uncover how science, strategy, and precision come together to achieve peak performance.

With over four decades of research and hands-on experience, Professor Burke explains how athletes at the highest level approach fueling, recovery, and supplementation, and how those same principles can help anyone improve performance, endurance, and overall health.

The conversation explores:

•How elite athletes design their pre-, during-, and post-workout nutrition plans
•Evidence-based insights into supplements such as caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, nitrates, beetroot juice, and electrolytes
•The AIS Sports Supplement Framework - how to identify what’s scientifically proven, what’s emerging, and what to avoid
•The importance of personalized fueling strategies for different sports, environments, and physiological needs
•How the science of sports nutrition has evolved from a “food-first” philosophy to a precision, data-driven approach
•Why third-party testing and supplement regulation are essential for safety and credibility
•What current research reveals about gender differences in performance and recovery

Professor Burke also shares why sports nutrition remains one of the most dynamic areas in health science - how new discoveries, from nitrates to caffeine efficacy, continue to reshape the field and inspire ongoing learning for both professionals and athletes.

Whether you’re an elite competitor, a dedicated gym-goer, or simply someone who wants to optimize your training and recovery, this episode offers a clear, evidence-based roadmap to fueling smarter, performing stronger, and recovering better.

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