In this episode of Food is Food, Talia sits down with sports nutritionist & disordered eating dietitian Elle Kelly to chat about hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), RED-S, low energy availability, and the impact of under-fuelling on the body.

They discuss why losing your period can happen at any body size, the role of carbohydrates and energy distribution in recovery, and why getting your period back is about so much more than fertility. This conversation also challenges common misconceptions around exercise, calorie targets, and what “healthy” really looks like.

Episodes drop every Thursday.

What You’ll Learn:

• What hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and RED-S actually are
• Why period loss can happen at any weight or body size
• The hidden signs of low energy availability beyond losing your period
• Why carbohydrates and adequate fuelling matter for hormone health
• The importance of energy distribution throughout the day
• Whether you really need to stop exercising to recover your cycle
• Why getting your period back is about overall health — not just fertility

Resources & Links:

• Follow Elle Kelly on Instagram: @ellekellynutrition
• Elle's email: elle@eknutrition.com

About our Guest:

Elle is a registered dietitian and sports dietitian specialising in disordered eating, sports nutrition & period recovery. After working in acute eating disorders and whilst doing her masters in sports nutrition, Elle recognised the crossover of disordered eating in the athlete space and has spent the last few years growing her clinic and developing the Refuel & Revive program which supports active women and athletes to develop a healthy relationship with food, exercise and their bodies, so they can get their period back to support their performance and life.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & introduction
02:00 – What is hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA)?
05:15 – Understanding a “normal” menstrual cycle
08:15 – HA vs RED-S: what’s the difference?
13:00 – Is 2500 calories enough to recover your period?
16:00 – Carbohydrates, exercise & hormone health
21:00 – Energy distribution and under-fuelling throughout the day
24:15 – Do you need to stop exercising to recover your period?
28:50 – Why recovery isn’t just about energy in vs energy out
29:30 – “Why would I want my period back?”

Connect with Talia:

• Talia’s Instagram: @tcnutrition
• Food Is Food Instagram: @foodisfoodpod
• Website & Mailing List: www.taliacechele.com
• Clinic Enquiries: https://www.taliacecchele.com/contact

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or dietetic advice.