Updates from the Erica Leon Nutrition Team
A Warm Welcome Back (in the works) for Diana
Diana Ushay welcomed a new baby girl earlier this year and has been enjoying time with her growing family! While on leave, Diana has continued seeing a small number of patients, and we’re happy to share that she’ll be returning to the practice later this fall – accepting new patients once again. If you or someone you know has been hoping to work with Diana, keep an eye out for updates as her return gets closer.
Please Meet Our Newest Dietitian: Michal Schaefer, MS, RDN
Eating Disorder Specialist for Adolescents & Families | Weight Inclusive | Anti-Diet | Compassionate Care
We’re delighted to welcome Michal Schaefer to the practice! Michal is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Health & Behavior from Haifa University, Israel. She specializes in eating disorder care for adolescents and their families, bringing a decade of hospital-based clinical experience treating adolescent eating disorders in Israel before continuing her career in the United States. Michal works with her clients from a weight-neutral, family-centered approach to every session and is fluent in both English and Hebrew.
She is taking on new clients. You can learn more about her via the link below or book a call with me to get started working with her.
A Personal Update from Erica
I’m so excited to share that my family is growing, too! I recently welcomed my third grandson, joining my daughter’s and son’s little ones – which means I now have a trio of grandsons, all under the age of two! It’s a busy, joyful time, and I’m loving every minute of being a grandmother.
A Tip for Healthy Aging
September is Healthy Aging Month! One thing I have written about often is bone health, which is easy to overlook until a fracture forces the issue, but there’s a lot you can do earlier.
Two nutrients that matter most for bone health are calcium and vitamin D.
Women or adults with ovaries over 50 need about 1,200 mg of calcium a day, which you can get from dairy, canned salmon or sardines with bones, or non-dairy sources like fortified plant milks, beans, and leafy greens like collards and spinach.
A quick way to check your level of calcium consumed: count your daily servings of dairy or fortified alternatives, multiply by 300, and add another 300 if you eat a generally balanced diet – that’s a rough estimate of your daily calcium intake.
Recommendations For Calcium Intake:
- Female (or person with ovaries) over 50: 1200 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day.
- Male (or person with a male reproductive system): 1,000 mg per day from ages 50-70, and 1200 mg over 71
Your total daily calcium should not exceed more than 2,000 mg, and always talk with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.
Pair your calcium intake with adequate vitamin D, which for most adults is 600-800 IU, but this will vary depending on how much sun you get because it adds to your total. And you’re covering two of the biggest levers for strong bones as you age.
Want more details on improving your bone health?
You can read a full series on bone health at midlife and menopause on the blog – Click here.
Figuring out how much calcium or Vitamin D you need can be confusing and depends on many factors, such as health, lifestyle, and diet. That is why many clients work with a dietitian to know how much they need for these two nutrients, so they can age as healthy as possible.
If you are wondering what is best for you, feel free to book a discovery call with Erica to talk about your needs, and we can match you to the best dietitian on our team to help you.
Erica Leon is a Registered Dietitian and practices from a Health at Every Size (HAES®) lens. She and her team of eating disorder specialists and Anti-Diet Dietitians provide insurance-based care for eating disorders, disordered eating, chronic dieting, or other health conditions in a safe and non-judgmental space for healing.
We work virtually with our clients from our offices in Westchester County in New York as well as the tri-state areas of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, along with Alabama, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. We are in-network with the following insurance companies: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Emblem Health and United Healthcare; including Oxford, UMR, and The Empire Plan (NYSHIP).
We take the time to learn where you or your family are in the pursuit of health. Respectful of your individual needs and lifestyle, Erica will provide an honest assessment of whether or not you are a good fit to work together. Click here to schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call with Erica to let us know about your needs, and to see which of our Dietitians is the best fit for you!
