Fay Olijslager BSc
HBO Nutrition & Dietetics
University of Arnhem & Nijmegen – Bachelor of science.
Orthomolecular epigenetic therapist
Ortho Health Foundation
Accredited fertility dietitian ELNA Foundation – Australia
Early Life Nutrition Alliance
Hi! I am Fay Olijslager, a diploma-registered practicing fertility dietitian and founder of Foodwithfayth, a virtual nutrition practice focusing on fertility, hormones and health during pregnancy.
About Me
An enthusiastic nutrition expert with a big smile, heart for people and your new best friend who you can ask anything about nutrition, related to fertility and hormonal imbalance! I work worldwide as a fertility dietitian. I am passionate about helping women who are trying to get pregnant, specially for those where pregnancy doesn’t occur naturally.
My Background
My interest in reproduction, pregnancy and babies arose at an early age. From a very young age I knew that I would become a midwife. I once started this study in Belgium, but due to circumstances I could not finish it. At that time I decided to continue my Bachelor Nutrition & Dietetics, which I completed 3.5 years later ‘with pleasure’. It is really no surprise that I have now learned to combine my two greatest passions.
During my studies I did an internship at the UMC Utrecht and was involved in counseling younger patients (check Linkedin for more info). I learned that it is very important how you feed yourself and that this can result in better recovery or a better health condition in daily life. At that time, I did not realize that the overall condition of the young child could be affected well before pregnancy. Years later, when I learned about nutrition in the preconception phase, I knew I had do more research about it!
The first 1000 days
By reading more about this subject, I was introduced to the first 1000 days principle. This is about the importance of healthy nutrition in the early stages of life. That is, the 3-6 months before conception (when the egg and sperm mature in the mother and father) of the child until the child’s second birthday.
What children eat, drink and are exposed to from the time they are just a blastocyst greatly affects the health of the rest of your child’s life. This all has to do with “epigenetics.” The above factors can affect how the baby’s genes are read and expressed, and even influence their risk of chronic health conditions later in life, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, allergies and eczema.
The good news? It all starts with you as parents-to-be, by feeding yourself well before conception.
The fertility dietitian
And that’s where the fertility dietitian comes in! Because yes, you can google for hours and discover many different factors that may be missing from your diet, but how do you know if you’re really doing the right thing?
As a dedicated professional, I delved into the science and specialized in this field. I am trained as an orthomolecular epigenetic therapist and am accredited as a fertility dietitian in Australia.
Science
Although science is already far ahead on this topic, I noticed that little has been done with the role nutrition can play in supporting and improving the health of parents before conception, with the goal of promoting fertility and pregnancy outcomes. There was little discussion of the important role of the dietitian in fertility care. This needed to change. I believe that by 2024, we are absolutely ready for this change!
For these reasons, I decided to focus entirely on fertility, hormonal health and nutrition within Foodwithfayth about 1.5 years ago. I like to be your rock, clearing any doubts through science-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies aimed at improving fertility.
About me: One of the first dietitians
As one of the first dietitians in this field, I am very happy to see more attention being paid to this important topic. More and more couples are open to lifestyle changes and are willing to go all out to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. The demand for support continues to grow and that is exactly what I envision!
Everyone who desires to have children should have access to the guidance of a fertility dietitian. We need to give future parents more control over their own health and that of their expectant child. The more involved they are in this process, the better they will understand why nutrition and lifestyle are so crucial during this stage of life.
Contraception and natural cycle
Women should be better informed about their natural cycle and the impact they can have by making certain adjustments. Often women start contraception at a young age and have no idea about their natural cycle once they have a desire to have children. That missing link is me. Clarity at this stage is essential: someone knowledgeable who can get you started quickly and practically.
A familiar face
Foodwithfayth should become a platform where women feel confident. Where they need not be ashamed and are allowed to get to know their own bodies even better, all in a familiar environment with one and the same expert. A familiar face that brings you ever closer to your dream.
In addition to my own practice, I find it a challenge and a pleasure to share my knowledge within this field. I put my expertise to work by collaborating with various companies. Will I see you soon?
At Foodwithfayth, among other things, I can help with …
- Fertility and preconception care; nutrition and lifestyle.
- Thyroid problems – hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
- Weight management in pregnancy desire
- Support for fertility treatment IUI or IVF.
- Food preparation when freezing oocytes.
- Low AMH / Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.
