Sleep is My Waking Passion

Optimizing Nutrition on GLP1s

Alison Kole Season 8 Episode 9

Tired of waiting months for a nutritionist appointment? There's a better way. In this episode, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with registered dietitian Kristina Spellman to reveal how you can access personalized nutrition guidance—without the wait, without the overwhelm, and without the outdated "diet and exercise" lectures.

Meet Your Guide: Kristina Spellman, MS, RD

With over 20 years of experience transforming nutrition care, Kristina Spellman is a registered dietitian who's done it all—from inpatient and outpatient care to research and bariatric nutrition. She earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of New Hampshire and has spent the last 13+ years revolutionizing how patients access nutrition support through ReadyPro Nutrition. As a food scientist, educator, and patient advocate, Kristina works behind the scenes formulating protein-optimized foods while empowering healthcare providers and patients with practical, sustainable nutrition strategies. Her mission? Making nutrition simple, convenient, and delicious—because if it doesn't taste good, nobody's eating it.

What if nutrition wasn't about restriction—but about adding the right foods to transform your health?

For years, sleep apnea patients have heard the same advice: "lose weight, eat better, exercise more." But nobody talks about HOW. Kristina breaks down the revolutionary approach that's changing everything: protein-first, fiber-forward nutrition that works WITH your body, not against it.

Here's what makes this different:

✨ Convenient, targeted nutrition counseling through ReadyPro Nutrition's mobile app and RD support—no more driving across town for appointments

✨ Strategic food swaps that hit 50% of your protein goals with just three simple changes (yes, really)

✨ Science-backed protein foods designed to satisfy cravings WITHOUT triggering overeating—finally break free from the chip-binge cycle

✨ GLP-1 optimization strategies that prevent the hair loss, fatigue, and muscle loss nobody warned you about

The Mindset Revolution: Why Your Head Matters More Than Your Fork

But here's the real secret sauce: lasting change requires a mindset shift. Kristina reveals why patients who come "ready for change" with a positive mindset see the best results—and how modern nutrition support has completely flipped the script from restriction to empowerment.

"Instead of 'no, no, no,' it's now 'let's add this to optimize your energy, preserve your muscle, and get glowing skin,'" Kristina explains. This isn't your grandmother's diet advice.

For sleep apnea patients specifically: Obesity is the MOST modifiable risk factor for OSA. Yet the vicious cycle continues—poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones, leading to weight gain, worsening sleep apnea. Kristina's approach helps you break that cycle with 100g+ protein targets, 25-30g fiber goals, and hydration strategies that actually work in real life.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Alternative Nutrition Access Models:

  • How to get personalized RD support through mobile apps and targeted consultations
  • Why targeted nutrition guidance beats overwhelming meal plan overhauls
  • Free educational resources available even without purchasing products

The Protein-First, Fiber-Forward Philosophy:

  • Simple baseline targets: 100g protein minimum, 25-30g fiber daily
  • The "three strategic swaps" method that makes hitting goals effortless
  • How specific fiber types promote satiety without GI distress

Mindset Mastery for Longevity:

  • Why "readiness for change" predicts success more than any meal plan
  • Breaking free from food as comfort without feeling deprived
  • Building empowering habit loops that compound over time

GLP-1 Optimization Secrets:

  • Preventing nutritional gaps while appetite is suppressed
  • Using med