Meet Charlotte LaGuardia of Thrive East Nutrition
Looking for healthy tips, a new cocktail to try or a cozy, yet chic, lounge wear recommendation? Read on! I’m thrilled to share my interview with Charlotte LaGuardia of Thrive East Nutrition where she shares simple, tangible advice on this and more below. Be sure to also check out her Instagram @thriveeastnutrition to continue learning from this kind, beautiful soul!
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Thrive East Nutrition?
My name is Charlotte LaGuardia, I was born and raised in Sag Harbor, NY and I have always loved food. Ever since I was young my days revolved around meals, snacks, and cooking. However, I never understood the benefit for eating “healthy” or non-processed foods. My diet was very carbohydrate and refined sugar heavy, with few fresh fruits and vegetables. As I got older, I was a slave to my blood sugar spikes and crashes, always reaching for something sweet to give me another boost. Eventually, around college I begin experiencing digestive upset and low energy.
Without the stamina to play sports or exercise, I turned to yoga as a way to move my body without feeling terrible. The yoga world began to teach me about wellness and how what you feed the body makes a real difference. I completed a 200-hour teacher training and began to change my diet. I was blown away by how I felt and horrified that I was never educated on the impact of diet and that stores were allowed to sell products that can actually cause harm. The following year I enrolled in the Maryland University of Integrative Health to study nutrition with the intention to learn how to further heal my body and to help teach others how to do the same.
2. Who or what inspired you to start Thrive East Nutrition?
After completing my Master’s in Clinical and Integrative Nutrition I created Thrive East to be a resource for my community. My intention is to have a space where people can come to learn about how their bodies work and how to best take care of it. Overall, my goal is to be a resource to everyone in this world of conflicting health and nutritional information.
3. What have you been doing to stay at peace during this uneasy time?
Walking, cooking, and teaching yoga have been everything to me right now. Keeping a routine and having things to look forward to has been so helpful.
4. What is your morning routine?
My mornings are such a special time, I normally wake up, apply a face mask, drink a glass of lemon water as the coffee brews. I enjoy the quiet and drink my coffee on the couch or deck of it is sunny. After that I’ll make breakfast, which has recently been a warm chia pudding.
5. What is your go-to healthy snack and/or meal?
Recently, I have been making a lot of kale chips for a snack. Surprisingly, I made them for the first time a few months ago and I am hooked! They really live up to the hype!
6. Favorite way to connect with friends and loved ones?
My loved ones and I have been taking advantage of the beach and going for long walks. We wear our favorite masks and still keep our distance.
7. What do you do if you are feeling stressed/overwhelmed during this time?
Box breathing has been my go-to. It helps to calm my nervous system and allows me to slow down. It is a simple practice, inhaling for a count of four, holding for four, exhaling for four, and holding for four. I will repeat until I find some relief.
8. What is your favorite way to sweat while at home?
The Class By Taryn Toomey and Sculpt by Emily Tyson have been my go to workouts. I love The Class for its cardio and spirituality and Sculpt for strengthening and motivation.
9. What is your quarantine go-to drink?
I’ve been a huge fan of what I call the Turmeric Sunrise, it is a tea with fresh turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and lemon juice, iced with a splash of Casamigos. Heavenly! See my IGTV for a demo :)
10. What is one wellness product you can't live without?
This is a tough one! But at the end of the day it is my Vitamix.
11. What are a few things you are looking forward to once this is all over?
Hugging my friends and family. I am so thankful we have been able to see each other at a distance but I am really missing the physical connection.
12. Do you have any tips to share for how to eat healthy during this time? Are there any health tips we should keep in mind?
Hydrate, move, and eat real foods! We experience more energy and improved digestion if we give the body what it needs. Additionally, the majority of our serotonin is made in the gut, so by supporting a healthy microbiome we can enhance our moods and improve stress management.
13. What book, show or podcast would you recommend?
Book: Brain Wash by Dr. Perlmutter
Show: Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
Podcast: The V Hive
14. Favorite music to listen to?
This week I have been listening to a lot of Donavon Frankenreiter, getting ready for summer!
15. What is one piece of advice for people who are having a hard time right now?
This is temporary, and we will come out of this stronger than before. Do your best to find moments of joy and gratitude each day and get outside when you can to take deep healing breaths.
16. Go-to lounge wear/WFH outfit?
I am basically living in this! https://spiritualgangster.com/products/ho90432002-mhg-sophie-jumpsuit
COMMENTARY FROM WELL AND GRAY: I NEED THIS!!
17. Is there anything else you want my followers to know about
you/Thrive East at this time?
Thrive East is completely virtual, and I work with many amazing clients from across the country. Even over Zoom, we can work together towards reaching your goals and identifying the root cause of any health concerns. My main goal is to be a resource to all of my clients, which for some means FaceTiming in the grocery store and others debunking fad diets from a trendy health blog.