September 24, 2026 – Ask a Dietitian: The foundation of women’s nutrition

The Women and Gender-Diverse Physical Fitness and Wellness Program (Women’s Wellness Program) presents the first session in the Ask a Dietitian webinar series: The foundation of women’s nutrition.

Women have unique nutritional needs that change throughout life and can be influenced by hormonal changes, physical demands, and major life transitions. For military members, operational requirements, training, deployments, field exercises, stress, and irregular schedules can create additional challenges that affect nutrition, recovery, performance, and overall well-being.

In this evidence-informed webinar, registered dietitian Christine Tardif will explore the foundations of women’s nutrition, including energy needs, macronutrients, key vitamins and minerals, and practical strategies to support health and operational readiness. Participants will learn how nutritional needs evolve across different life stages and how to make informed food choices in military environments.

Tailored for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and those who support them, this one-hour session provides practical nutrition guidance that can be applied at home, in the workplace, during training, and on deployment.

• Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
• Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (ET)
• Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
• Language: English (Click here for details on the French session)

Register now

What you will learn

• Recognize the unique nutrition challenges faced by women in the military, including training, operational stress, and deployment environments.
• Learn how adequate energy intake supports health, performance, and operational readiness, and understand the risks of under-fueling.
• Identify the roles of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats in supporting muscle recovery, endurance, performance, and hormone health.
• Understand how nutrition needs change across life stages, including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and postpartum, and perimenopause and menopause.
• Discover key micronutrients for women’s health, including iron, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, and their impact on performance and well-being.
• Explore practical strategies for eating well in CAF dining facilities, field exercises, and deployment settings.

Register now for upcoming Ask a Dietitian sessions

• Session 2 – Women’s supplements, fact or fad? 
• Session 3 – Protect your heart with healthy eating
• Session 4 – Strong bones through midlife and beyond
• Session 5 – Feed your gut, the power of fibre and healthy habits
• Session 6 – Mindful eating for real life and celebrations

About the speaker

Christine Tardif, MSc, RD, CDE
Education, Research and Development Officer – Nutrition, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)

Christine Tardif is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Officer with the PSP Human Performance Research & Development team, working with the Women’s Wellness Program at Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS). Since joining the program in 2023, she has contributed to the development of evidence-based nutrition resources and education initiatives supporting women across the Canadian Armed Forces, including participants in the Prenatal and Postpartum Physical Fitness Program (PNP3). Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition from the University of Western Ontario. She became a Registered Dietitian in 2015 and completed the International Olympic Committee’s Sport Nutrition Diploma in 2018. Her work focuses on sports nutrition, women’s health, and supporting the nutrition needs of military members across all stages of life and career.

Statement: Nutrition research is often conducted and reported using biological sex, and because of this, some content in this webinar series refers specifically to female physiology. We welcome all individuals who may benefit from this information and are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful learning environment.