October 8, 2026 – Ask a Dietitian: Women’s supplements, fact or fad?

The Women and Gender-Diverse Physical Fitness and Wellness Program (Women’s Wellness Program) presents the second session in the Ask a Dietitian webinar series: Women’s supplements, fact or fad?

The supplement industry continues to grow, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish evidence-based products from marketing claims. Women are often targeted by supplement advertising that promises improved health, performance, weight management, recovery, or energy, yet many products lack strong scientific support.

In this practical webinar, registered dietitian Christine Tardif will examine the role of supplements in women’s health and performance, emphasizing a food-first approach while reviewing when supplementation may be appropriate. Participants will learn about commonly recommended supplements, questionable products, and important safety considerations, including military-specific risks related to purchasing and using supplements.

This session provides clear, evidence-based information to help participants make safer and more informed decisions about supplements.

• Date: Thursday, October 8, 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

• Understand the role of supplements, how they are regulated in Canada, and why a food-first approach remains the foundation of good nutrition.
• Recognize military-specific considerations for supplement use, including safety risks, product quality, and the importance of third-party testing.
• Learn which supplements have the strongest scientific evidence to support women’s health, performance, and operational readiness.
• Identify supplements with questionable benefits or misleading marketing claims and understand how to evaluate them critically.
• Develop practical skills for assessing whether a supplement is appropriate based on your individual health needs, goals, and life stage.
• Gain confidence using simple tools and checklists to make safe, informed, and evidence-based decisions about supplement use.

Register now for upcoming Ask a Dietitian sessions

• 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[NB1] 

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.