In Network A weekly guide to women's midlife health. Issue 43 | September 2026 |
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This spotlight is part of NEWH (Network for Enriching Women’s Health), a local resource helping midlife women find trusted providers and navigate care. |
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One of the most common questions women ask during midlife is, “Why is my body changing when my habits have not?” Registered Dietitian Lauren Bernstein, MS, RD, CDE, hears that question every day. Through her private practice, The Nutrition Center of Westfield, she helps women understand the science behind midlife weight changes while building practical, sustainable habits that support metabolism, preserve muscle, and improve long-term health. Meet Lauren Bernstein, MS, RD, CDE The Nutrition Center of Westfield Lauren Bernstein, MS, RD, CDE is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and owner of The Nutrition Center of Westfield. She specializes in helping adults, particularly women navigating midlife, build sustainable nutrition habits that support long-term health. Her areas of expertise include weight management, insulin resistance, diabetes, emotional eating, and behavior change. In addition to her private practice, Lauren has worked at the Center for Diabetes Education at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway for more than 25 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Maryland, her master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from Hunter College, and completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Lauren accepts most insurance (see her website for details). |
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Q: What’s the most common reason midlife women come to see you, and what are they most confused or frustrated about when it comes to their weight? A: I see so many women come to me during perimenopause and menopause as their body changes. They are struggling with unexplained weight gain, new body fat on their bellies and arms, rising cholesterol and blood sugar. Q: Why does the body start holding weight differently during perimenopause, and why do the same diet and exercise routines often stop working? What role does insulin resistance play in that shift? A: Much of these changes occur from a slowing metabolism and insulin resistance. A typical woman loses 3-8% of their lean body mass (LBM) each decade and when perimenopause starts they start losing 1% LBM a year! LBM is the driving factor behind our metabolism. With less muscle and more fat, insulin resistance increases. Insulin resistance further makes weight control harder and causes the increasing cholesterol and blood sugar. In addition, lowering estrogen also contributes somewhat to metabolism but it is mainly responsible for the shift in body fat from the hips to the abdomen. |
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Q: GLP-1 medications have become part of many women’s weight-loss journey. What nutrition mistakes do you see most often once someone begins one, and how do you help them avoid them? A: Some of my clients do choose to go on a GLP-1 medication to help with their journey. I support them with this decision and make sure they understand the pros and cons. One thing to consider is the muscle loss associated with the drug. They are already losing muscle and this will exacerbate it. So I never let up on the importance of exercise especially weight training. Q: Your practice accepts insurance, which is relatively uncommon for nutrition counseling. Why has making your services accessible been important to you? To further support my clients I take insurance. If you can only afford 2-3 sessions then you will certainly get some facts but it’s a journey. Life will certainly get in the way of your plan and learning to navigate those road blocks is how we truly find long term success. |
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Good care exists. NEWH helps make it more visible. |
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© 2026 NEWH – NETWORK FOR ENRICHING WOMEN’S HEALTH OPERATED BY DR. CAROLINE M. ANGEL LLC (DBA: NEWH). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The NEWH newsletter and directory are community-sourced resources, shared for informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice, formal endorsement, or provider review. Always consult your healthcare provider and insurance plan before making any decisions. Provider listings reflect personal experiences shared by NEWH members or direct submissions by the provider. Inclusion is not based on ranking, review, or clinical vetting. Please do not copy, repost, or redistribute this content outside of the NEWH community. Do not scrape, resell, or repurpose this list for external use — including other platforms, promotions, or business purposes. |
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Dr. Caroline M. Angel, LLC dba NEWH-Network for Enriching Women's Health
Westfield, NJ 07090, USA |
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