LeticiaHardy MD

Home
LeticiaHardy MD

Equipping families to sustain a healthy lifestyle through unique step-by-step instructions that can This ignited my Step Up initiative. in 1997. in 2004.

"My mission is to equip families with the tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle by giving them unique step-by-step instructions that can be tailored to different family dynamics." I am a General Pediatrician who has encountered the obesity epidemic first hand through direct encounters with my patients. I noticed that I was seeing an increasing rate of elevated BMIs in my practice which prompted excessive patient counseling on diet and exercise. I later generated a clinic report on the weight trends in my practice. To my surprise, greater than 75% of my patients were in the overweight and obese range combined! Obesity Medicine wasn't something that was a discipline to study at the time of my residency and early years of practice. So, I decided to take the time to learn what was (and wasn't) working for my patient population. Initially, the common trend was me telling the family to eat healthier only for them to return to the clinic with more weight gain! It took years to figure out that I couldn't just tell someone to lose weight or eat healthily and exercise; I had to give them a different set of tools to use and show them how to use it in "small bites" (no pun intended) each step of the way. I finally figured out the type of hand-holding that they needed to allow for consistent behavior change for the entire family (not just the child). Now that I have mastered what works (and what doesn't), I plan to share these tools with as many families as possible. Dr. Hardy received her undergraduate degree in Natural Science at Fordham University, New York, N.Y. After her undergraduate education, she worked in a molecular genetics research lab on the Human Genome Project at Columbia University. She later decided to pursue a career in medicine and received her medical degree at the Health Science Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. After medical school, she moved to Winston Salem, NC to complete her residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in 2007. When she is not working as a Pediatric Hospitalist in Virginia, she is teaching families, through webinars and educational videos, about how to implement a healthier lifestyle. She also serves as a consultant for start-up practices that are new to the field of Obesity Medicine. Licensure and Board Certification:
Diplomat of American Board of Pediatrics

Memberships, Offices and Committee Appointments:
Member of the Obesity Medicine Association
Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics-Section On Obesity

05/01/2026

Is your thyroid feeling sluggish? Here’s a nutrition shift for you...

Eggs, spinach, and just 2-3 Brazil nuts at breakfast can give your thyroid a boost: because real food is STILL the best source for selenium & iodine (key nutrients for healthy thyroid hormones).

Don’t settle for band-aid fixes or “wait and see” advice. Swap the cereal for this trio and start fueling your body with what it actually needs.

What you put on your plate matters more than you’ve been told: especially for energy, mood, and hair health.

Ready for more insider family nutrition tips? Drop a 🍳 if you want the next Food As Medicine secret!

05/01/2026

Think diabetes means giving up on delicious food? Not so fast...

Here’s one nutrition tweak that may surprise you: SWAP out those refined carbs for fiber-rich heroes like beans, lentils, and whole grains. They slow digestion, prevent those blood sugar rollercoasters, and keep you feeling full way longer. (Bonus: Even the kids will love 'em: try beans in tacos or whole grains in a colorful bowl.)

You’ve got way more power over your health than you’ve been told. Will you let food do the heavy lifting?

Drop your favorite blood sugar-friendly swaps below! Challenge the norm.

05/01/2026

Seeing extra hair on your brush lately? You’re not alone: and it’s NOT always about expensive treatments. Here’s a nutrition truth most people miss: even mild iron or protein deficiency can spike daily hair shedding. Tired of mainstream fixes?

Try this: add one extra serving of lean protein (think eggs, beans, fish, or chicken) and a handful of leafy greens to your meals this week. This simple tweak supports healthy hair growth from the inside out: no gimmicks, just proven nutrition!

Because what’s on your plate matters more than what’s in your shampoo bottle... Food As Medicine for the win. Ready to reclaim stronger hair naturally?

Leticia Hardy MD
:

04/01/2026

Most people eat foods that secretly fuel their inflammation. But here’s something your doctor may NOT tell you: your next meal can start reversing that cycle.

Try this simple swap: trade white bread and chips for whole grain toast with avocado, berries, and a few walnuts. These vibrant anti-inflammatory foods actually help calm your body, balance energy, and keep you full longer. Sounds too easy? Just try it for a week and notice how you feel.

Why let chronic inflammation become your family tradition? Take control: one smart swap at a time. Because real results start with what’s on your plate. Ready to transform your daily routine? Share below what swap you’ll try!

04/01/2026

Think omelets are just eggs? Think again... A spinach-mushroom omelet is fueling your body with anti-inflammatory power: thanks to phytonutrients, antioxidants, and immune-supporting minerals that mainstream medicine rarely talks about. Spice it with herbs and fresh tomatoes for a breakfast that tastes like health AND feels like rebellion against chronic inflammation!

Want another family-friendly upgrade? Try chia pudding layered with kiwi, blueberries, and flaxseed. This combo is working quietly: feeding your gut, soothing inflammation, and keeping you fuller for longer.

Not what you see in most hospital cafeterias, right? That's because anti-inflammatory breakfasts aren't just recipes... they're your daily defense.

Ready to challenge breakfast norms? Tag someone stuck in the toast-and-OJ routine.

04/01/2026

What if I told you that dinner could actually reverse inflammation, not fuel it? Ditch the fried meats and the drive-thru tonight. Instead, throw salmon, broccoli, and sweet potatoes on a sheet pan. It’s simple: no chef hat required.

This anti-inflammatory swap isn’t just easy; it can lower your risk for chronic conditions. Real food…real results. Imagine the family digging in, loving every bite and strengthening health at the same time. Less pain, more energy, better metabolism: and yes, it tastes better than fast food, too.

Try it. Are you up for challenging the status quo? Comment with a 🍋 if you’re ready to turn your dinner into medicine!

03/01/2026

Did you know... ginger isn’t just a spice – it’s one of nature’s most powerful remedies, trusted for centuries to support digestion, strengthen immunity, and calm inflammation. What’s the secret? Potent bioactive compounds like gingerol that work at the cellular level: helping your body fight stress and recover faster, every day.

But here’s what the supplement industry won’t tell you: fresh ginger root is the star, delivering more nutrients than powdered forms, without fillers or mystery capsules. Chop, steep, or blend it into family meals to unlock true food-as-medicine impact.

This isn’t just ancient wisdom: it’s proven science. Ready to feel the difference? Start simple. Add fresh ginger to your next dish… and watch wellness grow from the inside out.

Leticia Hardy MD | Food As Medicine

03/01/2026

Ready for a cough syrup that actually helps and isn’t packed with sugar or chemicals? Here’s the real deal: onion, garlic, rosemary, and cinnamon: topped with raw honey. Let it infuse in a glass jar for 24 hours, strain, and store in the fridge. Why does this recipe work? Onion and garlic fuel your immune system, rosemary and cinnamon deliver serious antioxidants, and honey soothes a scratchy throat. Ditch the store-bought stuff and take control: next time you feel the tickle, reach for nature’s best. Pro tip: A spoonful at first sign of cough may surprise you.

Food As Medicine.

02/01/2026

Think okra water is just another fad? Here’s what mainstream advice WON’T tell you…

Okra is packed with prebiotic fiber: fuel for your gut’s good bacteria. That means smoother digestion, less bloating, and real support for gut health. PLUS: It hydrates like crazy: okra is 90% water!

Want to make it actually taste GOOD? Here’s my move: Slice a few okra pods, add pineapple chunks and coconut water to a glass jar, and let it soak overnight. The pineapple boosts flavor (and your skin glow), while coconut water adds electrolytes.

Sip throughout the day, or start your morning with a glass. Forget overhyped supplements: THIS is hydration and digestive support, straight from your kitchen.

Take control. Make your water WORK as medicine.

Food As Medicine | Leticia Hardy MD

02/01/2026

Stop letting the pharmacy profit from your chronic sniffles. Ferment your own Immunity & Gut Health Syrup: NOT what you think, but exactly what your body needs.

Slice fresh ginger and lemon. Layer in a clean jar, pour honey to cover every slice. Close, shake daily, and let nature do the work: room temp, 2 weeks. You’ll see bubbles: that’s natural probiotics forming. Open daily to release pressure. When tangy and slightly fizzy, refrigerate.

What’s happening? The skins of ginger and lemon feed the honey microbes, fueling fermentation. Result: a vitamin C & enzyme-rich tonic that fights inflammation, supports digestion, and boosts immunity.

Use a spoonful daily, mix into drinks, or eat the ginger before meals to slash bloating.

This is Food As Medicine. Ready to try it?

02/01/2026

And I’m not the only one!

02/01/2026

Think "longevity" means quick-fix supplements or expensive pills? Nope. Real anti-aging wisdom is boring: it's discipline, tradition, and what you do *every* single day.

Astragalus root has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, not as a magic bullet but as part of a daily longevity routine. It helps support your immune health and energy naturally: no snake oil here.

Ready for the truth? Longevity isn't sold in a bottle. It's brewed, sipped, and lived: one smart choice at a time.

Are you doing what really counts for your future you?

Address

Website

https://leticiahardymd.samcart.com/products/menopause-e-book?coupon=save10, https://www.amazon.com/shop/doctor.hardy_?re

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when LeticiaHardy MD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Country:

City: