Chiyo, a Food-as-Medicine Startup, Raises $3 Million to Support Postpartum Moms with Nutrition

Navigating pregnancy and postpartum nutrition can be daunting, with the quest for digestive comfort and optimal nutrition posing challenges for many expectant and new mothers. Chiyo aims to alleviate this uncertainty by providing nutrition advice and meals through a comprehensive meal delivery service, catering to women from fertility through postpartum stages as part of its holistic fertility care approach. Additionally, Chiyo offers digital guides and health coaching while pioneering what it deems the “first-of-its-kind” research database focused on nutrition for women’s health.

Irene Liu, co-founder and CEO of Chiyo, was inspired to create the platform after witnessing her mother’s practice of sending traditional Chinese medicine meals to her aunt following childbirth. With a background in nutritional science and Eastern food therapy, Liu saw an opportunity to leverage her expertise to develop stage-based and symptom-specific nutrition programs for mothers.

Drawing from her Taiwanese heritage, Liu emphasizes a holistic medicine approach, highlighting the therapeutic potential of food to prevent disease, promote healing, and enhance overall well-being. Reflecting on her upbringing, Liu questions why similar practices are not more prevalent in the U.S., particularly given the importance of adapting to the body’s evolving needs during pregnancy and postpartum.

By integrating functional food principles into maternal care, Chiyo seeks to empower women with the knowledge and resources needed to nourish themselves optimally throughout their reproductive journey, fostering a deeper understanding of the profound connection between food and health.