When Irene Liu watched her mother prepare Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) postpartum meals for her aunt during the COVID pandemic, she discovered a stark contrast between postpartum care in different cultures. This observation became the catalyst for Chiyo, a food-as-medicine company now expanding its maternal nutrition platform with two new programs targeting specific stages in women’s health journeys.
“The contrast between postpartum care in other countries and what’s standard in the U.S. was eye-opening,” Liu explains. “I couldn’t ignore the gaps in care, and I felt compelled to raise awareness and make this form of care more accessible in the U.S.”
Before founding Chiyo, Liu spent her career addressing food deserts and increasing access to nutrition education across private, non-profit, and public sectors. This background, combined with her personal discovery of TCM’s nutritional principles, led her to develop a unique approach combining Eastern Food Therapy with modern nutritional science.
The market validated her vision quickly. A pilot program became Google’s first organic search result within five weeks, generating thousands in preorders. Within two months, Chiyo was featured in The New York Times and Bon Appétit. The company hit six figures in its first year with no marketing spend.
Now, Chiyo is launching two new programs addressing critical gaps in women’s healthcare. Their new Hormone Balance program – launched December 5 last year – targets women transitioning off birth control pills, managing PMS symptoms, or struggling with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. “Many women take birth control pills for 10-15 years, often to manage symptoms like acne or PMS,” Liu notes. “Long-term use can deplete key nutrients like vitamins B6, B12, and folate, which are essential for hormone production, metabolism, and fertility.”
Alongside this, Chiyo’s new Fertility Enhance program supports women focused on conception, whether through natural means, IUI, IVF, or egg freezing. The program is particularly noteworthy for its differentiated approach to various age groups and fertility circumstances. “Research shows that 90% of women trying to conceive are deficient in key nutrients essential for a healthy pregnancy,” Liu explains. “We take a comprehensive approach that addresses overall health, genetics, mitochondrial health, diet, environmental toxin exposure, and lifestyle factors.”
The service operates through a sophisticated yet straightforward process. Customers select a nutrition program based on their current stage and symptoms, with options to specify conditions like PCOS or endometriosis. After sharing details about their cycle, dietary preferences, and energy needs, they receive customized meal plans incorporating Eastern Food Therapy principles.
Each delivery includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, broths, and herbal tonics, all designed with specific nutritional profiles. The meals are 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, with additional elements like homemade chili oil and goji berry maple syrup. Customers also receive access to a digital nutrition hub and support from registered dietitians and TCM doctors.
Backed by notable investors including Sophia Bush and Aimee Song, Chiyo has raised $3.4 million to expand its maternal nutrition platform throughout the U.S. The company’s vision extends beyond meal delivery to addressing fundamental gaps in women’s health nutrition. Liu, who holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Harvard Kennedy School, and Wharton, sees Chiyo’s mission as transformative: “Improving generational health starts with taking care of women and mothers.”
