FAQs
I recognise that investing time, energy and money into your health is both a big decision and a commitment and I understand that you may have questions about how it works and if Nutritional Therapy is the right for you.
Below are some of the common questions I am asked by potential clients. If your questions are not answered below, please get in touch and I will respond to your query as soon as I can.
Nutritional Therapy is an evidence-based approach that works to understand how food and lifestyle choices influence your health. These two important modifiable factors can be an effective and powerful way to promote long-term sustainable change by correcting potential underlying imbalances or nutritional imbalances that may be driving your symptoms.
Nutritional Therapists use the science of nutrition to alleviate health symptoms and promote optimum health. Nutritional Therapists typically work in private practice and use a wide range of tools to assess and identify potential nutritional imbalances and understand how these may contribute to an individual’s symptoms and health concerns. They are regulated by their professional body, BANT (British Association for Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine).
Dieticians use the science of nutrition to devise eating plans for patients to treat medical conditions. They also work to promote good health by helping to facilitate a positive change in food choices amongst individuals, groups and communities. Dieticians work principally in the National Health Service and are regulated by the Health and Care Professional Council. Their professional body is the British Dietetic Association.
Nutritionists provide evidence-based information and guidance about the impact of food and nutrition on the health and wellbeing of humans (at an individual or population level) or animals. Registered Nutritionists have a good understanding of the scientific basis of nutrition and work in a range of settings, including research, education and policy development.
Nutrition/Dietary Advisor – Other practitioners of complementary therapy may offer general nutrition advice to support their specific therapy. There are many short courses in nutrition designed to support other complementary therapies, but they do not meet the National Occupational Standards for Nutritional Therapy courses. You can read more here about accredited courses in Nutritional Therapy
No, I am not a medical doctor and therefore I cannot diagnose, treat, or cure a named condition or prescribe. As a registered Nutritional Therapist, I seek to address the underlying body system imbalance(s) that may have led you to your diagnosis. I am keen to work alongside your GP and other healthcare practitioners to ensure the best possible outcome for you.
Nutritional Therapy is not a replacement for conventional medical advice and if any ‘red flags’ are raised during your programme, I will always recommend you seek medical advice from your GP. Your GP will be able to carry out the appropriate tests to diagnose and rule out anything serious.
The programme I put together for you can work alongside support you may be receiving from medical professionals and is not intended as a replacement or substitute for this. While I can help you to uncover the underlying causes of your gut issues, this is not a diagnosis of a condition and I cannot tell you if you have IBS (for example).
As a Nutritional Therapist specialising in gut health, I can help with a range of digestive conditions including IBS, colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn’s or any other inflammatory bowel conditions. Other conditions may include Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Candida, leaky gut, Coeliac disease and food sensitivities.
Nutritional Therapy can help support many chronic conditions as well as those simply looking to optimise their health. Some examples of why clients seek support include digestive disorders, female hormone imbalances, thyroid imbalances, blood sugar imbalances, allergies, poor immune function, weight management, skin disorders, stress and autoimmune conditions. I am here to help you, wherever you are in your health journey!
Yes. I will fully research your medication to ensure there are no drug and food interactions.
All of my nutrition plans are tailored, practical and achievable, and take into account your dietary and lifestyle requirements and preferences. Support is always offered to find the right balance for you. My programmes are designed to deliver the health outcomes you want whilst taking away the overwhelm and frustration.
Every consultation focuses solely on you. This involves taking into account your personal health history, current symptoms, lifestyle habits and goals.
Before the first consultation, you will be asked to complete and return a detailed health questionnaire together with a 3-day food diary. During the first consultation, I use this information to better understand your health story. I will then explore how your current diet and lifestyle may be affecting your symptoms and also share the results of any functional tests that you may have chosen as part of your programme. This informs your overall unique nutritional plan which will be implemented in bite-sized chunks and monitored as you go through your programme. Sessions typically last between 45 – 90 minutes.
I practice from home and offer online consultations via video call. You can engage in consultations from the comfort and familiarity of your own home.
There are no quick fixes and healing takes time, which will differ from person to person. Complex conditions have many possible triggers and underlying causes that need to be identified and addressed.
Typically, clients can start to see improvements within 1 – 6 months – depending on the severity and complexity of their condition.
Yes, I offer functional lab testing including stool testing, hormone testing and bloodwork. These are used in functional medicine as an essential tool in pinpointing a targeted and individual response.
This science-based approach questions the WHY – why does this individual have this set of symptoms? And also the WHAT – what is driving their unique imbalance?
Combining functional testing with Nutritional Therapy is a powerful way of taking a comprehensive view to connect the dots behind the symptoms as opposed to just managing symptoms. However, in some cases, a detailed questionnaire and food diary can get us started and functional testing can help us to fill in gaps later on.
Before recommending a testing programme, please book a free call with me so that I can assess your specific needs, goals and how we can work together.
I always prioritise whole foods over supplements. However, if this is not possible, or if results can be achieved faster, I may recommend supplements for a limited period.
I have designed a range of programmes, ranging from a one-off Wellness Health Check (which is a bit like an MOT but for your health rather than your car) to longer programmes (which typically run over 3 months). Therefore, prices will vary depending on your specific health goals and the symptoms you are looking to resolve so that I can give you the greatest value and the best possible outcome. Payment plans are available upon request.
Payments can be made via bank transfer, payable in advance of the first consultation.
Your information is kept under strict confidentiality and held under the Data Protection Act 2018 and in line with the Information Commissioner’s Office. I may need to keep your GP informed of your progress but will only do this with your permission.
Yes, as a BANT member I am regulated by CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council). By choosing a BANT member Registered Nutritional Therapist, you can be confident that I am fully trained, qualified and insured (including full professional indemnity insurance) and that I abide by the CNHC’s Code of Conduct.
