In our fast-paced world, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of self-criticism and harsh judgment. When it comes to our bodies and our relationship with food, this negative mindset can significantly impact our well-being and happiness. One of the essential ingredients for nurturing a healthier relationship with food and your body is self-compassion. In this blog post, we'll explore the role self-compassion plays in intuitive eating and how to cultivate it in your daily life. What is self-compassion? Self-compassion involves treating ourselves with the same kindness, understanding, and care ..read more

Diet culture is a societal phenomenon that emerged in the 20th century, predominantly in the Western world, it gained significant momentum in the late 1900s and early 2000s. This article explains why diet culture is problematic and highlights what signs to look out for that indicate you're stuck in diet culture. Where does diet culture come from? Diet culture stems from a combination of factors, including the media's portrayal of thinness as the ideal body type, the rise of consumerism, and the proliferation of diet and fitness industries. Diet culture prioritises weight loss and physical app ..read more

As humans, we have a social desire to fit in, being part of a community is what has kept us alive for all these years. But when it comes to comments on our appearances it's never okay for someone to comment on your weight or make you feel self-conscious about your body! Your body is your business... not theirs. This is something that comes up a lot in my client sessions. For some, the idea of setting boundaries can be overwhelming, often opting for the discomfort of not saying anything out of fear that we may offend the other person. The good news is, you don't have to be rude or mean to set y ..read more

One of the things I hear regularly from clients and prospective clients is that they feel an overwhelming desire to eat sugary foods, leading them to feel like they are addicted and cannot live without it. These feelings are certainly valid, although sugar itself is not physically addictive. This article unpicks what an addiction is, and also how what can be done to help ease the intense cravings for sugary and sweet foods. What is an addiction? An addiction is a strong, habitual dependence on a substance or activity. People can become addicted to a wide variety of substances, including: Alc ..read more

When your body feels bloated and uncomfortable it can really put a downer on your mood; Clothes might fit differently and those comfy pyjama pants may turn into your new BFF. Not only does being bloated feel uncomfortable and often painful, bloating can also make us feel sluggish and it can affect our activity levels. Who wants to work out when they feel like they are smuggling a balloon in their gut? So what causes our belly to bloat? Bloating can be caused by excess gas in the large bowel. This gas pushes out our stomach and makes it distended. Severe bloating can be extremely painful and u ..read more

With over 50% of the UK population currently on a diet, or wanting to attempt a diet it can be easy to overlook how much this actually costs. We aren't just talking about the cost to you financially, but socially and time-wise too. Diet plans Let's take a look at the biggest names on the UK diet scene at the moment: Weight Watchers (now branded as WW, wellness that works); Slimming World and Noom. Weight watchers (WW) ,,Digital membership, = £13.95/month + a £10 start up fee = £177.40 in the first year ,,Workshop and digital = £22.95/month + a £10 start up fee = £275.40 in the first year Slimm ..read more

We are all in a time of self-isolation, social distancing and that means visiting the shops less than we perhaps would have done before. Lots of people were previously shopping every 1-2 days, however if we can stretch this to be 7-10 days then you are reducing your contact time with people and minimising the spread of COVID-19. I know I have certainly reduced my trips to the shops to try and keep myself and others safe! I have complied a list that you might find helpful of some simple cupboard essentials that can last a long time and can help you when social distancing. Here it is in no part ..read more

Should you follow a gluten free diet when trying to conceive (TTC)? In this article I am hoping to offer some guidance, but remember to always speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional if you have any doubts or questions about your health. First, we must look at what a gluten-free diet is, and why someone may choose this. A gluten-free diet is not just a fad 'health' trend that some people might find themselves considering. For people with coeliac disease, a gluten-free diet is the only way to improve their symptoms and gut health. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where ..read more

Before we embark on creating a human, there are a few things you may not have considered when trying to improve egg health prior to conception, including your diet. When we go back to basics and biology 101, when we are trying to conceive, we are trying to essentially have an egg and a sperm say hi to one another and work their magic! It's a complex biological process involving DNA from both parties merging once they meet. So naturally it makes sense to make sure that each component (i.e the egg and the sperm) has enough quality DNA and energy in order to create an embryo. More on sperm healt ..read more

NUTRITION PROS or NOS?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are lots of people who work in the nutrition sector - however not all of them recommend complete balance.. namely that gym instructor who tells you to eat nothing but tinned tuna and broccoli to lose weight. (NOTE: Not all gym instructors do this - thank goodness). Registered Dietitians (RDs) work in all areas of nutrition, like: hospitals, outpatient clinics, the media and also in food research and development. Dietitians have to undergo a degree in dietetics, this usually takes 3-4 years - we are full to the brim with knowledge and experience. We learn a ..read more