When you work in the field of natural health and nutrition, you’ll never look at foods the same way again. Nutrition is more than can a career, it’s a way of life.

The quest to find the least processed food products is never ending. Because once you have this knowledge, it’s impossible to put something into your mouth without being fully informed of it’s nutritional value. Grocery shopping trips become crusades to find the most wholesome ingredients to make the healthiest dishes to feed the family. 

 
Processed foods are scrutinized to ensure they’re not full of artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, excess salt, excess sugar, sweeteners and in many cases free of dairy and gluten. (The ingredients list is an essential place to start to access the nutritional value of any packaged food item.)

It’s also helpful to check out the nutrition panel which answers questions such as does this product have any fibre and how much, protein, fat and carbohydrates does it contain?

Everyday we make food choices based on emotions, energy levels, convenience, finances and availability. When buying food for children the choices are often even more complex such as will the child eat these foods and keep them happy?

Without a working knowledge of food as medicine and healthy eating, it can be very easy to fall into bad food habits and unknowingly create and prolong health issues.

Often times my clients are unaware of the links between diet and overall health. Nutritional deficiencies can produce an array of problems ranging from digestive disorders to skin problems, mental and behavioral issues, low energy, low immunity, food allergies and intolerances.

Every health condition you can think of can be improved with a supportive and targeted diet.

This begins with understanding my client’s typical diet and marrying this with their current health concern. From here, nutritional deficiences can be identified and problematic foods identified then eliminated or reduced. Whilst foods that target the specific health issue in a postive way, are incorporated into the diet.

Dietary changes can be challenging but the rewards are amazing. From a client’s perspective, knowing that certain foods can exaccerbate their current health concerns, gives them a very practical and empowering path forward to improve their health.

For instance, a client who wants to reduce their blood pressure would gain immediate benefit from reducing their caffeine intake and eating a diet lower in salt. Not to mention eating more magnesium rich foods and taking a supplement which contains magnesium.

From a natural healthcare point of view, there are a myraid of ways to reduce blood pressure. Regular exercise for 30 minutes a day, reducing stress, getting good quality sleep, meditation and drinking more water to name a few.

Nutritional education is a way of giving clients their power back. They are not merely at the mercy of prescription medication for life.

Of course no-one should go off their prescription medications without first discussing this with their GP, but by enabling the client to take a proactive approach to their healthcare through eating a supportive diet, optimal health can be achieved.