There is so much conflicting diet advice on what makes up a healthy diet that it is easy to get confused. You cannot open a magazine or newspaper without hearing about the next best diet that promises to improve your health, prevent disease or make you lose weight! As a qualified dietitian, I can analyse your diet and show you any areas that could be improved upon. By working together, we can develop a plan to make changes to your diet, so that you can be sure that you are having all the nutrients that you require for health, in the right amounts.
There are many causes of weight loss and accurate diet advice is an essential part of helping you gain weight safely. It may be that you need to eat more frequently or that the kind of foods that you are having, need to be higher in calories and protein. However, in order to gain weight safely, it is important that you receive the correct diet advice and follow up. As a dietitian, I am able to work with you to create a diet plan that you feel is realistic and manageable.
Losing weight, or rather keeping it off is probably one of the hardest things to achieve. Our eating patterns are so much part of our every day lives, that we are often unaware of what and how much we are eating and drinking. Losing weight is not about following a diet sheet. Losing weight is not about cutting out everything that you like. To lose weight and keep it off, it is essential that you are aware of your current diet and are committed to working at making changes that you are able to stick to, for the long term. I am able to work with you, to plan diet changes that will make a real difference long term. Everyone needs an individual tailored approach to their weight loss plan and I am committed to helping you find the way that is best for you and giving you the support that you feel you need.
Diet is a major part of improving your blood sugar control and reducing your risk of complications. Whether your diabetes is controlled with tablets, insulin or diet and exercise alone, I can provide you with the diet advice to optimise your diet to limit the progression of diabetes and improve any symptoms that you may have.
Diet has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as helping to prevent a second attack, once you have had one. Many risk factors for cardio-vascular disease are modifiable though diet such as weight, high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood lipids.
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms of constipation, diarrhoea, wind and bloating (or a combination of these) vary between individuals and often vary, day to day. Causes of irritable bowel syndrome can include stress and anxiety, diet or recent anti-biotics. As a dietitian, I can help you find out what triggers your irritable bowel syndrome, usually via a food and symptom diary or advising on the low FODMAP diet, and we can work together to optimise your diet while limiting the unpleasant symptoms as much as possible.
Our requirements for vitamins and minerals change over our life times, as the various demands on our bodies change. Nutritional deficiencies are often due to a restricted or unbalanced diet, whether as a result of choice or illness. It may surprise you that, even if you are over weight, you may still be deficient in certain nutrients. Many people believe that taking a vitamin supplement is enough to counteract an unhealthy diet. However, it has been shown that the vitamins and minerals within foods are better absorbed by the body than those in pill form. Furthermore, some vitamins and minerals “compete” for absorption so, by taking high quantities of one nutrient, you may become deficient in another! Luckily each vitamin and mineral is found in a variety of sources so, even if you dislike a particular food, there is usually an alternative. I can analyse your diet to ensure that it contains everything that you need and give you advice to make any necessary changes to your diet.
Having a high cholesterol level can increase your risk of heart disease. The amount and types of fat in your diet can have a strong effect on the fats that circulate in your blood. As a dietitian, I can help you make changes to the various aspects of your diet that impact on your cholesterol level, therefore helping you to reduce your risk of heart disease.
On one hand, throughout these times, your need for certain nutrients increases. On the other hand, there are foods that should be avoided to prevent pregnancy related complications or harm to your baby. Add to this, common pregnancy complaints such as nausea, vomiting, cravings and heart burn, and the matter can be quite overwhelming! I can help you optimise your diet so that you and your baby are receiving everything that you need and make sure that you know about what to avoid.
Depending on your level and type of physical activity, your requirements for calories and nutrients may change. It may be that you notice that you are not training or competing as well as you have been or would like to. The types of food and drink that you consume as an active person, as well as the timing of meals and snacks can have a dramatic effect on training ability and performance.