I’m a BANT and CNHC Registered Nutritional Therapist having chosen to follow 3 years of study and clinical training at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London to attain the DipION qualification.  I set up The Health Heroine Nutrition Clinic to deliver Virtual ZOOM nutritional therapy consultations

What led me into a health career?

My personal interest in nutrition and optimum health began whilst I was the owner/director of a successful food and hospitality company.

Most business owners will agree that running a business often takes a toll on your health and I was no exception!

Five or six years into the business I felt exhausted, stressed, lacking energy and was 60lbs overweight, I just knew that I had to take control of my life. I consulted with nutritional professionals and personal trainers and made changes to my eating, exercise and lifestyle habits all of which made a significant difference to my overall health. I’ve learned a new approach to my health and way of living.

By the time I sold my business in 2008, I was totally hooked on healthy living and knew clearly that I wanted my next business to focus on helping people achieve great health. I had lots of knowledge about healthy foods and how to prepare it but I didn’t understand the science underpinning healthy living advice and that’s what led me to study nutritional therapy related to functional medicine.

Hello,

I’m Aileen Smith, I’m a BANT and CNHC Registered Nutritional Therapist, with a DipION qualification from the Institute For Optimum Nutrition in London. I have been practising as a BANT Registered Nutritional Therapist since 2014.

I’ve worked with a wide range of clients and love helping create a simple, easy to implement plans personalised to your food preferences, your lifestyle and your budget.

As a mid-life woman, I understand what you may be experiencing ‘and I also know how transformational good nutrition is at this stage of life.

As I have got older my personal health goals have changed. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis following a wrist fracture and looking back I realise my hormonal health and chronic stress were the drivers. I’m passionate about preserving musculoskeletal health and enjoying and active healthy life.

I’m also a recreational runner, focussing on 10k to Half Marathon distance, with 12 Great North Runs under my belt. I produce and co-host SHE RUNS EATS PERFORMS PODCAST which helps mid-life female runners (of all abilities) swap magic advice for strategic nutrition and real food choices. We aim to help women to be in great shape, have high energy, enjoy their running and be injury-free. Please check out our Healthy Woman Healthy Runner Episodes as they give fabulous advice for all women.

Learn about my approach to nutritional therapy here >>

Professional Qualifications and Accreditations

I am a registered Nutritional Therapist having graduated with Dip ION from Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) in London, a world leader in the field of nutritional therapy. This training is accredited by Nutritional Therapy Council (NTC) who are the Professional Standards Council for Nutritional Therapy, who develop education and training standards for the profession.

I am a member of the following professional bodies:

I abide by a strict code of ethics in clinical practice and am a full member of BANT (British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy), the professional body for nutritional therapy practitioners. BANT’s primary function is to assist its members in attaining the highest standards of integrity, knowledge, competence and professional practice, in order to protect the client’s interests, nutritional therapy and the nutritional therapist.

I am registered with the Complementary & Natural Health Council. The CNHC is the UK regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners. The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) Registration Scheme is supported by the Department of Health.

The CNHC’s key role is to enhance public protection by setting standards for registration and ensuring that all registered practitioners meet the relevant National Occupational Standards. In November 2009, the Department of Health stated: “CNHC is the only regulatory body for complementary healthcare which has official government backing.  No other organisation has the same exacting criteria or focus on safety and quality.”

The registrations scheme is designed to enable applicants to demonstrate that their training and experience meets the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for their profession.

The Department of Health has recommended that you consult with CNHC registered practitioners only, this way you know that your practitioner is suitably qualified and works at the highest possible standards quality and safety.

Nutritional Therapists must meet the CNHC’s standards and maintain their professional skills through an ongoing programme of Continuing Professional Development in order to display the CNHC quality mark.