Frequently Asked Questions

Nutritional Therapy explores the relationship between food, the human body and good health. It examines an individual’s diet and lifestyle to discover and correct biochemical imbalances that may result in dysfunction or ill-health.

• It works to identify the source of the problem and help support the body in its healing process.
• It promotes food, and in some cases supplementary nutrients, as a means of optimising or restoring good health. Testing is also offered to help uncover underlying factors in ill-health.
• It does not replace medical care but it works very well alongside; often it helps to reduce and improve your symptoms, in addition to discovering other underlying and possibly contributing factors.

All three disciplines are trained to translate scientific information about food into dietary advice.Dieticians usually work with diagnosed patients under the direction of a GP or hospital doctor. The Dietician’s approach takes no account of biochemical individuality.Nutritionists are not clinically trained to offer health advice to individuals. They sometimes work in the NHS in support of dieticians.

Nutritional Therapists are independent professionals who are happy to work in consultation with medical professionals. They take a holistic approach, seeing each client as a unique individual.

Clients who:

• Already have a health condition or feel unwell and are interested to find out how nutritional therapy may support them.
• Are concerned about their future health, perhaps ageing or potentially developing a health condition experienced by other family members.
• Consider they are fit and healthy but want to optimise their health and performance in their daily lives using nutritional therapy.
• Are curious to find out if they are eating and living in a healthy way and are looking for help to implement simple changes with regards to food choices, menus, cooking and lifestyle at home, at work and whilst socialising.

Some clients have reported benefits such as:

• Increased Energy
• Better mood
• Better concentration and focus
• More restful sleep
• Improved memory
• Healthy, glowing skin
• Weight control

You should check that they are members of BANT and the CNHC as membership of these professional associations gives you the assurance that they are trained to National Occupational Standards and that they are fully insured.

Before your consultation – I always suggest that you book a no obligation Free 15-minute Introductory Call with me before booking an initial consultation. The call gives you the opportunity to briefly outline your health goals and why you’re seeking advice. Also you may ask any questions you have about how we may work together. Following our introductory call you may wish to make a booking to consult with me. I’ll explain how you may do this during our introductory call.Preparing for your Consultation – When you have booked your consultation I will ask you to complete a Nutritional Therapy Questionnaire and 3-day Food and Lifestyle Diary which asks for information on your medical history, current medications and any health related symptoms you may be experiencing.I will also ask you to complete a client registration form and sign my Terms of Engagement document (which sets out the professional code for Nutritional Therapy). My Terms and Conditions document (which outlines my terms of business) is available on www.thehealthheroinenutritionclinic.com.

You’ll also receive emails confirming the date, time and venue (in person or skype) of your consultation.

During your initial consultation (This will last for approximately 90 minutes) we’ll discuss your goals and health concerns and I’ll review the information you’ve given on your nutritional therapy questionnaire and food and lifestyle diary.

I may need to ask more detailed questions about your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of existing conditions, your medical history, use of medication and supplements, your family history, your business and home lifestyle, your stress levels, your habits related to food, drink, movement and exercise.

When appropriate it may be necessary to recommend functional laboratory tests. Using the test results may enable a targeted nutritional approach, particularly in complex cases.

Together we will agree a Personalised Health Optimisation Plan that fits in with your lifestyle, budget and your food likes and dislikes. Nutritional supplements may be recommended. If required a check will be made for any potential drug-nutrient interactions.

Following our initial consultation I will prepare a Written Health Optimisation Plan including food and lifestyle proposals based on our discussions. I’ll also make recommendations for functional laboratory/health screening tests and a suggested supplement plan if required. I’ll email this to you within 3 working days of our Initial Consultation.

Further consultations – Part of your initial consultation package includes a 15-minute check-in call (skype or telephone). I’d suggest you schedule it 1-2 weeks after the start of your Health Optimisation Programme. The aim of the check-in call is to support you in the implementation of your programme and to answer any questions you may have.

Your initial consultation package also includes a 45-minute follow -up consultation. I’d suggest you schedule this consultation within 4-8 weeks of your Initial consultation. During this consultation I will review your health situation, any test results and your goals. Together we will adjust your Health Optimisation Plan in line with your personal requirements. We will also discuss your requirements for further consultations.

After taking a detailed health history and explaining to you in a functional context the reasons behind your current state of health, a suitable nutrition and lifestyle programme is discussed and agreed. You will be given supporting information for the programme. A more detailed list of dietary guidelines will be prepared following the consultation. This will be posted or emailed (as agreed) within 3 working days. If a supplement programme is proposed, this will follow the consultation in order to review any drug-nutrient contraindications.

It is important to understand that Nutritional therapists cannot diagnose a medical condition or claim to cure. That is the role of the GP or consultant. Nutritional therapy is able to help identify and nutritionally support imbalances in body systems and nutritional deficiencies which may contribute to symptoms. This is aided by functional testing. This can be particularly beneficial alongside mainstream medicine. I advise that you keep your doctor informed of any nutritional programme. I may also refer you to your GP if I suspect any symptoms should be investigated or are regarded as ‘red flags’. Your GP may also be advised of test results.

Every client has individual needs and require different levels of support. Nutritional Therapists aim to help you feel better and take control of your diet and health in as few consultations as possible. Some clients who have been helped by Nutritional Therapy decide to have periodic consultations to keep on track or they transition to health and lifestyle coaching packages.

Tests are a useful tool but will only be suggested if appropriate to your needs. Tests may be recommended to help identify the best strategy, but the reasons for doing the test, the cost and expected results will always be discussed with you and you only proceed with the test if you are happy.If tests are needed these will be carried out following a consultation and the results will be analysed and discussed with you in a subsequent consultation.A multitude of diagnostic tests are available for investigating your health status. For example: digestive health, food intolerances / allergies, hormonal levels, nutrient deficiencies and metabolic activity.

Tests are carried out at reputable laboratories and will incur additional charges.

I will advise you which tests may be helpful to you, what the tests involve and how much they will cost.

You may not wish to have any functional tests. Nutritional Therapy can still be very effective. Without the specific laboratory test analysis and support, it may take a little longer to find a programme that works for you. However some people are happy about progressing without ustilising tests.

Food and diet is always the most important aspect of Nutritional Therapy; however, supplements may sometimes be recommended, for example if you are low in specific nutrients. It should be noted that the cost of any recommended supplements is additional to the cost of the consultation and are usually purchased direct from a supplement supplier by you. I will make recommendations of reputable suppliers and in some cases I have commercial agreements in place where I earn a commission and share a discount code with you. You are under no obligation to use my recommended supplier however I do suggest you source the brand and dose recommended to have therapeutic value.

Most supplements can safely be taken with most medications. However, some nutrients found in foods but also found at much higher levels in supplements do interact with specific medications. To ensure that any supplements you are already taking or any supplements you are recommended to take, are safe, your medications will be thoroughly researched and any drug-nutrient interactions taken account of.

It’s unrealistic to expect you to make changes that don’t fit with your personal preferences or lifestyle or that are impractical for you (unless of course you wish to).You will be given information that hopefully will motivate you to change the way you eat for life and empower you to achieve your personal health goals.Changing habits and developing new tastes and likes can take time. I’m here to help you make the changes at a pace which is comfortable to you.

Sometimes we may discover that a certain food is causing you problems and it may be advisable to eliminate it from your diet in the short-term or more permanently. For some clients this may feel like a huge challenge. I’ll do my best to suggest alternative food options and ways of eating to help you adapt and get used to a different approach to eating.

I’m happy to answer any concerns or queries about any areas of the agreed health plan including supplementation and testing. All of my packages include an element of contact following the consultation, additionally you may email me with questions or in the case of an emergency or urgent query you may telephone me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

All information is kept in a confidential and secure in accordance with the UK data protection law. For further information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

We take confidentiality very seriously. Your consultation and the notes taken are kept in total confidence. They will not be revealed to anyone without your consent. I may need to inform your GP about test results or other relevant information.

I’m mostly based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, however I occasionally run clinics in other UK locations, please ask during your Free 15-minute Introductory Call for details.

I run a virtual clinic to help those who are unable to visit me in person, perhaps due to geographical location or travelling and time constraints. Consultations are arranged via Skype. If you’d prefer to consult in person and are unable to meet me then I’ll be happy to refer you to a more local BANT registered Nutritional Therapist.

I accept all major debit and credit cards. If you prefer you may pay by bank transfer (please ask for my banking details). Consultation packages must be purchased in advance of setting a consultation date(s).

48 hours’ notice must be given if you wish to cancel an appointment. Otherwise 50% of the fee is payable. The balance may be transferred to another consultation booking or you may request a refund by informing me by email at the time of cancellation. A refund will be made within 30 days of cancellation.If you do not attend the consultation and do not give 48 hours notice full payment is required and no refund is applicable.If you book a package and decide you do not want to start then you may cancel 7 days prior to qualify for a full refund. Please inform me of cancellation by email to info@thehealtheroine.com. A full refund will be made within 30 days of cancellation.

If you start a consultation package and decide not to continue with follow up consultation no refund is applicable.

Ideally I advise that package consultations are scheduled over a 4-8 week period to maximise benefits for you. However if this is not possible I ask that you use schedule all of your consultations within a six-month period i.e. package only available within six months of purchase date.

I am a member of the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and is registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). This means I hold professional insurance, have trained to meet government national occupation standards and continue to train through monitored professional development programmes.