Risks of being overweight or obese or underweight

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns in the world today and is determined by a person carrying too much body fat for their height and sex. Being obese increases the risks of developing certain serious diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, as well as having a significant impact on psychological wellbeing.

Being underweight also poses serious health risks, sometimes leading to irregular periods, fertility issues, osteoporosis, anaemia, depleted energy levels and an inability to keep warm. Much like being overweight and obese being underweight can also affect psychological wellbeing, with those who are underweight often feeling unhappy with their body image. If you are below a healthy weight range then increasing the amount of nutrients will help to lower the risk of these problems.

How can HealthSmart Nutrition help you?

Bodyweight is determined by the amount of energy obtained from food in relation to the amount of energy your body uses.

When devising a plan, I will take in to account the following factors when creating options that are obtainable and maintainable.

• Do you need to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain your current weight?
• Dietary requirements – allergies, vegetarian, or vegan?
• Level of exercise – the number of calories being burnt off affects the number of calories that needs to be consumed.
• Metabolism
• Frame/build
• Lifestyle

As a qualified nutritionist I will tailor a healthy eating plan to your specific requirements and circumstances to ensure that you achieve a healthier body.

According to the NHS, nearly two people out of every 100 in the UK have a food allergy and around one in five adults report having a food intolerance.

There are now many different names used to describe the body’s adverse reaction to certain types of food, including food intolerance, food allergy and hypersensitivity. These names can often lead to confusion and misunderstanding of what a food allergy or food intolerance is.

Allergy or intolerance?

A food allergy is a reaction caused by the immune system. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may affect the gut, the skin, breathing ability or the body’s circulation system.

Food intolerance is more common, though can be difficult to diagnose. Food intolerances are not caused by an immune system reaction. Instead, they are caused by a number of factors, resulting in unpleasant symptoms which may last for several hours or even days.

As a qualified nutritionist I can help you understand the foods that are causing your symptoms and assist you in the successful implementation of an exclusion and reintroduction diet. I will advise you on how to avoid the confirmed/suspected allergen, to prevent symptoms while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet that meets your nutritional requirements.

Part of my work as a nutiritionist includes improving skin conditions. The skin naturally reflects any imbalances or internal inflammation. If you are in good health the skin will most likely appear glowing, youthful and clear. When we are unwell however, our skin can become congested, dry and irritated.

Your well-being and diet can affect your skin hugely. While there are plenty of topical skincare products available to help improve appearance, it is important to care for your skin on the inside too. For example, eating a diet that lacks the necessary nutrients or not keeping hydrated can increase the risk of skin conditions. Allergies or food intolerances can also affect your skin’s health as does an imbalance of hormones. Over growth of yeast or fungus can also be detrimental to your skin’s health.

As a qualified nutritionist all these causes can be assessed and addressed during your consultation and a healing protocol can be devised.

Individuals can suffer from headaches or migraines for several years without them being alleviated. Painkillers and/or Triptans may be prescribed but they do come with a long list of side affects. What can be done holistically through approaching the pain both through nutrition and lifestyle alterations can dramatically affect the individual symptoms.  Identifying dietary triggers or other triggers, using a diary to monitor symptoms and any potential triggers may help. The most widely known are triggers such as alcohol, chocolate and red wine.  However, other foods containing amines and salicylates may also trigger migraines.

I have successfully treated several individuals within this area with great success. As a qualified nutritionist all these causes can be assessed and addressed during your consultation and a healing protocol can be devised to ease headaches and migraines.

Lethargy, weakness, lack of interest, inactivity, stress etc. are all symptoms of low energy. Low energy can be linked to hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, digestive imbalances as well as lack of sleep, stress and depression. The knock on affect from lack of sleep can be devastating to your health as well as to your day to day existence so it is imperative to consider the diet and lifestyle triggers that may be affecting your sleep.

As a qualified nutritionist all these issues can be assessed and addressed during your consultation and a healing protocol can be devised to help improve your wellness and lifestyle.

Nutrition and exercise play a major role in keeping your bones and muscles healthy. Because the bones and skeletal muscles work together, the nutrients you consume and activities you participate in often affect both systems simultaneously. For most people, consuming a healthy diet with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals is enough to ensure bone and muscle health, although athletes, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions may need to adjust their nutrient intake or exercise plan.

As a qualified nutritionist all these issues can be assessed and addressed during your consultation and a support protocol can be devised. Nutritionist appointments are available across Tunbridge Wells, Kent and parts of East Sussex or online via Zoom.

Your hormones have far-reaching effects in your body, and hormone deficiencies can therefore wreak havoc on your health. Female menopause is but one scenario caused by an imbalance of hormones. Hormones make up your stress response mechanisms as well as tell us that we are satiated or hungry. Understanding and balancing your food choices should be your first step to hormonal balancing as food and nutrition have a significant influence on your hormone levels. I also treat thyroid conditions, and offer nutritional advice for thyroid dysgunction.

As a qualified nutritionist hormonal imbalance can be identified and assessed during your consultation and a support protocol can be devised. Nutritionist advice is available across Tunbridge Wells, Kent and East Sussex.

Supporting your immune system is fundamental to help fight off illness and infections so it is important to stay healthy and strong throughout the year. A healthy balanced diet, healthy levels of gut bacteria and optimum levels of Vitamins and Minerals are paramount to supporting our immune system. I also offer help and advice with autoimmune diseases.

As a qualified nutritionist I can assess and understand what pressures your immune system is under during your consultation and devise a support protocol that can be implemented. Nutritionist advice is available across Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and parts of East Sussex.