natural health
NUTRITIONAL ADVICE
Sue Stokes - Clinical Nutritionist
What is Nutrition?
Nutrition is a basic human need and a prerequisite for life. Simply put, the better the nutrition, the healthier the life.
Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life. It provides organisms with nutrients, which can be metabolised to create energy, chemical and biological structures.
What does a Nutritionalist do?
Nutritional advice is about understanding and interpreting how food and drink affects your individual body, with special regard to the essential nutrients necessary to reduce the physical conditions, illnesses, allergies and intolerances that make you you.
A nutritionist is an expert in the relationship between food and health and work with clients to apply principles of nutrition for disease prevention and to promote healthy lifestyles.
The services provided can be boiled down to review, education, guidance and support around, eating a variety of wholesome foods that support your health
What sort of things can an improvement in nutrition help or change?
What should I expect at my appointment?
As well as being a front line health care worker, I am a clinical nutritionist, and able to assist with many changes to your overall wellness and wellbeing.
Just like when you visit the doctor, we will sit and discuss you - your current lifestyle, your concerns, your goals, as well as any medical issues and medications that we need to consider.
Ideally, you will have completed a two week Food Diary (link), the information on which will provide a solid foundation for us to work with - a starting point whereby we can introduce achievable and sustainable change to build better health for you. I see your health as a partnership!
It is recommended that we allow 90 minutes for the initial consultation. This time also allows me the opportunity to thoroughly discuss and review the situation as a whole, rather than working on various elements independently - after all, the body is one magnificent machine working together to provide greatest health and wellness.A complimentary follow up appointment is required two weeks later to allow us to access progress and make any changed required.
Please bring copies of any tests performed within the last year, for example, blood pressure reading, a diabetes prick test or a urine sample - and any medications or supplements you may be taking.
What do I mean by sustainable change? Any change that is to be maintained needs to be achievable, sustainable and measurable. In short, if it is not, then any changes I recommend could fail. Furthermore, we will have a positive focus on your change - we will focus on what you CAN do/have as opposed to things you need to avoid. We will work together to come up with a plan that works for you. It is important to note that this level of sustainability will be different for every person and this is something we will discuss and mutually agree on, at every appointment. Health changes with time and as we improve one area of wellness other issues may occur. This is normal and why it is important to continue to adapt the health care plan to suit.
What if you find your struggling with the changes, or have questions between appointments? If you find that we have agreed on more than you are able to handle, then I am happy to provide you with support. Talking things through, finding alternatives and coming up with new ideas can all help you on your wellness journey. I generally keep an appointment spare, each day, in case someone needs such help.
What do I mean by sustainable change? Any change that is to be maintained needs to be achievable, sustainable and measurable. In short, if it is not, then any changes I recommend could fail. Furthermore, we will have a positive focus on your change - we will focus on what you CAN do/have as opposed to things you need to avoid. We will work together to come up with a plan that works for you. It is important to note that this level of sustainability will be different for every person and this is something we will discuss and mutually agree on, at every appointment. Health changes with time and as we improve one area of wellness other issues may occur. This is normal and why it is important to continue to adapt the health care plan to suit.
What if you find your struggling with the changes, or have questions between appointments? If you find that we have agreed on more than you are able to handle, then I am happy to provide you with support. Talking things through, finding alternatives and coming up with new ideas can all help you on your wellness journey. I generally keep an appointment spare, each day, in case someone needs such help.