Hello, my name is Natalie. I am a naturopathic nutritionist.
Ten years ago, if I had told anyone I would train as a nutritionist, they would have laughed at me. I only ate beige food (such as chicken nuggets), and my meals mainly consisted of bread. It wasn't only that I couldn't stand the taste of vegetables or fruit; it was also the texture. I would pop a piece of carrot in my mouth and gag!
I was embarrassed and would go to great lengths to avoid dinner invites. Before deciding which restaurant to visit, I would scan the menu, dictating where we should go. Looking back, I can see how controlling I was and how every meal had the potential for anxiety.
In 2015, I decided to go vegan (I'm now an omnivore), which might sound simple; however, there was not the plethora of fake meats available on the market as there is now. I needed to teach myself to like fruits and veggies, and fast.
It all started with roasted peppers and a blender to make pasta sauce, and smooth vegetable soups became my best friend. To begin with, everything was overcooked, virtually mush. I started small, but step by step, I introduced new flavours and textures to my palate.
Now, food is my great joy. Bring on the colours, tastes, and textures. I get excited about being cooked for and drool over menus. My relationship with food is one of abundance.
If I can do this, I have absolute faith that anyone can.
What I do
Modern medicine compartmentalises the body, but in truth, you are a complex system where seemingly separate parts intertwine. Constipation in your earlier years could be the first sign of a neurodegenerative condition, irregular menstruation can be driven by insulin resistance, and infertility may be linked to an underactive thyroid.
At the College of Naturopathic Medicine, where I trained, we were taught to understand the body as a whole. As a result, I have the knowledge to support a variety of complex health conditions. This will be done through a combination of nutrition and lifestyle modifications. Whilst supporting my own health issues, I experienced the burden of excessive supplementation and understand how important it is to have a ‘food-focused’ approach.
Many nutritionists develop interests due to their or their family’s health struggles. Similarly, I have developed a passion for dementia and cancer support; conditions associated with ageing years. Western medicine has brought more years to our lives, but we are often spending decades of these lives sick and overmedicated. I want to help people find freedom from chronic disease and bring more health to their years.