I was diagnosed as Type One Diabetic when I was 12 years old and ever since I often found the advice from various health professionals to be confusing or contradictory – for example being advised to eat lots of carbohydrates throughout the day but then having to inject more insulin to counteract its effect.
I frequently felt unwell – high sugar levels resulted in flu like aches and pains. I found it difficult to concentrate on tasks and I became irritable. I would return home from school and fall asleep for a couple of hours before I felt able to function again. Sugar levels would drop, I’d eat sugary foods to bring them back up but then they would climb too high and I’d need more insulin to compensate. It was so difficult to control my symptoms and they prevented me from performing well first at school and then in work. I did not live up to my potential and this needed to change.
Right from my initial diagnosis I was fascinated by the role played by the Dietitian and saw the benefits that a good diet could have in controlling my symptoms. I enrolled at Reaseheath College to take a 4 year BSc Honours degree in Food, Nutrition and Health. It was a struggle with my health issues but I succeeded and got a job as an Assistant Dietitian at the Countess of Chester Hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed working there and my colleagues encouraged me to take my training further. I took two extra degrees – a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Clinical Nutrition as well as a Teaching Degree in Food Technology.
Nutrition is a huge topic and I am still learning new things all the time. I am passionate about helping others to navigate a pathway to a healthier lifestyle through diet. Good nutrition can alleviate the symptoms of so many illnesses. Our modern world is full of tempting, processed foods and I understand they are hard to resist but I can teach you how to focus on making healthier choices. Ask yourself, “Am I ready to make a change for the better? Do I want to feel well and live a healthier, happier life?” If the answer is “Yes” then I am here to help you.