Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional Therapy helps you achieve the best health outcomes possible through personalised nutrition advice, lifestyle modifications, functional testing, and supplementation.

Alissa Powell is a registered Nutritional Therapist [BA (hons), Dip CNM (hons)] who takes a Functional Medicine approach with her clients. With many years experience working with complex, chronic, and often undiagnosed medical conditions, Alissa established a reputation as a supportive and caring practitioner who enjoys building relationships and working together with the client to educate and empower them in achieving their goals. Alissa believes that optimal health comes from taking a holistic approach – looking at all aspects of a client’s life including their medical history, current issues, diet, lifestyle, sleep, stress management, exercise, and everything else which may be impacting a person’s well-being.

Alissa has experience working with a variety of complex health conditions. She has a particular interest in autoimmune, skin, and gut health conditions, where she has her own direct, personal experience, as well as in brain health, respiratory, and anxiety conditions. She enjoys keeping up with current research, digging deeply into science journals, and exploring opportunities to better help her clients.

What Is Nutritional Therapy?

Nutritional therapy uses nutrition science to promote health and well-being. To do this, nutritional therapists use a range of tools to evaluate the health of a patient, to advise on lifestyle and diet, to reduce the risk of disease, and to support those who suffer from chronic health conditions. Nutrition professionals are trained to recognise the uniqueness of each individual person, and to develop programmes personally tailored to the needs of the client.

Nutritional therapists follow the Functional Medicine Model, which evaluates how diet, lifestyle and genetics shape the makeup of an individual.  Nutritional therapy is not a substitute for medical advice, so if any ‘red flag’ symptoms indicative of serious health problems are identified, you will be referred to an appropriate medical professional.

Do I need a nutritional therapist?

• Nutritional therapists have the training and experience to sort through all the conflicting messages about healthy eating. They can design a programme fitted to your individual needs, giving you confidence that your diet and lifestyle are healthy for you.
• If you are training for an event, such as a marathon, a nutrition professional can help you achieve your goals.
• For people wanting to lose weight, a nutritional therapist can develop a programme for overcoming old habits and becoming healthier, step-by-step.
• Nutritional therapists can help people who suffer from diet-related illnesses such as diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome to manage their condition through improved diet and lifestyle.
• People recovering from a long-term illness often use a nutrition professional as part of the rehabilitation process, building up their health in manageable steps.
• With increasingly busy lifestyles, a nutritional therapist takes the hard work out of planning meals and finding time to exercise.
• Those who have specific food allergies or follow specific diets can seek advice on making sure the body gets all the nutrients it needs.

• Optimising Health and Reducing Risks -Not all health care needs to be reactive! Take a proactive approach to your health and ensure you’re looking after yourself in the best way possible. Do you have conditions in your family you believe put you at a higher genetic risk? I will look at your diet, exercise, sleep patterns, and more to ensure you’re on a path to healthy aging and reducing risks of chronic health issues.

Whether you’re dealing with a specific health problem, or just want to stay fit, healthy and confident, a nutritional therapist can develop a personalised programme to fit your needs.

What will happen during the sessions?

Before the first session, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your diet, lifestyle, and any health problems you may have.

During the initial consultation we will discuss your issues in detail. I will likely make a few simple recommendations that can be carried out straight away, and, if needed, suggest supplements. I’ll also develop a personalised protocol, to be carried out and monitored long term. The plan will likely include dietary advice, lifestyle advice (including exercise, sleep, and stress management), supplements, and, in some cases, suggestions for alternative therapies. Any recommended testing will be discussed with you during your consultation.

In follow-up sessions we’ll discuss your progress, along with any issues that may have arisen in implementing your plan. We will amend the plan as necessary, and I’ll provide further advice and support. These sessions may take place face-to-face, or via phone, telehealth or zoom.

Typically, initial consultations last 90 minutes, and follow-ups range from 30-60 minutes. Short ‘touching base’ phone calls can also be arranged if needed. I am also available to answer quick questions via messenger. It’s important to me that you feel supported throughout your journey.

Please book a free 20 minute discovery call if you are still uncertain if Nutritional Therapy is your best option, or if you have questions about how the sessions work.

BANT Registered

The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy is the professional body for Nutritional Therapists.

All BANT practitioners must have met the required standards of training, be fully insured and adhere to the BANT Code of Ethics and Practice.

(Refs: https://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/content/industryfaqs.html | https://bant.org.uk/about-nutritional-therapy/nutrition-titles/)