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The Women’s Health Dietitian

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Monika Bettney MNutr, BSc(Hons)

Monika Bettney MNutr, BSc(Hons)

Featured on radio, TV & podcasts

Featured on radio, TV & podcasts

My mission is simple: empowering women to take charge of their well-being and build a positive connection with food. Whether you're looking to improve your overall health or address specific concerns, I'm here to support you every step of the way.

I believe in the power of healthy habits and nurturing a healthy relationship with food. By blending the latest nutritional science with the principles of behaviour change psychology, I help women adopt sustainable habits that actually stick. Together, we can work towards achieving your health goals, such as losing excess weight in a healthy and lasting manner, boosting fertility, or managing the symptoms and risks associated with PCOS or disordered eating.

With over ten years of experience under my belt, I've had the privilege of providing nutrition advice in both the NHS and the Private Sector. So you can trust that you're in capable hands. Let's embark on this journey together and create a happier, healthier you!

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Areas of Expertise

Education Hub

Navigating Calorie Counting: Key Considerations to Determine if It's Your Ideal Approach

Embracing the practice of calorie counting can seem like the perfect solution for weight management, especially when there are specific health concerns involved, such as PCOS, insulin resistance, or fertility issues. However, it's crucial to approach it with caution. Calorie counting can become addictive, leading to anxiety and obsession around food. To break free from the calorie counting cycle, focus on meeting your nutritional needs, opting for whole foods, and gradually reducing reliance on calorie counting. By challenging the habit and embracing mindful eating, you can regain control over your relationship with food.

Food Cravings Decoded: Understanding the Complexities and Taking Control

Cravings are common, but if they happen often and you feel out of control, they may indicate something deeper. PCOS and high BMI increase the likelihood of food cravings and emotional eating. The debate on food addiction continues, but intense cravings for highly palatable foods resemble addictive patterns. Overcoming compulsive behaviors requires understanding your triggers. Recognize the five categories of cravings: physical, emotional, social, exposure, and habitual, to regain control of your relationship with food.

Unlocking the Secrets of Appetite Control: Exploring the Intricate Brain Pathways Behind Weight Regulation

The brain plays a significant role in obesity and energy balance, with three key areas responsible for regulating weight: the hypothalamus, which acts as the "Energy Accountant" by controlling our eating behaviours and responding to signals from various organs; the mesolimbic area, known as the "Hedonist," which governs the pleasurable aspects of eating and can lead to cravings and overeating when signals are dysregulated; and the cognitive lobe, or the "Wise Decision-Maker," which oversees executive functions and helps override primal behaviours driven by the mesolimbic area. Understanding these complex neural circuits and their interactions is crucial for managing weight and making healthier eating choices.

Breaking Down Emotional Overeating vs. Binge Eating: Understanding the Risks and Differences Emotional eating is when we turn to food as a way to feel better during difficult times. Relying too much on emotional eating can turn into a sneaky addiction, wreaking havoc on our self-esteem, health, and emotions. Binge eating is when we eat a lot of food in a short period, often feeling ashamed afterward. Getting help early is vital because emotional eating and binge eating can lead to various health problems. And remember, it’s important to address these issues before focusing on sustainable weight loss goals.
Finding Balance in Healthy Eating: The Dangers of Obsessive 'Clean Eating’

Some women feel bad if they don't eat what they think is "pure", "clean", or "healthy" food. This can lead to a problem called Orthorexia, where someone becomes obsessed with eating perfectly. Eating too "clean" can also cause health problems like not getting enough nutrients, hormone imbalances, feeling anxious, having trouble digesting food, and feeling left out of social situations. Eating healthily means finding a balance and sticking to basic nutrition guidelines while also being flexible.

What is PCOS and How Can You Manage its Symptoms and Risks? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can go unnoticed, but its main features include irregular periods, hyperandrogenism, and enlarged ovaries. It can lead to other symptoms, health issues related to heart and metabolism, but making small and sustainable changes to nutrition and lifestyle can help manage the symptoms and long-term risks.

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