The Women's Health Dietitian

The Women’s Health Dietitian

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Monika Bettney MNutr, BSc(Hons)

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

Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Fertility

Gut health & Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Healthy Eating & Relationship with Food

Education Hub

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

Breaking Down Emotional Overeating vs. Binge Eating: Understanding the Risks and Differences

Finding Balance in Healthy Eating: The Dangers of Obsessive 'Clean Eating’

What is PCOS and How Can You Manage its Symptoms and Risks?

Beyond the Scale: Why Focusing on Weight Alone is Sabotaging Your Health Journey

A conversation with Stefan Gates from Food Matters Live

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.

Beyond the Scale: Why Focusing on Weight Alone is Sabotaging Your Health Journey Shifting the focus from weight to positive behavior changes is vital for long-term health. Relying solely on weight as a measure of success can lead to disappointment and overlook other important factors like physical activity and balanced diet. By adopting sustainable habits and celebrating daily choices, individuals can achieve significant improvements in health and maintain motivation. Learn to embrace the bigger picture of overall well-being instead of fixating on weight alone.

A conversation with Stefan Gates from Food Matters Live In a recent Food Matters Live podcast, Stefan Gates and I spoke about IBS and Gut Health. We discussed causes, symptoms, treatments, and the crucial role of dietary and lifestyle changes. Additionally, we addressed the link between disordered eating and IBS, examining its impact on symptoms and treatment. The Food Matters Live podcast is acclaimed for exploring food, health, nutrition and sustainability.

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