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
Education Hub
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.
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.
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.
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.

A Revolution in Client Consultations
I began offering digi-clinics back in 2016 alongside in-person appointments at a private hospital in Canary Wharf, London. The demand for digi-clinics grew for many reasons, including equality in accessibility, timing flexibility and being in the comfort of your own environment. I offer appointments using a selection of the most popular video-calling platforms including:
Programmes Tailored To You
Whether you are looking for a comprehensive programme or just a few sessions to get started, I am here to help you reach your goals. My programmes are designed for each individual client. Depending on a client’s needs, a programme may include a nutrition- only or a combined approach, for example some nutrition sessions alongside hypnotherapy, or psychology appointments. The duration of the programmes is usually between 8 and 24 weeks.
Consultation Structure
Initial
Whether you choose to book your appointments one by one or go for a package option, it all starts with a 1 - 1.5 hour comprehensive assessment to discuss your condition and how it is impacting on your life and determine your current nutrition status, dietary habits, challenges, and your personal health goals. From there, together we will create a road-map of your care, both personalised and practical to help you manage your symptoms, optimise your health and build healthy habits.
Follow Up
These appointments usually last up to 60 minutes and are there to review your progress with the goals that were set in the initial appointment and decide on the next course of action. They are also an opportunity to discuss any questions, challenges or concerns. You may have as few or as many follow up appointments as you feel necessary.