I am a Registered Nutritional Therapist with over 20 years’ experience of clinical practice, graduating from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London in 1999 and completed the Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice course in 2015. I am also Registered with BANT and CNHC.
Hi, I’m Rowena!
What led you to become a Nutritional Therapist?
My interest in food has been life-long and before qualifying as a Nutritional Therapist I ran my own catering business. Using nutrition as a therapy was a relatively new concept 25 years ago, when I was looking for some answers to my own health problems. Four years studying nutrition with ION changed everything for me and it has been a privilege to use my knowledge and experience to help others. It has even inspired my daughter, an ex-international athlete, to practice as a Nutritional Therapist herself.
While clinical practice is my first love, I have also enjoyed running CPD courses for fellow health therapists and dental practitioners and the Nutritional Wellbeing weekends for Neal’s Yard Remedies and was responsible for formulating many of their own-brand supplements. I was also responsible for the development of recipes in four successful books published by The Food Doctor and contributed the research element of both ‘Super Eating' by The Food Doctor and ‘Food Heroes’ by Radiant on Raw.
As well as working with regular clients in my own practice, I have lectured and supervised student clinics for both Premier Global and BCNH College of Nutrition and Health. I currently supervise final year student clinics at The College of Naturopathic Medicine in Bristol.
I enjoy writing articles on nutrition for local publications and am regularly asked to comment on nutrition questions by BBC Wiltshire.
“The first wealth is health”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I find working one to one with clients is the most rewarding aspect of my work and while I never cease to wonder at the healing power of personalised nutrition, I firmly believe that we should all approach our health holistically. This may mean looking at adjuvant therapies, which is why working in a multidisciplinary clinic is so helpful. I hold combined clinics with Suzie Reyes Nichol, a highly respected homoeopath (find out more here) and have access to the wisdom and knowledge of other therapists, all of which enables me to offer truly holistic health advice.
What is your approach to Nutritional therapy?
What are your views on a plant-based diet?
While I am happy to work with the specific dietary choices of each and every one of my clients, in my 23 years of practice I have found most people thrive better and heal quicker on an omnivore diet. I believe that ethical, organic, regenerative pastoral farming honours the life and spirit of the animals and our ecology. In an ideal world I believe we should all eat meat "nose-to-tail", alongside local, organic, seasonal fruit and vegetables. In the real world we can only do our best, being respectful of the soil, the animal, our human nutritional needs and the health of our planet.
What do the letters after your name mean?
Consultations with Rowena
The Nutritional Therapy Diploma from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition is a four-year, internationally renowned course, with a philosophical approach founded on functional medicine. The training at ION develops a thorough understanding of the relationship between nutrition and health and the biochemical imbalances that are involved. It includes modules in nutrition, vitamin and supplement management, metabolism, food/health interactions, physiology, disordered physiology, laboratory testing and interpretation, and evidence-based protocols. The focus is on nutritional and biochemical imbalances in the body that lead to ill-health.
A BANT (British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapists) registered practitioner, is obliged to have attained the highest standards of integrity, knowledge, competence and professional practice. BANT is the UK's most highly recognised body for registered nutritional therapists and should be a minimum requirement for anybody seeking a nutritional professional to work with.
CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) is a government supported register of UK health practitioners and is approved as an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, a body accountable to Parliament. A registered practitioner is required to meet the highest standards of personal behaviour, technical competence and business practice. This accreditation strives to provide assurances to people seeking advice from health professionals.
An AFMCP-UK (Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice) practitioner is required to undergo a five-day intensive course with the Institute of Functional Medicine, based in Cleveland, USA. This course teaches the clinical application of functional medicine, including Hormonal Imbalance, Metabolic Syndrome, Immune Dysfunction, Food Allergies, Adrenal and Thyroid Problems and GIT Dysfunction.
