Jeraldine Curran is a Nutritional Consultant and runs her business The Food Nutritionist, helping individuals and families to assess and address nutritional imbalances to improve their health and wellbeing. Jeraldine talks to Willowberry about the intrinsic link between food and wellbeing, the notion of ‘healthy ageing’ and how food impacts the skin.
What is your approach to food and healthy living?
I’m passionate about helping people to improve their health and wellbeing through food and lifestyle choices. The tools of my trade are diet plans, lifestyle guidance and, where required, therapeutic use of supplements. My approach is to keep it real – so ‘real food’ all the way and healthy living. Do what you enjoy and live life to the full.
Tell us more about your ‘healthy ageing’ attitude.
Healthy ageing is really about taking time out for you. Ageing is a normal process in life but we do have a choice in the way we deal with that process, by giving our bodies the tools that they need; this includes looking at lifestyle and the food we eat. It may sound simple but taking small steps every day to relax, to really appreciate every moment and to nourish our bodies with the right kind of food can make an incredible difference.
What kind of health issues do you most often witness when clients first come to you?
Main health issues tend to be fatigue and tiredness, although digestive issues are also common. Some clients are seeking to optimise current good health, whilst others seek support to manage and alleviate a diagnosed medical condition. Many are looking to lose weight, increase energy levels or want help with problems like poor sleep or difficult digestion. Wherever they are on the spectrum of health, I discuss and assess their current health goals and challenges.
How does food contribute to wellbeing?
The food we nourish our bodies with is the most important thing. It goes into making every cell within our bodies, it allows us to think, feel and move. The food we consume is like a lock and key system: if you eat food that your body understands then you’ll unlock all of the good things that are inside. Youll have abundant health, increased energy and feel amazing.
Our food needs to be in its most natural state, so if it grows or grazes on the land and takes its energy from a natural food source along with the sun, wind and rain then that’s what I mean by real food. If you want to feel and see how food contributes to wellbeing then just eat ‘real food’.
What kind of impact does food have on the skin?
Food is one of the most important things that can affect the skin. There is growing research to show that what you eat can really affect your complexion. This is because what you eat affects the delicate balance of your hormones. When hormones are out of balance this can create inflammation, causing the skin to break out in spots and acne.
Eating the right food helps to balance our hormones, reduce inflammation and the result is a beautiful, glowing complexion. So, if you want to have beautiful, glowing skin then eat your skin to health by consuming healthy fats, nuts and seeds, eggs, turmeric, broccoli, green leafy vegetables - the list is endless - and avoid sugar, processed food, white bread, fizzy drinks and low fat foods. Another important factor when it comes to clear skin is to drink plenty of water.
For people who struggle with healthy living, what simple changes would you advise to follow a healthier path?
Reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your diet, e.g. processed food. Most people eat way too many carbohydrates, which turn to sugar and affect the skin. Instead, fill up on healthy fats like avocados, coconut oil and olive oil. Include omega 3 fatty acids in your diet by eating oily fish at least once a week; opt for cold water fish such as mackerel, salmon and halibut.
Carbohydrates should be consumed mainly in the form of vegetables and fruit - I recommend 8 pieces of vegetables and a maximum of 2 or 3 pieces of fruit each day. Protein should be eaten at every meal - good sources are free range or organic eggs, hummus or goat’s cheese. Drink water every day, avoid fizzy drinks and anything low fat or artificially sweetened. Lifestyle is also important so get outside into nature and walk - try and incorporate exercise or walking into your everyday life.
Visit Jeraldine's website at www.thefoodnutritionist.co.uk. You can find The Food Nutritionist on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Willowberry natural skincare is dedicated to your skin’s wellbeing to help it feel content, comfortable, happy and balanced. Just how we all want to feel in ourselves, too! The Willowberry Wellbeing blog aims to inspire you to live a healthy, balanced and happy life for enhanced wellbeing.