By Who? Chloe Manlay
What? Nutritional therapist with a BSc (Hons)
Where? Currently in NYC, becoming yogi certified!
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet with nutritionist and friend Chloe Manlay to go over my normal routine both inside the kitchen and throughout my day to day life.
Having never met with a nutritionist before, I had little idea of what to expect and whilst Chloe is a friend, I was still a little apprehensive about what she might have to say about my eating patterns and lifestyle choices. Luckily, her calm and warm demeanour put me at ease from the start, allowing me to be completely honest about my habits.
With nutritional therapy, the whole individual is considered, so everything you do from morning until evening, as well as your sleeping habits, are taken into consideration.
And while I consider myself a pretty healthy individual, I knew Chloe would have something to say right away about my caffeine intake. As a true coffee enthusiast, I typically drink two cups in the morning, and a flat white, or two, during the day. Needless to say, it is a habit I knew I would have to face.
After going through my daily routine, Chloe broke down what makes or breaks all people when it comes to their health goals:
Glucose
aka a type of sugar and energy source that all of the cells and organs in our body need for survival, glucose is found in the food we eat and is most known for being in carbohydrates such as fruit, breads, pasta and cereal.
If we eat too little, or eat too much of the wrong foods, our glucose levels begin to spike and drop, causing cravings, irritability, bloating, etc.
But in eating a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner which combines protein, complex carbohydrates and fats, we can maintain a steady supply of glucose in our blood.
While my typical diet involves protein, fats and a small amount of carbs, I explained to Chloe that I would sometimes find myself having sugar cravings as well as an afternoon slump which always prompts my need for a coffee.
After an hour and a half long chat, where Chloe took into consideration my health goals, broke down the cycle of eating, and its effects on the body and hormones, I already felt more empowered to make better food choices.
What was also great about Chloe, is that there is no definitive way of doing things. If you want that packet of crisps, eat it. And if you do, enjoy every morsel and feel no shame. The important thing is to find b a l a n c e and make educated choices.
A few days later Chloe sent me her Kickstarter plan which incorporated the main points that we discussed in our face to face along with a tasty few recipes. She also sent me a personalised plan that would help me put what we discussed into action.
My plan was written in lamen terms that laid everything out clearly.
Below are my main take aways.
1. Breakfast
As we know, starting the day with breakfast is vital to how your day will pan out in every way. I typically start my day with gluten free oats and a sliced up banana. However, I didn’t realise the oats I were eating were not complex enough. I was drawn by the packages big bold lettering saying “gluten free” which made me skim over that dreaded word ‘instant.’ A simple sugar, these oats were not enough to begin my day off on the right foot. When time is of the essence and you opt for a oat based breakfast, choose jumbo oats. Throw in a banana and a good serving of nuts on top as well. Albeit, Chloe did explain that I should be adding healthy fats and veg to every meal which will help keep my glucose levels stable.
My new breakfast action plan: Have a proper breakfast of eggs with avocado and kale 4 times per a week. When in a rush, opt for jumbo oats with banana, nuts and frozen berries.
2. Snacks
I am a snacker, and I absolutely love Sweet and Salty Propercorn and Metcalf’s mini chocolate rice cakes. Unfortunately, both are refined carbohydrates, and while they are ‘low calorie’ they will leave you wanting more. Once, again, I played into the marketing spiel of low calorie. While these two snacks are a lot better for you than maybe a pack of Hobnobs or Walkers chips, I still would find myself feeling hungry again well before it was time for my next meal.
My new snack action plan: A protein and complex carbohydrate based snack during post-workout and before bed such as banana and nut butter on oat cakes.
3. Caffeine:
The most beloved of my many vices. Its pretty simple, I drink too much.
My new coffee action plan: Drink 2 cups in the morning and replace with water and tea throughout the day.
Hormone and skin health:
While food and diet was my main concern when meeting with Chloe, we did speak about my hormones and skin issues. Having dealt with acne since I was a teen and having tried everything else, I made the decision in January to begin taking roaccutance.
Essentially being a very high dose of Vitamin A, roaccutane is commonly linked with poor gut function and can affect the immune system as well. While I am not an advocate for taking prescription drugs, at 26 years old I felt it was time to try something drastic. To keep my system in check while on the roaccutane, Chloe recommended that I continue with a medium dose probiotic.
Chloe’s continued supplement suggestions:
- Vitamin D – get your vitamin D tested through http://www.vitamindtest.org.uk. With a reading you can ensure appropriate supplementation.
- ‘Viridian Multivitamin and Mineral Formula’ – continue or consider switching to ‘Food-State Balance Multi Nutrient’ by Wild Nutrition – 2 caps per day with food.
- ‘Primal Defense Ultra’ – Chloe suggested switching to a more reputable probiotic such as ‘BioAcidophilus’, by Biocare, £22.30 for 60 caps – 1 month supply. This is a medium strength probiotic to support growth of beneficial intestinal microflora and has been proven to be clinically effective. To be taken with food.
Even if you are a healthy and fit individual, I think meeting with a nutritionist can only bring about good. Chloe’s tips and suggestions were an eye opener and her knowledge of nutrition and health is vastly more expansive than mine.
Finding a nutritionist who can elevate your day to day decisions by giving you the tools you need to succeed is definitely something I would suggest to anyone.
The Vic Edit 