Top Nutrition FAQs Answered by a Winchester Nutritionist (Part 1: Fatigue, Bloating & Hormones)
If I had £1 for every client who’s asked me, “I’m eating well… so why do I still feel awful?” I’d be retired on a beach in the Maldives. Instead, I’m writing blog posts on a very rainy dark afternoon, armed with a herbal tea in hand (peppermint, if you are interested!). I thought it might be helpful to answer some of the most common questions I get every week in clinic.
1. “Why am I so tired all the time even though my blood tests are ‘normal’?”
This is easily the number one complaint I hear. “Normal” bloods don’t always mean you’re functioning optimally.
Fatigue can be linked to:
- Low iron stores (even if “in range”)
- Under-fuelling, especially in active women
- Low B12 or vitamin D
- Thyroid issues that basic tests can miss
- High cortisol or HbA1c
- Poor gut absorption
Feeling exhausted isn’t something you need to put up with. It’s usually a sign your body needs support.
2. “Why do I still get bloated even though I eat really healthily?”
Because bloating isn’t always a “food issue.” Sometimes it’s a timing, lifestyle, or gut motility issue. Typical culprits I see:
- Eating too quickly
- Suddenly increasing fibre
- Irregular meal patterns
- Food sensitivities
- Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria)
3. “Can a nutritionist help with missing periods or amenorrhoea?”
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the biggest areas of my work. Common drivers include:
- Under-eating (even unintentionally)
- Over-training or poor recovery
- High stress
- Low body fat
- Coming off the pill
- Gut issues affecting nutrient absorption
4. “Do I need supplements?”
Sometimes. However, if you take the wrong supplements, they can absolutely do more harm than good. Useful supplements when needed might include:
- Iron
- Omega-3s
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
- B12, especially if plant-based
Don’t waste your money on supplements you don’t need. Work with a registered healthcare professional to take the guesswork out of it!
How to Work With Me (Online or near Winchester)
If these symptoms sound familiar and you’re tired of feeling tired, I work with clients in-person just outside of Winchester and online across Hampshire and the UK.
Together we build an extremely thorough, realistic and personalised plan to get you feeling like yourself again. If you’d like support, you can book a free 20-minute discovery call.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. If you have found this helpful, please go ahead and read Part 2, where we cover diets, healthy eating, weight, and what a “balanced” plate actually means.
