We are honored to present an enlightening interview with Evelyn Kelly, BSc Nutritionist, a dedicated professional whose personal experiences have deeply shaped her approach to nutrition and health. Inspired by her sibling’s health challenges and the profound impact of nutrition on long-term health and disease management, Evelyn embarked on a journey to explore the transformative power of food and nutrition.
In this insightful conversation, Evelyn shares her journey from being personally affected by autoimmune issues within her family to becoming a passionate advocate for the role of nutrition in enhancing health and sports performance. After becoming a personal trainer and completing her degree in nutrition, she has dedicated herself to helping others understand the importance of making informed food choices and developing a positive relationship with food and health.
Join us as we delve into Evelyn Kelly’s inspiring story, her educational journey, and her commitment to empowering people to achieve better health through nutrition.
1. Could you share a bit about your journey into naturopathy/nutrition? What inspired you to pursue this field?
I was inspired to pursued a career in nutrition due to having an ill sibling which made me very aware of the importance of nutrition on long term health and disease. Watching my sibling struggle with different autoimmune implications had a direct impact on how I looked after and managed my own health and I became very keen to learn more about how nutrition can benefit us in so many different ways. As time moved on I also became more interested in the connection between nutrition and sports performance and decided to become a personal trainer. I then went on to complete my degree in nutrition and love to see people get the best out of their food choices and build a positive relationship with food and health.
2. How do you approach treatment plans for your patients? What role do you believe natural supplements play in these plans?
I will first go through a client’s lifestyle and aim to undercover any underlying or current themes or challenges they may have with their nutrition. Sometimes a person may not need any additional supplements and the action plan might be based around more habit forming and lifestyle changes. However, in other cases supplements can play a key role in helping a person get closer to their goals and optimize their health in a shorter time period.
3. In your view, how important is a holistic approach to health and wellness, and how do you integrate this into your practice?
In my view having a holistic approach to health and wellness is essential as a person may not be able to fully make a positive change if one aspect of their health or lifestyle is off balance. It’s importance to have a good relationship with all aspects of health and wellbeing to truly feel in optimal health.
4. What are some common health issues you encounter in your practice? How do you address these with natural therapies?
A lot of the time I come across clients that have a negative relationship with food which is accompanied by feelings of guilt and anxiety around food choices. I aim to work on breaking these barriers down and teaching the individual about making good choices but also about having a flexible approach and allowing themselves to let go of the fear and anxiety which can often be experienced.
5. How do you perceive the connection between gut health and overall wellness? Could you share your insights on this?
The gut can be really impacted by thoughts and feelings and so I find by working on easing anxiety around food choices this can help improve the mind and gut connection. Gut bacteria can also be a barrier for a lot of individuals when it comes to digestion and being able to enjoy foods, so sometimes correcting the gut and microbiome can make a drastic change to a person’s overall health and quality of life.
6. What general dietary and nutrition advice do you often find yourself giving to your patients?
I find meal timing and making sure a person is eating enough food and at the right times can correct a lot of overeating or binge eating tendencies. Protein intake is also something I find myself working on with clients a lot and most will feel the benefits of tweaking protein and feeling more satiated almost instantly once this is at an optimal intake.
7. When introducing supplements into a patient’s regimen, what key factors do you consider?
I will consider their overall goals, Health requirements, any signs or symptoms which may suggest a deficiencies or lack of a certain micronutrient or I will go off blood work and the information here.
8. Without disclosing personal details, could you share a memorable success story from your practice involving natural treatments?
I had a vegan client who was wanting to compete in powerlifting but was struggling to build muscle and feel energized. After tweaking her protein and providing her with the right supplements she was able to compete and win a competition.
9. What are some challenges you face in the field of naturopathy/nutrition, and how do you overcome them?
It can be hard with so much misinformation out there a lot of clients will come to me confused and fed up with information overload from the wrong sources. I combat this by gaining my clients trust and making sure they are getting evidence based information so they become educated on the subject and have more control over their own health
10. Where do you see the future of naturopathy and functional medicine heading?
I think the future is bright for the industry as people become more aware of the importance of good nutrition and I believe regular nutrition coaching will be the way of the future for people wanting that long term ongoing support.
11. What personal wellness practices or routines do you follow to maintain your own health?
I enjoy regular weight limiting and cycling to keep me fit and healthy. I also aim to get in enough protein, sleep and supplement to help me recover better and feel at my best. I love to learn new recipes and enjoy the lifestyle of being active and healthy.
12. Finally, what advice would you give to individuals aspiring to enter the field of naturopathy or nutrition?
Take the time to really discover in what ways you would love to help people and go for a course which will lead you closer to this path. Try to get work experience and learn from as many people in the field as possible.
Connect with Evelyn Kelly, BSc Nutritionist
To learn more about Evelyn Kelly’s work and to stay updated with her latest insights and offerings in the field of nutrition and health, we invite you to visit her website and follow her on social media:
Website: https://empoweredthroughnutrition.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/empowered_through_nutrition/
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CanXida. The content provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their healthcare provider for any health-related questions or concerns.