In a world full of trending diets, TikTok health hacks, and Instagram influencers promising quick fixes, it’s no wonder so many people feel confused about what to eat. As a nutritional therapist, I work with people every day who are doing their best to feel better—often following what they think is healthy advice—yet they’re still feeling tired, bloated, moody, or stuck in a cycle of dieting and disappointment.
If you’re navigating chronic symptoms, battling low energy, or just trying to feel good in your body again, this is for you. Let’s break down the 3 most common nutrition mistakes I see—and how personalised nutrition can help you finally find the balance you’ve been searching for.
Mistake #1: Cutting Out Protein in the Name of “Healthy” Eating
With the rise in veganism and plant-based eating, a lot of people are reducing or eliminating animal products without fully replacing the protein they need. Protein isn’t just about building muscle—your body needs it to create hormones, repair tissues, support immunity, and keep blood sugar balanced.
While it’s absolutely possible to meet your needs on a vegan or vegetarian diet, it takes planning and knowledge to do it well.
What to do instead:
- Include high-quality plant-based proteins like lentils, tofu, tempeh, and quinoa
- Combine different protein sources throughout the day
- Make sure you’re eating enough total protein—aim for 1.2–1.6g per kg of body weight depending on your activity level
Mistake #2: Going All-In on Meat (and Forgetting Fibre)
The carnivore diet has exploded in popularity, but eating mostly meat and neglecting fibre-rich foods can spell trouble for your gut. Your gut microbiome—the community of bacteria living in your digestive tract—thrives on fibre. Starving it can lead to inflammation, constipation, and poor nutrient absorption.
What to do instead:
- Balance your plate with a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables
- Include whole grains, beans, and pulses to feed your good gut bacteria
- Think about food as information—your microbes need diversity to thrive
Mistake #3: Ditching Fats or Carbs to Lose Weight
Remember the low-fat craze of the 90s? Or the carb-phobia of recent keto and low-carb trends? Both fats and carbs are essential macronutrients that your body needs to function properly.
When people drastically cut out one of these groups, they often feel tired, moody, and out of balance—which can lead to cravings and binge cycles. Restrictive eating often backfires, especially when trying to manage chronic health conditions like hormonal imbalances, fatigue, or skin issues.
What to do instead:
- Embrace healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds
- Choose complex carbs like oats, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa
- Focus on balance, not restriction
Why These Mistakes Happen (And What You Can Do About It)
The biggest issue I see is that people are chasing quick fixes to address chronic problems. It’s no wonder—if you’re dealing with bloating, brain fog, fatigue, hormone issues, or weight struggles, you want relief, fast. But here’s the truth:
Quick fixes rarely lead to long-term results.
Your body is always trying to communicate with you. Symptoms like these aren’t just random—they’re messages from your body asking for support. And while trends can sometimes offer a starting point, they’re rarely the solution for deeper, chronic issues.
So What Does Work?
I believe in personalised nutrition—an approach that takes you into account. Your symptoms, your health history, your lifestyle, your preferences. There’s no one-size-fits-all here.
For some clients, I also recommend functional testing to help uncover what’s going on beneath the surface—especially when it comes to:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Gut health issues
- Skin conditions
- Persistent fatigue
- Weight that won’t shift despite eating “right”
These advanced lab tests aren’t typically available on the NHS, but they can save a lot of time and guesswork by giving us real data to work from.
Nutrition Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
When you’re guided properly, nutrition can be simple, sustainable, and even enjoyable. I’ll never ask you to eat foods you hate, or overhaul your life overnight. I believe in the 80:20 rule—nourish your body most of the time, but live your life too.
Small, consistent changes are where the magic happens.
You Deserve to Feel Good Again
If chronic symptoms are stopping you from showing up in your life the way you want to—whether that’s keeping up with your kids, enjoying your work, or just feeling energised each day—please know that support is available. You don’t have to figure it out alone, and fads aren’t your only option.
Your body wants to feel good. It just needs the right tools.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free chat to talk about what’s going on and how I can help. No pressure—just a real conversation with someone who gets it.
Let’s find a personalised solution that actually works—for you.
©2025 Christine McWilliam, Aurora Nu-Tree-Tion