Embracing Nutrition

23/08/2025

💬 “Rebecca’s clear explanation of my test results made everything so much more understandable… The data resonated with things I’d already noticed but hadn’t fully realised. Thank you again Rebecca.” – Sally 🌿

At Embracing Nutrition, we often hear how valuable it is for clients to finally make sense of their health journey. ✨

During her consultation, Rebecca Wakefield, one of our Functional Medicine-trained Nutritional Therapists, helped Sally understand her Methylation Genetics Test results, translating complex data into clear insights. This gave Sally not only clarity, but also a deeper understanding of how her genetics may influence her body’s response to nutrition and lifestyle. 🧬🥦

This is the heart of what we do: combining advanced functional testing with compassionate guidance, so you feel informed, supported, and empowered to take the next steps in your health journey. 💚

If you’d like to explore how personalised nutrition can support your wellbeing, you can book a consultation with Rebecca here 👉 https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-rebecca-wakefield/

22/08/2025

Have you ever wondered why human bodies age? Wrinkles, joint stiffness, and chronic diseases are all outward signs of ageing body cells on the inside.
In this article, you’ll learn about the ageing process, and the lifestyle and nutritional factors influencing how quickly you age. Far from being simply about youth and looks, healthy physical and mental ageing can increase the number of years you live on this planet free of disease, remaining mobile and independent.

What Happens When Cells Age?
Your body’s cells are constantly replicating. However, as you become older, more cells become what’s known as senescent. This means they’re worn out and unable to reproduce. Often referred to as zombie cells, they lurk, and release chemicals provoking inflammation in the body, in turn harming healthy cells. This has led to the term inflammaging – inflammation brought about by ageing.

Usually, your immune system would detect zombie cells. However, with increasing age, the immune system can no longer keep pace. Senescent cells then become more numerous, and health suffers.

Read more in our latest blog - https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/do-diet-and-lifestyle-hold-the-key-to-healthy-ageing/

In this article, you’ll learn about the ageing process, and the lifestyle and nutritional factors influencing how quickly you age

15/08/2025

Drinks at the weekend? Out with friends? Consider this delicious alcohol free gut-loving mocktail drink and level up your hydration this summer 🌞

Try this homemade lemon-ginger kefir water – it’s fizzy, refreshing, and packed with benefits for your gut and immune health.

💛 Here’s what you need:
✔ Water kefir grains
✔ 1 tbsp raw sugar (don’t worry – the bacteria eat it!)
✔ 2–3 dried prunes, figs, or apricots
✔ Fresh ginger slices
✔ A wedge of lemon
✔ Optional: lemon verbena & lemongrass for a citrusy twist
✔ Filtered water

🫙 Pop it all in a jar, give it a shake, and leave for 24 hours (away from direct sunlight). You’ll know it’s ready when it’s bubbly and gives a gentle pop when opened. Strain, bottle, chill, and sip!

A delicious, non-alcoholic alternative that supports your microbiome, keeps inflammation down, and feels like a treat 💧🍋

Let us know if you try it!
Susie
https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-susie-thomson-bowen/

14/08/2025

🌸 Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy 🌸

Breastfeeding is a time to honour the incredible strength it takes to nourish a new life, and to acknowledge that many mums need more support than they’re getting.

✨ It takes energy, time, resilience, and most importantly nourishment.

In the early days, the demands on your body and mind are immense. That’s why looking after your nutrient status is vital. Key nutrients like:
💥 Iron
💥 Iodine
💥 Vitamin B12
💥 Omega 3s
..can deeply impact milk supply, mood, and mental stamina. 🌿

Foods that support blood sugar balance and calm the nervous system can make all the difference. So can herbs and adaptogens to build resilience and reduce overwhelm.

You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re struggling or simply want to feel more supported, we’re here to help you thrive, not just survive.

🤱 Let’s nourish the mother, so she can nourish her baby.

💬 Drop us a message or book in for a free discovery call today - https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-ryre-lee-cornish/

Ryre

12/08/2025

🌱 Why Simple Tasks Like Shelling Peas Are Brilliant for Children’s Health & Development 🌱

Today I wanted to share a lovely moment that beautifully captures the connection between nutrition, motor skills, and mindful eating.

👧 This little one is deeply focused on shelling fresh peas – and although it might look like a simple kitchen task, it’s actually doing so much more for her wellbeing and development.

Here’s why activities like this are powerful:

✨ Fine Motor Skills & Coordination – Shelling peas helps strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers, supporting handwriting, independence in dressing, and other everyday skills.

✨ Sensory Processing – The textures, colours and even sounds of the pods and peas provide rich sensory input, helping children explore and regulate their sensory environment.

✨ Mindfulness & Connection to Food – When children engage in food prep, they become more curious and connected to what they’re eating. This can help reduce fussy eating and promote healthier choices.

✨ Nutrition Education – It’s a gentle opportunity to talk about where food comes from and why vegetables like peas are great for our growing bodies.

As a Nutritional Therapist and Physiotherapist, I’m passionate about supporting children’s health in a whole-person way — from nutrition to developmental needs. Encouraging little ones to get involved in simple food prep can be a game changer, especially for children with sensory challenges, ADHD, autism, or motor delays.

💚 Small actions. Big impact. And a bowl full of goodness at the end!

📣 If you're curious about supporting your child’s health through nutrition, development and lifestyle strategies, I’d love to help. Book a consultation with me or one of our amazing Embracing Nutrition team members today.

Lottie
https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-lottie-strutt-nutritional-therapist/

11/08/2025

Group B Strep is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborns in the UK, but so many pregnant women don’t know enough about it.

Group B Strep is a natural bacteria that lives in the gut and vaginal microbiome. For adults, it’s usually harmless, but during birth, it can be passed to the baby, where it can become a serious concern.

💡 The good news? You can take proactive steps to support both you and your baby.

✨ From a Functional Medicine perspective, there’s so much we can do:
✔️ Testing is available from 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy
✔️ Support your gut and vaginal microbiome with probiotic and prebiotic foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, onions, garlic, leeks, and asparagus
✔️ Boost your immune system with key nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and garlic

Understanding your Group B Strep status and supporting your body naturally can be incredibly empowering as you prepare for birth.

If you'd like personalised guidance and nutritional support for your pregnancy, we’re here for you 💚

💬 Reach out to learn how we can support your journey through Functional Medicine.
Ryre
https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-ryre-lee-cornish/

10/08/2025

☀️ Rebecca’s Holiday Essentials 🧳
Whether you're jetting off or enjoying a staycation, I wanted to share a few of my absolute must-haves for feeling your best while away...

🌞 Suncare – it's all about balance!
Think of the sun like Goldilocks’ porridge – not too much, not too little. A little sunshine helps your body make vitamin D, but too much can cause burning and long-term skin damage.
I love SPF 30 – it’s free from ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate that can mimic oestrogens in the body. For anyone dealing with PMS, breast tenderness, heavy periods or hormone imbalances, avoiding these chemicals is key.
When I’ve had enough sun, I throw on a sun-safe shirt and head for the shade!

🌿 – a gut health lifesaver!
Holidays can be tricky for those with IBS, food sensitivities or histamine intolerance, especially when eating out. If I get any bloating, discomfort or urgency, I reach for Enterosgel – a gentle binder that helps soothe symptoms and supports faster recovery.

📖 A good book – because rest matters too.
For me, switching off is just as important as looking after my body. One of my all-time favourite holiday reads? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – a beautifully written, powerful story.

💬 What are your holiday essentials for feeling your best?
I’d love to hear them in the comments 👇

https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-rebecca-wakefield/

08/08/2025

🍉💦 Watermelon Mint Mocktail – Summer in a Glass! 💦🍉
Who says alcohol-free has to be boring? When you're soaking up the sun ☀️ and skipping the booze, this succulent mocktail is the perfect way to stay cool, refreshed, and vibrant.

✨ You’ll need:
✔ Fresh watermelon (blended into juice)
✔ A squeeze of lime
✔ Fresh ginger – for a little zing!
✔ A handful of fresh mint

💚 Blend, muddle, stir – however you love it! Pour over ice and sip your way to summer bliss. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, or just treating yourself on a hot day.

Hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and totally delicious 🌱

Tag someone who needs this in their life!
Susie x
https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/about-susie-thomson-bowen/