Laila Charlesworth Nutrition

16/03/2026

This Nutrition & Hydration Week marks something quite special for me.

Ten years ago, I carried out research exploring how food and nutrition could be improved for residents living in residential care homes in Kirklees. I spent months visiting care settings, speaking with staff and residents, analysing menus and looking at how nutrition and hydration impact health, wellbeing and dignity in later life.

That project later won a research poster award, but more importantly, it shaped the direction of my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined at the time.

A decade on, I’m still working to help people improve their health. One thing I’ve learned hasn’t changed, which is that good nutrition influences far more than nutrient intake - it shapes how people feel, function, recover and experience everyday life.
Grateful for the journey so far 💛

11/03/2026

No Smoking Day is primarily about stopping to***co. Rightly so, as combustion causes the most harm.

But whether ni****ne comes from ci******es or va**ng, it still affects:
• Appetite regulation
• Dopamine signalling
• Stress chemistry
• Metabolic rate

That’s why quitting or cutting down can feel destabilising. Weight gain, irritability and snacking aren’t failings. They’re the nervous system recalibrating.

If you’re transitioning away from ni****ne:
– Eat within 60 to 90 minutes of waking
– Aim for 25 to 35g protein per meal
– Include fibre at lunch
– Stay hydrated
– Prioritise sleep
– Use movement for stress regulation

Behaviour change sticks better when physiology is supported.

This isn’t about judgement. It’s about strategy.

****ne

13/02/2026

There’s growing conversation about what happens after GLP-1 weight-loss medications are stopped.

Evidence shows that weight regain is common once medication ends, particularly when there has been little or no nutrition or behaviour-change support alongside treatment.

GLP-1s can reduce appetite, but they don’t teach:
• how to eat well long term
• how to support blood sugar balance
• how to preserve muscle mass
• how to build habits that last

Obesity and weight gain are complex, multi-factorial issues influenced by biology, environment, access, stress and social factors. Medication may be one tool, but it cannot be the whole strategy.

If we want better long-term outcomes, nutritional education and wraparound support need to be part of the picture — during treatment and beyond it.

If this is something you’re navigating, I work with clients alongside their medical providers to help build the nutrition skills needed for long-term health.

12/02/2026

There’s a lot of discussion about weight-loss injections right now.

In my own practice, I’ve worked with clients coming off GLP-1 medications and a common theme is that many received little or no nutritional education during or after treatment.

Medication can be a helpful tool but without support around nutrition, blood sugar balance, protein, fibre and habits, it’s very hard to sustain results once treatment stops.

I work with clients alongside their medical providers, or when they’re preparing to come off GLP-1s, to help build the knowledge and systems needed for long-term weight management.

This isn’t about judgement or quick fixes - it’s about sustainable, real-life support.

If this is something you’re navigating, you’re welcome to get in touch or send me a message.

11/02/2026

New research shows that most UK adults are still falling short on fibre.

This isn’t because people don’t care; it’s because our food environment makes fibre-rich choices harder, more confusing and often less appealing.

Fibre plays a key role in gut health, blood sugar balance and long-term disease risk.

👉 My challenge to you: add one extra portion of veg to your lunch and/or dinner every day this week.
No perfection. No overthinking. Just one small, consistent change.

Small steps really do add up 🌱

11/02/2026

My son and I tried out a healthy snack idea a yesterday and I thought I’d share it as it was delicious! We chopped up some strawberries, then mixed Greek yogurt with strawberry protein powder. We added the strawberries to the yogurt mixture, gave it a good stir and then spooned onto parchment paper. The tray was placed in the freezer and we enjoyed our protein strawberry snack a couple of hours later. If you like the sound of this, give it a go!

03/02/2026

February is Heart Month ❤️

Heart health isn’t just about the heart.

Your gut plays a role in inflammation, blood sugar balance and cholesterol handling — all important for long-term cardiovascular health.

This Heart Month, focusing on gut-supportive habits is one simple way to support your heart too.

19/01/2026

We’re often told to “just make better choices” when it comes to food. But most food decisions are made in seconds, in environments like this — busy, overwhelming, and dominated by ultra-processed options.

Nutrition science is increasingly recognising that obesity and diet-related health are shaped as much by food environments as by individual behaviour.

I’ve pulled the evidence together in a new blog — from food labelling to ultra-processed foods to lived experience in UK supermarkets.

👉 You can read my blog here: https://www.lailacharlesworth.co.uk/post/from-labels-to-lived-experience-what-nutrition-science-is-really-telling-us-about-obesity-upfs-and

06/01/2026

This January, for Love Your Liver Month, I’m sharing how small lifestyle habits can have a big impact on your liver health.

As a functional nutritionist, I help people improve their energy, digestion, skin, hormones and yes, liver function - by getting to the root cause, not chasing trends.

💻 My latest blog breaks it all down: signs your liver may be struggling, hidden stressors, and science-backed ways to nourish this essential organ.

📖 https://www.lailacharlesworth.co.uk/blog

Start the year strong—support your liver, support your life. 💚

05/01/2026

Folic acid isn’t the same as natural folate and that can matter for some people.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate added to bread and cereals. Most people can convert it into the active forms the body needs. However, some individuals (particularly those with reduced methylation capacity), certain genetic variants, or a history of hormone, fertility, neurological or inflammatory issues, may convert it less efficiently.

In these cases, unmetabolised folic acid can accumulate and may compete with active folate at the cellular level. This doesn’t mean fortified foods are “bad”, but it does mean that one-size-fits-all nutrition doesn’t always fit everyone.

If you’re curious whether this applies to you, I offer testing and personalised guidance to help identify the most supportive form and intake of folate for your body. You’re welcome to get in touch to explore this further.

There are a number of changes in bread legislation coming in 2026

05/01/2026

Hurrah!! 🥳

Ban on adverts for ‘less healthy food’ set to come into full effect

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-01-04/ban-on-adverts-for-less-healthy-food-set-to-come-into-full-effect