Kirsten Chick: Nutrition brought to life

I was in my late 20s and my recovery from cancer highlighted to me that I hadn’t prioritised my health in any way. I started yoga and t’ai chi, quit smoking and drinking and started listening to what my body wanted to eat. I felt clearer than ever before, and I was learning key lessons about what it meant to feel nourished, grounded, connected and energised, rather than just alive. I studied nutrition and knew that’s what I wanted to do in life.

As a nutritional therapist, I believe that food is meant to nourish you. And everyone needs a slightly different approach, and to work at their own pace. So I spend a lot of time finding out as much as I can about how each person’s body works, what their current needs are, and where they most need support. Then I put together a programme that I hope will not just be manageable, but enjoyable. I also encourage the person coming to see me to explore their creativity in the kitchen, and to practise listening to their own bodies. I’m there to help people explore a way forward, not to impose rules on them.

I run workshops and courses which are currently all online, but I still encourage interaction where possible. I’m keen to get people sharing their ideas and experiences as well as asking questions. My 6-week nutrition courses have a lot more scope for that, and it’s great to see how we can still connect as a group and even build a sense of community. My themed workshops (Stress, Immune System, Menopause, Sleep, Skin etc.) are usually about 60-75 minutes and focus right in on a topic, but again, there’s always room for questions and interaction.

I also don’t shy away from science. I’ve always had a reputation for a great analogy, and an ability to bringing it all to life - hence the name of my book, Nutrition Brought to Life. I’ve been wanting to write a book since I was about 6 or 7 - but knew I didn’t have the life experience! When Alchimia Publishing approached me about writing a book a few years ago, I knew that I have something to say now. Not just information to share, but a meaningful context to put it all in.

I help my clients by suggesting ways they can change not just what they’re eating, but also how they’re eating it. If you eat when you’re stressed, for example, your digestive system won’t work effectively. So the food is less likely to nourish you (i.e. be digested and absorbed) and more likely to cause irritation and inflammation. I also work with supplements, but I’m very fussy about quality, and naturopathic techniques such as castor oil packing and Epsom salt baths where appropriate.

How does food and diet influence the immune system?

Immensely! Even if you’re just thinking about antibodies and white blood cells, you need proteins, vitamins, minerals and more to physically make them. But your immune system is also your skin, the mucous membranes lining your digestive tract, airways and more, and the microbiome that lines and all of these. These all need nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D and E, selenium, fibre and fermented foods. Plus protective antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that you find in fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and other foods. And none of these things can function well unless they’re hydrated.

What are some of your favourite recipes to boost your immune system?

In summer it’s a berry chia pot. You simply soak chia seeds in coconut or oat milk and add chopped up berries or berry powder, whichever you have. I also like to add a good quality supergreen powder.

In winter and just before my period, it’s a medicinal hot chocolate. I make this with organic cocoa powder, coconut milk and medicinal mushroom powder (e.g. reishi or a blend).

Do you have any recommendations around a healthier and nourishing diet?

Take the judgement out, forget about what’s “good” and what’s “bad”, and instead start listening to what feels might be most nourishing right now.

Eat mindfully, chewing well, to help maximise both digestion and enjoyment.

Explore the balance of protein-rich foods, carbohydrate-rich foods and vegetables in your diet. Some people find they need more protein than they’re currently having, or different kinds of protein, while others need less. Most people could do with eating more vegetables and fewer carbohydrate-rich foods. But you’ll only know what your body works best on if you play with it a little and then see how you feel.

What are your thoughts on wellness trends such as intermittent fasting or detox drinks?

Intermittent fasting can be really successful for some people and a disaster for others. It’s good to explore different approaches, but never slavishly. If it suits you, keep doing it - and reassess every now and again to make sure it’s still serving you well.

With detox drinks it really depends on what’s in them, and what kind of detox support the individual drinking them needs. Some dandelion coffee, for example, may be perfect for one person, but too much of a diuretic or too bile-triggering for another. My most overused phrase it perhaps “It depends…”, but there really is a good reason why I spend so long taking a case history and getting to know someone before I give individual advice.