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Hi, I’m Helen.

Known for loving strawberries, pork pie, curry, Yorkshire tea and real ale, I prefer my food served without a side of guilt.

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A Registered Nutritionist, experienced speaker, coach and writer, I love supporting people to change their relationship with food.

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Why I’m Different

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I actively do not encourage people to be the ideal version of themselves. I have experienced many bumps along the road, including cancer, diabetes, bereavement, financial difficulties and full time parenting four neurodivergent kids. This has made me realise that you don’t need to be good, just good enough in any aspect of your life, and your diet is no exception. If you aim for perfection, you will never be consistent, because that relies on willpower, which rarely works long term.

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My professional experience has shown me that many people have an ‘All or Nothing’ mindset with their diet.

I’m on a mission to change that.

Based in the Peak District, near Sheffield, my northern English upbringing, in an entrepreneurial family where ‘rules are made to be broken’, formed my down-to-earth, slightly rebellious character. This means that although my solutions are sensitive, they can be outside of your comfort zone. They are always delivered with gritty realism, not idealism.

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With an immense love of food and drink, as I’m tucking into a pork pie with a pint of real ale, friends often remark ‘if only your clients could see you now!’ That’s the thing, I wish they could. I have nothing to hide.

A healthy diet is about context. No individual food is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. It’s about the mundane consistency of generally eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and a balance of carbs, protein and fats, and not judging yourself (or indeed others) when you deviate from that general plan.

It’s how you respond to imperfection that matters. Do you react to ‘imperfect’ food choices with guilt and shame, vowing to try harder, and restrict further, tomorrow? If so, I can help you learn to respond, not react.

My clients often think they have tried everything before and they are a lost cause. They feel addicted to food and believe there is no way to change. But you really can have your cake without eating it all at once. It takes time, but it is possible to move past ‘imperfect’ food choices, enjoy your cake, and carry on with your generally healthy diet from the very next mouthful, as opposed to starting on Monday.

With my approach, guilt is off the menu, for life. I’ve seen many people find relief, flexibility and freedom in their diets when they never thought it would be possible.

Don’t just take my word for it:

“Helen was an enormous support to me. She helped me change my relationship with sugary foods in ways which nobody else, including myself, has ever done before. I didn’t think it would ever be possible. ”

— Kirstie, attendee

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My Story

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Managing a large family, working freelance and navigating the menopause without HRT due to my cancer history, helps me better understand how difficult it is to eat well with the chaos that arises from a busy and demanding life. I also adore my food and drink (some would argue a bit too much!). So who am I to be judgemental about diet?

My corporate career began in 1994 as a management consultant and speaker. Having transitioned to being director of a property development company in the noughties, I then (mostly) enjoyed many years as a full-time mother to our four children. Whilst nurturing and nourishing my family, I suffered several serious health issues, including breast cancer and diabetes, sparking my interest in health and nutrition.

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By 2016 I was ready to pursue a new direction. As a (very) mature student, I signed up to study a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition at the University of Sheffield and graduated with a high distinction.

This complemented my previous first-class Master’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Edinburgh. I find my background in Psychology to be extremely useful as a nutritionist, giving me a solid basis for understanding effective strategies for dietary behaviour change. I find Philosophy to be extremely useful … erm… down the pub?

An entrepreneur at heart and still juggling family commitments (do they ever stop needing you?), I decided to work freelance for more flexibility. In 2019, I founded my nutrition consultancy 'FadFree Nutrition' and have built a successful business from there.

I am pleased to have provided expert comment for:

I enjoy open, honest conversations about nutrition that cut through the food noise, focusing on practical, fad-free approaches that support real life. If you’d like me to join your podcast, webinar, or event, or you would like a nutrition expert to comment on an article, you can book me using the button below.