Are you aware of how crucial good nutrition is for your overall well-being? It affects your energy levels, gut health and more. And that's why we are thrilled to bring you a Q & A session with Tanya Angel, a nutrition and wellness coach. Tanya is also a clinical nurse specialist, working part-time in the NHS.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nutrition?
I have always been interested in good nutrition, particularly feeding my family well. Only after I took a break from nursing and returned to practice in 2017 did I notice a big difference in the health of the people I cared for.
Now, much younger people are living with chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which can be associated with our modern lifestyles and environment. Many of them aren't thriving or enjoying life as much as they could - I wanted to do something to help!
What qualifications and certifications do you have?
I am a certified nutrition coach, completing my training with world-renowned nutritional therapist Amanda Hamilton. Her course and the ongoing support she offers her coaches are second to none.
I am also a registered general nurse with a first-class BSc (Hons) from the University of Southampton and studied at the master's level. The world of nutrition and wellness is not well-regulated, so I researched!
Most people do not have complex, specific nutritional needs – these people need the specific expertise offered by registered dieticians or nutritionists. I wanted to go down the more holistic, supportive coaching route. Many people are confused and overwhelmed with contradictory advice they have received over the years.
They need to be supported in making healthy food choices, myths need to be de-bunked, and they need to be aware of the exciting, quality nutritional research that is now available - nutrition coaches are well placed to do this.
When working with clients, what are the most critical aspects of food nutrition that you focus on?
This depends! I work individually with clients and start by taking a complete nutrition and health assessment, and I look at their lifestyle holistically. I then look at their current nutrition and begin with the lowest-hanging fruit. This can be different for everyone; for example, if they drink eight cans of sugary, fizzy drinks, we start there.
I work in partnership with my clients; there is never judgment, and I share evidence-based information with them so that they understand why I am recommending specific strategies.
When recommending a nutritional programme, do you consider a client's medical history and lifestyle?
Yes, this is crucial. I do not prescribe medication or give medical advice, but understanding medical conditions and medications is helpful. I will always refer to a client's GP if this is indicated.
Lifestyle factors are important, and I always include stress, movement and sleep assessments. It's often about developing strategies with individuals to optimise their sleep or help manage stress, which are the first steps in any nutrition programme.
What is your opinion on the increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, particularly among younger people?
When I started nurse training in 1989, type 2 diabetes was uncommon in people under the age of 60; now, children develop this condition. The NHS spends about 10% of its entire budget of £10 billion a year on diabetes alone (around £1000,000 an hour), which is pretty shocking.
Imagine if we had that money to spend on mental health or research into new treatments for cancer. I believe that the rise in type 2 diabetes is due to our environment; that is, we are eating large amounts of ultra-processed (UPF) 'convenient foods', we are moving less, we are eating large amounts of refined carbohydrates, our sleep can be of poor quality, and there's a lot of stress.
Children seem to eat a higher percentage of UPF than other age groups. However, type 2 diabetes can be put in remission with the right interventions.
What nutritional programmes do you offer that can help to improve overall health or support immune function?
All of my programmes can help to improve health by focusing on eating a wide variety of natural, whole foods that are dense in minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients as well as containing combinations of protein and healthy fats that will satiate, therefore avoiding the need to snack on less healthy foods.
Food Nutrition for Good Health
Gut health is so important for immune function. In all my programmes, I ensure my clients understand the importance of fibre, pre-, pro and post-biotics in supporting immune function. They also learn what food types can help populate the gut with good micro-organisms and which foods can be harmful.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love yoga and am a keen gardener, although I don't know what I'm doing! Most of my plants seem to grow OK. I enjoy growing herbs for cooking and drinks, and I like to socialise with friends and family.
Phone: +44 (774) 8646910
Email: info@tanyaangel.co.uk
"I like to inform, educate, and motivate as many people as possible. I'm passionate about helping you get the most out of your life and feel better."
You can contact me via my website, email or phone, and for regular valuable posts on nutrition and well-being, please visit my Instagram page.
Tanya