How I Eat, How I Teach: My Real Approach to Food and Healing

I was asked the other day,“Carolyn, what’s your philosophy with food?”And to be honest, it caught me off guard.

It made me pause and reflect—have I actually articulated this clearly enough? Not just for the women I work with as their naturopath, but also for those who follow along on social media (I am @thebalancednaturopath), looking for clarity and guidance around their own health.

So I’ve taken the time to put it into words—because how I approach food is not only how I live, it’s how I teach, support and empower other women to nourish themselves too. I focus on good energy, gut health, happy hormones and metabolism.

I don’t follow trends. I don’t count calories. I don’t believe in cutting carbs, skipping meals, or pushing through fatigue in the name of “discipline.”

Instead, I focus on a way of eating that is supportive, deeply nourishing, and sustainable—not just for me, but for the women I work with too.

My approach to food is simple, therapeutic and tailored. It’s designed to promote satiety, balance your hormones, and help your body feel calm and in control—not stressed, inflamed or bloated.

Every meal I eat—and every meal I help my clients build—is created with the intention to:

• Keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable, which is essential for fat burning, hormone balance, and a clear mind

• Provide consistent, sustainable energy—so you’re not crashing mid-morning or reaching for snacks to get through the afternoon

• Keep inflammation low, especially if you’re dealing with hormonal symptoms, perimenopause, gut issues or fatigue

• Support digestion, so you feel light, clear, and connected to your body after eating

I eat real food—nothing fancy or extreme. I am not spending a fortune on super foods or the latest “it” thing. I use high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and a variety of seasonal vegetables in every meal. I don’t cut food groups. I don’t do deprivation. I eat to support my metabolism, nourish my nervous system, and create hormonal harmony. I eat dark chocolate every day.

And just like I do with my clients—I eat meals at regular intervals. I don’t graze, snack constantly, or rely on caffeine to push through the day. That may sound simple, but the structure of when and how you eat is just as important as what you eat.

I don’t believe in rigid food rules. But I do believe in structure—and in the power of therapeutic, consistent nutrition. I also like to point out, if you do have health issues and we are using food to help (which I always advise we do) there might be a period of time where you benefit from structure.

This is when I tend to bring in Metabolic Balance as one of the key tools in my practice. The reason? It gives you a clear, personalised framework based on your biochemistry so we can calm inflammation, regulate hormones and shift your metabolism into a place of ease. On average this goes for about 12 weeks and from there we work out what we need to do post the Metabolic Balance phases.

Here’s how I like to describe it:

Think of your body like a swimming pool. When the water is cloudy and murky, you can’t see what’s happening underneath. That’s what it’s like when inflammation, blood sugar swings, and digestive issues cloud the picture.

Metabolic Balance is like cleaning the pool. Through tailored, structured nutrition, we remove the murkiness so we can finally see what your body is actually asking for. Once the fog lifts, we can work with precision—not guesswork.

I use this approach for myself, and I’ve seen it transform the lives of so many of my clients. It’s not a fad diet—it’s a reset, and a return to the way your body wants to function.

You don’t have to eat tiny portions. You don’t have to feel deprived to feel well.
You just need to eat in a way that’s right for your body.

I love using food as medicine especially if you're feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in your health right now, food is one of the most powerful places to begin. It creates clarity. It creates energy. And it gives us the foundation to understand what your body truly needs.

This is how I eat, and how I guide women back to themselves—one real, nourishing meal at a time.

If you would like to learn more about how Metabolic Balance works? You can explore it here, or dive deeper with these articles:

Cracking Your Body’s Code: The Metabolic Balance® Approach to Lasting Wellness

Unlocking Energy, Weight Management & More: The Power of Metabolic Flexibility

Of course not everyone needs a structured program like Metabolic Balance® to begin feeling better and I certainly don’t enter my consults with only Metabolic Balance on my mind as the sole tool I will use on their healing journey.

For some women, the first step is simply understanding how to eat in a way that works with their body, rather than against it. That’s where my foundational food philosophy comes in.

At the core, I teach a low-carb, whole food approach that supports blood sugar balance, reduces inflammation, and allows your body to come out of that wired-but-tired survival mode. This doesn’t mean cutting out entire food groups or counting macros obsessively. It means being intentional with what you eat, when you eat, and how you build your meals.

I help you reconnect to the basics—real food, proper nourishment, and simple daily structure. We focus on:

• Whole, unprocessed foods that your body recognises and thrives on

• Lowering your carbohydrate load in a way that feels doable and still satisfying

• Building your plate around high-quality proteins, good fats and seasonal veg

• Creating calm through food—supporting your nervous system, adrenals and gut

This might sound simple, but it’s powerful. Especially if you’ve been stuck in a cycle of diets, guessing, and Googling what to eat next. Sometimes, returning to real food with some structure and support is exactly what your body has been craving.

When it comes down to it, whether you're ready for a full metabolic reset through Metabolic Balance® or simply want to start eating in a way that feels good again, I’m always here to guide you. I bring both the science and the soul—evidence-based strategies alongside deep respect for how women live, feel, and function day to day.

There is no one-size-fits-all plan here. Just thoughtful, personalised support to help you come back to a place of energy, clarity, and balance—starting with your food.

If you would like to have a chat to about seeing a naturopath, my Gut Love program metabolic balance, yoga, reiki or EFT you are very welcome to book in a free discovery call with me. I know it can feel very confusing working out what the right thing to do is and I am here to support you. You can book a free call HERE or if you know its right for you, book an Initial Naturopathic Consultation and we can jump right into getting your health on track and have you feeling amazing in no time.

I see all clients ONLINE so it makes it very easy for you to book in and see me.