PHYSIOCARE TWYFORD
T 0118 934 4055
E physio@physiocare.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE EARLEY
T 0118 966 4585
E physio@physiocares.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE NEWS & EVENTS
New dietitian at Physiocare gives food for thought
Most of us don’t give a second thought to our posture, but know that it could be improved. We slouch on chairs, hunch up when working on the computer and sag when we are feeling tired.
Advice on diet and eating is in abundance these days, a bit like the food available to us. But which advice can you trust? What is best for you personally? And do you really need to worry about your diet at all?
Information overload can be daunting, and unhelpful, particularly if you have a specific complaint or condition you are concerned about. But expert advice is now available locally as Twyford-based Physiocare launches a new, comprehensive nutrition consultancy service, delivered by state-registered dietitian Mala Watts.
“With food allergies on the increase and alarming statistics highlighting increased obesity in adults and children, diet and nutrition has never been so high on the public agenda,” said Mala. “The difficult thing is knowing which advice is reliable and, more importantly, what is appropriate for you.”
Over her twelve years’ experience of treating patients, Mala has encountered a wide range of ailments and complaints that were alleviated by correct dietary advice. “People put up with so many symptoms, including bloating, skin irritation and disrupted sleep patterns to name but a few, not realising that a change in diet could actually relieve them of their discomfort,” she says. Mala’s treatments address a broad range of conditions, from coeliac disease and mild eating disorders to dietary advice for children, during and after preganancy, chronic fatigue, weight loss/gain and sports nutrition.
Physiocare Practice Owner Elizabeth Jones commented: “Nutrition is a key aspect of maintaining overall health and wellbeing, something we support as part of our Total Body Management approach at Physiocare. Mala’s expertise strengthens our clinical team and we are delighted to welcome her on board.”
Mala is based in Physiocare’s Twyford practice in 6 Church Street, Twyford.
For further information, call 0118 934 4055
CASE STUDY:
Carolyn from Twyford initially saw Mala at Physiocare’s gym launch open morning:
“I had had a difficult time last year, with problems with my back and a foot operation, so could not exercise, resulting in a weight gain and reduced fitness. I had tried various diets with no success and was dubious as to what kind of exercise I could start doing. I also generally had very low esteem,” she told us.
“I met Mala at the open morning and in just a short time she explained that she had no 'magic' diet that I could go on. Mala encouraged me to keep a food diary and advised that, together with appropriate exercise through Physiocare’s specialist gym, we could achieve my goals.”
Carolyn kept the food diary and soon became aware that she was generally eating more than she actually required. Carolyn immediately cut down on her portions and began walking at least 40 minutes a day to work. This resulted in a 2 lbs weight loss even before her first official consultation with Mala.
Carolyn continued: “Mala explained about carbs and how 'quick fix' diets may seem to work short-term, but will not have a long-lasting effect. She also flagged up simple tips to show me where I could save calories. I had been trying to eat low-fat meals, but Mala explained that many of these had more calories than I realised. I had also started eating a lot more fruit, thinking this was a good option. Fruit is obviously great for vitamins and fibre, but what I didn’t realise is that many fruits are also high in carbohydrates and calories and so also need portion control.”
Carolyn’s weight gradually reduced over her consultations with Mala and sessions in the gym. There were some weeks where there would be little change, “but I did not get too distressed about it because I could tell from my diary that when I added an extra glass of wine here and there or bread and pasta my weight reflected this,” said Carolyn. “I did not get depressed when I put on a pound or failed to lose a pound. With the extra exercise and sensible diet, I managed to get my weight under 11 stone which was my initial goal and have managed to stay there.”
Carolyn is still on track with her weight loss and feels that, with Mala's help, she is now 'educated' and her shopping and eating habits have changed significantly, even after only five sessions. The combined dietitian and weight loss programme at Physiocare has helped Carolyn to significantly improve her self-esteem and given her a healthier relationship with food, enabling her to achieve her personal goals in the short and longer-term.