National Nutrition Month: Meet Our Nutritional Therapist Zara Stella
To celebrate National Nutrition Month this March, we’ve teamed up with Optimal Dental Health’s very own Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach Zara Stella.
Zara is a fully registered Nutritional Therapist, NLP practitioner and Health Coach, and brings a wealth of knowledge to Optimal Dental Health.
She is also the founder of Stella Nutrition and holds an Honour Degree in Nutritional Therapy from Westminster University and a Diploma in Nutrition from the renowned Centre for Nutrition Education & Lifestyle Management.
She is a member of BANT (British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy), meaning she is bound by the BANT Code of Professional Practice, and she is also registered with the CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) which is the regulator for complementary healthcare in the UK.
Zara loves to help both Men and Women transform their health through nutrition and regain energy, lose weight, improve their relationship with food, optimise health and much more. She offers a wide range of nutritional services in London, including:
🏋️♀️ Weight loss and stress management
🍏 Digestive and gut health
👩⚕️ Women’s health and hormone balance
🌿 Skin disorders
🧠 Mental health
❤️ Cardiovascular health
🛡️ Disease prevention
You can also benefit from nutritional advice if you are free from any of the above symptoms and simply want to work with Zara to improve your diet to maintain health.
“I don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and my programmes are tailored to your specific needs and goals. I will guide you step-by-step, making your health journey manageable and helping you to create healthier habits you will enjoy.”
If you’re unsure of where to start, you’re in the right place. We’ve gathered some of our patients frequently asked questions to ask Zara so you know what happens when you embark on your nutrition journey at Optimal Dental Health in Baker Street.
What happens in an initial nutrition consultation?
An initial consultation is a 90-minute-deep dive into your health, lifestyle, and dietary habits to identify root causes of any symptoms and create a personalized, sustainable plan.
Before the initial consultation you will be sent a Health Questionnaire to fill in and send back via email. This includes information about your health history as well as a three-day food diary. During the consultation we’ll start from this and explore your medical history, energy levels, sleep, stress, digestion, hormonal balance, exercise, and any symptoms you might be experiencing.
We look at what, how, and when you eat, addressing cravings, emotional eating, and hydration to uncover patterns impacting your health.
We go beyond symptoms to assess gut health, blood sugar balance, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies, all key for energy, metabolism, and well-being.
Instead of rigid diets, we create a step-by-step plan tailored to YOU with meal strategies, supplement guidance (if needed), and lifestyle shifts. My approach is different to other nutritionists as I combine nutritional therapy with health coaching, to ensure you gain practical strategies that fit your life and are doable. Therefore, at the end of the session, we’ll work on actionable steps and accountability.
You’ll get to choose 3 or 4 realistic action steps to focus on before our next session, to make sure you progress without feeling overwhelmed. This isn’t just about food, it’s about empowering YOU with the tools and support to take control of your health.
How do I know if I need nutritional advice?
Nutritional therapy is beneficial for anyone wanting to improve their health, whether managing a health condition or simply optimizing well-being. You may benefit from expert guidance if you:
- Struggle with digestive issues (bloating, IBS, acid reflux, or irregular bowel movements).
- Experience low energy, stress, or poor sleep and need sustainable ways to feel better.
- Have health concerns related to hormonal imbalances like perimenopause, or cardiovascular disease like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Want to manage weight without restrictive dieting.
- Need help navigating food intolerances, allergies, or an anti-inflammatory diet.
- Suffer from an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or MS.
How do you approach dietary changes, so I don’t feel overwhelmed?
Making sustainable changes is key, diets that feel like punishment rarely work long-term. I use mindset coaching to help you change your behaviour prioritising small, step-by-step adjustments instead of an all-or-nothing mindset. I help you make changes that fit your routine, your tastes and your lifestyle.
With some patients we need to address emotional eating and food anxiety, and we do so always with a flexible approach. I focus on what you can add rather than what you should remove and instead of drastic changes, we focus on progress, not perfection, helping you build a balanced, enjoyable way of eating that supports your health.
How often do you check in to track my progress?
Regular check-ins are a key part of my process to ensure you’re supported, accountable, and motivated. Depending on the programme you choose, you can expect to have weekly or bi-weekly check-ins to monitor progress and adjust strategies.
I always offer email support between sessions if you need quick guidance and for some programs, like The Optimal Weight Loss Plan, we add tracking tools & goal setting to measure improvements in energy, digestion, weight, and overall well-being.
Do you accommodate for allergies and intolerances?
Yes, I work closely with many patients who have food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities to create plans which are safe (free from trigger foods but balanced too), enjoyable (focusing on delicious alternatives so you don’t feel deprived) and gut supportive.
When dealing with allergies and intolerances, it’s important to address gut health and focus on lowering inflammation and improving digestion.
What programmes do you offer?
Here at Optimal Dental health, I offer personalized nutritional therapy and health coaching through a range of programmes designed to meet different health needs and goals. Each plan is fully customized to fit your lifestyle, health history and goals.
- Optimal Health Plan (4 Weeks) – A foundational programme for those looking to improve their overall health with one initial consultation, plus one follow-up session. Perfect if you don’t have any serious health concern and you want guidance on nutrition, gut health, energy, or general well-being.
- Optimal Health Detox Plan (6 Weeks) – Specifically designed to support patients undergoing amalgam removal or pre/post-implant surgery. It Includes one initial consultation, plus two follow-ups to optimize inflammation reduction, liver function, detox pathways and recovery.
- Optimal Health Weight Loss Plan (12 Weeks) – A comprehensive 12-week metabolic reset programme with one initial consultation, plus six follow-ups for sustainable weight loss, hormonal balance, and long-term habit change. Focuses on blood sugar regulation, gut health, and lifestyle adjustments for lasting results.
Can any of your programmes help with my skin concerns?
My programs are always tailored to your health goals. Skin health is deeply connected to gut function, inflammation, and hormonal balance.
So, if you struggle with issues like eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, dry skin, or reactive skin, I can create a nutrition and lifestyle plan focused on healing the gut to reduce inflammation and skin irritation.
I can also help you to optimize nutrients like omega-3s, zinc, and antioxidants to support skin repair and to balance blood sugar and hormones which are key for clear skin.
Can I still work with you if I don’t have any specific health concerns?
Absolutely! Nutritional therapy isn’t just for those with health conditions, it’s for anyone wanting to feel their best and optimise their overall health.
Even if you feel “fine,” you might be looking to:
- Improve energy levels and avoid the afternoon crash.
- Boost focus, mood, and mental clarity.
- Strengthen your immune system for long-term health.
- Optimize gut health before symptoms arise.
- Fine-tune your eating habits for better well-being and longevity.
- Optimise you supplement plan based on your specific needs.
Think of it as an investment in your future health, preventative nutrition is just as important as healing!
Zara’s Top 5 Tips for Optimal Nutrition
1. Balance Your Blood Sugar for Steady Energy
If you’re constantly feeling tired, moody, or craving sugar, your blood sugar might be on a rollercoaster!
How to fix it:
✔️ Start the day with protein, healthy fats & fibre (no more just coffee with toast and jam!).
✔️ Avoid skipping meals—it leads to cravings & energy crashes.
✔️ Pair Complex slow releasing carbs with protein & fats to keep blood sugar stable.
Example: Instead of just fruit, have berries with Greek yogurt & nuts.
2. Support Your Gut—It’s the Root of Your Health!
Your gut health affects digestion, immunity, mood, and even skin health. If you’re feeling bloated, sluggish, or dealing with cravings, you need to pay attention to your microbiome and keep those friendly bacteria healthy and happy!
Gut-friendly habits:
✔️ Eat fermented foods (like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi) for natural probiotics.
✔️ Add fibre rich foods (like oats, beans, veggies) to feed good bacteria, but go easy on this to begin with if you’re not used to eating lots of fibre.
✔️ Avoid excess processed foods & sugar—they feed bad bacteria.
3. Prioritize Protein for Metabolism and Hormone Health
After 40, muscle mass naturally declines, which affects metabolism, energy & body composition, but protein helps maintain muscle and balance hormones.
Aim for:
✔️ 30g of protein per meal (eggs, fish, lean meats, tofu, beans/lentils/chickpeas/peas).
✔️ Strength training to support metabolism & bone health.
✔️ Add a good quality protein powder to a smoothie or soup for an easy and quick option.
4. Hydration is More Than Just Drinking Water
If you’re always feeling tired, bloated, or getting headaches, you may not be drinking enough or absorbing water properly.
Upgrade your hydration:
✔️ Add electrolytes (like a pinch of sea salt & lemon in water), especially if you’re sweating a lot during exercise.
✔️ Swap dehydrating drinks (excess coffee, sugary juices or fizzy drinks) for herbal teas and coconut water.
✔️ Eat hydrating food like cucumber, salads, watermelon, home-made smoothies and soups!
5. Nutrition & Oral Health Go Hand in Hand
What you eat doesn’t just affect your body—it impacts your teeth, gums and your oral microbiome.
Best foods for strong teeth and gums:
✔️ Vitamin K2 rich foods like natto, kale, broccoli, eggs, oily fish and vitamin D-rich foods like mushrooms, liver, and egg yolks to support enamel and bone health.
✔️ Crunchy veggies and fruits to help clean teeth and support saliva production.
✔️ Avoid frequent snacking on sugary/acidic foods to protect the teeth enamel.
A healthy mouth reflects a healthy body!
Visit us at Optimal Dental Health to learn how nutrition supports oral and overall health.
Are you motivated and ready to transform your life for good, but feel overwhelmed by all the nutrition information out there?
Get in touch with Optimal Dental Health today and book your consultation with Zara Stella. Your journey to optimal health is just a few clicks away!
Call us on 020 3921 1000 or drop us an email at hello@optimaldental.co.uk
