Trends come and go and wellness trends are no exception. Some quietly disappear, whilst others get louder, more extreme and worryingly, more convincing as they pass through layers of social media feeds.
Over the years, people often assume that because I work in nutrition and wellness, I must have tried everything. The reality is the opposite. There are many wellness trends I’ve never subscribed to, not because I didn’t know about them, but because I’ve always taken a more considered, long-term view of health. A few years ago, a journalist once described me as a “no-nonsense” nutritionist…for good reason!
Now, with deeper professional experience and more life behind me, I’m even clearer on this:
Health isn’t built through extremes, optimisation or constant self-discipline. It’s built through habits that quietly support your body, year after year.
Here are some of the wellness trends I’ve consciously never bought into and why?
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Extreme Morning Routines
Cold plunges, 5am alarms and earthing/grounding (direct skin contact with the earth (grass, soil, sand) are not for me.
I’ve never believed that wellness should begin with stress. For many people, particularly women in midlife, piling intensity onto already busy mornings simply raises cortisol and sets the nervous system on edge before the day has even begun.
Sleep quality and nourishment matter far more than forcing yourself into discomfort for the sake of discipline.
A calm, repeatable morning routine is a far more effective start to my day.
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Restrictive “Clean Eating”
I’ve never subscribed to cutting out entire food groups or labelling foods as “good” or “bad”.
Nutrition science doesn’t support rigidity and neither does long-term behaviour change. Over-restriction often backfires, leading to binges, poor food choices and of course, the inevitable consequences like poor blood sugar regulation, digestive issues and potentially, a strained relationship with food.
What does work is building meals around nutrient density:
- Fibre-rich vegetables…always veggies first!
- Adequate protein, including red meat on occasion.
- Healthy fats…and yes, I do include seed oils, like rapeseed oil, as one of my oils of choice
- Meals that are satisfying and enjoyable! Food is one of life’s joys; I wouldn’t want to compromise that.
Living healthy shouldn’t be punishing.
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The Need to Optimise Everything
Tracking every metric. I don’t need to know exactly how many calories, grams of protein or fibre there are in my meals. I don’t have the time to do the maths! What I am more focused on is the balance of food groups on my plate and ensuring variety. There’s enough to think about just there!
Awareness can be helpful, but obsession disconnects people from their own bodies. Hunger, energy, mood and digestion are powerful signals, if you learn to listen to them.
Pay attention to the signals!
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Wellness That Requires Constant Spending
Supplements, powders, gadgets and protocols that are marketed as “essential”.
I’ve never believed that wellness should be expensive or complicated. In practice, the biggest health gains come from doing the basics well:
- Regular, balanced meals
- Movement you can maintain
- Good sleep
- Social connection
- Stress management
These aren’t glamorous, but they are effective and sustainable. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for a supplement, but as the name suggests, it should be a “supplement” to a diet that is otherwise considered by may, for any reason be lacking in a specific nutrient. Working with a professional nutritionist will help to establish whether there is a need for additional support.
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Alcohol as Self-Care
Wine culture is often sold as relaxation, reward or stress relief.
Personally, I don’t drink and do not believe alcohol truly provides these benefits in the long run.
From a health perspective, alcohol disrupts sleep, blood sugar balance, mood and recovery, often undermining the very wellbeing people are trying to cultivate.
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Hustle Disguised as Wellness
Busyness framed as productivity!
Chronic busyness keeps the nervous system in a heightened state, affecting digestion, hormones and energy levels over time. I don’t believe rest needs to be earned or justified.
Give yourself permission to rest and relax; it’s what your body needs to repair and rejuvenate. My health retreats are a wonderful opportunity to reset under my guidance and do exactly that! Staying at Chateau de la Vigne in the tranquil Loire Valley, France is a tonic in itself…that’s me above, in the middle of the rapeseed field adjoining the chateau.
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One-Size-Fits-All Advice
What works at age 30 doesn’t always work at 50 and 60, indeed, it shouldn’t have to. Our bodies change and we should too.
As we move through midlife, priorities shift to:
- Muscle preservation
- Bone health
- Blood sugar balance
- Recovery and resilience
Your approach to your health should evolve.
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