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Nutritional Therapy in Hackney and Islington

Nutritional Therapy

Whether you are navigating hormonal changes, digestive concerns, low energy, or chronic stress, nutritional therapy at Abuelita’s provides a calm and supportive space to reconnect with your wellbeing and build sustainable habits that last.

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Nutritional Therapy in short

1:1 Nutritional Therapy with Livia. A registered, evidence-led approach focused on gut health, inflammation, hormones, neurodiversity-aware nutrition, chronic conditions, pregnancy and postpartum. As part of the packages, an initial consultation is 60 or 90 minutes (depending on the plan you choose); follow-ups are 30 minutes . Available at both studios, Hackney (E8) and Islington (N7), and online.

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Livia Lai

Who delivers it?

1:1 Nutritional Therapy with Livia. A registered, evidence-led approach focused on gut health, inflammation, hormones, neurodiversity-aware nutrition, chronic conditions, pregnancy, and postpartum. Initial consultation is 90 minutes; follow-ups are 60 minutes. Available at both studios and online.

What it helps with

  • Chronic inflammation, the kind that sits underneath fatigue, joint pain, skin issues, gut symptoms

  • Gut issues, IBS, bloating, food sensitivities, SIBO

  • Hormonal imbalances, perimenopause, PMOS, PMDD, PCOS, endometriosis

  • Histamine intolerance and MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome)

  • Neurodiversity-aware nutrition, gut-brain axis work for ADHD, autism, and other ND presentations

  • Burnout, chronic fatigue, and ME/CFS support

  • Weight changes related to stress, hormones, or chronic illness, never weight-loss for its own sake

  • Pregnancy and postpartum nutritional support

  • Athletic and high-performance nutritional support

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Healthy Food in reference to Nutritional Therapy in Hackney and Islington

How Nutrition Therapy works

20-minute free call:  We begin with a complimentary 20-minute call to understand your current health situation, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and your health goals. This gives us both the opportunity to see whether we’re the right fit for working together and to discuss how nutritional therapy may support you.

 

Initial consultation (90 minutes): Detailed health and food history, current symptoms, medications, life context. Livia listens carefully and asks the kinds of questions a 10-minute GP appointment doesn't have time for.

You leave with a personalised plan, usually a small number of changes rather than a wholesale overhaul. We've learned that gradual, sustainable changes beat dramatic ones almost every time.

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Follow-ups (60 minutes): Every 4–6 weeks to refine the plan based on what's working and what isn't. Most clients see meaningful change within 2–3 months for chronic patterns.

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Areas We Support

  • This support may be helpful if you’re experiencing PMS or PMDD, cycle irregularity, painful or heavy periods, PCOS, fertility concerns, or hormonal changes during pregnancy, postpartum, or perimenopause. Many women arrive feeling frustrated, dismissed, or unsure whether what they’re experiencing is “normal” — especially when symptoms are affecting mood, energy, and daily life.

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    Hormonal health is closely influenced by factors such as stress, nutrient status, blood-sugar balance, gut health, and how the body processes hormones. Rather than focusing on hormones alone, I take a whole-person approach to understand the underlying patterns contributing to symptoms.

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    Support focuses on personalised nutrition and lifestyle guidance designed to restore balance and resilience. Where appropriate, functional testing may be recommended to help inform a more tailored plan and ensure support feels specific, supportive, and manageable.

  • This area of support may be helpful if you’re experiencing on going gut issues, reflux or GERD, IBS, IBD, or SIBO. Many people feel anxious around food, frustrated by trial-and-error approaches, or exhausted by symptoms that fluctuate with stress and don’t respond to generic advice.

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    Digestive symptoms often reflect a combination of factors including stress, gut–brain communication, food tolerance, and nutrient absorption. My approach looks at how these systems interact, rather than treating digestion in isolation.

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    Support includes personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies that are realistic and sustainable. Functional testing may be used where appropriate to better understand digestive function and guide targeted support.

  • This support may be helpful if you're experiencing persistent fatigue, low motivation, poor sleep, brain fog, or a sense of burnout - especially if rest doesn't seem to help. Many people describe feeling, wired but exhausted", overwhelmed, or unable to recover after periods of prolonged stress. 

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    Low energy and burnout are rarely caused by one single factor. They're often linked to chronic stress, nervous-system overload, blood-sugar imbalance, nutrient depletion, and resilience over time. My approach focuses on understanding how these patterns are interacting in your body. 

  • This support may be helpful if you're experiencing energy crashes, strong cravings, difficulty managing weight, or have been told you're pre-diabetic or diabetic. Many people feel confused or discouraged when blood tests are "borderline" or when lifestyle changes don't seem to improve how they feel day-to-day.

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    Metabolic health is influenced by more than food choices alone. Factors such as stress, sleep, liver function, nutrient status, and how the body responds to insulin all play an important role. Rather than focusing solely on numbers or weight, my approach looks at the broader metabolic picture to understand what may be driving imbalance. 

  • When appropriate, functional testing can provide deeper insight into what is happening beneath the surface.

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    Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) provides a foundational understanding of mineral balance and stress patterns, with additional functional or private blood tests recommended where appropriate. This layered approach allows support to be tailored gently. 

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    Testing is never compulsory. It is used as a supportive tool to help tailor your plan more precisely.

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Wellbeing that gives back

When you book with us, you’re giving back. Every booking directly funds therapy for people facing economic barriers, including refugee women and those living with chronic pain or PTSD.

Nutritional Therapy Programmes

Save 10% when you and your partner start your wellbeing journey together.

  • A personalised 4-week nutrition and lifestyle programme designed to help you build strong foundations and begin addressing the root causes of your symptoms. Ideal if you're new to nutritional therapy and want meaningful change without a long commitment.

    What’s included

    • 1-hour initial consultation 

    • Written HTMA interpretation

    • Personalised nutrition & lifestyle plan

    • 2 bi-weekly follow-up consultations (30 min)

    • Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

    • Review of health questionnaire and 3-day food diary

    • Science-backed factsheets relevant to your plan

    • Email support between sessions (24 hours response)

    Best for you if you:

    • Are new to nutritional therapy

    • Want to address symptoms gently and sustainably

    • Are looking for clarity without a long-term commitment

    ​£394 total

     £320 + £74 HTMA lab test

  • A fully personalised 12-week nutrition and lifestyle programme designed for deeper healing, long-term change, and ongoing accountability. This programme offers more space to explore complex or long-standing health concerns, adapt your plan as your body responds, and build sustainable habits over time.

    What’s included

    • 1-hour initial consultation 

    • Written HTMA interpretation

    • Personalised nutrition & lifestyle plan

    • Ongoing plan adjustments based. on progress and test resutls

    • Bi-weekly follow-up consultations over 12 weeks

    • Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

    • Review of health questionnaire and 3-day food diary

    • Science-backed factsheets relevant to your plan

    • Email support between sessions (24 hours response)

    • Exclusive practitioner discounts on tests and supplements

    • Collaboration with your GP or healthcare provided if needed

    Best for you if you:

    • Have complex or long-standing symptoms

    • Want structured, ongoing support

    • Value accountability and long-term results

    ​£944 total

     £870 + £74 HTMA lab test

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Livia works with whole-person nutrition, gut, hormones, inflammation, stress, sleep, life context. Weight is rarely the focus. The aim is bodily function, energy, and symptom improvement, not a number on the scale.

  • Dietitians (HCPC-regulated) work primarily within NHS or clinical settings, often on specific conditions. Nutritional Therapists like Livia work more broadly with functional health, chronic conditions, and personalised long-term plans. Both are valid; the approaches are complementary.

  • Yes, Livia has specific experience with the gut-brain axis in ADHD and autism. Nutrition isn't a cure, but it can significantly affect energy, focus, sensory regulation, and emotional baseline.

  • Yes, this is one of Livia's main specialisms. For complex pictures, we'd usually recommend booking a 2-hour Integrative Package, Initial Assessment with Simona first, so the nutritional work sits within a broader plan.

  • Yes, nutritional therapy for perimenopause is one of the most useful interventions available, and one of the least known. Livia works alongside other practitioners as needed.

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Often combined with

Start your wellbeing journey today

Unsure if Nutritional Therapy is right for you?

We’re always happy to help.

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Email us at hello@abuelitas.co.uk or get in touch.

Where To Find Us

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