Live With Hope

02/09/2026

Are you focusing too much on calories and not enough on quality? 👀

There are so many apps that allow you to track every calorie you eat.

And while calorie awareness can be useful, I often see people becoming stressed and overly focused on hitting a particular number.

Two foods can contain a similar number of calories but provide your body with very different things.

Instead of asking:

❌ “How many calories does this contain?”

Try asking:
💭 “What nutrients am I getting from this?”
💭 “Does this contain enough protein?”
💭 “Where is my fibre coming from?”
💭 “Am I including healthy fats?”
💭 “Will this actually satisfy me?”

Calories are one part of the picture, but the quality of those calories matters too.

And if calorie tracking is making you anxious, guilty or stressed about food, it might be worth stepping back from the app and looking at the bigger picture.

Don’t just count your calories. Make your calories count❤️

27/08/2026

Hello everyone 👋

I’m Jo, a qualified Nutritional Therapist and the founder of Live With Hope Nutrition. I live in Balerno and have a lovely garden office where I meet with clients for 1:1 nutrition consultations and personalised support.

I work with clients on a range of health and wellbeing goals, including:

✨ Female health - perimenopause, menopause
✨ Hormone health
✨ Fertility & pre-conception support
✨ Pregnancy & postnatal nutrition
✨ Weight management
✨ Gut health & digestion
✨ Energy, sleep & stress
✨ General health and wellbeing

My approach is all about looking at the bigger picture and providing personalised, realistic nutrition and lifestyle advice to help you feel your best.

If you’re local and have been thinking about getting some support with your health, please feel free to say hello or send me a message — I’d love to connect with more people in the area! 😊

Jo x

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26/08/2026

🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

Today is all about my boy Trevor ❤️

He’s been through everything with me -lockdown, the loss of our son, Hope, moving house more times than I care to count, and welcoming new additions to our family.

He’s been my little therapet, my constant companion and a source of endless cuddles and unconditional support.

During some of my darkest days, Trevor was the reason I got out of the house. He never needed to know what was wrong, he was just there. A walk, a cuddle, a wagging tail and somehow he could bring a little bit of light back into the day 🐾

He has been there through the hardest moments and the happiest ones, and he still manages to put a smile on my face every single day.

Dogs really are so much more than pets. They become part of your family, part of your story and, sometimes, they help carry you through the bits of life you never thought you'd have to face.

Trevor, you’re a very special boy and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. ❤️🐶

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

Painful periods — when is it time to get some support? 🌸

Period pain is common, but severe or worsening pain isn't something you should put up with.

If your periods are regularly affecting your ability to work, exercise, sleep or enjoy everyday life, it may be time to look at what could be contributing to your symptoms and seek some professional advice.

Other symptoms may include:

🌸 Heavy or prolonged bleeding
🌸 Bloating and digestive changes
🌸 Constipation or diarrhoea
🌸 Headaches or migraines
🌸 Fatigue and low energy
🌸 Lower back or pelvic pain
🌸 Nausea
🌸 Breast tenderness
🌸 Mood changes, irritability or feeling more emotional

Sometimes these symptoms are simply part of your menstrual cycle, but persistent, severe or changing symptoms should be investigated.

🌿 How can nutrition help?

Nutrition can't replace medical investigation, but it can be an important part of supporting your body and managing symptoms.

Focus on:

🥦 Plenty of colourful vegetables and fruit – providing antioxidants and polyphenols.

🐟 Omega-3-rich foods such as oily fish, chia seeds, flaxseeds and walnuts.

🥜 Magnesium-rich foods including nuts, seeds, leafy greens, beans and wholegrains.

🥚 Adequate protein to support energy, blood sugar balance and overall nutritional needs.

🌾 Fibre-rich foods to support healthy oestrogen metabolism and regular bowel movements.

💧 Good hydration – particularly if you experience bloating, constipation or headaches.

And don't forget the basics: regular meals, good quality sleep, movement and managing stress can all make a difference to how you feel throughout your cycle.

⚠️ If you're taking medication, don't start supplements or herbal products without checking first. Some supplements can interact with medication, so personalised advice is important.

If you're struggling with painful periods or multiple symptoms each month and want to understand how nutrition could support you, a personalised nutrition consultation can be a good place to start. 🌿

21/08/2026

Could low stomach acid be affecting your digestion

Stomach acid plays an important role in breaking down protein, supporting digestion and helping us absorb nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12.

If you're experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, reflux or unexplained nutrient deficiencies, it's worth discussing these with your GP or a qualified practitioner.

Your digestive symptoms are giving you information — rather than simply masking them, it can be useful to understand why they're happening.

Struggling with bloating, reflux, poor digestion or unexplained nutrient deficiencies?

This is exactly the sort of thing we can explore through personalised nutrition.

📩 Get in touch to find out how I can support you.

⚠️ Important: Apple cider vinegar is not suitable for everyone. Avoid it if you have:

• Gastritis or stomach ulcers
• Significant reflux or oesophagitis
• A sensitive stomach
• Certain medications where acidic foods may be problematic

18/08/2026

Could perimenopause be behind some of the changes you're noticing? 🌸

Your 40s can bring changes to your periods, sleep, energy, mood, body composition and overall wellbeing, but you don't necessarily have to just accept feeling different.

Nutrition and lifestyle can play an important role in supporting your body through this stage.

In my latest blog, I look at:

🥚 Why protein becomes increasingly important
🌱 The role of fibre and healthy fats
🦴 Supporting bone health with calcium & vitamin D
🏋️ Why strength training matters
💊 What to consider before reaching for a menopause supplement
😴 Lifestyle factors that can support your overall wellbeing

There is so much conflicting advice around perimenopause, supplements and "hormone balancing". My aim is to cut through some of the noise and focus on practical, sustainable and evidence-informed approaches.

If you're noticing changes and wondering whether your hormones could be playing a part, have a read.

👉 Read my latest blog: Perimenopause – What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You

And if you'd like personalised support rather than trying to work it all out yourself, get in touch with me at Live With Hope Nutrition. 💚

Learn how nutrition and lifestyle can support your health through perimenopause, including protein, fibre, healthy fats, key nutrients and strength training.

17/08/2026

Back to school, back to YOU 🩷

The kids are back to school so it’s time to reset and put a little more focus back on your own health and wellbeing.

Has summer meant that a few habits have slipped? 🍦🍷☀️

Or maybe you simply feel like you need a health and nutrition refresh?

Perhaps you’d benefit from understanding:

✨ Which foods work best for your body and lifestyle
✨ Which supplements may actually be beneficial for you - rather than taking a handful “just in case”
✨ How to build sustainable lifestyle habits that support your energy, hormones, digestion and overall wellbeing
✨ What small, realistic changes could make a meaningful difference to how you feel

There’s no need for another restrictive diet or a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Personalised nutrition is about understanding what YOU need and creating changes that you can actually maintain.

If you’re ready to make yourself a priority again, book a consultation with me and let’s work together to create a personalised plan that fits your life.

📩 Get in touch to find out more or book your consultation.

11/08/2026

Is high oestrogen always a problem?

You may have heard of “oestrogen dominance” but oestrogen isn't simply a hormone that needs to be lowered. In fact, oestrogen is essential for both women and men. The important question is whether your levels are appropriate for your age, s*x, life stage and individual circumstances.

🌸 THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Oestrogen naturally rises and falls throughout the menstrual cycle. A rise in oestrogen helps an egg mature and helps prepare the womb lining for pregnancy. So your oestrogen result depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

🤰 FERTILITY
Oestrogen plays a role in ovulation and fertility. If you're struggling to conceive, looking at one hormone in isolation rarely gives you the full picture. Your oestrogen needs to be considered alongside other hormones, your menstrual cycle, symptoms and reproductive history.

🌿 PERIMENOPAUSE
This is where things can become confusing!
During perimenopause, oestrogen can fluctuate significantly rather than simply declining steadily. This can mean that levels may look very different from one test to another, and symptoms and cycle changes are important pieces of the puzzle.

🌙 MENOPAUSE & BEYOND
After menopause, oestrogen levels fall significantly. This can contribute to symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and changes in bone health.
So trying to lower oestrogen isn't necessarily the goal for a post-menopausal woman. In fact, oestrogen is an important hormone for bone health and many other aspects of wellbeing.

👨 MEN NEED OESTROGEN TOO!
Men produce oestrogen, partly by converting testosterone into oestrogen. This is needed for bone health, s*xual function and reproductive health. Again, it's about balance and context.

🩸 You can get your oestrogen levels checked by your GP or through private testing.

If you're experiencing symptoms and don't know where your hormone levels are, testing can provide useful information, but the results need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and life stage.