Hi, I’m Alison
Food has been my passion since childhood – especially Brussels sprouts and strawberries! I grew up cooking alongside my mum and found real joy in creating menus for friends and family. In my younger years, I was known for hosting pre-night-out dinners, serving up homemade lasagne and garlic bread to a crowd.
My career journey – from helping with catering in my parents’ residential home, to managing a bakery, and running my own guest house – kept food at the heart of all I did.
It wasn’t until I supported my son through sensory-based ARFID that I saw how stressful food could become, and how little support there was.
This personal experience led me to study Psychology, where I discovered nutritional psychology – an approach not yet formally recognised in the UK. To build a well-rounded, evidence-based foundation, I completed an MSc in Human Nutrition followed by an MSc in Health Psychology. This combination allows me to offer holistic, empathetic support that addresses both the science of nutrition and the emotional and behavioural aspects of eating.
Now, I combine lived experience with evidence-based knowledge to support others: offering practical, empathetic help that’s grounded in realism, joy, and a truly holistic approach.
Who I Help
I support individuals, parents, and carers through every stage of eating; from pregnancy and weaning, to the challenges of fussy eating or sensory-based ARFID.
I guide people newly diagnosed with coeliac disease through gluten-free living, and support those managing food allergies or intolerances.
I help individuals and families build cooking confidence from learning basic cookery skills, planning meals, batch cooking, or reducing waste. My advice is always evidence-based, flexible, and tailored to you.
My Qualifications
I’m a Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr), registered with the Association for Nutrition (AfN), with an MSc in Human Nutrition and an MSc in Health Psychology – giving me both scientific expertise and a holistic understanding of eating behaviour. I’ve completed ARFID-informed training with the University of Winchester and BEAT and bring lived experience from supporting my own son, who went from only eating sausages at 14 months to enjoying a balanced, varied die at 21 (and still surprises me!).
I’m an ambassador for Coeliac UK and run a local meet-up group for people living gluten-free, having also completed training on supporting newly diagnosed individuals. I am a listening and support volunteer with Aberdeen based Clan Cancer Support charity and Home Start, on their Recipe for Life Project, delivering practical cooking skills, advice on food budgeting and shopping, promotion of healthy lifestyles and oral health information. With over five years’ experience in family and community settings, and a background as a trained chef and guest house owner, I bring real-world insight to everything I do.
