Hello, my name is Caroline Mentzer and I am a Nutritionist, Herbalist and mum of one based in Oxford, UK.

My passion for healthy eating began when I was very young. At the age of 11 I was considered clinically obese.

Teased at school for being fat I was given the usual diet advice to eat low calorie and low fat ‘diet foods’. But eating this way only contributed to my misery and hunger. The dissatisfaction with food that followed led me to binge eat on the wrong foods which only compounded the problem.

As I neared my 20’s I had begun to do my own research into what constituted a truly healthy diet. I experimented on myself and was encouraged by the results. This furthered my passion for nutrition and healthy living and I enrolled on a course in Nutritional Therapy.

Three years later I qualified as a Nutritional Therapist from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, one of the most respected health information resources of its kind the UK, and subsequently went on to complete a BSc (Hons) in Western Herbal Medicine at University of Westminster where I was awarded a 1^st class degree.

Over the last 17 years I’ve worked at the renowned Healthvibes clinic, which featured on BBC News and Channel 4’s Richard & Judy as well as in various newspapers and magazines, as a health consultant and writer. I focus on helping individuals achieve optimum well-being through nutrition and lifestyle advice as well as Western herbal medicines.

I have a private practice in Oxford specialising in family health; this includes finding natural solutions to common health conditions such as digestive complaints, skin problems and helping mums recover from a difficult birth or postnatal depression, and run school workshops on healthy eating for primary school children.

I am a regular on the mid morning show at BBC Radio Oxford, and BBC Five Live and I also write articles for various health magazines, and am a BritMums Award Winning Blogger (2014 – Mydaugtherwontsleep.com)

Integrated healthcare

When I became a mum, my passion for food and healthy living has only intensified. I realise the importance of giving my children an education in healthy eating and cooking, which I believe will stand them in good stead for a future of optimum health.

With this in mind, I’m passionate about an integrated health care society where Holistic Therapists support the ever growing burden on the NHS. I believe the only way we can save our public healthcare system is to start with the basics and put preventative measures in place.

This means teaching families the power of good nutrition and the effectiveness of safe herbal remedies. Also knowing where to reach out for professional help with common childhood health conditions.

Healthy living is so intrinsic to my life that I want to spend my time helping others feel the benefits too. If you would like to know more about me, and my work, please email me on carolinementzer@gmail.com