The 5 Questions I Get Asked Most Often as a Nutritionist

One of the things I love most about my job as a Registered Clinical Nutritionist is that no two clients are the same. Everyone comes with different goals, challenges, health histories and lifestyles.

But despite those differences, there are a handful of questions that come up time and time again, particularly when I'm working with women in their 40s, 50s and beyond.

And I can understand why. There is so much conflicting nutrition advice out there that it can be difficult to know what to believe, let alone what will actually work for you.

So, I thought I'd share five of the questions I get asked most often, along with my answers.

1. How much protein do I actually need?

This is probably one of the most common questions I get asked, and for good reason. Protein has certainly had plenty of attention recently!

My general recommendation for many of the women I work with is around 1.6g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, although individual needs vary depending on age, activity levels, health and goals.

For a 70kg woman, that's approximately 112g per day.

But it's not just about the total. I encourage clients to spread their protein across three meals rather than trying to catch up at dinner. And the quality of the protein matters too.

Why? Because protein helps with muscle maintenance, recovery, satiety and body composition, all of which become increasingly important as we get older.

And no, you don't need to eat chicken and eggs all day to get there.

2. Why am I gaining weight when I haven't changed what I'm eating?

This is something I hear frequently from women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

They tell me they're eating much the same as they always have, exercising regularly, and yet their clothes are getting tighter, particularly around their middle.

Sound familiar?

Hormonal changes during this stage of life can influence where we store fat, while changes in muscle mass, sleep, stress, activity and appetite can also play a role.

But it doesn't mean weight gain is inevitable or that you need to start eating next to nothing.

Often, we need to look at the bigger picture. Are you eating enough protein? Are you strength training? How's your sleep? What does your overall eating pattern look like? Are extras like olive oil, butter, nuts and other calorie dense foods tipping you into a calorie surplus.

Sometimes it's a few small adjustments that make the biggest difference.

3. Do I need to cut out carbohydrates to lose weight?

Short answer? No!

Carbohydrates are not the enemy, despite what you might have read online.

I regularly see women who have cut out bread, potatoes, rice or fruit because they've been told these foods cause weight gain.

But not all carbohydrates are created equal, and the amount and type you eat matters.

Wholegrains, fruit, legumes and vegetables provide valuable fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Rather than cutting carbohydrates out completely, I encourage clients to look at portions, food quality and what they're eating alongside them.

For example, a plate with a generous serving of protein, plenty of colourful vegetables and a moderate portion of rice or potatoes can absolutely fit into a healthy eating plan.

It's about finding the right balance for your needs, not eliminating entire food groups.

4. Should I be taking supplements?

My answer to this one is usually, "It depends!"

And I know that's probably not what people want to hear.

Magnesium, creatine, collagen, vitamin D, fish oil... there are so many supplements being promoted, particularly to women in midlife.

Some have good evidence behind them for specific uses. Others are unlikely to provide much benefit unless there's a particular need.

Before recommending anything, I want to understand what someone is already eating, their health history, medications, symptoms and whether there's a reason to suspect a nutrient deficiency.

Supplements can certainly have a place, but they should complement a good nutritional foundation rather than replace it. And more isn't necessarily better.

5. I'm eating healthily, so why am I not losing weight?

This is another big one!

It's entirely possible to eat a nutritious diet and still struggle with weight management.

Foods like nuts, avocado, olive oil, peanut butter and cheese are all nutritious, but they're also energy-dense. Portions can make a significant difference, particularly when we're trying to lose body fat.

I also look at meal patterns. Are you skipping lunch and then grazing all afternoon? Are you eating enough protein at breakfast? Are you regularly snacking when you're not particularly hungry?

And of course, there's sleep, stress, movement, medication and hormonal changes to consider.

When I work with clients, I'm not simply looking at a list of foods and telling them what to cut out. I'm trying to understand what's happening across their whole day and what might be getting in the way of their goals.

And that's often where the most useful changes are made.

So, what's the takeaway?

If there's one thing I've learnt from working with clients, it's that nutrition isn't black and white.

What works brilliantly for one person might not work for another, even when their goals appear to be exactly the same.

And while there's plenty of good general advice available, sometimes you need someone to look at your individual circumstances and help you work out what actually makes sense for you.

Have you got a nutrition question you'd love answered?

Or perhaps you've been doing all the things you think you should be doing but aren't seeing the results you'd hoped for?

I now offer standalone 60-minute Nutrition Deep Dive sessions, where we can take a closer look at your current nutrition, your goals and what's potentially holding you back.

You'll leave with practical, personalised recommendations and a clearer idea of what to focus on.

Alternatively, you're welcome to book a free 30-minute chat to see how I can help.