Interview with Rossella Health

Interview with Rossella Health, Nutritional Therapist

Recently I was sent the following questions and my answers and reflections were supposed to be published on a health magazine, just for the general public so that potential clients could follow some of my advice to lead a healthy life and eat well. I publish them here on my website, highlighting that these are only general pieces of advice and that each person has a completely different way of metabolising, absorbing and making use of food and nutrients.

• What does “healthy eating” really mean in 2026, and has the definition changed over the years?

Healthy eating is a general label that can be understood by people in personal ways. A lot of clients come to me and one of the statements that I hear early on during consultations is the following: ‘I believe that I eat a healthy diet and that the food I buy and take is good for me.’ But as the consultation proceeds, there are a lot of so called ‘unhealthy habits’ that emerge, in particular foods that clients think are ‘healthy’ are not serving them very well. One of the areas that I always recommend we explore is that of intolerances.

In 2026, compared to even 7 years ago (pre-covid), food intolerances have surged and people are not aware of them and of the hidden damage that this causes our digestive tract over the years with symptoms that go from acidic reflux, bloating, headaches, skin issues. Just name them. Without mentioning active allergies that can emerge fast and unexpected.

So yes, the concept of healthy eating is very different in 2026. Not massively different from 2025, but quite starkly different from the early 2000’s and even the 2010’s. And this is closely related to the much more stressful life we lead, the changing environment, the abuse of screen time, the lack of real exercise (I am not talking about exercise in the gym, but real time in nature away from screens, sedentary jobs, and processed foods). People have even now machines that cook for them, that follow them step by step in how to complete a recipe. Technology advances are not necessarily in line with digestive health and our evolving (or receding?) immune system.

• What are three simple, practical nutrition habits anyone can start today to improve their overall health?

1. Drink enough water during the day. It has to be still possibly filtered natural water. Enough means an average of 2 litres per day sipped throughout the day;
2. Do anything you can to improve your sleep, especially concentrate on being asleep between 12 midnight and 4am (the most important lapse of night time when your cells and immune system do the majority of their work to keep you healthy;
3. Eat natural foods (well suited to your digestive system) cooked in traditional ways.

• There’s so much conflicting information online—how can people tell the difference between evidence-based nutrition advice and trends or fads?

My advice is always to refer to a Nutritional Therapist, a professional who is trained to accompany you to your best suited diet, to help you achieve your health goals (lose weight in a safe and sustainable manner; help you rebalance your digestive system; assess your needs according to your unique body make-up by testing food intolerances, DNA health, oxidative stress, etc.).

Put yourself in safe hands and make sure that the professional that you entrust your health to, is fully qualified and has good experience of the field. Trust me, it is a good investment of your time and money and it is re-educational too.

• For busy professionals, what does a balanced day of eating realistically look like?

For busy professionals I always recommend that they use one day per week to cook for the full week and freeze their lunches in batches. This ensures less visits to the local supermarket or cafe for lunch and unhealthy choices.

Have a good balanced breakfast. No snacks until you have your good and healthy home-made lunch. Then eat dinner with your family around 7pm at latest, to allow for digestion before you go to bed.

Try and be in best by 11pm at the very latest to allow your body to fully unstressed, fall asleep and wake up re-invigorated.