Casey Harrison Naturopathy

25/07/2026

Getting protein, fibre and healthy fats into little people in the morning helps so much with focus and behaviour. We’ve been through ups and downs with breakfast in our house but what has helped is sticking to the rule of thumb which is constant exposure to different foods, and giving them a little autonomy to the decision. At one point that autonomy got a little out of hand so we implemented our breakfast menu! Getting kids involved in designing the menu helps so much with buy in, and gives it longevity! For our menu, 1st course options all need to have protein, healthy fats and fibre. Then if they are still hungry they can choose from 2nd course, which on our menu is toast with a variety of spread choices.
1st course options on our menu at the moment is muesli with yoghurt and nuts and seeds (I sneak probiotics or collagen powders into the yoghurt sometimes), a protein and fruit smoothie, porridge with seeds and I will also add collagen powder to this, eggs anyway, sliced banana with almond butter. But your menu can reflect what your child likes to eat.

It’s a fun weekend activity too! And your menu can grow as your child’s tastes evolve!

20/07/2022

I am seeing more and more patients present to my clinic with long-COVID symptoms - symptoms persisting 3 and 6 months post infection. These symptoms range from fatigue and respiratory, to mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression.

More and more we are seeing research connecting the gut microbiome with immune dysfunction and systemic inflammation. Addressing the gut by supporting digestive function, eliminating pathogens and encouraging diversity of good gut bacteria is crucial in the management and long-term treatment of long COVID.

Ameliorating the long lasting symptoms of long COVID by regulating the gut microbiome

27/04/2022

PROTEIN - Make sure you are eating sufficient protein in each main meal, especially breakfast. Eating a breakfast high in protein reduces the desire to snack on foods high in sugar and fat across the day. Choose a high protein smoothie or two scrambled eggs with avocado, spinach and a slice of sourdough toast to improve your appetite control across the day.​​​​​​​​
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CRUNCHY FOODS - Often we get the desire to eat at our desks when we are feeling bored or anxious, and rarely because we are hungry. When you feel the desire to keep reaching for snacks, try to choose something crunchy that takes effort to eat e.g. apples, carrot sticks or celery sticks. The sensation of eating these foods helps to satisfy that snacking reflex and desire to chew, which often stems from boredom or anxiety. ​​​​​​​​
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PREPARE - Success is in the preparation! If you know that you get hungry at 10:00 am or 3:00 pm, prepare by having healthier snacks available to eat e.g. apple slices with nut butter, yogurt with berries, chia pudding, celery sticks with hummus, tahini or smashed avocado and hard boiled eggs. Having healthier options available will make it less likely that you will reach for chips or chocolate. ​​​​​​​​
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TEA - sip on herbal tea between meals. Often if we are snacking out of boredom, then doing something with our hands can help. Choose a lovely herbal tea to sip on between your main meals to help ease that urge to snack. It will help by distracting you and keeping your hands busy. Some herbal teas, like liquorice tea, also help to reduce sugar cravings. They are a great option for that 3:00 pm energy dip or after dinner. Another one of my favourites to help reduce excess snacking is Rooibos tea.

16/01/2022

Did you know that babies build up their vitamin stores in the womb? After birth these vitamin D stores can drop and they rely on vitamin D in breastmilk, formula or safe supplementation to maintain a healthy vitamin D status.
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If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mum, it is important to have your vitamin D levels checked. This can be done through a simple blood test. Once you know your vitamin D status, you can correct a possible nutrient deficiency to support your babies healthy growth and development in the womb and throughout your feeding journey.
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Ideally, I always recommend that my clients check their vitamin D status before falling pregnant, so that appropriate supplementation can be started before conceiving.
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17/12/2021

Your diet has a huge impact on your hormone health and your cycle. A healthy balanced diet full of whole foods and fresh produce is always recommended for over-all health and vitality, but there are some specific foods that I recommend including in your weekly diet for a healthy period.
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Eating these foods regularly can help to balance your hormones, reduce inflammation and period cramps and improve your mood.

08/12/2021

Do you experience mood swings, irritability and/or anxiety before your period? Low progesterone could be to blame...

05/12/2021

ONE! Phew, what a year 😮‍💨⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I am so proud to be the mum of this gorgeous, cheeky, LOUD, caring, playful, curious, stubborn and energetic little boy who has just started to take his first steps! Wow things are about to get a whole lot crazier. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When I found out I was going to become a mother, I knew it would involve a lot of change, but I didn’t realise that there would be a permanent shift within myself that would begin from first finding out that I was pregnant, and would continue to evolve through birth, the 4th trimester, and beyond. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There is a term I learned of recently called ‘Matrescence’, which gives greater understanding to the shift that women go through when they become mothers, and refers to this time as a permanent change in a woman, a change to the same level as what we experience in puberty. I think a lot of women, myself included, expect to give birth, go through the postpartum recovery period and then everything essentially goes back to the way it was, plus the addition of a baby on your hip! But the change we experience when we become mothers, through the traditional sense of the word, as well as through surrogacy, adoption and miscarriage, is on a cellular level - hormonally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is a change that is deep and rooted within us. And just like the change in puberty, it is a permanent shift. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I have found this comforting to know as it has allowed me to fall into my new role with more acceptance, understanding and compassion towards myself. Rather than fighting to become the woman I was before, I am allowing the fundamental shift within me to compliment who I was before and offer a new perspective on the way I see the world and the way the world sees me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Have you felt a shift within yourself since becoming a mother? Have you embraced it or have you struggled to reconcile your new self with your previous self?

02/12/2021

PMS and PROGESTERONE⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know that low progesterone can cause PMS? Oestrogen and progesterone are involved in an intricate balancing act throughout your cycle. They are also have a powerful effect on our moods because they influence neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In the lead up to your period, oestrogen drops, lowering your happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine. Progesterone should then rise enough to help stabilise your moods at this time of the month. However, PMS symptoms like anxiety and irritability, can occur when the body does not make enough progesterone to help protect your moods against this drop in oestrogen. Cue being pi**ed off at everything and everyone 🤬⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you feel this way in the week leading up to your period? If you do, then you are probably not making enough progesterone in the second half of your cycle. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The good news is there are a lot of diet and lifestyle changes, as well as herbs and supplements, which can help to increase your progesterone. Find out more by securing a free-discovery chat with me by hitting the link in my bio. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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30/11/2021

Constipation in babies and children is one if the most frequent digestive conditions in this age group, peaking between ages 2 and 4. Treatment can sometimes be as simple as increasing water and fibre intake, while other times it could mean addressing a food intolerance.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Some of the most common causes of constipation in kids include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📍Cow's milk protein intolerance or other food intolerances⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍Dehydration⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍Inadequate fibre intake ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍An imbalance in gut microflora ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍Faecal retention behaviour⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Other psychological conditions may also be a contributing factor, such as anxiety. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Naturopathic treatment of constipation in kids can involve a mix of dietary and lifestyle recommendations, as well as herbal medicine and nutritional medicine support. Where appropriate, combined support by doctors and/or psychologists may also be recommended. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If your little one (or big one!) needs help relieving their constipation and regulating their digestion, follow the link in my bio to secure your one-on-one naturopathic consultation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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