S7, Ep5 – In conversation with Jessica Shand
21 October 2025
For our fifth episode of season seven, Dr Reena was joined by one of the UK’s leading hormone health experts, Registered Nutritionist Jessica Shand! As a naturopathic nutritionist and hormone specialist, Jessica is renowned in her field for her unique results-driven hormonal balance method and for using food as medicine to promote optimised health and wellbeing.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
The show opens with a mini recap of Jessica’s wellbeing journey – her story started in her early twenties when she was dealing with quite a few health symptoms, including bad anxiety that was debilitating at times. This was paired with gut issues but the main issue was an irregular cycle, which she didn’t take too much notice of at the time, not initially putting two and two together that her hormones could be playing a role in the rest of her symptoms.
It was when she was looking to conceive that she explored this further, and it wasn’t until she saw a gynaecologist and was diagnosed with PCOS and an underactive thyroid that Jessica felt quite empowered that she could now take her health into her own hands and really delve into how she could support herself through food.
After immersing herself in overhauling her nutrition, she became more in tune with her body and started to feel better. She then fell pregnant with her now five-year-old son. That was the point at which she felt strongly that she wanted to help other women experiencing the same issues.
The conversation explores the personalised approach to nutrition, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. Jessica wrote The Hormone Balance Handbook to bridge the gap between the science and how to implement that into a daily lifestyle, which is something that she is completely fascinated by.
Jessica built her brand from helping real women with real problems, describing how guiding them successfully through their own personal challenges is the best feeling. She built her Instagram organically right at the start of her own journey, showcasing the food she herself was making to make her feel better, and it grew from there into a large, dedicated following, working with celebrities along the way.
Jessica was approached by many publishers and had had a book on her vision board, which she likes to create every New Year’s Eve. Ever since she was a little girl, she had wanted to write a book, initially studying journalism at university. She wanted to write a bible of everything she had learnt from her own experience that was science-led as a resource people could dip in and out of, with every chapter of the book focusing on a different body system to show us how to really nourish those body systems. The way Jessica sees it is that we can’t treat anything in isolation and every system has a part to play.
Certain foods and ingredients Jessica loves – avocados, extra virgin olive oil, seeds, and nuts – are key. Fats are very important for women, and she emphasises thinking about protein, maximising plant diversity, and staying hydrated.
When it comes to daily routine, Jessica confirms that this is essential; otherwise, things can quickly get out of hand! In addition to her content creation, she has a clinic at Soho House and her own private clinic. She also writes for many leading publications, including Vogue and Sheerluxe, and she’s a parent. A Sunday night ritual ensures she writes down what she realistically wants to achieve per day.
Jessica describes how her clients lift her up and keep her going throughout busy weeks, along with the support of her online community.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Nutrition is never a one-size-fits-all approach – Jessica emphasises the importance of a personalised approach to nutrition based on your body’s unique needs. What works for one person may not work for another, especially when hormones are involved.
Hormones are a fascinating area of health; they influence every single body system.
Food can be a powerful tool for healing.
Routine is essential for balance – A consistent daily routine, including planning, hydration, and a nourishing diet, helps Jessica stay grounded while managing a busy lifestyle that includes clinics, parenting, and content creation.
You don’t have to do it all at once – Her book, The Hormone Balance Handbook, is created as a resource people can dip in and out of, chapter by chapter, to better understand and support each body system in a manageable way.
Community and real-life stories matter – her connection with other women, including her clients and online followers, is a key part of her mission.
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