In our expert spotlight series, we speak with experienced practitioners across NZ and beyond to get an inside scoop on health, wellbeing, and how they are using the Mitchells range in a clinical setting.
Introducing Natalie Brady, Holistic Nutritionist, Wellness Expert & Mumma of three under five.
Natalie, you're a Holistic Nutritionist & Wellness Expert, tell us a bit about yourself and your practice?
Hello! I’m a mum with three kids under 5, and I’ve been working with clients as a Holistic Nutritionist for 10 years now. Before becoming a nutritionist, I worked in the corporate world in digital marketing, but after going through my own health journey and experiencing the power of nutrition firsthand, I decided to follow my passion. I returned to university (for the second time!) and to study Holistic Nutritionist.
In my practice, I work one-on-one with women to support a wide range of health concerns. My approach is always personalised and rooted in getting to the why behind symptoms. I dive deep into my clients' blood work, dietary patterns, stress levels, sleep patterns, lifestyle habits, and more to uncover the root causes of their health struggles.
Education is a huge part of my work. I want every client to understand the why behind the recommendations I make, because that understanding builds long-lasting habits and confidence in their bodies. After our sessions, I provide each client with a comprehensive, personalised nutrition and wellness plan, including tailored dietary and lifestyle recommendations, targeted supplement suggestions (if needed), and a custom meal plan with nourishing, wholefood recipes.
What got you into holistic nutrition? And what was the inspiration to start your business Natalie Brady Nutrition?
My journey into holistic nutrition began with my own health struggles. In my early 20s, I was sick of feeling sick. I’d dealt with eczema my whole life, was given numerous doses of antibiotics throughout my childhood and teen years, relied on steroid creams for many years, lived with low immunity, constant gut issues, and was even diagnosed with IBS, which I was told I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. I remember walking out of yet another doctor’s appointment, feeling completely deflated after being handed a stronger steroid cream and another prescription for antibiotics. I knew deep down this wasn’t a long-term solution, I had had enough, antibiotics and steroid creams weren’t working for me anymore. I didn’t want more band-aids, I wanted answers.
"I was sick of feeling sick. I’d lived with eczema, low immunity and gut issues for years. Nutrition gave me answers doctors couldn’t."
That was the turning point for me. I began researching natural ways to heal eczema and support gut health. I started experimenting with removing certain foods from my diet, and cleaning up my overall diet, and within just eight weeks, I noticed dramatic improvements, more than I’d experienced in over two decades of medications and creams. I felt empowered by how much food and lifestyle changes could transform my body, and I wanted to understand why. I became fascinated by the science of nutrition and how our daily choices impact our health on a cellular level.
Around that same time, I lost my menstrual cycle for nearly two years, which led to a PCOS diagnosis—and later, endometriosis. I was told I’d need to be on metformin and the oral contraceptive pill long-term, and that I’d always have hormonal issues. But deep down, I didn’t accept that as my only option. Through nutrition and lifestyle shifts—particularly learning how to stabilize my blood sugar and reduce stress—I was able to restore my cycle naturally and feel better than I had in years.
That experience lit a fire in me. I left the corporate world, went back to university, and retrained as a Holistic Nutritionist. I created Natalie Brady Nutrition so I could help other women feel empowered, informed, and supported on their health journey. I’m a foodie at heart—I love creating delicious, nourishing recipes that prove healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. My mission is to help women get to the root cause of their symptoms, find balance in their bodies, and thrive—because I believe we all deserve to feel vibrant, energized, and well.
Do you have a particular health concern/area of health you see most in clinic and how did you come to ‘specialise’ in this?
I specialise in blood sugar balance and metabolic health, and these two areas are at the core of so many concerns I see in clinic - fat loss resistance, low energy, hormonal imbalances, and digestive symptoms. Often, they’re all interconnected.
My personal health journey is what also led me here. I experienced how transformational it can be to stabilize blood sugar, not just for weight or cravings, but for energy, mood, sleep, and hormone function. It’s one of the most empowering things a woman can do for her health, yet it's often overlooked. We’re also in the middle of a metabolic health crisis, with rising rates of insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and hormone-driven issues that often fly under the radar in traditional care. Many of my clients get told everything is “normal” with their blood work, yet many of their results are below or above the optimal range, which is different to the “average person” range. That’s why I focus heavily on interpreting blood work and supporting clients with realistic, sustainable nutrition and lifestyle shifts.
Another area I’m incredibly passionate about is pregnancy and postnatal health. After having three babies myself, I became obsessed with understanding how to nourish and support the body through pregnancy, not just to “get through it,” but to truly thrive. I wanted to feel strong, vibrant, and well throughout each trimester, which I did through all 3 of my pregnancies. That personal experience, combined with my clinical training, led me to create an online prenatal nutrition course which is very educational, and it’s where I share everything I did to support my body during my pregnancies, along with all the nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement strategies I recommend to my clients.
Okay, so you tend to see clients who are pregnant, postpartum, having blood sugar imbalances and metabolic health struggles, what nutrition and lifestyle medicine levers do you find yourself using most?
Many! But one of the key foundations I focus on across the board whether someone is pregnant, postpartum, or navigating metabolic or hormonal challenges is consuming adequate protein intake.
-
- During pregnancy, protein is vital for supporting the rapid growth of maternal and fetal tissues, blood volume expansion, and placenta development. It also helps with blood sugar stability, reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, and supports satiety, which is very important for those dealing with nausea and fatigue.
- During postpartum, after birth, your body is in a rebuilding phase, healing tissue, replenishing nutrient stores, producing breastmilk, and restoring hormone balance. Protein provides the building blocks your body needs to repair, regulate inflammation, and support stable energy levels during a time that’s physically and emotionally demanding.
- For metabolic health & blood sugar balance, protein is a game changer here. It helps stabilize glucose levels, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces cravings, and supports easier fat loss.
On the lifestyle side, a big focus in my clinic is supporting the nervous system. Chronic stress is one of the biggest drivers of hormonal dysregulation, digestive issues, poor sleep, and metabolic imbalances. Stress isn’t something we can eliminate entirely, but it’s something we can build resilience. I encourage clients to build in simple stress-reducing practices daily, whether that’s deep breathing, walking in nature, journaling, or quiet moments of prayer. These small, intentional moments activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to shift the body into a state of healing and balance.
In what cases do you find yourself suggesting the Mitchells Nutrition products and how do you see clients benefiting?
I regularly recommend Mitchells Bone Broth Protein to my clients during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as for those navigating blood sugar imbalances, fatigue, or gut issues. For pregnancy, it’s one of my go-to options because it’s a super clean, gentle-on-the-gut protein that also provides a rich source of glycine, a critical amino acid for fetal development, collagen production, skin elasticity, and uterine integrity. Glycine needs increase significantly in pregnancy, making collagen-rich foods and supplements especially important during this phase of life.
For postpartum, it’s a nutrient-dense superfood that supports healing, tissue repair, and energy, all vital during those early recovery weeks. Many of my clients struggle to meet their protein needs while juggling newborn life, and Mitchells Bone Broth Protein is a convenient, easy-to-use option that actually tastes great. Plus the Mitchells Bone Broth powder is extremely nourishing and healing for postpartum mamas.
For clients navigating blood sugar imbalances, fatigue, or gut issues, Mitchells Bone Broth Protein is a simple, nourishing way to support energy, stabilise glucose levels, promote gut healing, and help switch off hunger hormones, keeping you feeling full, satiated, and less consumed by food cravings.
"Mitchells Bone Broth Protein is a super clean, gentle-on-the-gut protein that actually tastes great."
In your opinion, what sets Mitchells apart from other bone broth, protein, or supplements available for use in clinic?
What I love most about Mitchells is their commitment to clean, high-quality ingredients. Their bone broth protein is made from 100% grass-fed and finished beef, something that’s really important to me and my clients. I also personally love the taste! The flavoured options are naturally sweetened with monk fruit (not stevia or artificial sweeteners) which I also love.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy any of the Mitchells Nutrition products?
In a blood sugar balancing smoothie or a healthy snack that I can enjoy with my kids!
Let's flip the script, we'd love to hear your personal top 3 non-negotiable nutrition/lifestyle habits and why are these important for you?
This is a tough one, but if I had to choose just three, they would be:
-
- Eating 30–50g of protein at every main meal – it keeps my blood sugar stable, energy up, and cravings down.
- Drinking 2–3L of filtered water daily – essential for digestion, energy, and overall vitality.
- Getting 7–8 hours of sleep. As a mum of three young kids under 5, I do my best to prioritise rest whenever I can. Sleep is everything!
Natalie's High Protein Banana Muffins
Here’s a snack recipe that I’ve recently been enjoying with my kids that’s nutrient dense and high in protein, it’s perfect for school lunchboxes!
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas (1 cup mashed)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup almond meal
- ½ cup oat flour (I blitz oats in a Nutribullet)
- ½ cup @mitchellesnz vanilla protein powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 175°C. Line or grease a muffin tray (makes 9–10).
- Mash banana in a bowl. Add eggs, honey & vanilla – mix well.
- Add almond meal, oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon & salt. Mix to combine. Fold in chocolate chips (or sprinkle on top).
- Scoop into muffin tray and bake for 18–22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool fully before eating.
Instagram: @nataliebradynutrition - Natalie shares practical and realistic nutrition tips, wellness advice, and plenty of nourishing, blood sugar-friendly recipes to support your health journey.
Website: www.nataliebrady.co.nz - Natalie has hundreds of wholesome recipes, educational blog posts, and resources to help you live your healthiest, most vibrant life. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter for extra inspiration and education.
Leave a comment