Millions of Plates and Counting: Sarah Healey’s Mission to Nourish Families
Some experts chase headlines - Sarah Healey builds trust.
Degree-trained, Greater-Manchester-based, and quietly influential, Sarah has spent more than a decade doing the work that actually changes how people eat - at home, at school, and when families eat out together.
“Everyone eats - but that doesn’t make everyone an expert.” - Sarah Healey
She’s who you turn to when you want nutrition that’s evidence-led, human, and doable. Not perfect. Not performative. Practical.
When Nutrition “Wasn’t a Thing”
Before nutrition was trending on TikTok, Sarah chose the science.
She grew up sporty, curious, and hungry (pun intended) to understand how food fuels real life. University wasn’t soft focus; it was physiology, biochemistry, food science - thirty-plus contact hours a week and labs that made the theory stick.
But when she graduated? Jobs were scarce.
A political shift and NHS cuts collided with a profession that simply wasn’t widely hired for yet.
“The nutrition jobs just weren’t there… I worked retail and sent my CV everywhere.”
Eighteen months later, she took a food-labelling role at Heinz. It wasn’t “nutritionist” in the title, but it was an education: legislation, product formulation, and how decisions in a factory end up on a family’s plate.
“It gave me a real understanding of the industry - how products are made, the rules behind them, and what ends up on people’s plates.”
Then came the leap.
Thrown in at 23
Leading national restaurant group, Mitchells & Butlers, hired Sarah as their nutritionist. She was just 23.
“I was suddenly the nutritionist for one of the biggest restaurant companies in the UK. I didn’t even have a handover - I was thrown straight in.”
It was pressure. It was responsibility. And it was the start of a career that blends systems-level change (policy, standards, kids’ menus) with one-to-one support for real people.
“The meals I work on for children - it’s millions per year. Even the smallest change makes a huge difference.”
Social Media: A Catalyst - and a Caution
Today, nutrition is everywhere - wonderful and worrying in equal measure.
“Social media moves so fast… but the foundations of nutrition haven’t changed. That’s where I always come back to.”
She loves that Gen Z has normalised food talk, recipes, and curiosity. But she’s blunt about the risks:
“Everybody eats - but that doesn’t make everyone an expert… trends can look convincing and do harm if they’re not evidence-based or right for the person.”
Sarah’s guardrails are simple: foundations first (balanced plates, routine, sleep, hydration), then personalise for life stage, culture, training load, and health context. Data before dogma. Environments before willpower.
From Policy to Packed Lunches
Sarah kept a small private practice by design - sports fueling for everyday athletes (couch-to-5K to marathons), guidance for teens alongside psychologists when appropriate, and increasingly, family nutrition.
“Advice has to fit the person. A breastfeeding mum, a marathoner, and an anxious teen need different approaches.”
That balance - macro impact and micro care - is her through-line.
Becoming Mum: Empathy, Up Close
Motherhood didn’t make Sarah pivot; it made her double-down on care.
“Pregnancy and breastfeeding were not easy for me. I wish I’d had a supportive, evidence-led resource. That’s why I want to write a book - so other families don’t feel alone.”
She’s clear that “good eaters” still have wobbles; picky phases happen even when you “do everything right.” The work is calm, repetition, and tiny wins - not perfection.
On the Mic: The Mum Club, Oldham
At a recent The Mum Club, Oldham event, Sarah shared exactly that: practical, non-judgemental steps for tired, time-poor parents.
Her message landed because it was doable tonight.
What You Can Use Today
What's an easy, every day plate of food for adults and children?:
“Think colour, protein and wholegrains. I use simple ingredients - it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Just good food, ideally from scratch (aim for 80% of the time) that is quick and nutritious. A stir fry is a great go to - you can use left over veggies, literally any protein from chicken to chickpeas and some great whole grains!”
What's a basic nutrition guide for a runner:
"Firstly, never underestimate food. Most people make the mistake of putting all their efforts into their physical training programme but don't put the time and resources into nutrition which is the fuel for the training.
Pre run - hydrate and think carbs, carbs, carbs. Carbohydrates are our bodies (and brains) preferred energy source so make sure you are stocked up.
Post run - the dream team is carbs and protein... combine them together to increase muscle protein synthesis to help aid recovery (and of course, hydrate!)
During your run - if you are running over an hour then you will need to start thinking of nutrition/food whilst you are running such as sweets, berries, sport gels etc but this is trial and error so always find what works for you."
What's your family mealtime rituals?
"We are in the 'sharing' phase where whatever we have, the baby wants. So, 'picky' foods are great as we can all share, use our cutlery and hands and all get involved. I truly think sitting and eating together as a family, no screens, no distractions is priceless in the evenings after a day of everyday chaos.
And if you have a fussy eater, children love consistency and familiarity so keep trying different foods and try not to be too disheartened with the food on the floor!"
What's the scroll-smart rule?
"Before trying a trend, ask: Is it evidence-based? For my life stage and health context? If unsure, pause and speak to a qualified professional".
What’s Next for Sarah
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A practical, compassionate book for pregnancy, breastfeeding and the blurry months after - something you’d actually gift at a baby shower.
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Food environment reform that makes eating out with kids easier, not harder.
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A steady roster of clients who want evidence-led change that fits real life.
“I want to change the way we eat out. I want food environments to support families, not undermine them. That’s the fire in my belly right now.”
A Final Note
Sarah’s story isn’t an overnight pivot; it’s craft - years of science, service, and small changes that add up.
If you’re juggling work, naps, training, and the never-ending snacks, her reminder is grounding:
You don’t need to overhaul everything.
You don’t need to chase every trend.
Start with one plate, one meal, one small change.
Because what we eat doesn’t just fuel the day; it shapes the life we’re building - one forkful at a time.
Work with Sarah
Who does Sarah help? Families (including picky phases), athletes of all levels, and teens (alongside clinicians where appropriate).
Where is she based? Greater Manchester (North West, UK) with virtual support available.
Approach in a sentence? Evidence-led, personalised, culturally aware - routines and environments over perfection.
Generic plans? No - always tailored and safe.
Get in touch