Take A Walk On The Wild Side with... Henrietta Norton

Nutritional Therapist / Author / Health Writer & Founder of WildNutrition, Food-Grown® Supplements

Henrietta has 3 children aged 4, 8 and 11 years old.

1. What advice do you have for new parents? 

Over and above any book you may read, listen to your gut when it comes to parenting. You know your child better than any book.

2. What superpower do you wish you had as a parent?

Not needing to sleep! I adore my sleep and my bed but I would be able to enjoy 8 hours of peace and quiet whilst everyone else was sleeping!

3. What skills have you best learnt about yourself through becoming and being a parent? 

I have been amazed by how willingly and joyfully I have embraced “selflessness” which you need in boundless amounts to love these little wonders unconditionally. I have also learnt how much there is to learn from our children, how perfectly equipped they are with innate wisdom.

4. If you could have any help in any area as a parent what would it be? 

Every once-in-a-while I would love a fairy to sit on shoulder and whisper into my ear and reassurance me that I am doing ok. Tiredness can sometimes cast doubt and we can ruminate about the times that we made mistakes rather than when we got it right.

5. What are your favourite tips and skills that you might share with others about your parenting? 

2 simple tips:

ï Get enough sleep. If energy is on your side then life feels much easier.

ï If in doubt, hug. When my children are angry or tricky I know that actually all they need is a hug. I have learnt that this simple tool, allows them to open up and to understand what is at the root of the issue.

6. Are there any books / links / quotes that have really helping you on your parenting journey? 

These two are so influential to me and I included them in my Your Pregnancy Nutrition Guide:

“God be with the mother. As she carried her child may she carry her soul. As her child was born, may she give birth and life and form to her own, higher truth. As she nourished and protected her child, may she nourish and protect her inner life and her independence. For her soul shall be her most painful birth, her most difficult child and the dearest sister to her other children” Michael Leunig

I don’t read this as not a religious quote but that “god” is used to describe love.

“Gardeners know that you must nourish the soil if you want healthy plants. You must water the plants adequately, especially when seeds are germinating and sprouting, and they should be planted in a nutrient-rich soil. Why should nutrition matter less in the creation of young humans than it does in young plants?”

Ina May Gaskin ‘Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth’

7. What’s your child’s favourite book? 

My favourite book for young children for all three children has been Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. A beautiful book about friendship and love and fabulously illustrated. In fact, I adore all of his books. For the older two, my favourite has been The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne which is a brilliantly written and humorous book about standing out and being different.

8. What are you grateful for?

Being able to give birth to three children. I was diagnosed with endometriosis and given the prognosis that I wasn’t going to be able to have children naturally. I changed by diet, took natural supplements and herbs and fell pregnant – 3 times.

The other is your ‘Top Tip” for Nutrition for Children.

When it comes to children’s nutrition, the best gift is to give your children the opportunity to connect with food from the heart. What I mean by this is to move the emphasis away from it being a scientific equation of x amount of protein or Y amount of iron – although this is important it is also as important for them to learn to love food. Get them involved in growing the food (even if it is parsley in a window box), choosing the food (once or twice a week), cooking of the food and eat with them as often as you can. This connection with real food from an early age will translate into a really positive relationship between their eating habits and their health as they grow up.

Here is the links to Henrietta’s company Wild Nutrition, her supplements our the best out there because they are food-grown and much easier to absorb. They have a fantastic range for children too: Website / Social Media: @wildnutritionltd

Read more about Henrietta’s Wild Clinics and her work to help women who have endometriosis and hormonal issues: Website