As part of the IINH Student Spotlight series, we will be visiting some of our alumni from both our Nutrition & Health Coaching and Nutritional Therapy courses to see what sparked their interest in nutrition, discuss their nutrition philosophies and find out what they’ve been up to since studying with IINH.
ABOUT IRENE FLANNERY
Hi, I’m Irene Flannery. Since qualifying with IINH in 2009, I’ve combined nutritional therapy with practical food education, helping people turn nutritional advice into everyday meals and habits.
My work spans one-to-one consultations, community cooking courses, demonstrations, writing and talks, with a growing focus on healthy ageing. As a Medicinal Chef, I bring nutritional science into the kitchen, making healthy eating feel realistic, enjoyable and achievable rather than complicated or restrictive.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Nutrition & Health Coaching?
I was initially inspired to study Nutritional Therapy when my sister was diagnosed with cancer and I wanted to understand how nutrition might support her. I was hooked from the beginning and became passionate about translating nutritional science into something practical and meaningful. Since qualifying in 2009, I have continued to study, learn and draw from both emerging science and traditional food wisdom, creating a practice grounded in evidence, compassion and the realities of everyday life.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR ACHIEVEMENT SINCE GRADUATING?
One of my most rewarding achievements has been developing and delivering practical nutrition and cooking programmes within my local community. Working with people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities has shown me how powerful nutrition education can be when it is brought to life through everyday food. Seeing someone gain the confidence to cook, try new foods or make changes that improve how they feel continues to be one of the most memorable and meaningful parts of my work.
HOW HAS YOUR TRAINING INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS?
My training gave me a strong foundation in nutritional science and taught me to look at the whole person rather than focusing on individual symptoms. When I qualified in 2009, nutrition information was not shaped by influencers and fast-moving online trends in the way it is today. That early grounding taught me how to examine research, interpret data and question health claims before forming an opinion. It continues to anchor my work in an increasingly noisy information landscape. Alongside traditional food wisdom and practical cooking skills, it allows me to offer an approach that is evidence-informed, individualised, food-first and relevant to everyday life.
HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR WORK POSITIVELY IMPACT OTHERS?
I have seen my work give people greater confidence around food and a clearer understanding of how everyday choices can support their health. Sometimes the impact is a tangible improvement in energy, digestion or overall wellbeing; at other times, it is someone learning to cook, trying unfamiliar foods or feeling less overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice. In community settings especially, I have seen how practical, enjoyable food education can create connection and encourage changes that extend beyond the individual into families and communities.
What kind of feedback have you received from clients or your community?
The feedback I receive most often is that my approach makes nutrition feel practical, manageable and less overwhelming. Clients value feeling listened to and supported without judgement, and appreciate advice that fits their health needs and everyday lives. In community classes, people frequently tell me they enjoy the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere and leave with greater confidence in the kitchen. It is especially rewarding when participants return to say they are still cooking the recipes, sharing them with family or making changes they once thought would be too difficult.
What’s been the most unexpected or exciting part of your journey so far?
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT STUDYING WITH IINH?
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If you would like to reach out to Irene you can find her on the below links:
Website: Here
Phone: +353 86 1662562
Email: hello@omnom.ie
Instagram: Here
Thinking of studying at IINH?
To learn more about our Nutrition & Health Coaching or Nutritional Therapy programmes, visit the links below:
