Transform Your Relationship with Food and Self
What is ‘Food Addiction’? Coined in 1956, Food Addiction is “the continued consumption of highly palatable foods even after energy requirements have been met and despite known negative physical and psychological consequences in response to uncontrolled food ingestion (Gupta et al, 2020). Like other types of substance abuse, Food Addiction “represents an addiction-like response to food, (especially foods rich in sugar and fat), or the process of eating itself in susceptible individuals” (Gupta et al, 2020).
Combe Grove recognises that some people, through no fault of their own struggle with their relationship with food, which is negatively impacting their lives through the combination of foods that they consume. For this reason, Dr Rebecca Hiscutt, has brought together specialists Dr Jen Unwin and Heidi Giaever, who have treated and suffered with this very real disorder and who teach real solutions that are transforming lives and freeing them from perpetual guilt.
Programme
1 Year
Retreat
3 Nights
Availability
Dr Rebecca Hiscutt. PhD.
Rebecca has worked in nutrition for 20 years since graduating from the University of Surrey with a 1st class degree in nutrition and dietetics. She began her career as a research dietitian investigating five popular weight loss diets. Over 6 months Rebecca helped to support 300 people to make significant lifestyle changes and improve their metabolic health.
Rebecca continued researching the effects of nutrition on metabolic health during her doctoral research investigating the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors. Throughout her PhD, Rebecca was a partner in a private dietetic practice providing personalised nutrition advice to help people with metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal conditions and weight loss.
Rebecca has also worked as an obesity specialist dietitian for the charity Weight Concerns and had dietetic roles in both NHS and private hospitals.
For the past 8 years, Rebecca has run a nutrition and wellbeing company to help people discover how to use food to enable them to thrive. This has involved running nutrition, yoga and mindfulness retreats, providing nutrition coaching to individuals and running nutrition training sessions for organisations.
Dr Jen Unwin, DPsy, FBPsS
Dr. Jen Unwin BSc, MSc, DPsy, FBPsS, is a highly regarded consultant clinical health psychologist and in the United Kingdom. She is also the author of Fork in the Road: A Hopeful Guide to Food Freedom.
With a focus on chronic illness management and patient wellbeing, Dr. Unwin works within the NHS and collaborates closely with her GP husband, Dr. David Unwin, to support patients in making and maintaining transformative lifestyle changes. Driven by her own journey with food addiction recovery, Dr. Unwin has played a pivotal role in developing Combe Grove's Food Addiction Programme, bringing a unique perspective rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience.
An advocate for the recognition of food addiction as a condition, she collaborates with international experts to elevate awareness and establish treatment pathways. Dr. Unwin is a fellow of the British Psychological Society and formerly chaired the UK Association for Solution Focused Practice, reflecting her deep commitment to empowering patients toward sustainable health and resilience.
Heidi Giaever
Heidi Giaever is a dedicated nutrition consultant with lived experience in food addiction recovery, which has informed her invaluable contributions to the development of Combe Grove's Food Addiction Programme. Her work in the health sector spans nutrition consultancy, lifestyle medicine, and specialised coaching in areas like metabolic health, sustainable weight management, diabetes remission, and real-food approaches to holistic wellbeing. Through her practice, she also provides essential guidance to those navigating addictive food behaviours, helping clients achieve healthier, lasting lifestyle changes.
Heidi is a certified X-PERT Diabetes Coach and offers food addiction counselling, with her primary focus on empowering individuals to achieve improved metabolic health and balanced relationships with food. Guided by her life motto, "Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true," Heidi supports each client's journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
People who struggle with managing their relationship with food
Those who are affected by obesity, chronic fatigue, pain, low self esteem, or depression
People who seek freedom from addictive behaviours to improve health and wellness outcomes
For people who want to be supported in a nurturing environment by those with similar experiences
What is included in the retreat?
- Your accommodation for three nights in one of the thoughtfully and sustainably designed Orchard or Grove rooms.
- 14 day Continuous Glucose Monitor
- Comprehensive Health Assessments including Insulin resistance check, Accuniq body composition analysis and blood tests including HbA1c and lipids
- Daily Workshops on The Five Roots of Metabolic Health™ with Dr Jen Unwin, Heidi Giaever and Dr Rebecca Hiscutt, PhD
- Daily Seasonal nutritious meals and drinks designed to rebalance metabolic health
- Meal plan and Recipes to take away
- 1 x 60 minute treatment or therapy
- Forest Bathing and Meditations
- Personalised Five Roots Plan
- Signed copy of, ‘Fork in the Road’, a 100 Day Journey to Food Freedom Personal Progress Journal by Jen Unwin and Heidi Giaever
- Daily movement classes
- Induction with a Personal Trainer
- Unlimited Access to the Combe Grove Facilities including gym, spin studio, movement classes, swimming pools, saunas and tennis courts.
Recognising that the real challenge lies in maintaining lifestyle changes after the Retreat, Combe Grove distinguishes itself by providing a full year of ongoing online support. This invaluable resource, accessible via a personalised portal, includes
-
Seasonal recipes crafted for both nutrition and enjoyment
-
Activities to keep the body active
-
Scheduled consultations with the Practice Team to monitor progress and plan future health strategies
Annual Club Membership
Access to the gym, classes, treatments & therapies and seasonal menus to support ongoing lifestyle changes. Available to use whenever you are in Bath, or at home with live online movement classes.
During your week long stay, our in-house nutritionists and experienced chefs create seasonal menus that draw upon principles of metabolic health and food addiction to deliver deliciously nourishing meals throughout your time at Combe Grove. All dishes are prepared using produce grown on the Estate or sourced locally, ensuring that the freshest and most nutrient-dense food is served every mealtime. Expert nutritionists and dietitians guide you through workshops designed to enhance your understanding of food addiction, allowing you to create meaningful change through a deep appreciation of how the body processes and responds to the food we eat.
The Food Addiction Retreat incorporates thorough medical assessments and continuous monitoring of key health metrics, combined with an array of therapies and treatments aimed at improving the relationship with food.
Key Features
- Accuniq Body Composition Analysis
The advanced Accuniq machine provides detailed insights into skeletal mass, lean muscle mass and fat mass, guiding participants towards achieving body composition goals.
- HbA1C and Cholesterol Blood Checks
At the start of the retreat, each guest undergoes blood tests to assess risks for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Cholesterol levels are closely monitored to provide actionable insights into how the relationship with food impacts health.
- IR Health Check
Combe Grove GPs and Registered Dietitians conduct comprehensive health assessments to evaluate key indicators of metabolic health, ensuring a personalised approach to the wellness journey.
To further support this journey, a one year membership to the Combe Grove Club is included. This membership includes access to
- The gym
- A diverse selection of fitness classes
- A variety of rejuvenating treatments
- A menu featuring seasonal, sustainable options
- Step 1: Confirm your chosen programme.
- Step 2: Select your preferred date for the six-night residential stay, which marks the starting point of your health programme.
- Step 3: Choose your room type
- Step 4: Complete the booking process to secure your place.
Discover how Lynn’s experience of the Metabolic Health Retreat for Food Addiction has helped to improve her symptoms and alleviated her anxiety and joint pain associated with inflammation.
“In terms of results, for me they are tremendous.”
To find out how Combe Grove can support your journey, book a free discovery call with our team.
The programmes combine advanced medical science with practical, integrated approaches, guided by GPs and Dietitians, such as Dr Campbell Murdoch and Dr Rebecca Hiscutt, PhD, who have a deep special interest in metabolic health. The Five Roots of Metabolic Health™ form the foundation of metabolic restoration, working together as an integrated system. Each root plays an essential role in supporting the body to rest, restore and reset, creating the conditions for optimal metabolic health.
