In interview, we sit down with Selen Gulbahce, a nutritionist and wellness coach, whose distinctive strategy to well being and diet is remodeling lives. With a background in pc engineering, Selen applies analytical considering and scientific ideas to her holistic wellness follow. She is the founding father of the Alka-Terranean Method™, a revolutionary strategy that prioritises stability and intestine well being over restrictive weight-reduction plan. Below we discover her journey, insights, and skilled recommendation on sustainable diet.
You began your profession in pc engineering. What led you to change your career to turning into a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach?
My profession started in pc engineering, however my true transformation began throughout a research overseas semester within the United States. Growing up in Turkey’s Mediterranean area, I used to be accustomed to contemporary, complete meals. However, my expertise with the Standard American Diet took a toll—I shortly gained weight, my intestine well being suffered, and my confidence plummeted.
At 21, I used to be excited for a brand new journey within the U.S., however I wasn’t ready for the relentless bloating, digestive points, and weight acquire. I attempted every part—slicing carbs, skipping meals, counting energy—however nothing labored. The extra I restricted myself, the more serious I felt. That’s after I realised conventional weight-loss recommendation wasn’t working.
So, I utilized my analytical expertise—I researched, tracked information, and optimised. I handled my physique like a system, diving into biochemistry, intestine well being, and diet. Instead of weight-reduction plan, I targeted on balancing pH ranges, decreasing irritation, and supporting digestion by means of alkaline and Mediterranean ideas. Within two months, I misplaced 30 lbs, my power soared, and my intestine points disappeared. For the primary time, I felt accountable for my physique.
At first, it was only for me. But buddies, household—even strangers—seen and requested what I had achieved. So, whereas finishing my engineering diploma and dealing in company, I turned certified as a nutritionist. What began as informal teaching quickly turned a thriving aspect enterprise. My shoppers weren’t simply reducing weight—they have been therapeutic their intestine, gaining confidence, and breaking free from weight-reduction plan cycles.
Word unfold shortly. Soon, my teaching enterprise out-earned my company wage. That’s after I knew—this wasn’t only a ardour. It was my calling. So, I left the company world behind and by no means regarded again.
Today, I run a worldwide teaching model, serving to 1000’s remodel their our bodies and lives with my Alka-Terranean Method™—with out restriction, weight-reduction plan, or giving up their favorite meals. And my engineering background? It turned my greatest asset. I strategy wellness like coding—with technique, information, and techniques that truly work.
Can you inform us about your strategy to diet and the way it differs from typical dietary recommendation?
Unlike conventional diets, my strategy focuses on stability, sustainability, and science somewhat than restriction. Most diets fail as a result of they depend on slicing issues out—low-carb, calorie counting—which leads to cravings and an exhausting yo-yo weight-reduction plan cycle.
I skilled this firsthand. I attempted to “eat clear” by slicing carbs, avoiding sugar, and skipping meals, but I felt worse. My power dropped, my intestine well being suffered, and I noticed no outcomes. When I ended limiting and targeted on stability as a substitute, every part modified. I optimised intestine well being, diminished irritation, and improved digestion—all whereas to eat satisfying meals. The weight got here off effortlessly, my bloating disappeared, and my power skyrocketed.
You emphasise stability in your strategy to meals. What does “stability” imply within the context of diet, and the way can somebody obtain it with out feeling disadvantaged?
Balance isn’t about restriction—it’s about technique. Most diets fail as a result of they depend on slicing out meals teams or utilizing willpower, which leads to cravings and burnout. True stability means working together with your physique, not towards it.
That’s the inspiration of the Alka-Terranean™ Method—as a substitute of eliminating meals, we stability them with alkaline, anti-inflammatory meals that cut back irritation, assist digestion, and increase metabolism.
For instance, when you drink espresso, pair it with mineral-rich water and alkaline meals to keep away from digestive points.
How do you tailor your diet plans to meet particular person wants, given the range of individuals’s existence, genetics, and well being situations?
Every particular person is exclusive—completely different existence, completely different metabolisms, completely different wants. That’s precisely why my strategy isn’t about inflexible meal plans or a one-size-fits-all method.
With my Alka-Terranean Method™, we give attention to ideas, not restrictions. Instead of telling my shoppers precisely what to eat, I educate them how to eat in a means that works for his or her physique, their way of life, and their objectives—whereas nonetheless permitting flexibility for social life, journey, and real-life moments.
What is your stance on restrictive diets like keto, veganism, or intermittent fasting? Are there any that you simply notably advocate or keep away from?
I don’t imagine in restrictive diets—for most individuals, they’re merely not sustainable. Keto, veganism, and intermittent fasting every have advantages, however many battle to do them appropriately, turning them into simply one other weight loss program.
You discuss intuitive to eat. Can you clarify what intuitive to eat means to you and the way it may be included into day by day life?
To me, intuitive to eat is about self-trust, listening to your physique, understanding its wants, and nourishing it in a means that helps each your well-being and objectives.
Many use intuitive to eat to justify poor habits, however when you consistently really feel sluggish, bloated, or infected, it’s not instinct—it’s imbalance. Real instinct leads you in the direction of meals that assist you to thrive.
How vital is intestine well being in your strategy to diet, and what are some sensible methods individuals can enhance their digestive well being by means of meals?
Gut well being is every part. It’s the inspiration of metabolism, immunity, power, pores and skin, and temper—every part within the physique is related to it. Instead of slicing meals teams, we add extra alkaline, anti-inflammatory meals to counterbalance acidic ones, retaining digestion easy.
Looking forward, what’s subsequent for you by way of your profession and wellness philosophy? Are there any new initiatives or practices you’re enthusiastic about exploring?
My mission stays the identical: serving to individuals break away from restrictive weight-reduction plan and really feel at dwelling of their our bodies, with out sacrificing their favorite meals or way of life. But the best way I ship this mission is evolving.
I already run a subscription-based wellness platform in Turkish with over 9,000 lively members, remodeling lives day by day. My subsequent huge step? Launching it in English to convey the Alka-Terranean Method™ to a worldwide viewers.
I’m additionally integrating AI into my choices to make personalised wellness much more intuitive and easy (particulars coming quickly!).
At the identical time, I’m diving deeper into purposeful drugs and hormonal well being, notably in girls’s metabolic stability, an usually neglected however essential space.
And as all the time, I lead by following my very own technique as a result of while you really feel unstoppable in your physique, you turn out to be unstoppable in your life.
Find Selen on Instagram @selencoaching and ship her a direct message with the key phrase “hipandhealthy” and she or he’ll get again to you.