Breaking the Cycle: How Selen Gulbahce’s Alka-Terranean Method™ Transforms Health and Provides Fast & Sustainable Weight Loss Without Dieting
Selen Gulbahce is a certified nutrition and lifestyle coach known for her innovative Alka-Terranean Method™, which merges alkaline nutrition with the Mediterranean diet to promote fast and sustainable weight loss. With over 7,000 success stories, Selen has helped clients break free from yo-yo dieting, reach their goal weights and develop long-term, healthy habits. Her approach focuses on gut health, hormonal balance, and a holistic view of the mind-body connection.
Based in London,, Selen’s journey into nutrition began far from the industry, rooted in her training as a computer engineer. Originally from the Aegean-Mediterranean region of Turkey, she grew up immersed in the balanced, healthful traditions of the Mediterranean diet. 6 months spent studying in Philadelphia, USA, led to a drastic 30-pound weight gain, sparking a series of failed dieting attempts and severe digestive health issues.
Determined to heal, Selen used her analytical mind to delve into alkaline nutrition, blending it with her Mediterranean roots to create a life-changing method for fast sustainable health. Today, her work centers around helping clients achieve weight loss, better gut health, increased energy, better hair and skin without dieting.. By emphasizing women’s empowerment, ditching the diet culture, mindful eating, and long-term well-being, Selen has become a beacon of hope for thousands of clients worldwide.
What brought you into the nutrition & wellness space?
My entry into the nutrition industry began as a deeply personal journey of self-healing. I originally trained as a computer engineer in Turkey. Everything changed when I spent a study year in Philadelphia, USA, where I encountered the infamous “standard American diet.” In just two semesters, I gained 30 pounds—a shocking shift, especially since I had never faced weight issues growing up in the Aegean-Mediterranean part of Turkey, where a balanced Mediterranean diet was the norm.
Returning to Turkey, the reality of my weight gain hit hard. I tried every diet I could find—trendy ones from magazines, diets recommended by professionals, anything that promises quick results. Each attempt led to temporary & minor success followed by feelings of restriction, misery, and the inevitable rebound weight gain. This yo-yo cycle continued for over two years, further exacerbated by the stress of working as an engineer in a demanding corporate banking job.
The turning point came when I faced serious digestive health issues, requiring multiple endoscopic & gastroscopic procedures. A gastroenterologist finally provided clarity, linking my issues to acidification from years of poor dieting. He advised me to adopt more alkaline foods to reduce inflammation. I took this advice to heart, diving deep into research on alkaline nutrition. This time it wasn’t about weight loss; it was about healing. But to my surprise, I lost those 30 pounds in just 2 months and, more importantly, never gained them back for over 10 years now..
What is the Alka-Terranean Method™
The Alka-Terranean Method is a unique blend of the science of alkaline nutrition and the philosophy of the Mediterranean diet. It’s not a diet—There are no restrictions, calorie counting, or cutting out food groups. Instead, it’s about nourishing the body with alkaline-forming foods while embracing Mediterranean lifestyle practices like moderation, mindful eating, and enjoyment. This approach is effective, evidence-based, sustainable and proven on over 7,000 of my clients. It’s enjoyable, and filled with delicious foods, making it easy to sustain as part of daily life.
It also goes beyond weight loss by providing enhanced skin and hair health, improved gut health, stronger immunity, and higher energy levels.
How did you transition into the coaching space?
Once I experienced the profound benefits of the Alka-Terranean Method for myself, I knew I had to share it. I got my qualification and began coaching clients as a side hustle while still working as an engineer. The results were astonishing; clients not only lost weight quickly but maintained it and transformed their overall health.
My coaching practice grew rapidly through word of mouth, prompting me to leave engineering and focus on nutrition coaching full-time. Moving to London, I pursued additional qualifications in health psychology, coaching psychology, and behavior change to deepen my expertise. Today, I have worked with over 7,000 clients, with 80% reaching their goals within two months and 70% maintaining their results after six months.
What is the key to your clients’ success?
The key lies in combining scientific rigor with a lifestyle approach that’s flexible, personalized, and free from restriction. You don’t need to cut out food groups, count calories, or put your social life on hold to reach your wellness goals. My method allows clients to enjoy their favorite foods and still see fast, lasting results. The biochemistry of alkaline nutrition allows clients to achieve fast results, while the Mediterranean philosophy ensures sustainability. I teach my clients the “why” behind every recommendation because understanding the logic makes adherence easier. My unique way of coaching teaches my clients how to incorporate my method into their lives without changing their lives.
Through my high-end, hands-on coaching, I design a plan tailored uniquely to each client’s lifestyle. My daily tracking, real-time feedback, and unlimited support ensure my clients are motivated, accountable, and empowered to stay on track, even when life gets busy. This approach goes beyond weight loss: they feel fully supported and confident.
With my daily check-ins,, dynamic adjustments, and personalized guidance —whether navigating a restaurant menu, recovering from a tough weekend, finding easy and practical options on busy days, balancing an over-indulgent meal or simply needing a boost of motivation—clients don’t just reach their goals; they build lifelong habits that make results sustainable. My coaching isn’t just about achieving goals quickly; it’s about empowering my clients to maintain those results effortlessly.
What advice would you give for someone struggling with yo-yo dieting or disordered eating patterns?
Breaking free from yo-yo dieting requires getting rid of the all-or-nothing thinking and shifting from removal mindset to addition mindset. Instead of focusing on what to eliminate, prioritize what to add—nourishing, alkaline-forming foods that support the body’s pH balance. Perfectionism often drives restrictive behavior and black and white thinking, leading to cycles of success and failure. I work with clients to adopt a mindset of flexibility and self-compassion. We should be able to eat all our favorite foods without guilt or shame. What matters is knowing how to balance and my method enables that.
I believe true empowerment begins within. When women feel amazing and confident in their own bodies, they radiate that confidence outward.
What do you think is the biggest myth about dieting that women need to unlearn?
The biggest myth is that certain body features, like thick thighs or the inability to have visible abs, are purely down to genetics. We often tell ourselves stories like, ‘It’s just my body type,’ or ‘It’s in my genes.’ While genetics certainly play a role, they’re only part of the picture. Science, specifically in the field of nutrigenomics, shows us that our food choices can actually influence how our genes express themselves. With the right nutrition, we can reshape these genetic patterns to align with our goals.
In fact, I have countless client examples of people who came to me with these same myths and mindsets, only to be stunned by how their bodies transformed in a short time using my method. Take Leanne Lopez Mosley, the cover girl of this issue for example, who is one of my clients. She used to believe her genetics would never allow her to have defined abs. But after just 10 days of working together, she sent me raw, unfiltered photos from her trip to Italy, proudly showing off her defined abs. She was surprised, thrilled, and living proof that with my method, your body can achieve changes you once thought were impossible.
My Alka-Terranean Method helps my clients to bring out the physical changes they want to see. So, whether it’s wanting leaner thighs, more defined abs, or simply a body that feels fitter, it’s possible. Your genes aren’t a life sentence. With the Alka-Terranean Method, you can see results that bring out your best self, even those you never thought you’d achieve.
How does your work empower women?
I believe true empowerment begins within. When women feel amazing and confident in their own bodies, they radiate that confidence outward. My mission is to help women ditch the diet mentality, break free from the cycle of self-criticism and dieting, shifting their focus to working with their bodies rather than against them. By teaching women how to nourish themselves and live mindfully, we can change the cycle for future generations.
I’m passionate about women stepping into their personal power, feeling empowered around their food choices, and embracing self-care and self-love. As a huge advocate and champion of women, watching women celebrate their bodies and feel their best is, to me, one of my work’s greatest rewards. We need to normalize this self-celebration. For so long, women have grown up watching female role models, even their mothers, struggle with self-image, self-criticism, and constant dieting. I have yet to meet an adult woman who hasn’t been on at least one diet. It’s time to break that cycle and empower women to truly love themselves.
You don’t need to cut out food groups, count calories, or put your social life on hold to reach your wellness goals.
What are your views on body positivity and weight loss?
As a proud feminist I’m all for body positivity but I feel it has recently gone too far, even shaming fit bodies or those who pursue fitness or weight loss goals. Loving your body doesn’t mean you can’t also strive for change or improvement. In my practice, I emphasize that weight loss can come from a place of self-love rather than self-criticism. Body positivity should mean embracing all bodies—including those of people who choose to pursue weight loss goals. Shaming anyone for wanting to feel fitter defeats the purpose of body positivity altogether.
Wanting to lose weight doesn’t mean you hate yourself. For many, it’s a choice motivated by health, energy, or simply wanting to feel their best. If weight loss is a goal, my role is to support that journey in a psychologically positive and empowering way—because caring for yourself should always come from a place of self-respect. Navigating weight loss from an empowering and feminist angle shifts the focus: it’s about what you deserve for yourself, not what you need to change about yourself.
Can you give us some success stories of the women you have coached for inspiration to our readers.
I have so many incredible client success stories—hard to choose! Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of insane transformations, with some clients losing 80-90 pounds. That kind of change doesn’t just reshape your body; it transforms your confidence and impact is life-changing.
A few specific examples from women featured in this magazine, you’ve already heard about Leanne Lopez Mosley, the cover girl of this issue, who thought she’d never have defined abs. But not just abs, her overall skin and hair also improved a lot with my method, even impressing her makeup artist. She achieved these results in a very short amount of time (I’m talking days) simply by following the core principles of my method, no dieting.
Another inspiring one is Berkley Sweetapple, again featured in this issue. When she first approached me, she said, ‘I hate diets. I don’t have time for cooking or food prep.’ As a busy lawyer, mom, and business owner, she was able to lose 15 pounds in two months without any dieting. She even found that she could enjoy dairy again without the skin or gut issues she used to experience.
And then there’s Leanne Rose, another Goss featured woman who rediscovered a love for cooking and healthy eating. She feels fitter, lighter, and has fully embraced an intuitive-led approach to nourishing her body.
How can readers start learning about the Alka-Terranean Method?
My 10-Day Alka-Terranean Reset is a great way to start. It offers a comprehensive introduction to my method and includes 10 Days off practical meal plans and recipes to kickstart the transformation. It provides 7 to 18 lbs of weight loss in just 10 days while also improving gut health, boosting energy, enhancing hair and skin, and strengthening the immune system.
For personalized, one-on-one support, my private coaching packages guarantee results by providing customized plans, daily tracking, unlimited support and feedback from me. Reach out to me on Instagram (@selencoaching) for more details.
As a huge advocate and champion of women, watching women celebrate their bodies and feel their best is, to me, one of my work’s greatest rewards. We need to normalize this self-celebration. For so long, women have grown up watching female role models, even their mothers, struggle with self-image, self-criticism, and constant dieting. I have yet to meet an adult woman who hasn’t been on at least one diet. It’s time to break that cycle and empower women to truly love themselves.
Photo Credits (in black) Serena Bolton Photography
Photo Credits (all color outfits) Amanda Swiger
