Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) are qualified professionals who undertake ongoing training to ensure that they are up-to-date with credible sources of information. Dietitians translate scientific health and nutrition information into practical advice to improve your medical and health concerns. Being able to tailor diet advice to find the best approach for each person is the cornerstone of ‘Medical Nutrition Therapy’ – it’s what Dietitians are qualified to do.

Who can benefit?

Dietitians understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to diet and nutrition. The truth is that there are many ways for people to have a healthy diet. It’s at this individual level that a Dietitian can help. They consider the whole person – that is, each person’s unique profile, such as their medical history, their needs, goals, and lifestyle. They also assess the body of scientific evidence and are flexible with the advice and support they offer, on a case-by-case basis.

Some common medical conditions that a Dietitian is qualified to provide nutrition advice include

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Coeliac disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high blood lipids)
• Irritable bowel disease
• Type 1 and 2 diabetes
• Weight management and/ or bariatric surgery
• Osteoporosis and osteopenia

A Dietitian can also offer practical advice for special diets including vegetarianism and veganism

What to expect in your first and subsequent sessions

At your initial consult, your Dietitian will want to understand more about you as a person including your medical and health concerns, current lifestyle and your health goals. The Dietitian will then ask you about your current dietary habits and eating pattern. They gather all this information to provide practical advice specifically tailored to your dietary habits and lifestyle. If appropriate, your Dietitian will also document a meal plan to help you achieve your dietary goals.

At your subsequent visits, your Dietitian will chat with you about your progress and will offer more practical advice and nutrition education to further help you improve your health.