FAQs

+ WHAT DOES A DIETITIAN CONSULTATION ENTAIL?

A dietetic consultation is absolutely personalised to your individual needs and no two consultations are alike. I do, however, follow a general structure in the initial consultation. An anthropometric assessment will be done to determine weight, height and BMI for adults and children, and children’s growth can be plotted and monitored. It is always best to bring along your child’s Road to Health Booklet or clinic card to assess growth trends.

I also take a thorough medical and medication history and have a look at any biochemistry (blood results) that have been done. I will also look at your patterns of eating, preferences and diet history, as well as looking at any gastrointestinal symptoms.

Recommendations, guidelines or nutrition prescriptions are put together in the consultation. The guidelines recommended are tailored to your preference in a step-by-step fashion that are built onto and scaled up in follow-up consultations. A meal plan and menu can also be created for follow-up sessions, as well as providing any additional resources of information or guidance. A summarised report can be sent to your doctor if requested.

+ DOES A DIETITIAN JUST HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS OR WEIGHT GAIN?

No, weight is one of the many areas that a dietitian can assist adult or paediatric patients with. This includes cases of obesity, weight loss surgery, and extreme weight loss due to disease.

Dietitians can also help with therapeutic nutrition regarding chronic or acute diseases and conditions for both adults and children. These include adults with Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Arthritis, Gout, Cancer, HIV, kidney or liver failure, as well as multiple other conditions. And children with Diabetes, ADHD, autism, epilepsy, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy and more.

Dietitians also assist with general gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhoea, constipation, heartburn, stomach ulcers, acid reflux, allergies, anaemia, irritable bowel syndrome, Chron’s Disease, gallstones and kidney stones. As well as all gastrointestinal surgery conditions and specialised feedings, like PEGs, gastronomies and swallowing difficulties.

Your Dietitian can also help you with areas around appropriate infant and young child feeding, breastfeeding, fussy eaters, appetite loss and growth faltering.

And, of course, your Dietitian can help with advice and education regarding all aspects of healthy eating, nutrition and supplementation.