Nutrition & Dietetics

About dietitians

Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition who provide information, strategies and motivation to help clients improve their health. Their profession is called ‘dietetics’ and they provide nutrition and dietary advice to people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or to achieve a specific health-related goal.

Accredited Practising Dietitians are university qualified health professionals trained to help you with healthy eating by translating the latest scientific and evidence-based information into practical advice about what to eat. They will support you in making the best decisions about what foods to include in your diet to improve your health.

About nutritionists

Accredited nutritionists are tertiary-qualified nutrition professionals who have expertise in a range of nutrition services. The main role of a nutritionist is to help people understand what is nutrition and to achieve optimal health by providing information and advice about health and food choices.

What’s the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?

Many health professionals refer to themselves as either a nutritionist or a dietitian (sometimes spelt dietician), so what’s the difference? A key difference between the two professions is that, in addition to their qualification in nutrition, a dietitian has undertaken substantial theory and professional practice in clinical nutrition and medical nutrition therapy.

So in Australia all dietitians are considered to be nutritionists, however nutritionists without a dietetics qualification cannot take on the specialised role of a dietitian. Nonetheless both nutritionists and dietitians can assist you to reach your optimal health through food and nutrition.

What conditions can a dietitian help to treat or manage?

Dietitians provide advice on nutrition-related matters and can modify diets to treat or help manage conditions such as:

//     Diabetes (pre-diabetes, type 1 & type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes)
//     Heart disease (increased blood pressure, high cholesterol)
//     Cancer (reducing risk, managing symptoms)
//     Bowel concerns (irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease)
//     Gastrointestinal disorders (diverticular disease, coeliac disease)
//     Weight management, weight gain, weight loss
//     Food allergies and intolerances
//     Women’s nutrition (polycystic ovarian syndrome, lactation, pregnancy)
//     General lifestyle and healthy eating advice

What is nutrition and what concerns can it help me manage?

Many nutritionists specialise in weight management, whether it be weight gain, weight loss or simply maintaining a healthy weight. They can provide meal plans and nutrient breakdown analysis for their clients.

Other areas a nutritionist may be able to assist you with are:

//     Improving immunity
//     Improving sleep
//     Relieving digestive symptoms
//     Cardiovascular conditions
//     Pre and post-conception care
//     Reducing inflammation

What can I expect in my session with a nutritionist or dietitian?

Your initial consultation may take 45 or 60 minutes, with follow-up sessions (if required) typically being 30 or 45 minutes. The practitioner will ask detailed questions about your current diet, exercise habits, medical conditions, general health and lifestyle. These questions allow the practitioner to develop a personalised eating plan that is specific to your needs. You may also be given written information to take home to help you achieve your personal healthy eating goals.

You may have been referred to a dietitian by your doctor to help manage any of a range of medical conditions. If you have a specific medical problem the dietitian will work in close consultation with your doctor, including reviewing blood or other test results to help develop an appropriate diet.

Body Organics is a multidisciplinary practice, so your physiotherapist can also collaborate with other health care professionals, for example a physiotherapist or psychologist. This integrative approach often results in faster, more effective treatment and recovery from a range of conditions.

For more information on nutrition & dietetics

To find out more about the professions of nutrition and dietetics visit the Dietitians Association of Australia or Nutrition Australia. Find the right Brisbane nutritionist or dietitian for your needs – check out their profiles and read about their skills, experience, physio qualifications and special interest areas.