WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SEEING A DIETITIAN

Prior to your first appointment

Before we even see you, our reception staff will send you a form to fill in. This is to help us get to know you better before the first consultation. The form includes questions about your medical history, food history and lifestyle habits, along with what you are hoping to achieve from working with us.

At your first appointment

At your initial consultation we spend time going over the initial questionnaire to ensure we have clarified any information, gain more insight and information into any medical symptoms, training program or lifestyle habits that may be impacting you, and then put together initial strategies to help you work towards achieving your goal. This may be some specific changes to your current food intake, or education around a certain aspect of nutrition that will be the most effective first step towards best health.

How long is an appointment?

Your first appointment is scheduled for 45 minutes. Follow ups are scheduled for 30 minutes. If you require a longer appointment, this can be discussed with our reception team at time of booking.

How many times, and how often will we see you?

This really depends on your personal needs, and the reason you have to come to see us. Regular reviews with your dietitian have been shown to improve compliance and achieve better health outcomes compared with going it alone. Follow up appointments are essential to provide you with all the relevant information and practical advice you need to achieve your health goals. In your follow up sessions, we build on the information you are already familiar with and adjust the content to target your priorities. We will always discuss your treatment pathway with you as well, to ensure you understand why and when we want to see you.

Example Client 1: Stress fracture in endurance runner

Initial consultation and information from pre-assessment

form has shown the client has low energy levels; poor

mood, is not sleeping well and overall is not fuelling with

enough food, or at appropriate times. Training also

currently includes 1x long run per week, for which no fuel

is consumed during, due to concern of gastrointestinal

issues. Body composition assessment shows low body

weight and fat mass.

Likely number of sessions needed 6-8.

Education, planning and strategies needed regarding

quantity of food and adequate fuelling, timing of meals,

fuelling for long training sessions, hydration strategies,

race day planning and management of anxiety around

overall quantity of food that is required to support

training load, along with work and family requirements.

Frequency of sessions: Initially 1-2 weeks is recommended

For optimal client outcomes to assist with motivation,

Accountability and assessment of impact of changes.

After the first 3-4 sessions, this will likely be extended to

4-6 weeks, pending when the client’s race is, and their

Individual requirements.

Example Client 2: Recent Diagnosis of IBS

Initial consultation and information from pre-

assessment form has shown the client has

regular disrupted bowel motions, varying from

constipation to diarrhoea. They are frequently

stressed, and their symptoms are impacting

their day to day life. Food history shows high

intake of foods likely to trigger IBS.

Likely number of sessions needed: 5-6

Education around dietary changes required for

management of IBS, how to most easily adjust

current diet, provision of resources to assist with

making changes for elimination of likely trigger

foods, determination of triggers, a re-inclusion

of foods in the daily food intake.

Frequency of sessions: initially 2 weeks is recom-

mended for optimal client outcomes to assist

with motivation, accountability and assessment

of impact of changes. After the first 2-3 sessions,

review will likely be extended to 4-6 weeks wor-

king around challenge protocol of foods, and re-

Introduction of foods back into the diet, of

course pending their individual requirements.

*Please note these clients are examples only, and your treatment may differ to that outlined here, based on your individual circumstances and needs.