My Specialist Areas

The Gut

Coeliac disease, functional gut disorders (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome), diverticulitis, post-surgical – the gut is a complex networking system and sometimes this means seeing how we can better “re-programme” it (e.g. in the case of IBS) or what we need to know to better manage the condition.

Cardiovascular Health

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes (not on insulin) – if the blood results from your doctor haven’t come back too flash, or you’ve been struggling with it for a while, let me know how I can help you in a heart-beat!

Respiratory

Did you know that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in NZ behind cancer, heart disease and stroke?

It affects 15% of New Zealanders over the age of 45 years.  Nutritional requirements can vary depending on your overall medical status, and it is important to have the dietary advice tailored to you.

Women’s Health

Low iron or anaemia, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility concerns, gestational diabetes, hyperemesis, menopause – feeling like you’re on a hormonal roller coaster?

Gut symptoms thrown into the mix too? Let me help you find some harmony and make that ride smoother.

Neurological

Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia – neurological conditions can come with its own nutritional challenges.

This can include swallowing difficulty – requiring texture modification diets, constipation, changes or loss of taste/smell, loss of appetite and/or loss of weight. Each person’s experience can be different and also varies depending on their clinical status.

Nutrition in Older Adults

Did you know protein requirements are higher in older adults?

Older adults are also commonly stereotyped into one ‘typical’ group, yet could not be any more diverse. Requirements can vary due to medical, family and lifestyle history. Also what may apply with nutrition recommendations at younger age may alter with time as requirements change. A “check-in” clinical review may be all that’s needed or there may be other areas that we may need to address in more detail to stay on track in maintaining overall health. The risk of malnutrition is also high in older adults, particularly with a pre-existing medical history, and is regardless of weight (the numbers on the scale). It is important to address any issues early on, no matter how minor they may initially appear to be, and not be the ambulance at the bottom of the hill.

Oncology

Pre- and post-treatment or specific dietary concerns – a lot of patients when diagnosed, focus on the treatment ahead.

However, recovery is another chapter and journey on its own. It may also involve recovery from treatment and any potential side effects such as swallowing difficulty, dry mouth, taste changes, constipation/diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unintended loss of weight. Each person’s journey is different, but know that you are not alone.

Recalibration

As in the quote from Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”.

Sometimes we don’t know what life is going to throw at us, and sometimes our priorities also change… sometimes we have health challenges that we’ve been facing for a long time, and sometimes we felt we were in control, and things take over and leaves us feeling a bit lost. It may be that life got busy and your routine has changed, or you use to be physically fit and an injury took a toll – whatever it may be, there are times where we need to take a step back and find a way to recalibrate. You may also be feeling overwhelmed with what you feel you should be doing but aren’t doing it, and don’t know where to start. Let us talk it out and see how we can untangle that spider-web and find a place we can work from together.