Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition. At The Healthy Eating Clinic, we see NDIS clients who are self- or plan-managed and help them optimise their health and well-being through nutrition.
Why is nutrition important?
Good nutrition is important for all people to maximise their health and well-being.
We all need adequate nutrition to make sure that we have the energy for our bodies to function and to go about our day, doing the things we enjoy. Good nutrition also allows our bodies to grow and repair and supports physical and mental health.
When you live with a disability, there can be challenges to achieving good nutrition. Physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments can get in the way of meeting nutritional needs.
Why see a dietitian?
When it comes to changing our eating patterns, we want to ensure that we are creating sustainable changes that will have a lasting impact.
A dietitian can help you build food skills and provide practical nutrition advice to allow you to feel your best so that you can continue to participate in the community and do the things you enjoy.
We ensure that our advice is tailored to your food preferences, skills, lifestyle, and culture to make it achievable. We will listen to your experiences and preferences and ensure that our advice aligns with them.
There is a lot of information online about how food and nutrition can support some disabilities, and not all of it is accurate. Dietitians can help you navigate this and empower you with evidence-based nutrition advice to support your goals.
How can we support you in your goals?
Some of the areas in which we can support NDIS participants include:
- Providing individualised support to improve your understanding of healthy eating in a way that suits your needs
- Cooking and meal prep skills
- Meal planning
- Education and training for support people
- Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
- Texture-modified diets and meeting nutrition requirements with a chewing or swallowing problem
- Fussy eating and food aversions
- Improving symptoms directly related to your disability, such as focusing on evidence-based eating patterns to improve cognitive, neurological, or digestive functioning.
As dietitians, we will also advocate for you to receive the nutrition support you require under the NDIS.
This includes communicating with other members of your support team and, if necessary, writing letters in support of ongoing dietetic funding.
NDIS consultation types
We offer appointments at our clinic in Phillip or video consultations. For our local clients in Canberra and Queanbeyan, we also provide home-visit services, where we come to you for a consultation in the comfort of your own home. This may be helpful if mobility or transport are challenges.
Feel free to bring your support person along to the consultation. This can help ensure that your support person understands the nutrition goals we are working towards and can provide you with the extra support and encouragement you might need at home.
NDIS dietitians
Dietitian Michelle Saunders specialises in working with NDIS clients. Get to know Michelle and our whole team here!
If you would like to work with The Healthy Eating Clinic as part of your NDIS care plan, fill out our NDIS referral form and our customer service team will organise your first consultations.
