Dietetics
Dietetics is the science of how food and nutrition affect human health. Good nutrition and dietetics are important for optimal body function, growth and repair, and is especially important if you live with a neurological condition.
Our Services
Our MSWA dietitians are Accredited Practicing Dietitians registered with Dietitians Australia. Their role is to help promote general health, support disease prevention and management through dietary changes.
MSWA dietitians can work with you to assess your nutritional needs and set sustainable, realistic goals. They’ll give you dietary advice, resources and information that is evidence-based, easy to understand and tailored specifically to you. Most importantly, their nutrition expertise will help you maintain your best health and wellbeing.
Gut and bowel health
MSWA dietitians can provide advice and support related to gastrointestinal symptoms including pain or discomfort with bloating, flatulence, changes to bowel movements (loose stools or constipation) or difficulty passing stools, which commonly affect people with neurological conditions.
Symptoms impacting nutrition
Neurological conditions can significantly affect nutrition outcomes, with symptoms like fatigue, tremors, reflux, nausea, vomiting, and early satiety (feeling full quickly) commonly causing changes in diet.
Our dietitians have a special interest in neurological conditions, equipping them with the expertise to help you enhance your nutritional intake despite these challenges. Collaborating with occupational therapists, they can identify adaptive kitchen or feeding equipment tailored to your needs.
Weight changes
Unintentional weight changes, whether gain or loss, can affect your strength, mobility, mood and other aspects of daily living, such as how you fit in your wheelchair and risk of developing pressure injuries.
Swallowing changes
If you require texture-modified foods and beverages to support safe swallowing, our dietitians work together with speech pathologists to ensure you can make the most of your nutrition to meet your needs and preferences.
Accessing, preparing or eating food
Physical, environmental and behavioural issues can impact your nutritional intake, including restrictive intake, food aversions, inability to prepare meals, low mobility and strength and poor access to food.
MSWA dietitians will work with you, your family and allied health professionals to overcome these challenges and ensure good nutritional intake. This may include NDIS applications to fund support within the kitchen or co-fund appropriate meal-providers.
Supplements
If clinically advised, some Clients may benefit from oral nutrition supplements. Our dietitians can prescribe these and apply for these to be funded within your NDIS plan if appropriate.
PEG or RIG management
Our dietitians offer specialist advice and support for the care and management of gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes. This includes recommendations for appropriate formulas and coordination of care with specialised staff and nursing if needed.
Wound management
In collaboration with the MSWA nursing team, our dietitians can provide nutrition advice to support optimal wound healing and skin integrity. Key nutrients play a crucial role in managing pressure injuries or chronic wounds.
Strength building
Nutrition is essential for optimising muscle mass, strength, and mobility. Working alongside physiotherapists, we will help you improve your independence, immunity, and overall health and wellbeing.
Chronic disease management
Some Clients may also face comorbidities including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and high output stoma (e.g., colostomy or ileostomy). MSWA dietitians can provide education and support to help optimise your nutrition and wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work with Clients who have PEG or RIG?
Yes, we will work alongside you, your support networks and allied health professionals to ensure you receive excellent enteral (gut) nutrition related care. We will ensure you have a nutrition regime that meets your nutrition and hydration needs.
Can you develop a meal planner for me?
Yes, we can provide individualised recommendations and meal plans for you, which takes into consideration any food allergies, intolerances, as well as your likes and dislikes. This can also include macronutrient recommendations if desired.
How do I pay for MSWA’s dietetics service?
There are several ways to pay for our dietitian services, including NDIS Funding , Home Care Packages (HCP), private health insurance or paying privately. We can help you work out the most suitable payment method when you book your appointment.
How does MSWA’s dietitian appointments work?
This service is available in-person and via telehealth. If you would like further information, please contact us on 08 9365 4888 or complete the form below.
Articles and resources you might find useful
Discover useful advice for managing your diet and explore our list of delicious, nutritious recipes recommended by our team of dietitians.