Dietitians are often misunderstood as the “food police,” but that’s not how we work. Our non-diet dietitians provide a space where individuals in all bodies feel welcome and heard. We work alongside you to improve your relationship with food, support eating disorder recovery, and help you feel more confident and nourished in your everyday life.
These frequently asked questions (FAQs) are here to help you better understand how our dietitians can support you and whether working with one of our team feels like the right next step for you.
What does a dietitian do?
A dietitian supports individuals to nourish their bodies in a way that feels sustainable, respectful, and supportive of their overall wellbeing. This can include helping with eating disorders and disordered eating, improving your relationship with food, managing health conditions, supporting gut health, and making sense of confusing or conflicting nutrition information.
At Be Mindful Nutrition, we look beyond food alone and take into account your lived experiences, mental health, body image, and individual needs.
Learn more about how we can support you, or get in touch to see if this feels like the right fit for you.
Do I need to see a dietitian?
You don’t need to be “sick enough” or have a specific diagnosis to see a dietitian. Many people seek support because food feels stressful, confusing, or overwhelming, or because their relationship with eating no longer feels supportive.
If you’re feeling unsure whether nutrition support is right for you, we’re very happy to talk things through.
Get in touch to ask a question or find out what support might be most helpful.
What can a dietitian help me with?
At Be Mindful Nutrition, our dietitians understand the complexities of food relationships, disordered eating, body image, and health conditions. We provide personalised support, helping you develop a balanced, sustainable relationship with food, manage an eating disorder, and/or address body image concerns.
We also assist with navigating nutrition for various health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. IBS) and women’s health concerns (e.g. PCOS, pregnancy, infertility).
Our dietitians also clarify nutrition myths, ensuring you have accurate, evidence-based information to support your well-being. They can help you set realistic goals, improve nutritional habits, and build confidence in eating in a way that feels right for you.
You can explore the full range of areas we support on our Support Overview page.
Ready to enhance your relationship with food and your body? Contact us.
Can a dietitian help with eating disorders or disordered eating?
Yes. Our dietitians are Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinicians and have the knowledge, expertise, and experience needed to support you or your loved one in recovering from an eating disorder.
We help with normalising eating patterns, reducing food fears and supporting recovery in a way that aims to feel safe and compassionate. Where appropriate, we work closely with family members, support people and the other members of your treatment team to ensure you are getting the best care.
Learn more about our eating disorder support or get in touch to discuss your needs.
I think I might have an eating disorder, can a dietitian give me a diagnosis?
You do not need an official diagnosis to access support from our dietitians.
Many people reach out because they feel something isn’t quite right with their relationship with food, eating, exercise, or body image, even if they’re unsure whether it is an eating disorder. Early support can make a significant difference, and you do not need to wait until things feel “serious enough” to seek help.
As dietitians, we do not provide formal medical or mental health diagnoses. However, as Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinicians, we are often among the first healthcare professionals to recognise the signs and symptoms of disordered eating and eating disorders.
During your initial sessions, we take time to understand your experiences, concerns, and relationship with food, and we can talk together about whether pursuing a formal diagnosis may be helpful for your ongoing care, treatment access, or support needs.
If needed, we work collaboratively with your GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other members of your care team to help ensure you receive appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and support.
Our goal is to support you every step of the way. Whether you have a diagnosis, are unsure, or are simply looking for a place to start.
Can a dietitian help me improve my relationship with food?
Absolutely. Many individuals work with us to move away from guilt, shame, anxiety, or rigid rules around food. We support you to better understand hunger and fullness, rebuild trust with your body, and develop a more peaceful, flexible relationship with eating.
This work is just as valid as nutrition support for health and medical conditions.
If this resonates with you, we invite you to contact us to learn more.
Do dietitians put you on a diet?
No. We are non-diet dietitians, which means we do not prescribe restrictive diets or weight loss as the goal of care.
Instead, we work with you to build a more flexible, nourishing, and supportive relationship with food. One that considers your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Our approach focuses on helping you understand your body, your hunger and fullness cues, your relationship with food, and what supports your long-term health and well-being, rather than short-term “quick fixes” or rigid food rules.
We provide individualised nutrition support that is practical, and sustainable; meeting you where you are and working alongside you at your own pace.
You can learn more about our non-diet approach here.
Will a dietitian help me lose weight?
It’s completely understandable to have concerns about weight, especially in a world that places so much focus on dieting, body size, and weight loss.
As non-diet, Health at Every Size (HAES®) aligned dietitians, we do not prescribe weight loss diets or encourage intentional weight loss as the goal of care. Research and our clinical experience show that pursuing weight loss often leads to cycles of restriction, guilt, and weight regain, which can negatively impact both physical and emotional well-being.
We understand that you may have a desire to lose weight, and we want to acknowledge those feelings without judgment. Our role is to support you in building trust with your body, improving your relationship with food, and nourishing yourself in ways that support your overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Throughout this process, your body may lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight. Rather than focusing on the number on the scale, we focus on sustainable habits, improved health outcomes, and helping you feel more at peace with food and your body.
If you feel open to a different approach to nutrition care, we’d love to support you. Get in touch with us today
What should I expect at my first dietitian appointment
During your first 50 minute session, we’ll talk about your history with food and eating, what feels challenging right now, and what you’d like support with.
This session is a “getting to know you” session where your dietitian will ask questions to better understand your situation, so that you can collaboratively set meaningful goals and develop a personalised treatment plan.
Feel free to take some notes before your appointment, if that feels helpful. This can help bring important details to mind and make it easier for you to come up with any questions you’d like to discuss.
If you’d like to take the next step, you’re welcome to contact us to arrange an appointment.
What can I expect at subsequent sessions?
Review consultations are 50 minutes long and provide a space to check in on how things have been since your last appointment.
Your dietitian will explore what has been feeling supportive, where things may feel challenging, and any changes in your relationship with food, eating patterns, body image, or day-to-day well-being. Together, you will reflect on what is working, what may need adjusting, and what support feels most helpful moving forward.
These sessions are tailored to your individual needs and pace. Some appointments may focus on practical nutrition support, while others may involve navigating difficult thoughts and feelings around food, body image, or recovery.
We understand that this work can feel challenging at times. Our role is to provide non-judgemental support, encouragement, and guidance as you continue building a more peaceful and sustainable relationship with food and your body.
How often should I see a dietitian?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some individuals find it helpful to start with more regular appointments (such as weekly or fortnightly), especially when working on eating disorders or long-standing food concerns. Others may prefer less frequent support.
We’ll talk with you about what feels realistic and supportive, and review this together over time.
If you’re unsure what might work best for you, feel free to reach out.
How much does it cost to see a dietitian?
There is no set fee for seeing a dietitian in Australia, and appointment costs can vary widely; typically ranging from $100 to $250 per session. Fees may differ depending on factors such as a dietitian’s experience, additional training, areas of expertise, and the length of the consultation.
At Be Mindful Nutrition, our dietitians each have over 14 years of experience and have completed extensive additional training to specialise in non-diet, trauma-informed, Health at Every Size® (HAES®) care. Our team are also Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinicians (CEDC).
Our fees reflect this advanced training, depth of experience, and the specialised, compassionate care we provide.
You may be eligible for a rebate from Medicare or your private health depending on your level of cover.
Click here to find out more about our fees and rebates.
Do I need a GP referral to see a dietitian in Australia?
No, you do not need a referral to see our dietitians. Many of our clients come to us on the recommendation of their GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, eating disorder recovery coach, or another member of their care team. If you’re on a care plan, you’ll be eligible for Medicare rebates so a GP referral is required to access these.
If you have an eating disorder, we will require that you have regular reviews with your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician due to the medical risks associated with these conditions. With your permission, we’ll collaborate with your treatment team to ensure you receive the best possible care.
If you’re unsure what applies to you, we’re very happy to talk this through.
Get in touch and we can help you work out the next steps.
Does Medicare cover the cost of seeing a dietitian?
If you have a Medicare Care Plan through your GP, you may be eligible for rebates when seeing a dietitian. There are two main types of care plans that allow for these rebates:
Please note that Medicare does not cover the full cost of the session. You will need to pay the full fee upfront, and the Medicare rebate will be processed afterward and sent directly to your bank account.
For more details, please visit our Fees and Rebates page.
Does my Private Health cover the cost of seeing a dietitian?
Coverage for seeing a dietitian through private health insurance depends on your provider and the level of cover you have. We recommend contacting your private health provider directly to confirm your eligibility for dietetics services.
For reference, the item numbers for sessions are:
Please note that you cannot claim private health rebates for sessions that are already covered by Medicare.
At Be Mindful Nutrition, we do not process private health rebates directly. When you see one of our dietitians, you will need to pay the full fee upfront. We’ll then email you a receipt, which you can submit to your private health provider for reimbursement.
For more details, please visit our Fees and Rebates page.
What if I need to get in touch with my dietitian between sessions?
If you are struggling in between your sessions with your dietitian, we welcome you to reach out to our Client Services Officer (admin@bemindfulnutrition.com.au) – if it is a simple question that you think can be addressed succinctly via email, she will forward on to your dietitian and they will get back to you as soon as they can. Please note that we all work part time and are supporting other clients so it may be a few days before we can get back to you.
If it is something that requires a longer discussion, our client services officer may suggest that you move your upcoming appointment forward (if your dietitian has capacity/space in their calendar).
If you are struggling and this support isn’t going to feel enough, we encourage you to reach out to a friend or family member that you trust, or to one of the following helplines:
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
All dietitians are nutritionists, as they must complete an undergraduate degree in nutrition. However, not all nutritionists are dietitians. To become a dietitian, one must undertake additional study beyond a basic nutrition degree. In Australia, the dietetic profession is regulated, meaning that dietitians must graduate from an approved dietetics course and adhere to a strict code of conduct.
On the other hand, the term “nutritionist” is not protected or regulated, so anyone with some level of nutrition education can use the title.
Click here to learn more about our services.
What is trauma informed care?
Trauma-informed care in the context of nutrition counselling is an approach that acknowledges the impact of past trauma on a person’s relationship with food and body. At Be Mindful Nutrition our dietitians honour this by aiming to create a safe, supportive environment where individuals feel respected and heard, free from judgment. By centering safety, choice, and empowerment, we help you build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food, without dieting or restriction.
What is Neuro-affirming care?
Neuro-affirming care is an approach that recognizes and respects the diverse ways people’s brains work, including neurodivergent individuals. At Be Mindful Nutrition, this means adapting nutrition support to honour sensory needs, routines, and individual processing styles.
Rather than trying to change or “fix” how you experience food, we create a space where neurodivergent individuals feel understood, valued, and fully supported in their journey towards well-being.
What is a non-diet approach and a non-diet dietitian?
A non-diet approach is a philosophy that focuses on nurturing a healthy relationship with food and your body, rather than relying on weight-based goals or restrictive diets. It supports listening to internal cues of hunger and fullness, honouring body diversity, and rejecting diet culture. At Be Mindful Nutrition, our dietitians use this approach with our clients and therefore are non-diet dietitians. They create a compassionate, individualised space where you can explore food without judgment, build trust in your body, and embrace a more peaceful, balanced way of living.
Can you help me with intuitive eating?
Absolutely. Our dietitians can support you in reconnecting with intuitive eating.
We are all born with the ability to eat intuitively, but over time, often through life experiences and living in diet culture, eating can start to feel complicated, stressful, or guided by rules rather than trust in your body.
Together, we gently explore how to move away from dieting and reconnect with your body’s cues, helping you find a way of eating that supports your energy, wellbeing, enjoyment of food, and overall physical and mental health.
