In today’s complex healthcare landscape, no single professional can address every need. As nutrition becomes increasingly central to managing physical, mental, and developmental health, Dietitians are vital members of collaborative care teams. Whether supporting chronic disease, navigating GLP-1 medications (e.g semaglutide which is also known as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, and tirzepatide = Mounjaro) guiding mental health recovery, or optimising performance, one factor consistently drives long-term results: behaviour change.
Nutrition isn’t just about knowing what to eat it’s about managing how we eat, think, feel, and act over time.
Chronic Disease: Translating Clinical Goals into Daily Habits
Conditions: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, CKD, NAFLD, hypertension
Dietitians work alongside GPs, therapists, specialists, nurses, and pharmacists to:
- Personalise dietary strategies using labs, diagnostics, and patient preferences
- Coach sustainable behaviour change (e.g., reducing sodium, increasing fibre, adopting DASH or Mediterranean diets)
- Build self-efficacy and support clients through relapses and setbacks
Example in practice
A Dietitian partners with a GP and diabetes educator to help a newly diagnosed patient lower HbA1c from 8.2% to 6.5% in six months by adopting the Mediterranean diet and addressing emotional eating triggers.
Weight Management & Body Composition: Long-Term Support Beyond Medications
With growing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic®, Mounjaro®) and bariatric surgery, the Dietitian’s role in multidisciplinary care is more critical than ever. While these tools can significantly affect appetite, metabolism, and weight, sustained success relies on continued dietary and behavioural support.
Dietitians support clients undergoing:
- Pharmacological therapies (GLP-1s, SGLT2 inhibitors, metformin)
- Bariatric procedures (gastric sleeve, bypass, lap-band)
- Lifestyle and metabolic programs
Key interventions include:
- Preserving lean mass through targeted protein and resistance fuelling
- Preventing nutrient deficiencies and monitoring post-surgical malabsorption
- Coaching long-term, sustainable eating behaviours
- Addressing emotional eating and body image adjustments
Examples in practice
A Dietitian partners with a surgeon and psychologist to support a client before and after bariatric surgery meeting protein targets, preventing dumping syndrome, and restoring a healthy food relationship.
Another client on semaglutide works with a Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist to maintain muscle mass, manage appetite changes, and transition off medication while improving their relationship with food.
Rehabilitation & Movement Therapy: Nutrition as a Recovery Accelerator
Use cases: Post-surgical rehab, musculoskeletal injury, sarcopenia, chronic pain
In collaboration with physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, Dietitians:
- Fuel tissue repair and reduce inflammation
- Support bone health and macronutrient timing for muscle rebuilding
- Prevent malnutrition or overnutrition during periods of limited mobility
Example in practice
A Dietitian and physiotherapist co-manage a 68-year-old post-hip replacement patient, ensuring sufficient protein and calcium intake to promote healing and prevent future falls.
Sport & Performance: Integrated Fuel for Physical and Mental Edge
Athletes, from youth to elite, benefit from multidisciplinary support – especially as injury risk and energy demands rise. Dietitians work alongside coaches, psychologists, and medical staff to optimise performance and recovery.
Settings: Team sports, endurance athletes, RED-S risk, youth development, Masters athletes
Roles include:
- Designing periodised fuelling and hydration plans
- Managing gut health, supplementation, and recovery
- Identifying and addressing disordered eating or low energy availability
- Supporting return-to-play after injury
Example in practice
A Dietitian and sports psychologist support a long-distance runner experiencing amenorrhea and fatigue restoring energy balance without triggering disordered eating.
NDIS & Disability Support: Enabling Safe, Nourishing Mealtimes
Clients: Autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, sensory feeding challenges
In collaboration with Social Workers, Psychologists, OTs, speech pathologists, and support coordinators, Dietitians:
- Tailor food textures, equipment, and feeding techniques
- Prevent malnutrition and support functional outcomes
- Develop meal strategies for ARFID and sensory aversions
- Train carers and support workers for safe, positive mealtimes
- Provide oral nutrition support and supplementation guidance
Example in practice
A Dietitian and social worker partner with a family to ensure adequate nutrition for a neurodivergent child with severe textural aversions, supporting bowel health and growth.
Mental Health & Eating Disorders: Where Food Meets Therapy
Conditions: Depression, anxiety, ADHD, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
In mental health settings, Dietitians are essential members of care teams that may include psychologists, mental health social workers and psychiatrists.
Dietitians:
- Ensure nutritional adequacy for mood, cognition, and sleep
- Challenge food fears and rigid beliefs
- Provide meal support and exposure therapy
- Manage side effects of medications (e.g., appetite, metabolic effects)
Example in practice
A Dietitian collaborates with a psychologist and GP to support an individual recovering from an eating disorder improving nutrition status and building a healthier relationship with food.
Why Ongoing, Integrated Care Matters
Nutrition knowledge isn’t enough. Behaviour change takes time, reinforcement, and trust. Dietitians spend 30–50 minutes per session to deeply understand a client’s lifestyle, preferences, and barriers ensuring truly individualised, practical strategies that lead to lasting change.
Dietitians Are Essential to Every Care Team
From chronic illness to elite performance, from disability to mental health, Dietitians provide evidence-based, compassionate support that helps people eat better, feel better, and live better.
