What Do Dietitians Actually Do? Exploring the Many Ways Dietitians Support Health, Recovery and Performance

When people think of dietitians, they often imagine someone who hands out strict meal plans or insists on salads at every meal. However, Dietitians focus on expanding intake to support the body, and mind rather than restricting it. Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are university-qualified health professionals who work across a wide range of clinical and lifestyle areas. 

Dietitians support people to: 

• Manage medical conditions 

• Improve overall health & wellbeing 

• Optimise physical and mental performance 

• Develop a more flexible and positive relationship with food 

If you’re wondering whether seeing a dietitian could help, here’s a breakdown of the key areas where support is available and how Dr Rebekah Alcock, Clinical and Advanced Sports Dietitian at With Grace Therapy, can work with you to meet your goals. 

With experience in elite sport, eating disorder recovery, neurodivergent support, clinical medical nutrition therapy, Rebekah offers both in-person sessions and Telehealth consultations. Many services can be accessed through a GP referral, private health insurance, or the NDIS. 

Some of the key areas Rebekah works in include: 

Sports Nutrition: Performance and Recovery 

Dr Rebekah Alcock is an Advanced Sports Dietitian with a PhD from the Australian Institute of Sport and ACU, and over a decade of experience working with elite teams including the Melbourne Football Club (Premiership 2021). Whether you’re a recreational runner or an elite athlete, Rebekah can help you: 

• Fuel effectively for training, competition, and recovery. 

• Build strong, injury-resilient bodies. 

• Support growth and bone health in young athletes. 

• Manage supplements, hydration, and travel nutrition. 

• Optimise body composition, recovery from training and long-term health. 

• Support injury prevention and management through optimising nutritional state. 

Available via private sessions, private health or Medicare’s Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan if health concerns are present. 

Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating 

Rebekah provides compassionate, evidence-based support for clients across the spectrum of eating disorders, including: 

• Anorexia Nervosa 

• Bulimia Nervosa 

• Binge Eating Disorder 

• OSFED 

• ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) 

cSupport is tailored to the individual and may include: 

• Establishing regular and adequate eating 

• Rebuilding trust in the body and food 

• Managing mealtime anxiety and compensatory behaviours 

• Addressing physical health impacts of disordered eating 
   

Clients may be eligible for an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDP) through their GP, which provides up to 20 Medicare-rebated sessions with a dietitian per year. 

Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutrition Support 

Rebekah has experience working with autistic and ADHD clients, supporting individuals across the lifespan with: 

• Texture and sensory-based food challenges. 

• Structured meal routines and food chaining techniques 

• Appetite regulation and energy support 

• Sensory-friendly supplements or oral nutrition support (ONS) 

• Collaborative care with families, therapists (social workers and psychologists), and support teams 

Support is available for NDIS participants for both self-managed and plan-managed clients. 

Chronic Conditions and Medical Nutrition Therapy 

Medical nutrition support is available for clients managing: 

• Type 2 Diabetes 

• Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol 

• Coeliac disease & IBD 

• Malnutrition, fatigue, or unintentional weight loss 

• Chronic illness 

GPs can refer eligible clients through an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan for up to 5 Medicare-subsidised sessions per year. 

Functional, Gut, and Hormonal Health 

Digestive and symptoms can greatly affect day-to-day life. Rebekah offers support for: 

• Functional gut disorders (e.g. IBS, SIBO) 

• Bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and food sensitivities 

• Nutrition for energy, sleep, and mental clarity 

• Supplement review and guidance. 

Women’s Health  

Rebekah supports women through all life stages, including: 

• Managing iron deficiency, inflammation, and bone health 

• Navigating menopause and perimenopause 

• PCOS and hormonal balance support, endometriosis, and PMS 

Corporate Health and Performance 

Dr Rebekah Alcock offers tailored support to organisations and professionals seeking to enhance health outcomes at work. This includes: 

• Nutrition for stress, fatigue, and mental clarity 

• Strategies to support energy, sleep, and concentration. 

• Executive performance nutrition planning 

Mental Health and Nutrition 

Nutrition plays a vital role in mental wellbeing, and Rebekah integrates evidence-based strategies to support individuals managing a range of mental health challenges. Whether you’re navigating stress, anxiety, low mood, or recovery from burnout, nutritional support can be a valuable part of your care plan. 

Rebekah works collaboratively to support: 

• Managing appetite changes related to mood or medications. 

• Addressing nutritional deficiencies linked to fatigue, low mood, or cognitive fog. 

• Supporting gut-brain health through microbiome-friendly nutrition and supplementation 

• Building patient centered plans and routines to support emotional resilience
• Enhancing sleep, concentration, and daily energy through tailored dietary strategies 

Support can be accessed via self funded sessions, private health, GP referrals (EPC plan), or NDIS, depending on individual needs and circumstances. 

Dr Rebekah Alcock combines clinical expertise with a compassionate, empathetic and person-centered approach to help clients feel safe, informed, and empowered around food and nutrition. 
 

How to Access Support with Dr Rebekah Alcock at With Grace Therapy