Divergent Dietetics

09/05/2026

Example of “just feed them what you’re eating”.
Meals for a 7m old and 3y old adapted by feeding skill/preference 🍚
Today we had leftover rice so I turned that into sushi bowls for lunch with some shredded chicken made in the Thermomix. My son prefers cucumber cut into sticks (he ate most of his while I was cutting it up 😆) and likes baby spinach but not the more bitter leafy greens. We follow baby led weaning and so for my daughter have cut the cucumber into the recommended shape to have with her rice and chicken (with a little chopped up greens mixed in).

Disclaimer that my kids have been raised by a feeding therapist and don’t have ARFID or other feeding differences so what they will eat might look different to what your child eats. Lunch is often 2 minute noodles or baked beans on toast here, today we are having a quiet day at home and so I had extra capacity for a more nutritious lunch.

29/04/2026

What to expect in my clinic room at Parks Medical Centre.

I’ve recently introduced fidgets into the room for anyone to use (cleaned regularly). There is a seat for yourself and a support person, we can bring more chairs in if needed. If you can’t deal with fluorescent lights we can turn the big light off and use the lovely natural light from the window ☀️

I hope to put a few nice decorations and posters up to make the room a bit more inviting but my executive function is not letting me action that right now 😅 One day inspiration will strike (hopefully 🫣).

21/04/2026

NDIS is making cuts everywhere, and Autistic people are being particularly impacted. At this stage dietitians are not listed as part of the “Thriving Kids” program despite the need. Dietitian’s Australia and individual dietitians are out there advocating for adequate dietetic support for people with disabilities in the future but what are your options now?

Several care plans are available through your GP depending on your concern. There are gap payments (sorry, I need to eat too 😅) for these services so I thought I would outline what that looks like for those looking for non NDIS options.

Of course there is also private health, but I rarely see a higher rebate than the Medicare one.

07/04/2026

Hello! I’m officially back from parental leave! I have a couple appointments left in April and plenty in May. Looking forward to seeing you all 🧡

27/03/2026

My books are now open! I have contacted everyone on my waitlist so if you can’t find your email please check your spam and/or send me an email.

I will likely reach full capacity though a combination of previous and new clients fairly soon so if you need some motivation to actually book your initial appointment in there it is!

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

I’m back at work soon and I’ve made a few small changes!

Previously I let clients have full control over which clinic they saw me at, I wanted to be super flexible and accommodating but it meant that I was driving all over the place. This meant more transitions for me (which impacts my focus) and less time available for appointments!

Ongoing my primary working location will be my room at Parks Medical Centre. Telehealth and home visits are available and I can still see clients at Ignite Allied Health in Gawler when that makes more sense for the client. The main difference is dropping the Stretton Centre as an appointment location for now.

The admin staff at Parks Medical Centre generally work 9am-3pm but I have permission from the lovely Dr Ghan to keep them back until 5pm for appointments if needed (and depending on their availability).

I’ve updated my waitlist and will start contacting people soon to book in their appointments. I am excited to get back into it after spending the last 6 months enjoying my baby girl.

I’ve updated my online booking system, unfortunately it’s a bit more complicated than I would like but it’s how I need to set it up for things to run smoothly. I’ve also added a FAQ to my website, which reminds me, I am bringing back a bulk billing option for Medicare referrals due to the current financial climate. These will be strictly 20 minute appointments so that I can afford to provide that option, so we will need to be super fast!

09/03/2026

Watermelon slushies are a fun and affordable way to get some fruit in 🍉

23/01/2026

📋Realistic Affordable Weekly Meal Planning 📋

This is what I have planned for next week for myself, my husband and my toddler (eats as much as me!). We usually have enough food leftover to feed another child so I’m saying a family of four!

Some notes/tips about my plan:
* Affordable meats purchased but eaten in smaller quantities, with cheaper veggies and carbs to fill our bellies. The reality is that many of us can’t afford lean cuts of meat and often prefer cheaper ones from a sensory perspective. Other weeks we have multiple vegetarian meals for the same reason.
* I’ve also chosen meats that I don’t need to cut while raw, often I can stick it straight in the pan from the packet without touching it at all.
* We dinner repeat multiple times a week to cut down on cooking and the amount of dinner ideas we need to come up with. Not everyone can do leftovers but it makes life easier!
* A few things made from scratch for affordability as well as health (i.e. chicken thighs roasted then sliced in bulk rather than purchasing deli meat for wraps)
* Seasonal fruit purchased for quality and affordability.
* Some things in this menu include ingredients I already had in the pantry/freezer, but I can usually stick to a $200-$250 weekly budget.
* Almost everything I buy is home brand or whatever brand is the cheapest per kg that week.
* My total grocery bill includes delivery fee, nappies/wipes and cat food.
* We’ve started eating frozen mint slice biscuits, this is actually one of my clients safe foods. We find the packet lasts longer in the freezer rather than the pantry (plus my son can’t see it 🤭)

05/01/2026

I’m back (sort of)! I’ve started seeing some existing clients on Tuesday’s via Telehealth and writing reports where needed. I will be back three days a week after Easter and will contact those on the waitlist that week.

25/11/2025

TW: Eating Disorders - My Story

I’ve been doing a lot of self reflection while I study for my eating disorder accreditation. On the left you see a timely Facebook memory from 14 years ago of me taking a pre-pub crawl selfie after two weeks of studying for exams and barely eating so that I wouldn’t be “fat” for the event (I wonder why my grades got worse 🙃).

This was part of a longer term pattern which was worsened by my time studying nutrition, I remember being so ashamed doing a skin fold class as the teacher let me know my results from my upper arms marked me as “obese”. With my body dysmorphia at the time I felt it must have been true (despite my BMI being “healthy”).

My eating during those years would have been classified as “orthorexic” and while not a clinical eating disorder it was my life and personality for a long time. There were a couple of concerned people in the sea of people congratulating me on my weight loss. I convinced myself that what I was doing was healthy up until I had a seizure and woke up in hospital.

On the right you see a picture of me from last year, prior to falling pregnant with my second child. Now I am in a place where I don’t place moral value on the number on the scale, I’m heavier but happier (and healthier!). I suppose the purpose of this was to show that I really do understand when my clients are struggling with their body image and finding it hard to accept themselves at their natural weight.

Once I finish my eating disorder certification and commence clinical supervision in this area I will be better able to help others overcome their disordered eating, mindful of the way their neurodivergence influences it (without needing to have a seizure or other medical event first!).