Dietetics & Nutrition
Nutrition is a fundamental building block required for optimal health and wellbeing. Using expert clinical knowledge and a holistic approach to healthcare, our Dietitian can help you to treat, manage and prevent a broad range of health conditions from GIT conditions (IBS, IBD) and food intolerances/allergies, diabetes and weight loss, to Osteoporosis, depression and PCOS and endometriosis.
Dietetics services available at First Light Healthcare
Meet Gabi, our expert Dietitian at First Light Healthcare Byron Bay & Ballina.
Gabi Coulthurst is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who uses research-based, holistic nutrition therapy to help you reach your health goals so that you can enjoy life fully.
Gabi is highly experienced in nutrition therapy and understands that your health is impacted by many factors, and everyone has different needs.
Therefore, she works with you to provide practical and simple advice tailored to you to ensure long-term improvements.
Our Dietitian can help with the following conditions
and health goals:
- GIT conditions (IBS, IBD, constipation, bloating, reflux)
- Food allergies and intolerances (e.g. Coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, histamine intolerance)
- Anaemia and iron deficiency
- PCOS, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis & Women’s Hormonal Conditions
- Menopause and Perimenopause
- Sustainable weight loss
- Diabetes (Pre-diabetes, Type I, II and Gestational Diabetes)
- Depression, anxiety, bi-polar affective disorder, Schizophrenia
- Osteoporosis & osteopenia
- Cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure
- Intuitive eating
- Malnutrition and difficulties gaining weight and muscle tone
- Chronic fatigue syndrome & pain and inflammation conditions
- Vegan and vegetarian eating
- Liver disease
- Gout
- Nutrition for sports performance and recovery
- Nutrition guide for pregnancy, preconception and breastfeeding
Questions and Answers
Can a dietitian help with weight loss?
Yes. This is one of the most common requests from our patients. If you have tried different diets and failed, it’s time to get expert help to identify foods that will support your weight loss journey and your health and satisfy your tastebuds.
Are nutritionists and dietitian the same?
A nutritionist will usually have completed a tertiary qualification in any number of fields, including nutrition, food science and public health. Dietitians are tertiary qualified in food, nutrition and dietetics. They also have to undertake supervised and assessed professional practice in public health nutrition, medical nutrition therapy and food service management. Dietitians may work in many of the same settings as nutritionists, however, they are also qualified to work in private clinical practice, hospitals and the medical nutrition industry.
Are nutritionists or dietitians covered by health insurance?
There are currently no Medicare health fund rebates for clients of nutritionist. Furthermore, there is only limited private health insurance fund rebates for nutritionists with a small proportion of private health insurers. Accredited Practising Dietitian is the only credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, and most private health funds.
Can a dietitian help with a condition such as diabetes?
Yes. With conditions such as these diet planning is crucial to maintain health and to prevent long-term damage to the body from the disease. Diabetes is not the only medical condition that a dietitian can help with. In fact people who suffer high stress levels, heart disease or even an autoimmune condition can all benefit from dietary advice.
Do you offer Functional Testing?
Yes! Gabi utilises and offers a range of functional, high-quality and reputable testing options from gut microbiome and food intolerance testing to comprehensive hormone and metabolic marker testing.