Accredited Practising Dietitian

Dietitian Nutritionist Bowral NSW Southern Highlands

Dietitian Nutritionist Bowral NSW Southern Highlands – about me

Hi, I’m Fofe*, the principal Accredited Practising Dietitian nutritionist at Bowral Nutrition in the NSW Southern Highlands. I pride myself on having a common-sense approach that complements my scientific training. As regional dietitians, we welcome clients of all ages with nutritional needs, and urge you to contact us for an obligation-free chat.

What is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and how is it different from a nutritionist?

All dietitians are also qualified nutritionists or, more specifically, nutrition scientists. We study at university for 4 or 5 years (Bachelor vs Master credential) to become allied health professionals able to work within the Australian health care system.  Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only credential for dietitians recognised by the Australian government (Medicare), state governments, and private health insurers.  Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist in Australia, it is not a regulated title. Only APDs are uniquely qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): a tailored nutrition therapy service for medical conditions.

Dietitian Nutritionist Bowral NSW Southern HighlandsWhat made me become an Accredited Practising Dietitian and nutritionist?

My eldest child is a neurodivergent NDIS participant. He was diagnosed with ADHD at age six, and autism and ODD three years later.  However, the ‘Oppositional Defiance’-labelled behaviour did not last long thanks to some dietary changes. These made an enormous difference to his quality of life, inspiring me to return to university and study to become a nutrition scientist. I graduated the Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) from the University of Wollongong with Distinction.

Working in the disability sector further inspired me to undertake postgraduate study and become an Accredited Practising Dietitian. I graduated the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Wollongong with Distinction. More recently, I have completed post-graduate study to become a credentialled eating disorder clinician (CEDC-D).

Over time, the practice has developed a particular interest in digestive health, disability, eating disorders, food intolerance, and mental health. We have expanded our team to include a dedicated disability dietitian and administrator.

I identify as neurodivergent (AuDHD), and at Bowral Nutrition, we proudly embrace a neurodiversity-affirming approach. Our practice is grounded in the trauma-informed Neurodiversity Affirming Model, which recognises the natural variation in human cognitive function and firmly rejects the notion that neurodivergent individuals need ‘fixing’.

* Fun fact about me: My name rhymes with ‘coffee’ – my favourite beverage!

Dietitian Nutritionist Bowral NSW Southern Highlands

The Bowral Nutrition philosophy is that…

    • food is key to optimal health. We use a ‘food first’ approach.
    • nutrition advice must be personalised
    • our gut microbiome plays a significant role in our health and wellbeing
    • neurodivergent people deserve respectful and affirming care

Bowral Nutrition dietitians can help you to…

    • manage tube-feeding nutritional adequacy and digestive symptoms for NDIS participants
    • manage your child’s ‘fussy’ eating and chaotic family mealtimes
    • explore suspected food intolerance symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea/constipation
    • ensure you are consuming adequate nutrients for optimal health, irrespective of your dietary approach or medical condition
    • decipher nutrition-related blood test results
    • investigate your gut microbiome
    • decipher nutrition labels, so you can navigate supermarket food shopping with confidence
    • swap ingredients in your favourite recipes for more nutrient-dense ones
    • prepare and cook nutritious foods you may not have experience with
    • understand current dietary trends
    • educate your staff to promote healthy eating habits and overall wellbeing

Dietitian nutritionist Bowral NSW Southern Highlands practice focus areas

How it Works

For all enquiries you can call or text, or email us using our contact form.

Your initial consultation will take ~50 minutes. We will go through your medical history and dietary habits and discuss your goals. Please ensure you bring along any recent (last 6 months) blood/urine/stool test results or have your doctor email or fax them to us.

Your first review is scheduled 2-4 weeks later. Subsequent reviews are tailored to your individual needs.

Care plans: Please note that Medicare rebates are available to clients who have a chronic condition being managed by their GP under a care plan (Chronic Disease Management Plan or CDMP, formerly known as EPCs).  After paying our full fee, you will be able to claim the rebate from Medicare. GP referrals must be accompanied by a signed Referral Form for Allied Health Services to be eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Allied Health Professionals can download our Allied Health referral form here

Care organisations can download our Care organisation referral form and/or nutrition education request form here

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Please contact your Private Health Insurance provider directly to confirm your eligibility to claim the services of a dietitian.

  • Yes, we offer Telehealth – telephone or video call (Zoom) – consultations. For aged care and disability, we also do home visits.

    If you are unable to leave your home for any reason, please know that you do not have to come to our clinic. We can use Telehealth (Zoom video chat or telephone) instead.

    A ‘kitchen table consultation’ via Telehealth can actually be mutually beneficial. It allows us to review the kitchen tools we have to work with, as well as pantry staples, medications and supplements in a relaxed way that is less reliant on memory.

  • Bowral Nutrition is a registered business. Our ABN number is 64 715 430 479

  • We accept bank transfers or deposits into our Commonwealth Bank business account, as well as credit card payments (American Express, Mastercard, Visa) via our Australian-owned and operated credit card merchant provider Pin Payments

  • To ensure we receive a copy of your results use: REFFV6LP7Y6 when ordering your microbiome test from Microba

  • Yes we do. You can view our privacy policy by clicking the link at the very bottom of this webpage.

  • Medicare rebates are available to clients who have a chronic condition being managed by their GP under a care plan.

    After paying our full fee you will be able to claim the rebate from Medicare. GP referrals must be accompanied by a signed Referral Form for Allied Health Services to be eligible for a Medicare rebate.

  • Unfortunately, we do not have wheelchair access in our Bowral clinic, which is accessed from street level by walking up a flight of stairs. However, we do offer the option of a home visit or Telehealth – phone or video chat (Zoom – for clients with mobility issues.

    Dietitian nutritionist Bowral NSW Southern Highlands