Are you putting up with bloating, bowel motions that feel far from normal, or just a general feeling that your tummy’s not happy? Booking in to see a dietitian might be the step that changes all of this for you. 

 

We get it. Booking in to see a dietitian can feel like a big step and huge financial commitment. You might be wondering “Will I have to go on a restrictive diet?” “Will a dietitian actually be able to help?” and “Will it just be another expensive gimmick that doesn’t actually work?”

So what is it really like to see a gut health dietitian (like us) and how can we support you throughout your journey?

Your Initial Assessment: Getting to Know You

This is the most important session. We want to hear your story; what you’ve been through, what symptoms you’re experiencing, and how it’s impacting on your life. The 60 minute assessment allows time for us to get to know your needs, and establish a plan to best help you. 

We’ll usually cover: 

• Your goals from seeing a dietitian 
• Your current symptoms and when they started
• Your medical history including any previous tests, scans or diagnoses you’ve had
• What your diet looks like right now, including any foods you avoid and suspected triggers. 
• Lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and exercise

There’s absolutely no judgment here. We want you to feel as calm and supported as possible right from the beginning. 

Building Your Personalised Gut Health Plan 

Based on your initial assessment, we’ll start developing a plan that fits into your lifestyle, targeted to your symptoms and effective to achieve your gut health goals. This might include:

Addressing the Foundations

Before making any drastic changes to your food, it’s important to master the foundations of a healthy gut to ensure your current diet and lifestyle are not preventing you from achieving the gut health you deserve. 

This might include: 

• Supporting your gut-brain connection
  
• Improving meal structure and eating habits
  
• Managing fibre and fluid intake
  
• Working on regular bowel habits

Exploring Food Triggers

We might trial an elimination diet such as the low FODMAP diet and then monitor your gut symptoms. 

Increasing Food Variety

Our goal is always to help you eat more, not less. If you need to follow an elimination diet such as the low FODMAP diet, we will ensure you are eating suitable replacements so you don’t feel restricted or miss out on essential nutrients. We’ll work together to reintroduce foods and build up variety so your gut microbiome thrives without the painful symptoms!

Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Support

We know that a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle can positively impact gut health. We will tailor this to your needs, whether it’s support with eating regular meals, managing sugar cravings or binge eating, establishing a regular sleep routine or increasing exercise. 

Looking Beyond Just Food

Food is only one part of the gut puzzle. We also chat about:

• How stress and anxiety might be impacting on your gut
• Gentle movement and exercise routines
• Sleep hygiene and daily rhythms
• Supplements (if you need them, and which ones are actually helpful)

Ongoing Support 

Here at The Friendly Food Co. we believe in long term results rather than quick fixes. Healing your gut takes time and we’re here with you every step of the way. Each follow-up session gives us the chance to:

• Review your progress
• Adjust your plan based on what’s working and what’s not 
• Celebrate wins 
• Provide education 
• Keep your motivation going when the journey feels tough
• Answer any questions you have

You Deserve to Feel Good Again

We know how exhausting it can be to deal with unpredictable symptoms, food fear, or feeling like no one really gets it. But we do, and you don’t have to do this alone! Whether you’re just starting to explore your symptoms or have been battling for years, we’d love to help you find relief, confidence, and food freedom again.

Ready to feel better? Book in for a FREE 15 minute phone call with us today and let’s get your gut back on track.

👉 Book a Consultation

Published: 26th April 2025

Author: Bianca Berton-Scarlet, Monash FODMAP trained Dietitian