Using healthy food choices to support improved wellbeing

Using healthy food choices to support improved wellbeing

This week, 16-22 June, is Dietitians Week – an annual event to celebrate the vital role that Accredited Practising Dietitians play in enhancing people’s health and improving lives nationally.

The theme for this year is “Your health, our mission: Talk to a dietitian”, which recognises the dedication of each dietitian who is making a difference in so many lives, every single day.

Our team of Dietitians work right across Central West and Western NSW, providing education, advice and guidance tailored to individuals to support them on their health and wellbeing journey.

Not only do they use food to support overall health and wellbeing, but dietitians also advocate for using food choices to help manage chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

In Bathurst, the weekly Indigenous Chronic Disease (ICD) Clinic sees a lot of visitors, a significant portion who are living with and managing T2D. With latest research showing that low carbohydrate eating plans are one of a number of strategies that can be effective in managing blood sugar levels for people living with T2D, the team have implemented this strategy to their Eat while you wait activity during ICD Clinics.

Last week in Bathurst, Monique, Dietitian, busily prepped a hearty low-carb chicken soup loaded with low carb veggies, which provided the ICD Clinic visitors a healthy treat on a cold Bathurst morning while waiting for their appointment.

Introduced in 2024, the Eat while you wait activity has a strong emphasis on keeping recipes simple and cost effective so that visitors to the clinic can be inspired to introduce new healthy food options, make informed food choices and feel confident to prepare nutritious meals at home.

Outside of the ICD Clinic in Bathurst, our Dietitians are supporting individuals in many other ways, including through face to face fee for services appointments providing personalised dietetic advice, to fully funded services for eligible community members.

From helping individuals to gain a better understanding of the nutritional value of food, to chronic disease, allergy or food intolerance, and weight management, our dietitians are partnering with individuals to support them to make informed, healthier choices that support improved wellbeing.

Know someone who could do with some support?

There are several ways to access dietetic services, including fee for service appointments (no GP referral needed), and fully funded services (for eligible individuals). For more information, head to the Nutrition advice and support page on our website.