Category Archives: Uncategorized

Nutritionist says No! to Diet Plans

If you Google a Diet Plan for XYZ (ie weight loss) then you will find a host of websites which will happily give you a list of recipes to eat every day of the week.

And while this can be helpful as an initial starting point, it doesn’t address the most important aspect of diets for good health. Every person is unique and has own dietary requirements based on their past and current health concerns. A one size fits all approach simply doesn’t work.

It can also become repetitive and uninspiring over time as women feel locked into eating foods in the same way each week.

Ideally, food should be fun! At GWN we aim to educate and empower our clients to take control of their health, by teaching our clients what a healthy diet looks like and applying it to their unique situation.

Therefore, we provide dietary guidelines and recommendations which give women more scope in selecting foods and combining them in healthy way. The increased meal options as a result of knowing which foods to choose, makes sticking the diet easier and more enjoyable over time.

As a Nutritionist I am invariably asked by prospective clients if I do Diet Plans. And my answer is No! Shocking I know, but here is my version of what a Diet Plan should include.

Rather than a list of recipes to eat throughout the week, I would rather educate my clients to know:

  • What to look for when buying groceries, ie what foods are healthy and which truely are not healthy and why.
  • What foods should be eaten the most.
  • What foods should be eaten the least.
  • Which foods are carbohydrates, proteins and fats and what proportion of each they need to eat for their unique circumstances. And which carbs, proteins and fats are beneficial and which are best avoided or limited in their diet.
  • Which foods are harmful to their body ie gluten, lactose, etc based on their health history and current health.
  • What types of diets are best suited to the client based on their unique circumstances. For instance, Keto diets and Vegan or Vegetarian Diets need to be applied on an individual basis. Not everyone will respond in the same way to the same diet.
  • What drinks are recommended and which to avoid & more….

And then if recipes are required I point my clients in the direction of good cook books.

As a Naturopathic Nutritionist I’m trained to take everything into account when recommending a diet. The weight loss diet prescibed for a post menopausal women would be different to a weight loss diet for a women who’s a new mum.

Each have their own unique challenges and require a different approach.

So if you need a different approach or if you’ve tried umpteen diets without lasting results, book an Initial Nutrition Consultation today, you’ll be glad you did.

Does your period wipe out your vitality & mood?

If so, you’re not alone. Many women experience some form of emotional disruption a week prior to, during and to some extent after their period.

It can range from frustration and anger to sadness, anxiety and deep depressive feelings.

These irrational thoughts that at other times of the month might simply be dismissed as ‘ridiculous’ take on a very serious side when you are premenstrual.

Premenstrual Mood Swings PMS or as a client of mine likes to calls it ‘personal mood swings’ or the more serious Premenstrual Mood Dysphoric Disorder PMDD is a common and frustrating experience.

There is a whole constellation of symtoms associated with the menstural cycle. Flutuating levels of Estrogen (Follicular Phase) and Progesterone (Luteal Phase) throughout the cycle can create a hormonal hell if your nutritional balance is off.

The period itself is well know for depleting your body of iron, which if not repleated sufficiently, either though an iron rich diet or an iron supplement, has the capacity to create very low moods and a lack of energy.

These symptoms become more pronounced the longer you’re iron deficient and may eventually lead to anemia.

Lesser know nutritional deficiencies are also linked to your period cycle.

Women can also become deficient in B Vitamins, Zinc, Magnesium & Calcium. This can create a raft of mental health issues ranging from moodiness to paranoia and fatigue.

Deficiencies of Vitamin D & Omega 3’s are also a common issues with heavy and painful periods.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms with their cycle it’s time to be proactive and get help.

It doesn’t matter if you are 25 or 45, period problems ebb and flow throughout life and now is the time to address them.

Hormonal flutuations in themselves can create mood disturbances and when coupled with nutritional deficiencies it can create a world of despair.

Book today either online or in person to discover a better way of coping with periods. Visit the Contact Us page and click on the Halaxy icon for the next available appointment.

Clinic Update March 3, 2021

We’ll it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to see my clients face to face but that’s all about to change.

Starting on the 17th of April, 2021, Getting Well Naturally will be operating from it’s new home at Suite 2/55 Hudsons Road, Spotswood, Vic 3015!

This new clinic is inside the Kingsford Business Centre and the Tiny Clinic. I welcome all past and present clients to join me there.

Hudson’s Road in Spotswood is a fantastic location, minutes from the Westgate Bridge and Williamstown Road turnoff with easy access to the CBD, Yarraville, Seddon, Kingsville, Footscray, Newport, Williamstown, Altona and many other locations within Melbourne’s Western Suburbs.

Why not plan your outing with a trip to the beach or a visit to Grazeland a foodies paradise opening just up the road.

Enter Hudsons Road off Williamstown Road, go over the railway line and you will find the Kingsford Business Centre on your right. There is ample on street parking opposite and in the surrounding streets.

Bookings can be made via the Halaxy booking icon on the Contact Us page.

Please note I will initially only be onsite every second Saturday, so booking in advance is highly recommended to ensure that you can be seen.

In the interim, I will continue to offer phone and online appointments throughout the week and alternate Saturdays for your convenience and continuity of treatment.

Yarraville Thrush Clinic Naturopathic Nutrition

Throughout my time in practing in the western suburbs of Melbourne and elsewhere, I’ve noticed a consistent theme of clients presenting with Candida infections.

These fungal/yeast infections are endemic in our society. Clients often struggle for years with a baffling array of seemingly unconnected or random symptoms, without any proper explanation or resolution.

The merry-go-round of GP’s and specialists visits, tests and medications can be extremely exhausting for clients who just want answers and a treatment that works.

If they’re lucky enough to present with a known fungal infection such as Thrush, then they will receive some anti-fungal treatment either topically or taken as a pill but once they go off the medication it rears its ugly head again.

These infections are insidious. Many of my clients present with a host of seemingly unrelated symptoms and we uncover a Candida infection.

Sometimes if you’re unlucky enough, you can be infected with a bacterial and fungal infection at the same site, such as in the sinuses, which antibiotics will only be partially successful in treating. What’s more, the antibiotics will encourage the growth of yet more fungal problems elsewhere in the body.

So if you have a recurrent Thrush or suspect that you have an underlying health issue, book in today to be screened for Candida. You’ll be glad you did.

How to make 2021 your year to get healthy.

Every January Getting Well Naturally comes alive with new patients all with one thing on their minds. The wish to make the new year the one where they finally get their health sorted.

Every new year presents us with a clean slate to make changes in our lives. Among the most popular new year’s resolutions is how to get healthier than ever before or to regain the health you once had.

If you are wondering where to start on this wellness journey, then look no further than your most pressing health issue.

Is it a lack of energy or motivation?

Are you carrying too much weight?

Do you have skin problems, allergies or gut issues?

Are your hormones wreaking havoc in your life (ie PMS, perimenopause, menopause, infertility)?

Do you suffer from frequent infections or being rundown?

Whichever health concern causes you the most grief is the best place to start.

Everything in the body is interconnected. And the beauty of natural medicine and nutrition is that by addressing one health issue it inevitably improves other health conerns that you may have.

For instance, any natural treatment that you do to improve your digestion will enhance your absorption of nutrients and your hormones, skin and energy levels will also improve.

Working with a Naturopath will help to change your life in ways you cannot even imagine. When your body is in balance, everything just flows. Stress, anxiety and depression and all facets of mental health have nutrition as a central theme.

When the body is properly nourished amazing things can happen. In conjuction with our Naturopath, you will learn which foods will make you body sing and which are best avoided or minimized. This alone can have a profound effect on your overall health and wellbeing.

The natural medicine treatments used by Getting Well Naturally are high grade, prescription only supplements and they are targeted to your unique health needs.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach at Getting Well Naturally. All of our clients recieve a personally tailored treatment plan.

So if your new year’s resolution is to get your health back on track, book an appointment today.

We have special offers on Initial Nutrition and Naturopathy consultations so why note take advantage of our great deals and kick start you health in 2021!

Visit www.gettingwellnaturally.com.au, Contact Us, Halaxy to book.

Do you really know what your eating & more importantly, do you know what it’s doing to you?

Without knowing this essential information you and your family can be unwittingly consuming artifical colors, flavors, neurotoxins, sweetners, sugars, harmful trans fats, unwanted calories, empty calories (from sugar and all of it’s cousins) and poor quality nutrition.

Foods (especially processed foods) affect attention span, mood, behavior, skin health, motivation, weight gain, immunity, reproductive and digestive health to name a few. The body struggles to deal with all of these foreign chemicals and will instead store them as fat. So anyone wanting to lose weight in 2021, really needs to know what’s in the food their consuming if weight loss is to be successful.

Comparing groceries in terms of their health ratings, ingredients, nutritional profile and packaging can be difficult for the untrained eye.

How do you know if one product at the supermaket is better than another on the same shelf? The sheer volume of different choices all vying for your attention can be overwhelming.

Terms such as low fat, gluten free, high fibre, lactose free, low sodium and sugar free can further complicate matters and make it more difficult to discern the best option for you and your family.

It’s often the small print on the ingredients list or nutrition panel that defines the best choice. Knowing how to read these key points can help you make an informed, healthy choice.

So with this in mind, I am offering Supermarket Shopping Tours in Yarraville & Caroline Springs, Victoria in Melbourne’s western suburbs for the first time in 2021!

It takes just 30 minutes to learn how to read ingredients lists, nutrition labels and to understand how to compare one product against another.

This service would normally be $79, however, for a limited time you can book a 30 minute tour for just $50!

To book for this service please email gettingwellnaturally@gmail.com.

5 tips for overcoming stress this festive season

With less than a month until Christmas, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed. This anxiety is compounded this year by Melbourians being fresh out of lockdown.

Suddenly family and friends are back on the must see list, along with all of the usual work and home commitments.

Adjusting to this change of pace (not to mention the traffic) has left many of my clients feeling absolutely exhausted.

Scheduling flights to fly interstate to see family adds another layer of complexity to the mix, when Australian borders outside of Victoria have been rigid for so long.

Now amid the rush to prepare for hosting Christmas lunch or simply buying presents, we are thrust into a very stressful period.

So what can be done to enjoy Christmas this year and have energy to burn:

  • Be realistic about what you have time to get done. It’s very easy to run yourself raggard by wanting everything to be perfect. (The reality is that you family will love you regardless of whether our house is pristine, remember it’s your home not a display home!)
  • Be kind to yourself. Delegate responsibilites to others and don’t be afraid of asking for help, everyone wants to pitch in and contribute their favorite dish, etc.
  • Do as much preparation the day before or early on the day so you have time to relax with a cuppa and some nibbles before the guests arrive. After all, you deserve a little time to enjoy the serenity as you will be flat strap entertaining throughout much of the day and taking a short break for yourself can do wonder for frayed nerves.
  • Once the dessert is out of the way, let the guests help you with cleaning up the dishes, they’re dying to help! (Seriously anyone who hasn’t had to cook or host Christmas is so grateful they can just come and enjoy that they are more than happy to be given a job to do.)
  • And finally clock off for the afternoon. Set up a self serve afternoon tea station so guests can make their own cuppas and move as far away from the kitchen as possible. (Your guests want you to enjoy yourself and they want to talk to you too. So make yourself available and someone will happily bring you anything you desire.

Often we feel anxious and overwhelmed because we feel like we are being taken for granted. By being a ‘team leader’ you can get everyone involved in the Christmas day festivities and take some of the pressure off.

When all else fails nutrients & natural medicine can help immensly to help calm your nerves and give you a spring in your step.

If you feel that you need help preparing for Christmas we have a special offer for our female clients in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Book an initial Naturopathic or Nutrition consultation for just $99 (normally $130) to get the help you need to thrive this festive season.

GWN services the entire western suburban corridor from Caroline Springs to Keilor, Cairnlea to Derrimut, Sunshine to Yarraville and everywhere inbetween!

To book visit the Contact Us page of gettingwellnaturally.com.au

Could you be experiencing Perimenopause without even realising it?

If you’re a female aged 35 yrs or older, you may have a sneaking suspicion that your hormones are changing and are creating havoc in your life.

Periods may have become a little less predictable, longer or shorter cycles and heavier or lighter bleeds.

Recently you have noticed an increasing amount of anxiety, bloating, headaches and unexplained tiredness. Perhaps even hot flushes and night sweats. Not to mention aches and pains which seem to have come out of nowhere.

And alarmingly, you may also be experiencing stubborn weight gain and feeling more irritable or emotional of late.

Most women are familiar with Menopause, the time of life when periods cease. Once a woman has not had a period for 12 months she is technically in Menopause. This creates a hormonal deficiency of progesterone which the body no longer makes and a huge reduction in estrogen (down to 40%) and testosterone.

However, in the 10+ years in the lead up to Menopause the female body undergoes a lot of hormonal upheaveal. There are months when ovulation does not occur and this creates a complete deficiency of progesterone which has a vital role in creating not only fertility but also in being a calming hormone with anti-inflammatory effects, body composition improving effects (ie it helps to reduce pain and keep your weight stable).

At Getting Well Naturally we’ve been supporting perimenopausal women in Melbourne’s western suburbs for more than 13 years. This is such a tranformative experience in a woman’s life, that it’s important to be guided by a specialist in effective natural medicine at this time.

So many of these symptoms can be safely and effectively managed through diet, nutrition and natural treatments that work in harmony with your body.

Best of all, at GWN we’re offering Telehealth consultations which can be done from home and as we are your local area natural health specialist, we can deliver supplements to your home if you live in a 20 km radius within the western suburbs of Melbourne.

So whether you’re in Derrimut, Tarniet, Caroline Springs, Taylors Hill, Hillside, Keilor, Cairnlea, Sunshine, Yarraville or anywhere in between we are here for you.

So if these symptoms have rang a bell with you don’t hesitate to book an appointment online today. We have a special offer (initial consultation just $99) visit the Contact Us page for more details.

Introducing a NEW approach to personalized Wellness & Weight Loss!

Very exciting news. We’ve just received a new test to enable our clients to see a cross section of their genes (DNA) to gain a very personalized weight loss treatment plan based on their genetic make-up.

As we approach the warmer months this test can give you much needed advice on how to mitigate any genetic variations that can limit weight loss and enhance your ability to lose weight based on your unique DNA profile.

Individually tailored weight loss recommendations are a hallmark of our successful Naturopathic/Nutritional treatment. And this gives you one more tool in your arsenal for safe and effective weight loss.

It can also provide information and treatment recommendations regarding the following:

Your ability to lose weight.
Your appetite and eating behaviours.
How your body stores and processes dietary fats.
Your risk of having an abnormal cholesterol profile.
Your vitamin, mineral and other nutrient needs.
Your sensitivity to specific tastes, foods and drinks.

And much more…this very comprehensive report is available to all clients of Getting Well Naturally, exclusively here in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

It can also give you a complete understanding of the type of exercise you are best suited to and your ability to recover. It also looks at your muscle, strength, endurance, recovery and injury risk when you exercise.

Individualized DNA based reports and treatment plans are the future of healthy, achieveable weight loss. The more you can understand about your body’s ability to process nutrients based on genetic variations, the great the likihood of being successful in creating the body of your dreams.

Taking a generic approach to diet and exercise will achieve some results but using a tailored treatment plan based on your unique make up will always provide better results. This is why there is no one size fits all weight loss program. We are all unique.

This report in conjunction with your individual health history and current circumstances, medications, etc. provides the basis for the most comprehensive approach to sustained weight loss.

So if you’re ready for a new approach to weight loss email us today at gettingwellnaturally@gmail.com with your name and contact number and we will kick start your weight loss journey.

How do I treat Hayfever naturally in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Welcome to spring Melbourne!

Warm windy days are a definite respite from the cold dreary weather that we’ve been experiencing but now we have another health concern to deal with!

Seasonal hayfever is just ramping up as we enter Springtime in Melbourne. Pollens and grass chemicals floating in the air trigger the unwanted symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes, tickling throat, mucous congestion and fatigue.

If you suffer from these seasonal symptoms, now is the time to learn how to fortify yourself from hayfever misery and to help prevent it from coming back.

The body’s allergic reaction to pollens is not a normal, healthy response. It is an immune system over reaction to an everyday substance. While almost all of the symptoms of hayfever are in the upper respiratory area, the root cause is in the gut.

From a Naturopathic/Nutritional point of view, healing the gut and providing the body with tailored nutrition, is the key to successful resolution of hayfever, not just for this season but for life long improvement/elimination.

Diet as always, can have a significant impact on our quality of life. Some foods such as dairy products can make hayfever ten times worse. The increase in mucous production created by the diary adds fuel to the fire.

Reducing this fuel load by having less dairy overall, can have a dramatic impact on hayfever symptoms.

Nutrients such as Zinc and Omega 3’s are also beneficial in supporting the immune system and decreasing inflammation. This can be done with by adding more food sources of these nutrients into the diet as well as incorporating therapeutic doeses of these nutrients into your daily routine.

From a nutritional perspective, it’s about reducing foods which are known to exaccerbate symptoms and increasing foods which are beneficial to fortifying the body against over reactions to airborne triggers.

From a lifestyle point of view, getting a daily dose of sunshine is about the best thing you could do to improve your hayfever. However, the irony is that going ‘outside’ is deemed to be too risky for many people with severe hayfever. Never fear, Vitamin D comes in liquid form and capsules so therapeutic doses can be taken in lieu of actual sunshine until symptoms subside.

Vitamin D has a long list of beneficial uses but it this instance, it’s modulating the immune system by dampening down the over reaction to airborne triggers and it’s also a very powerful anti-inflammatory agent which reduces the symptoms considerably.

Vitamin D also assists with improving mental health which can be affected by having to repeatedly deal with hayfever symptoms.

A word or caution though. You should always consult with a your Naturopath/Nutritionist before self-prescribing any nutrients. Doses depend on your unique circumstances, so please be sure to follow the prescription given to you rather than sourcing these nutrients off the shelf.

While all of these nutrients will create an improvement in your hayfever they only do half the job. Really knocking this on the head comes from working with through your health history and applying a functional medicine approach to addressing the root cause of your allergic/gut problem.

As a Naturopathic Nutritionist who has consulted with hundreds of clients in Melbourne’s western corridor, I can attest to the vast improvement my clients make when they address all of the underlying drivers of this condition.

And as an added bonus, when the gut and immune system is healthy, so too is the rest of the body. Clients report feeling better all over once they follow the advice and recommendations that are provided for them.

Things change, when we change so if you’re ready to tackle hayfever head on, we’re ready to assist you.

We service the entire western suburbs of Melboune including suburbs such as Caroline Springs, Taylors Hill, Taylors Lakes, Keilor, Deer Park, Cairnlea, Tarniet, Derrimut, Sunshine, Brooklyn, Footscray, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Altona, Yarraville, Kingsville, Williamstown and many more.

Email gettingwellnaturally.com.au to book an initial appointment today!

Ask about our September Hayfever special and save on your initial consult!