Optimum Intake Dietitians

03/06/2026

If you’ve been living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you know how exhausting digestive symptoms can be.

The bloating that makes you feel uncomfortable by the end of the day. The abdominal pain that seems to appear without warning. The unpredictable bowel habits that leave you constantly planning around the nearest bathroom. The frustration of feeling like food has become something to fear rather than enjoy.

For many people, the low FODMAP diet provides welcome relief when nothing else seems to work.

After years of struggling with symptoms, finally feeling better can be life-changing.

But what happens when the low FODMAP diet becomes your way of eating for months or even years?

If you’ve been avoiding a long list of foods indefinitely, you may be restricting more than you need to.

Been following a low FODMAP diet for months or years? Learn why long-term restriction may be holding you back and how a dietitian can help you

22/05/2026

Dietitians Week 2026 💜🧩💜
This week our team celebrated the theme Collective Impact with a reflective activity that turned out to be incredibly special.

Each team member decorated their own puzzle piece and reflected on the impact they make as a dietitian supporting people within our community. When we joined all the pieces together, it created one larger picture representing the power of collective impact across our team.

It was such a great reminder that every interaction matters. Every client conversation, home visit, meal support strategy, report, education session and moment of encouragement contributes to improving someone’s health, wellbeing and daily functioning.

One thing I continue to hear from dietitians is that many feel undervalued or under-utilised in the healthcare system. Yet the work happening across our profession every single day is making a tremendous difference to people’s lives.

Let’s keep sharing that impact more widely.
More conversations.
More advocacy.
More visibility.
More leadership.
Because many people still do not fully understand the breadth of what dietitians do and the outcomes we can help achieve.
Happy Dietitians Week to all the incredible dietitians making a difference in their communities 💜🧩💜

PrimaryCare Nutrition

11/05/2026

Our promise to you - Innovative, Individualised and IMPACTFUL nutrition care.

Across our 7 teams we strive to make an IMPACT:

From our Paediatrics, Disability, Chronic Conditions, Sports, Residential Aged Care, Community Aged Care, Mental Health and the glue that keeps it together, our Client Care Team 💜

This Dietitians Week we are celebrating Our Collective impact and how we support our community.

11/05/2026

Creatine has long been associated with gym culture and bodybuilding – but that’s only part of the story.

Today, creatine is one of the most researched and widely discussed supplements in nutrition.

Beyond performance, it’s gaining attention for its potential role in recovery, brain health, and healthy ageing.

So, is creatine something you should consider?

Let’s break it down.

Should you take creatine? Learn about the benefits, safety, side effects, and practical considerations of creatine supplementation from Accredited Practising Dietitians.

09/05/2026

Team Training Session - IDDSI

There are so many products available to help us thicken foods and liquids on the market. We wanted to refresh our teams knowledge in the IDDSI Levels and practically demonstrate how to thicken liquids, test out some pre packaged texture modified foods and better understand the heavy lift of making foods safe for consumption when texture and thickness matter for swallowing.

Our team learnt some valuable lessons regarding accurate measuring and how having specific ml measure matters, timing of thickeners impact speed of thickening, the manual burden of preparing food and liquids from scratch and testing the IDDSI level compliance.

We are now feeling refreshed with this experienced and equipped to support people at home who need texture modified foods and fluids. 💜

Plus the food tasting was a bonus- surprisingly tasty 😋

05/05/2026

Understanding appetite loss, weight decline, and how dietitian support can help older adults stay strong at home

Grief changes many things.�Sleep. Energy. Motivation. Routine.

One of the most common changes we see in aged care is appetite.

It often begins subtly.

A smaller meal here.�

A skipped lunch there.�

A quiet “I’m not that hungry today.”

Over time, these small changes can lead to unintentional weight loss, reduced strength, and loss of independence.

At Optimum Intake Dietitians, this is something we regularly support through our aged care nutrition services across Australia, particularly for older adults living at home.

Learn how grief affects appetite in older adults and how dietitians support nutrition, strength, and independence through My Aged Care services.

23/04/2026

Looking for practical nutrition support through NDIS?
Jane works with clients, families and support teams to provide personalised nutrition care across a range of settings, including in-home support, Supported Independent Living (SIL) environments, and the broader community.

She has a strong focus on supporting individuals living with neurological disabilities, where nutrition, mealtime support and daily routines can play an important role in overall health, comfort and quality of life.

Jane’s approach is collaborative and tailored, working alongside support workers and carers to ensure strategies are practical, consistent and achievable in real-life settings.

Support may include:
• Developing mealtime routines within SIL homes
• Supporting safe and appropriate food and fluid intake
• Guidance around texture modified diets in collaboration with speech pathology
• Supporting nutrition needs for neurological conditions
• Building independence and confidence with food where appropriate

Jane is also actively involved in the community, attending local expos and events to help improve awareness and access to nutrition support for people living with disability.

If you’re unsure how to access dietitian support through NDIS, our Client Care Team can help guide you through the process and find the right fit for your needs.

📞 Get in touch to learn more or book an appointment

23/04/2026

Did you see us out in the community this week at the Ready Set Connect Disability Expo in Newcastle?

Our disability dietitians Jane and Issy, proudly represented Optimum Intake and our Disability team 💜

A great opportunity for our community members to be able to speak with us directly, ask questions, learn about what dietitians do and the services we offer across our Paediatric and Adult Disability services.

If you missed us and have questions, you are welcome to Connect’s with us by contacting our office on 0499 008 451 or emailing [email protected]

22/04/2026

Supporting an older loved one who isn’t eating well?

You might notice smaller portions, a reduced appetite, weight loss, or a growing concern about their strength and energy. It can feel worrying watching these changes and not knowing how best to help, especially when meals that were once enjoyed are now being skipped or left unfinished.

Brianna works alongside older adults and their families to provide practical, personalised nutrition support that fits into everyday life. Her approach focuses on maintaining strength, supporting independence, and helping make food feel manageable and enjoyable again.

Support may include:
• Improving appetite and overall food intake
• Addressing unintentional weight loss or malnutrition risk
• Adapting meals to suit changing needs, preferences or abilities
• Supporting energy levels, mobility and day-to-day functioning
• Working collaboratively with families, carers and care providers

Brianna understands that nutrition in later life is about more than just food. It’s about quality of life, dignity, and helping someone stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to do next, our Client Care Team can guide you through available services, including home visits, telehealth, and funding options such as Support at Home or CHSP.
📞 Get in touch to learn more or book an appointment

21/04/2026

Worried about your child’s eating?

Whether it’s fussy eating, limited food variety, mealtime stress or concerns about growth, it can feel overwhelming trying to know what to do next. Many families we work with feel unsure how to support their child without making mealtimes more stressful.

Rachel works alongside families to take the pressure out of eating. Her approach focuses on practical, realistic strategies that fit into everyday life, while helping children feel more comfortable, confident and curious around food.

Together, this may include:
• Gently expanding food variety over time
• Creating more positive and predictable mealtime routines
• Supporting your child’s nutrition, growth and development
• Reducing stress and anxiety around eating for the whole family

Every child is different, which is why Rachel tailors her support to your child’s needs, preferences and stage of development.
If you’re not sure where to start, our Client Care Team is here to help guide you and match you with the right dietitian for your family.

📞 Get in touch to learn more or book an appointment
centralcoastnsw newcastlensw optimumintake