Dietitians and Nutritionists are not the same! We aren't even in the same century, or even in the same galaxy, when it comes to giving the same advice on food and nutrition for your health!
Nutrition is becoming more of a topic of interest in reality TV shows, people wanting to cook their own great meals or to have dinner parties, or for those who want to improve their health. But there is a lot of misinformation about what foods are healthy or not. Which side should you believe?
Dietitians are registered with the Dietitians Association of Australia, who "control" how the Dietitians can practice or what advice they are allowed to give. Dietitians who step outside the DAA guidelines, such as recommending a low processed carbohydrate diet for diabetes (which is actually ideal) are de-registered and kicked out of the association as seen in one case in 2014: http://www.zoeharcombe.com/2015/10/jennifer-elliott-vs-dietitians-association-of-australia/
The DAA have claimed on their Facebook page on 23-9-2016 that they are "the only nutrition professionals recognised by the Australian government, Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Scheme". Recognised for what? The Australian Government recognises Nutritionists and Naturopaths too, our courses are government approved, and health funds recognise us enough to offer you rebates on our consultations! At this stage, yes, Medicare only recognise Dietitians for bulk billing of consultation fees, because Dietitians are in bed with the medical profession and the Australian government and have been for a long time. Due to their lobbying, they are trying to keep this situation the same.
Dietitians, through the DAA, are also in bed with food and supermarket corporations and various food industry groups too. Such corporations "sponsor" the DAA with funding, in much the same way as corporations and industries sponsor the government - for favourable decisions and profits. The DAA show some of their sponsors on their website for all to see - Campbells, Arnotts, Nestle, McDonalds and many more. These are hardly health food companies! This is a major conflict of interest or bias at its worst. See some of the corporate sponsors in the picture for an idea how bad the DAA has been penetrated...
As a result of this corporate sponsorship, the DAA advice is still the same old "low fat", "low calorie", "food pyramid", and "everyone is the same" approach which they have been spewing forth for about 60 years - AND IT'S NOT WORKING! As a nation, we are getting unhealthier as a result, with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and many other chronic health conditions - all affected by poor nutrition advice from the government, the DAA and dietitians.
Nutritionists and Naturopaths (like me!) on the other hand are independent health professionals, not controlled by any association or dictated to as to how they can practice or provide treatments. These modalities are very much evidence-based on current scientific research, and are personalised to the individual client, as everyone is different!
Our general advice is that your foods need to be unprocessed, whole and fresh, and without being exposed to toxic chemicals. We are also far more than advisors on your food choices, but holistic health practitioners who are trained and educated on improving your lifestyle, sleep, stresses, digestive system, immune system, and many other areas, and able to treat all manner of health conditions. Sometimes we can recommend certain pathology tests and supplements to give your body a boost when needed. We work with many other medical practitioners and allied health professionals too!
For the best health of your family and friends, ignore the biased and corporate sponsored food and nutrition marketing from the government and it's associated bodies. Trust the government?! No way! Get your nutrition and health advice from an experienced and independent health professional, who is more interested in improving your health than keeping the corporate sponsors happy.
Good health to you!
Nutrition is becoming more of a topic of interest in reality TV shows, people wanting to cook their own great meals or to have dinner parties, or for those who want to improve their health. But there is a lot of misinformation about what foods are healthy or not. Which side should you believe?
Dietitians are registered with the Dietitians Association of Australia, who "control" how the Dietitians can practice or what advice they are allowed to give. Dietitians who step outside the DAA guidelines, such as recommending a low processed carbohydrate diet for diabetes (which is actually ideal) are de-registered and kicked out of the association as seen in one case in 2014: http://www.zoeharcombe.com/2015/10/jennifer-elliott-vs-dietitians-association-of-australia/
The DAA have claimed on their Facebook page on 23-9-2016 that they are "the only nutrition professionals recognised by the Australian government, Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Scheme". Recognised for what? The Australian Government recognises Nutritionists and Naturopaths too, our courses are government approved, and health funds recognise us enough to offer you rebates on our consultations! At this stage, yes, Medicare only recognise Dietitians for bulk billing of consultation fees, because Dietitians are in bed with the medical profession and the Australian government and have been for a long time. Due to their lobbying, they are trying to keep this situation the same.
Dietitians, through the DAA, are also in bed with food and supermarket corporations and various food industry groups too. Such corporations "sponsor" the DAA with funding, in much the same way as corporations and industries sponsor the government - for favourable decisions and profits. The DAA show some of their sponsors on their website for all to see - Campbells, Arnotts, Nestle, McDonalds and many more. These are hardly health food companies! This is a major conflict of interest or bias at its worst. See some of the corporate sponsors in the picture for an idea how bad the DAA has been penetrated...
As a result of this corporate sponsorship, the DAA advice is still the same old "low fat", "low calorie", "food pyramid", and "everyone is the same" approach which they have been spewing forth for about 60 years - AND IT'S NOT WORKING! As a nation, we are getting unhealthier as a result, with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and many other chronic health conditions - all affected by poor nutrition advice from the government, the DAA and dietitians.
Nutritionists and Naturopaths (like me!) on the other hand are independent health professionals, not controlled by any association or dictated to as to how they can practice or provide treatments. These modalities are very much evidence-based on current scientific research, and are personalised to the individual client, as everyone is different!
Our general advice is that your foods need to be unprocessed, whole and fresh, and without being exposed to toxic chemicals. We are also far more than advisors on your food choices, but holistic health practitioners who are trained and educated on improving your lifestyle, sleep, stresses, digestive system, immune system, and many other areas, and able to treat all manner of health conditions. Sometimes we can recommend certain pathology tests and supplements to give your body a boost when needed. We work with many other medical practitioners and allied health professionals too!
For the best health of your family and friends, ignore the biased and corporate sponsored food and nutrition marketing from the government and it's associated bodies. Trust the government?! No way! Get your nutrition and health advice from an experienced and independent health professional, who is more interested in improving your health than keeping the corporate sponsors happy.
Good health to you!
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