What Does a Nutritionist Do?
In an era where health advice is readily available from all corners of the internet, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. People constantly hear about new diets, wellness trends, and ‘miracle’ foods, but one key question often remains: What does a nutritionist do? In Australia, nutritionists play an important role in helping individuals navigate these challenges, offering science-based advice to optimise health, manage chronic conditions, and improve overall well-being.
Jake Biggs, an Accredited Clinical Nutritionist in Bondi Junction, is here to break down exactly what nutritionists do and how they can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to improve energy levels, manage stress, or support digestion, understanding the role of a nutritionist is the first step in making an informed decision about your health.
Your complete guide to what does a nutritionist do! What you will learn:
- What Does a Nutritionist Do?
- What Is an Accredited Clinical Nutritionist?
- Key Areas of Practice: What Does a Nutritionist Do in Various Settings?
- The Science Behind Nutrition Practice
- What to Expect in a Nutrition Consultation
- Why Book a Nutrition Consultation?
- How to Choose the Right Nutritionist for You
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
A nutritionist is a health professional who specialises in food and nutrition science. Their role is to help individuals make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle to support overall health. This includes understanding how food affects bodily functions, mood, and disease risk.
Nutritionists work with clients to develop personalised nutrition plans based on individual needs, preferences, and goals. These plans may help manage conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and digestive issues, or simply support a healthier lifestyle.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what nutritionists typically do:
Assess individual health goals, diet habits, and medical history
Design meal plans that are nutritionally balanced and support specific health conditions
Educate clients about food choices and how they impact the body
Help manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and digestive disorders
Support weight loss, muscle gain, and performance goals
Offer advice on dietary supplements and how to enhance nutrient intake
What sets nutritionists apart is their ability to offer tailored, evidence-based advice that aligns with a client’s unique lifestyle. They can be a key ally in your journey to better health.
What Is an Accredited Clinical Nutritionist?
In Australia, not all nutritionists have the same level of training. Accredited Clinical Nutritionists have advanced education, clinical training, and experience in human nutrition. To become accredited, a nutritionist must complete a relevant tertiary qualification, such as a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition, followed by supervised clinical experience. This ensures they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to offer evidence-based dietary advice.
Accredited Clinical Nutritionists must adhere to high professional standards and are required to engage in continuous professional development. This commitment ensures they stay up to date with the latest research and nutritional practices.
Jake Biggs, for instance, is an Accredited Clinical Nutritionist with a passion for helping clients optimise their health through personalised nutrition plans. His experience and qualifications provide clients with the assurance that they are receiving care grounded in both academic knowledge and practical expertise.
Choosing a nutritionist who holds the right qualifications is essential to ensuring you receive the best care for your health goals.
Key Areas of Practice: What Does a Nutritionist Do in Various Settings?
Nutritionists can work in a variety of settings, each offering different types of services. Here’s an overview of the key areas where nutritionists are involved:
Private Practice
Nutritionists in private practice, like Jake Biggs, work one-on-one with clients to provide personalised dietary advice. They assess clients’ unique needs and goals, offering customised meal plans, guidance on food choices, and support in managing health conditions.Sports Nutrition
Sports nutritionists help athletes optimise performance through diet. They provide advice on fuel for training, competition, and recovery, ensuring athletes are properly nourished for peak performance.Chronic Disease Management
Nutritionists play a critical role in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. By advising clients on dietary changes, nutritionists can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve long-term health outcomes.Gut Health and Digestion
Many people seek the help of a nutritionist to manage digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Nutritionists can design meal plans that support healthy digestion and improve gut microbiome balance.Mental Health and Nutrition
Nutritionists also focus on the connection between food and mental health. They help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and mood disorders by recommending nutrient-rich diets that support brain health.
Understanding the diverse settings in which nutritionists work helps answer the question: What does a nutritionist do? Their role spans a wide range of specialities, but their core mission is always to help people optimise their health through tailored nutrition strategies.
The Science Behind Nutrition Practice
The work of a nutritionist is rooted in science. Unlike quick-fix diets or unreliable online advice, nutritionists base their recommendations on peer-reviewed research and scientific evidence. For example, studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (PREDIMED Study) and improve cognitive function.
Moreover, research on gut health has demonstrated that diet plays a crucial role in the balance of gut microbiota, which influences everything from digestion to immune function and mood regulation (Monash University FODMAP).
By applying these scientific findings, nutritionists are able to design nutrition plans that address specific health concerns and goals. For example, a high-protein, high-fibre diet has been shown to improve weight management by promoting satiety and stabilising blood sugar levels, making it an ideal strategy for those seeking to lose weight or manage insulin resistance.
So when you ask, what does a nutritionist do, the answer is clear: they use scientific principles to create practical, sustainable dietary strategies for real health improvement.
What to Expect in a Nutrition Consultation
If you’re considering seeing a nutritionist, you may be wondering what happens during a consultation. Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Consultation (90 minutes)
During your first meeting, the nutritionist will take a thorough health history, assess your current diet, and discuss your lifestyle habits. They’ll ask about your goals — whether it’s weight loss, better digestion, or improved energy — and will then create a personalised nutrition plan tailored to your needs.Follow-up Consultations (30 minutes)
At follow-up appointments, the nutritionist will assess your progress, provide additional support, and make any necessary adjustments to your meal plan. They will answer any questions and continue to work with you to ensure long-term success.
A good nutritionist doesn’t just provide a one-size-fits-all meal plan. They work closely with you to ensure your diet is sustainable, enjoyable, and aligned with your health goals.
Why Book a Nutrition Consultation?
So, why should you book a nutrition consultation? The benefits are clear:
Personalised advice: Unlike generic diets or online tips, a nutritionist offers tailored recommendations based on your unique needs.
Expert guidance: Nutritionists help you make informed, science-based decisions about your diet and health.
Support for chronic conditions: Nutritionists can help manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and gut health issues.
Sustainable results: With the right guidance, you can achieve long-lasting improvements in energy, digestion, and overall well-being.
Whether you’re looking to optimise your health, manage a medical condition, or simply feel better, a nutritionist can make a significant difference in your life.
How to Choose the Right Nutritionist for You
When it comes to choosing the right nutritionist, there are several factors to consider. A good nutritionist should be someone you feel comfortable with, who understands your unique needs, and who can provide practical, evidence-based advice that aligns with your lifestyle.
Here are some tips for choosing the right nutritionist:
Check Qualifications
Ensure the nutritionist is accredited and holds relevant qualifications, such as a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or health science, and additional accreditation from recognised bodies like the Nutrition Society of Australia.Specialisation
Some nutritionists specialise in areas like weight loss, digestive health, or sports nutrition. Depending on your health goals, you may want to choose a nutritionist who specialises in your area of concern.Read Reviews
Client reviews and testimonials can provide insight into the nutritionist’s approach and success with clients. Jake Biggs has received glowing reviews from clients in Bondi Junction, making him a trusted choice for many looking to improve their health.Initial Consultation
Many nutritionists offer an initial consultation to discuss your goals and get to know each other. This is a great opportunity to assess whether they are a good fit for your needs.
To wrap it up, what does a nutritionist do?
Simply put, a nutritionist is a trained professional who helps individuals navigate the complexities of food, health, and wellness. They work with clients to create tailored nutrition plans, based on the latest scientific evidence, to optimise health, prevent illness, and manage existing health conditions. Whether it’s improving energy levels, managing weight, enhancing athletic performance, or reducing the risk of chronic diseases, nutritionists provide the tools, strategies, and ongoing support needed for clients to achieve their health goals.
For Jake Biggs, an accredited clinical nutritionist, sports nutritionist, and weight loss expert, the mission goes beyond simply advising on what to eat. He combines his qualifications with a personal understanding of overcoming health challenges—having experienced extreme burnout and health struggles firsthand. This unique perspective allows Jake to guide his clients through their own health journeys with empathy, expertise, and a results-driven approach.
Jake works with clients on a wide range of health goals, from sports nutrition to sustainable weight loss. He focuses on helping individuals make informed, realistic decisions about their eating habits. His approach is grounded in empowering clients to take control of their nutrition and offering them the necessary tools to make lasting lifestyle changes.
Perhaps most importantly, Jake provides clients with personalised, sustainable solutions. He believes in long-term health and doesn’t just focus on quick fixes. Whether a client is struggling to manage a chronic condition like high cholesterol or diabetes, or simply aiming to reach their best health ever, Jake’s expert advice is tailored to suit their needs and goals.
Jake’s focus is always on optimising health through nutrition and lifestyle changes, ensuring that clients not only see results but feel better, more energetic, and in control of their well-being.
