What Does a Clinical Nutritionist Do – and Could You Benefit From Seeing One?
Understanding what to eat can be confusing. With so much conflicting nutrition advice online, it can be difficult to know which approach is right for you.
The truth is, there is no single diet that is right for everyone.
Your nutritional needs are influenced by your age, genetics, biochemistry, current health, medications, lifestyle, activity levels, body composition, metabolic health, gut health and personal goals.
At LEPT Nutrition, we take the guesswork out of nutrition by providing personalised, evidence-based nutritional guidance based on you.
Our Clinical Nutritionists hold Health Science qualifications in Nutritional Medicine, providing a strong understanding of human physiology, biochemistry and nutritional biochemistry. This allows us to look beyond calories and food lists to understand what may be influencing your health, metabolism and nutritional requirements.
LEPT Nutrition consultations are available at Wellness Zone in Warwick, Perth, Western Australia.
A Supportive and Individual Approach to Nutrition
We understand that discussing your diet, weight or health can sometimes feel confronting.
Many people arrive at their first nutrition consultation worried that they will be judged for what they eat or told they need to follow an extremely restrictive diet.
That is not our approach.
Your consultation is a judgement-free environment where you can discuss your health concerns, eating habits, challenges and goals openly.
Our role is to listen, understand what is happening and help you develop practical strategies that work within your lifestyle.
Throughout your LEPT Nutrition consultation journey, our goal is for you to feel supported, informed and confident about what to do next.
What Happens During Your Initial Nutrition Consultation?
Your initial consultation provides an opportunity to understand your health history, current nutrition and the factors that may be influencing your symptoms or health goals.
Depending on the consultation you choose, your appointment may include:
A comprehensive review of your current and previous health history
Review of relevant family health history
Assessment of your current dietary intake and eating patterns
Review of relevant pathology and blood test results
Discussion of medications and supplements
Assessment of lifestyle factors including sleep, stress and physical activity
Body composition assessment where appropriate
Blood pressure or other physical assessments where clinically indicated
Discussion of functional testing where appropriate
Recommendations for GP or specialist referral where required
Establishment of your individual health and nutrition goals
Initial dietary recommendations and strategies
A personalised plan for the next stage of your treatment
Most importantly, we take the time to listen to you and understand what you would like to achieve.
ECAL Metabolic Testing – Understanding Your Metabolism
For clients wanting greater insight into their metabolism, LEPT Nutrition also offers ECAL metabolic testing as part of selected consultations.
ECAL measures your resting metabolism using indirect calorimetry.
Rather than relying solely on equations that estimate how many calories your body requires, ECAL measures your oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production while you are resting.
This provides valuable information about your individual metabolism.
ECAL testing can provide insight into:
Resting metabolic rate (RMR)
Your estimated daily energy requirements
Respiratory quotient (RQ)
Whether your body is predominantly using carbohydrate or fat as fuel at rest
Metabolic efficiency
Changes in metabolism during weight loss or dietary interventions
This information can be particularly useful when someone feels they are eating well but their weight is not changing as expected, has a long history of dieting, wants to lose weight while protecting muscle mass, or needs a more individualised approach to energy intake.
ECAL can also be repeated over time to assess how your metabolism is responding to changes in nutrition, body composition and lifestyle.
Why Measure Your Metabolism?
Online calorie calculators provide estimates based on factors such as age, height, weight and sex.
They cannot measure your actual resting metabolism.
Two people of the same age, height and weight may have different metabolic requirements due to differences in muscle mass, dieting history, activity, hormonal changes and other physiological factors.
This is particularly relevant during perimenopause and menopause, when changes in body composition, muscle mass, activity and lifestyle can influence energy requirements.
Having objective information about your metabolism allows us to develop a nutrition strategy based on your individual requirements rather than simply prescribing an arbitrary low-calorie diet.
Your Personalised Nutrition Plan
Following your assessment, your ongoing consultations focus on implementing and refining your nutritional strategy.
Depending on your individual needs, your nutrition plan may include:
Personalised dietary recommendations
Meal planning and recipes
Shopping and food preparation strategies
Detailed dietary and nutrient analysis
Strategies to increase protein, fibre or specific micronutrients
Education around nutrition and health conditions
Weight-management strategies
Gut-health nutrition
Supplement recommendations where clinically appropriate
Mindful eating and appetite-management strategies
Practical strategies for eating at work, travelling and dining out
Lifestyle recommendations to support your health goals
Your plan is designed to be realistic and sustainable.
Nutrition should work with your life rather than requiring your entire life to revolve around your diet.
Who Can Benefit From Seeing a Clinical Nutritionist?
Nutrition plays an important role across almost every stage of life.
At LEPT Nutrition, we work with clients across a broad range of health concerns, with particular expertise in menopause, weight management and gastrointestinal health.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Nutrition can support women throughout perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
Areas we commonly address include:
Menopause weight gain
Increasing abdominal or visceral fat
Maintaining and building muscle
Protein requirements
Insulin resistance and blood glucose management
Cardiovascular health
Cholesterol
Bone health
Gut health
Energy and fatigue
Healthy ageing
Sustainable weight management
Weight Management and Metabolic Health
Weight management is about much more than simply eating fewer calories.
We assess your dietary intake alongside your health history, body composition, lifestyle and, where appropriate, measured metabolic rate.
Nutrition support may include:
Sustainable weight loss
Weight gain
Improving body composition
Preserving muscle during weight loss
Reverse dieting
Metabolic health
Insulin resistance
Prediabetes
Cholesterol management
Fatty liver disease
Establishing appropriate energy and protein requirements
ECAL metabolic testing can provide additional information for clients requiring a more individualised weight-management strategy.
Gut and Digestive Health
Gastrointestinal symptoms can significantly affect quality of life and often require a highly individualised nutrition approach.
We support clients experiencing:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Bloating
Reflux and GORD
Food intolerances
Coeliac disease
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Diverticular disease
Gastrointestinal infections
Fatty liver disease
Gallbladder conditions
Inflammatory bowel conditions
Changes in digestion following gallbladder removal
Where appropriate, further investigation or referral to your GP, gastroenterologist or another health professional may be recommended.
Women's and Reproductive Health
Nutrition may also support women experiencing:
PMS
PCOS
Endometriosis
Fertility concerns
Preconception
Pregnancy
Irregular menstrual cycles
Changes associated with reproductive ageing
Thyroid and Autoimmune Health
Nutrition can form part of the broader management of conditions including:
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Graves' disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
Nutrition does not replace appropriate medical treatment. Instead, we work alongside your existing healthcare team where required.
Fatigue and Nutritional Deficiencies
Persistent fatigue can have many causes.
A nutritional assessment may consider dietary intake alongside available pathology and factors such as:
Iron and ferritin
Vitamin B12
Folate
Vitamin D
Protein and energy intake
Nutrient absorption
Dietary restriction
Blood glucose regulation
Where symptoms or pathology require medical investigation, we will recommend that you see your GP or appropriate specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Clinical Nutritionist?
A Clinical Nutritionist assesses diet, health history, lifestyle and nutritional requirements to develop individualised nutrition strategies. At LEPT Nutrition, our practitioners have Health Science qualifications in Nutritional Medicine and use evidence-based nutrition alongside clinical assessment to develop personalised recommendations.
Where is LEPT Nutrition located?
LEPT Nutrition consultations are available at Wellness Zone in Warwick, Perth, Western Australia.
What happens at my first nutrition appointment?
Your first appointment includes a detailed discussion of your health history, current diet, lifestyle, symptoms and goals. We may also review pathology, supplements and medications and complete relevant assessments. From this information, we begin developing an individual nutrition strategy.
Do I need to bring blood test results?
If you have recent pathology or other relevant test results, please bring them to your consultation or provide them beforehand. These can help us better understand your current health and determine whether additional investigation may be appropriate.
What is ECAL metabolic testing?
ECAL is an indirect calorimetry assessment that measures your resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient by analysing oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production while you rest. It provides an objective measurement of your resting energy expenditure rather than relying solely on predictive calorie equations.
Is ECAL useful for weight loss?
It can be particularly helpful when developing an individual weight-management plan because it provides information about your measured resting metabolism. This can help guide energy intake and reduce reliance on generic calorie targets.
Is ECAL useful during menopause?
ECAL may be useful for women experiencing changes in weight or body composition during perimenopause and menopause. When combined with assessment of nutrition, protein intake, muscle mass, activity and other health factors, it can help us develop a more individualised nutrition strategy.
Will I be put on a strict diet?
Not necessarily. Our aim is to develop a nutrition strategy that is appropriate for your health goals and realistic for your lifestyle. Some medical conditions may require specific dietary modifications, but unnecessary restriction is avoided.
Can you help with menopause weight gain?
Yes. Menopause and healthy ageing are key areas of clinical focus at LEPT Nutrition. We can assess your nutrition, protein intake, body composition, metabolic health and lifestyle and develop a personalised approach to sustainable weight management.
Can you help with IBS and gut problems?
Yes. Gastrointestinal health is another major area of focus at LEPT Nutrition. We work with clients experiencing IBS, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, food intolerances and other digestive concerns. Where symptoms require further medical investigation, we can recommend appropriate referral.
Do I need a referral to see a nutritionist?
You can generally book a private nutrition consultation directly without a GP referral. Where appropriate, we can also communicate with your GP or other members of your healthcare team.
Book a Nutrition Consultation in Warwick, Perth
If you are confused about what to eat, struggling with your weight, navigating menopause, experiencing digestive problems or simply want a clearer understanding of your nutritional needs, a personalised consultation can help you determine your next steps.
At LEPT Nutrition, we combine clinical nutrition assessment with practical dietary strategies to help you understand what your body needs and how to put that knowledge into practice.
Appointments are available with LEPT Nutrition at Wellness Zone in Warwick, Perth, Western Australia.
Take the leap towards better nutrition and better health.
