Gut health specialist in melbourne

Did you know that your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that influence and control every function in your body including genetic expression?


Gut health is a pretty big deal and the truth is that you are more bacteria than human because you have more bugs than human cells in your body. Yikes!

 

Negative thinking and feeling, environmental pollutants, pesticides and chemicals on your food, being sedentary and stress negatively impact not only your bacteria but also how your digestion functions. Your digestive organs and the acid secretions needed to breakdown and absorb nutrients are directly impacted by not only food, but also your lifestyle choices including the way you breathe, move, think and feel.


And if your gut doesn't work then your entire body will be negatively impacted as you will likely become nutrient deficient, inflamed and toxic which is what is making you feel miserable and unwell. As such working with the whole body, mind, emotions and energy and taking a lifestyle approach is the only way to ensure that your gut and entire body and mind work optimally and that you stay vital, balanced and mentally acute throughout your life.

 

If you are struggling with any of the below concerns, come and see me, a gut health specialist, to create a lasting lifestyle strategy that keeps you thriving!

Diagnosed conditions

Coeliac's Disease, Chron's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, Leaky gut, SIBO, Diverticulitis, Ulcers, Gastritis

Bad Gut Health Symptoms

Bloating, Belching, Burping, Reflux, Fullness, Pain, Cramping, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Excess wind, Mucus or blood in stools, loss of appetite

Mood & Joints

Foggy brain, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, OCD, ADHD, ADD, Sore and inflamed joints

Skin conditions

Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis

How Gut Health Consultations Work

Initial Nutrition Consultation – Holistic Assessment
Your first consultation with our Melbourne dietitian focuses on identifying the lifestyle, dietary, and environmental factors impacting your health and overall wellbeing. By uncovering the root causes behind your symptoms or health concerns, we create a strong foundation for your personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan. This in-depth assessment allows us to tailor your care to suit your unique body, goals, and needs — whether you’re managing a chronic condition, supporting weight loss, or improving gut health.


Personalised Meal Plan and Strategy
Following your assessment, we develop a customised nutrition meal plan aligned with your health goals and daily lifestyle. You'll learn how to make informed food choices, understand ideal meal timing, and explore effective food combinations to support digestion, energy, and long-term health. Together, we create a realistic and flexible plan that supports sustainable change, not short-term fixes.


Ongoing Support, Education, and Progress Tracking
True transformation takes time. Through regular follow-ups, we assess your progress, adjust your strategies, and offer personalised education to keep you motivated and informed. You’ll receive expert coaching, mindset support, and practical tools to help you stay consistent and confident on your health journey.

BOOK NOW

Claim back gut health specialist appointments using private health (dietetics cover) or Medicare (GP referral)

what my Gut Health clients FEEL

Anca was a pleasure to work with, she has helped create a total lifestyle change for me with outstanding results. In a few short months we have overhauled my diet with a focus on understanding proper nutrition and maintaining optimal gut health through to helping deal with stress and anxiety. I would recommend her to anyone of my friends or family.

Jade

I have long followed the principals of 'food as medicine' & thought I was eating pretty well until Anca set me straight! For me, among other things,  it was recognizing that I was not eating nearly enough & needed much more variety. Following her  advise, my children and I have seen improvements in our overall health, digestive issues & energy levels. My son's mast cell triggers are now better controlled as I understand now  where those histamines are hiding in our diet.
More than a dietician, Anca is a healer.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Josephine

I was referred to Anca by my GP after having issues with gut health and severe bowel problems.  I previously had been hospitalised, prescribed a plethora of prescription medication and also attended numerous specialists including gastrointestinal health, allergy and immune functioning, all to no avail.
After less than a month under consultation from Anca, I have noticed great results. I now know what it is like to feel normal, my bowels are no longer a problem, a series of healthy supplements and diet/nutrition changes have changed my life. I no longer take prescription meds, my allergies are almost non-existent and I have a new energy and a much healthier lifestyle. Highly recommend!

Tara

Benefits of improving your gut health

Your gut is considered to be your second brain and directly controls your brain function, impacting mood and cognition. If your gut is inflamed and in pain, your thinking, emotions and behaviours can be altered making you feel foggy, fatigued, anxious, depressed, moody, unfocused and much more. That's because in your gut resides a big portion of your nervous system which sends 80% feedback back to your brain. So if your gut is not healthy your brain will get that negative message and react in kind. In your gut is where you produce and activate the majority of your hormones, neurotransmitters, anti-inflammatory chemicals and more. If your bacteria is not healthy this can create inflammation, alter your chemistry and damage precious gut nerve endings worsening not only brain functioning but your overall physical and mental health. As such prioritising gut health and ensuring this is the first thing you check of your health list is key for lasting health and wellbeing.

Peak energy levels

Breaking down and absorbing nutrients is key for energy production.

Mental acuity

Your gut directly affects your memory, ability to think and concentrate.

Emotional balance

Producing the right chemicals is key to staying calm and happy.

Healthy aging

When your body receives the right nutrients and support you stay young.

What causes gut health problems

The daily rat race is enough to knock your digestion and bacteria out of balance.


Additional factors leading to gut health problems can include:

  • Stress, negative thoughts and emotions
  • Childhood trauma (physical, mental and sexual abuse abuse, neglect), medical procedures, accidents
  • Sleep deprivation, night shift and insomnia
  • A poor diet, caffeine and alcohol
  • Being sedentary, poor posture or training too much
  • Poor breathing and lack of oxygenation - check out my breathwork workshops
  • Inflammation and pain
  • Brain degeneration, anxiety, depression
  • Toxins, chemicals and mould exposure
  • Medications, drugs and antibiotics


In addition one of the most common underrated factors for poor gut health and digestive problems is how you eat. Eating fast and not chewing your food properly can lead to a host of problems including reflux, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and multiple nutrient deficiencies. Read more on  eating slower.

  • Can a nutritionist help with gut health?

    If your nutritionist is both a nutritionist and dietitian then you are more likely to get better results when trying to improve your gut health.

     

    A lot of nutritionists are not properly trained to deal with complex health diseases and overall gut health through diet, in the same way that dietitians are.


    I am a qualified holistic dietitian.

  • What is a FODMAP diet?

    FODMAP stands for "Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols", which is why we shorten it to simply "FODMAP". Each of these are a type of naturally-occurring carbohydrate/sugar.

     

    A FODMAP diet is a difficult elimination diet that cuts our important fermentable fibres in the hope of alleviating IBS, bloating and diarrhoea by not having these carbs.

     

    This diet should be used only for 4 weeks under the supervision of a gut health dietitian in a process of investigation and analysis.

  • What Is the quickest way to heal your gut?

    The quickest way to heal your gut is to work closely with a gut health specialist like a dietitian or nutritionist.

     

    These specialists can help identify the root cause of your gut problems and put you on a path of quality of life improvement.

     

    A gut health dietitian can help the make personalised recommendations to help fix your gut issues very fast, in some cases just a matter of days.

  • What foods heal your gut? Can supplements help?

    Different people react to different foods in different ways, therefore the best gut health diet is the one that is personalised to you.

     

    A gut health dietitian can assess your needs and recommend certain foods as nutritional therapy to help heal your gut and optimise your health with a carefully curated meal plan.

     

    Certain supplements can make huge difference and optimise gut health very rapidly. Please work with a dietitian who specialises in gut health who can explain supplement recommendations that might be right for you.

  • What does a gut health dietitian do?

    A gut health dietitian can help heal your gut and address any gut related problems like IBS, food intolerance, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, Histamine Intolerance, Sibo, reflux, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation and much more.

     

    A gut health dietitian is an expert at understanding the impact diet has on your gut, and the associated issues, ailments and diseases that can be improved through diet and lifestyle changes.

  • How much is the Medicare rebate?

    Through a GP appointment you are eligible for a Medicare rebate of $58 for your first 5 sessions .

  • How do I heal my gut?

    Healing your gut involves a combination of targeted nutrition, stress reduction, and lifestyle changes that support digestion, reduce inflammation and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. As an Accredited Practising Dietitian in Melbourne, I take a personalised approach to gut health, helping you identify and remove potential triggers like processed foods, gluten, excess sugar and common allergens.


    We then focus on adding in gut-healing foods such as fermented vegetables, fibre-rich plants, bone broth (if non-vegan), flaxseeds, and anti-inflammatory herbs. I may also recommend probiotic or prebiotic supplements, depending on your symptoms. Addressing stress and nervous system regulation through somatic therapy, breathwork and mindfulness is also key, as chronic stress disrupts digestion and the gut-brain axis.


    If you are experiencing bloating, IBS, constipation, reflux or skin issues, it may be time to explore gut repair with professional support. Book a gut-focused nutrition consult with a qualified Melbourne dietitian or join one of my programs to get started.

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