Butterfly Foundation National Helpline 1800 33 4673 (call, webchat or email) · Lifeline 13 11 14 · in an emergency call 000.
Food is meant to nourish and be enjoyed — but when your relationship with eating or your body has become a source of stress, mealtimes can feel anything but simple. An eating disorder dietitian offers warm, judgement-free, evidence-informed support to help you rebuild a calmer, more trusting relationship with food. At Vitality Unleashed on the Gold Coast, our Accredited Practising Dietitian, Tegan Tudor, works gently and at your pace, alongside your psychologist and GP, so care feels joined-up rather than fragmented.
Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to have it all worked out before reaching out. This page explains how a dietitian can help, the concerns we support, what to expect, and how Medicare rebates can make support more accessible. You can also read more about our dietetics service.
How an eating disorder dietitian can help
Dietetic support in eating disorder recovery is not about diets, rules or willpower — quite the opposite. Working with a dietitian can help you:
Your dietitian works as part of a team. Nutrition support is most effective alongside psychological care and your GP, and we’re happy to collaborate with practitioners you already see.
Conditions and concerns we support
We provide compassionate, weight-inclusive dietetic support for a range of eating and body-image concerns, including:
You do not need a formal diagnosis to seek support. If your relationship with food or your body is affecting your wellbeing, that’s reason enough to reach out.
Our approach
Our approach is non-diet and weight-inclusive. We don’t prescribe restrictive plans or focus on changing your body. Instead, we focus on your relationship with food, your wellbeing, and what matters to you.
We work with you, and with your psychologist and GP, so support is coordinated. You can also read about our psychological support for eating disorders.
There’s no rush; we move at a speed that feels safe.
Every person and every story is welcome here.
When to reach out
It can be worth speaking with a dietitian if food, eating or your body has started to take up more space in your life than you’d like — for example, if eating feels anxious or fraught, if food rules feel hard to break, if you’re avoiding eating with others, or if worry about food or body image is affecting your mood, relationships or day-to-day life. You don’t need to wait until things feel “bad enough.”
What to expect at your first appointment
Your first session is simply a conversation. There’s no pressure and nothing you need to prepare. We’ll take time to understand your history, your relationship with food, and what you’re hoping for, then work together on gentle, realistic next steps. You’re in control of the pace throughout.
Medicare rebates and the Eating Disorder Plan
Support may be more affordable than you expect. Two Medicare pathways can apply:
For eligible people, an EDP from your GP can provide up to 20 dietetic sessions and up to 40 psychological sessions within a 12-month period.
Can provide up to 5 allied-health visits per calendar year.
Your GP can advise which plan is right for you — ask your GP for a referral.
Dietitian fees & Medicare rebates →Booking an eating disorder dietitian appointment
Getting started is simple. You can book online any time, or send us an enquiry and our friendly team will help you find a time. We offer appointments in person at our Bundall rooms on the Gold Coast and via telehealth across Australia. If you’d like to use a Medicare rebate, ask your GP about an Eating Disorder Plan or Chronic Condition Management plan first.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful resources
Butterfly Foundation National Helpline 1800 33 4673 (call, webchat or email) · Lifeline 13 11 14 · in an emergency call 000.
This page is general information only and is not a substitute for individual clinical advice. If you’re concerned about your relationship with food, eating or your body, please reach out to a qualified health professional.
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