Evidence-based nutrition care, delivered with care and respect

Living with kidney disease can be complex and, at times, overwhelming. Nutrition advice is often detailed, restrictive, and difficult to balance with everyday life — particularly when it is delivered without regard for quality of life or a person’s relationship with food.

In my practice, I provide evidence-based, individualised renal nutrition care, delivered in a way that prioritises safety, nourishment, and respect. I am very mindful that people living with kidney disease are managing far more than blood results alone.

My background in renal nutrition

I began my career as a Renal Dietitian at John Hunter Hospital, working closely with nephrologists and multidisciplinary teams to support people with chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and kidney transplantation.

I have also been involved in renal nutrition research and guideline development, including coordinating a systematic review for the Guidelines for the Nutritional Management of Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients. This work gave me a deep appreciation for both the science of renal nutrition and the importance of applying evidence thoughtfully in real lives.

This background continues to strongly inform my clinical practice, particularly when working with people who have complex medical needs or have received conflicting dietary advice.

Renal disease and nutrition — what we know

Nutrition plays an important role in the management of kidney disease, but there is no single “renal diet” that suits everyone.

Effective renal nutrition care depends on:

  • The stage and type of kidney disease

  • Medications and blood results

  • Other health conditions, such as diabetes

  • Appetite, energy levels, and nutritional status

  • Personal preferences, routines, and quality of life

In my experience, overly generic or highly restrictive advice can increase confusion, food fear, and the risk of under-nutrition, without necessarily improving health outcomes.

Weight loss is not a treatment goal for kidney disease, and repeated restriction can compromise strength, energy, and wellbeing.

Renal-related concerns I support

I work with people who are living with:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

  • Kidney disease alongside diabetes or other chronic conditions

  • Nutritional concerns related to dialysis

  • Post-transplant nutrition needs

  • Reduced appetite, fatigue, or unintentional weight change

  • Anxiety or uncertainty about what is “safe” to eat

Many people come to see me after receiving conflicting advice or feeling frightened about food. A key part of my role is helping make nutrition feel clearer, calmer, and more manageable.

A respectful, non-diet approach to renal care

Renal nutrition often requires specific dietary considerations. Where adjustments are needed, I approach them carefully and conservatively, with a focus on what is necessary rather than what can be removed.

Renal nutrition support in my practice may include:

  • Individualised education based on current evidence

  • Guidance tailored to blood results and medical recommendations

  • Supporting adequate energy and protein intake

  • Minimising unnecessary food avoidance

  • Helping people eat with confidence and enjoyment within medical parameters

The aim is always to support health while preserving quality of life and food enjoyment.

Renal disease, restriction, and eating-disorder awareness

Living with a chronic medical condition can increase vulnerability to:

  • Over-restriction

  • Food fear

  • Reduced appetite or interest in eating

  • Disordered eating patterns over time

For this reason, all renal nutrition care in my practice is eating-disorder-aware. I prioritise:

  • Adequate nourishment

  • Clear, practical guidance

  • Avoiding moralising food choices

  • Respect for individual circumstances and preferences

Where someone has a history of disordered eating, this always guides the pace and framing of nutrition care.

How we work together

Renal nutrition support may include:

  • A comprehensive nutrition assessment

  • Clear explanation of what matters for your specific condition

  • Practical strategies for everyday eating

  • Support for navigating complex or conflicting advice

  • Collaboration with your nephrologist, GP, or other specialists

Care is always individualised, collaborative, and respectful.

Is this the right fit?

This approach to renal nutrition may suit you if:

  • You want clear, evidence-based guidance without unnecessary restriction

  • You value quality of life alongside medical safety

  • You want nutrition care that respects your autonomy and experience

It may not be the right fit if you are seeking:

  • Generic renal diet handouts without individualisation

  • Highly restrictive plans that prioritise rules over wellbeing

Kidney disease can add complexity to everyday life — but nutrition care should support, not burden, you. My approach to renal nutrition is grounded in evidence, experience, and compassion.

Renal nutrition support is offered within my broader Services, alongside weight-neutral care for eating concerns, gut health, PCOS, menopause, and other chronic conditions.