You will be working with Gel
I’m Gel, a Clinical Nutritionist based in Torquay, Victoria. I hold a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetic Medicine), a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism major). Needless to say, I have extensive experience as a student.
During my time at law school, I developed an unhealthy relationship with food and my body, one that affected both my mental and physical health. It wasn’t until I began studying nutrition that I truly understood the pivotal role food plays in learning, motivation, and connection.
I wholeheartedly believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to build a healthy relationship with food and their body. There are moments in life that can challenge or strain that relationship, and my role is to help you and your young people strengthen it again. My approach is evidence-informed, drawing on practices proven to support sustainable, meaningful change for young people and their families.
I offer a warm, brave, and confidential space for honest conversations about the role food and mealtimes play in your home. My hope is that everyone I work with leaves feeling seen, and with practical steps to support a more joyful relationship with food and their body.
So, let’s get started.
It is important that our teens learn to value their health over their physical experience. Research has shown that when young people shift the focus from their weight and appearance to their health, they are more likely to:
Maintain relatively stable growth and development.
Move their body in a way that is enjoyable (not focusing on changing their body).
Be in tune with their bodies' need for rest, comfort, healthcare and movement.
Have high self-esteem
Prioritise getting enough food over having to get ‘healthy’ foods.
Have lower rates of disordered eating and eating disorders.
Collectively, these behaviours move your young person away from diet culture and towards a life where they can feel proud of and appreciate the body they’re in!
Why is building a joyful relationship with food important?
One on one sessions for
teens
Our one on one sessions are run on ZOOM, and go for 60 minutes. Following our chat, I’ll create a detailed and individualised treatment plan designed to support your teen. This can include specific dietary advice recipes, and journal prompts to encourage reflection and acknowledge the challenges that may arise along the way.
Why might my teen need 1:1 nutrition support?
Low energy
Nervous to eat in front of their friends and family
Labelling foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’
Restricting intake of foods they previously enjoyed
Struggling to find foods they want to put in their lunch box
Experiencing food guilt/food noise
Having trouble with their body image
Gut issues (bloating, constipation, loose bowel movements)
Issues with their skin (acne, eczema, dermatitis) or menstrual cycle
One on one sessions for
parents
Conversations about food and changing bodies can sometimes feel daunting. Many parents tell me they worry about saying the wrong thing or accidentally making things harder. I hear you. Watching a young person struggle with body image is incredibly difficult, especially if you went through something similar at their age.
I work with parents to explore how food is spoken about in your home and the role it plays within your family. From there, I offer practical, evidence-informed strategies to support you and your young person.
This might include:
Understanding the way food and bodies are spoken about in the home
Steps to initiate conversations about changes in food preferences
Providing insight into the factors that may be influencing your child’s body image
Showing you how you can ADD more to your family favourites
Identifying opportunities for more connection at the dinner table
