About
About
Tessa is a New Zealand Registered Dietitian based in Auckland. She studied a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Otago and subsequently completed a Master of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Auckland. Tessa has a wide range of experience with both children and adults, which she has gained from her clinical work at Auckland City Hospital and Starship Hospital, as well as drawing from her own life experience.
Her special interest areas include: paediatrics, particularly working with children with selective eating behaviours and children with diabetes; medical ketogenic diet therapies, largely as a treatment for epilepsy but has a keen interest in other emerging areas where the ketogenic diet may provide benefit; and sports nutrition, a passion that was sparked when she was rowing light-weight in high school. See services page for more information.
Tessa’s nutrition philosophy is simple and strong – whatever your dietary needs are, they need to be incorporated into a life you love to live.
Tessa is a New Zealand Registered Dietitian based in Auckland. She studied a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Otago and subsequently completed a Master of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Auckland. Tessa has a wide range of experience with both children and adults, which she has gained from her clinical work at Auckland City Hospital and Starship Hospital, as well as drawing from her own life experience.
Her special interest areas include: paediatrics, particularly working with children with selective eating behaviours and children with diabetes; medical ketogenic diet therapies, largely as a treatment for epilepsy but has a keen interest in other emerging areas where the ketogenic diet may provide benefit; and sports nutrition, a passion that was sparked when she was rowing light-weight in high school. See services page for more information.
Tessa’s nutrition philosophy is simple and strong – whatever your dietary needs are, they need to be incorporated into a life you love to live.
Dietitian vs Nutritionist
What’s the difference?
Dietitians
Dietitians are registered health practitioners who abide by a specific scope of practice. This scope of practice is defined by the dietitians board as evaluating scientific evidence about food and nutrition and translating it into practical strategies. A dietitian must meet standards required by the Dietitians Board and has both an undergraduate science degree in human nutrition and a post-graduate qualification in dietetics. To practise in New Zealand, a dietitian must, by law, be registered with the Dietitians Board and hold a current practising certificate. The Dietitians Board regulates the dietetic profession and only those on the Register can call themselves a dietitian and practise as a dietitian.
Nutritionists
There is no specific qualification or statutory legislation that regulates nutritionists. Therefore the title of ‘nutritionist’ can be used freely by anyone. This could range from someone with a PHD in a specialty area of nutrition to someone with no formal training. The Nutrition Society has a programme for registration of nutritionists where a set criteria must be met to achieve registration status.
Nutritionists can be an associate member of Dietitians NZ if they hold a scientific qualification in human nutrition approved by Dietitians NZ or occupy a prominent position in work or research relating to nutrition or dietetics.
What does this all mean?
Be very careful who you take nutrition advice from. A self proclaimed ‘nutrition expert’ may advise you on what to add in or take out of your diet. However, unless they are a registered dietitian, there is no one regulating what this ‘nutrition expert’ is saying, or whether there is any scientific evidence to back it up. It may be that they heard about this dietary modification from their cousins, friends, aunt’s, cat! If you are thinking about taking advice from a nutritionist, dietitian, or anyone for that matter, don’t be afraid to ask about their qualifications, or the evidence to support their advice.
Bottom line: Look after yourself – no one wants to stop eating bread for no reason!