Bites Health Clinic

🥦 The Shocking State of Our Children’s Nutrition 😢

With National Nutrition Week here, I need to shed some light on something close to my heart; the nutrition status of Aussie kids.

Brace yourself…the stats are horrifying:

📊 1 in 5 kids has a nutrient deficiency that affects growth, energy or learning (AHS, 2022)
🩸 8% under 5s are iron deficient → fatigue, poor attention, delayed development (AIHW, 2023)
🌤️ 30% have vitamin D deficiency → weaker bones & immunity (MJA, 2021)
🍞 Restricted diets can cause micronutrient deficiencies even if energy intake seems fine (RCH)
📉 Up to 10% experience faltering growth — 1/3 go unrecognised (ADC, 2019)
🧠 Undernourished past age 2 = up to 13 IQ points lost + lifelong height/muscle impacts (WHO, 2021)
🥛 1 in 10 infants has a food allergy, the highest rate in the world (ASCIA, 2023), 70% are malnourished without Dietitian input
🌱 Early nutrition care = 3x more likely to catch up in growth + 2x more likely to reach milestones (UNICEF, 2022)

Yet most parents think:

“They’re eating something… they must be fine.”

But they might not be fine.

⚠️ Missing out on full growth potential
⚠️ Living with undiagnosed intolerances
⚠️ Struggling with learning or focus
⚠️ Compromised bone density (built early in life)
⚠️ Higher lifelong risk of chronic disease

I often find these issues by accident…a parent says,

“I can’t make this meal because my child doesn’t eat meat.”
We test, find an iron deficiency, do a few nutrition sessions… and the child is eating, learning, and sleeping better.

It shouldn’t be luck that determines whether a child’s nutrition issues are found and fixed.

👶 Introducing Our Nutrition Screening Program

We’ve launched a Nutrition Screening Program to make early intervention easier & more affordable; and it’s now available to all families via Telehealth 💻

📄 Download our FREE screening form, link in comments
📧 Email it back with payment ($75)
👩‍⚕️ A Paediatric Dietitian will review and contact you with next steps

❤️ Let’s help every child live their healthiest, happiest life, because the earlier we intervene, the bigger the lifelong impact.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) cannot be cured but can be managed and treated through lifestyle management to reduce your symptoms and risk of having a heart attack.

Managing CHD involves reducing your risk factors in terms of lifestyle and medications prescribed by your doctor.
Swipe to check out the various types of medicines with different purposes.

Remember to have regular check ups with your GP and speak to our dietitians to learn more about living a heart-healthy lifestyle!

We’re very excited to welcome Chloe to our Bites fam! Chloe is an incredible speech pathologist who specialises in paediatrics.

Chloe has been leading a team of speech pathologists and mentors emerging practitioners. She has a wealth of experience working in the NDIS and private sectors. She’s also an amazing human. Her warm energy is infectious ❤️✨

She is available Saturdays in our Bella Vista Clinic.

Places for regularly therapy are filling fast. Book now.

WHY should we look to innovate in the weight loss space?

Because:
- Weight loss is not as simple as ‘eating less and moving more’.
- It’s time to think of weight management and metabolic health as a patient-centred, whole-person perspective, rather than a simple problem to solve as ‘losing X kilos’
- To create healthier, happier lives with function, good health, independence and a sense of wellbeing.

I am so proud to have collaborated with my peers, Dr. Catherine Bacus, and Glenn Mackintosh for the third, and final instalment of The Australian Weight Loss Summit, looking at innovation in the weight loss space.

This followed Dr. Terri-Lynne South, Dr. Nicole Winter Melbourne Weight Loss Surgery and Alex Papadimitriou Harpers Pharmacy Earlwood for Session 1, looking at Medical and Surgical Approaches to Weight Loss.

And the ever popular Session 2 Panellists, Dr Lucy Burns, Chantelle Wardini Bites Health Clinic and Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP.

The Australian Weight Loss Summit brought together 871 Aussies on Thursday night, with our audience 92% female, 92% 40-60 years of age, and 36% healthcare workers.

Their feedback was:
- “I learned how complex weight loss is, and all the factors that can influence it”
- “There is much more happening in this space that appears quite positive albeit challenging”
- “Loved the medication info and also hearing that obesity is a condition”

And they shared the following:
- “The Australian WL Summit was incredibly informative and provided a wide range of things to consider in terms of improving your overall health and choosing the most suitable options for you. It was encouraging and inspiring, providing lots of food for thought! (No pun intended!). I also felt it was realistic and optimistic - providing hope for many of us who have struggled with weight all out lives”
- “The Australian Weight Loss Summit was extremely well delivered. The diverse speakers gave everyone a great insight into obesity. The various specialists talked about different techniques of training, but at the end, it was obvious of their commitment to help all patients lose weight and keep it off”
- “I loved, and am grateful that the presenters gave up their own time to share their knowledge with the audience. That’s what I call dedication, commitment and generosity. It was a unique experience that would have cost hundreds of dollars. I felt that I was in a safe place”

And … there are many still registering for the Replay, which continues to be available!

Together, we can continue to make an impact, share our knowledge with our peers and the general public, and move towards meaningful weight management conversations.

Can’t wait for this! Register now!

Fibre has many benefits for our bodies, but in particular, is great for heart health! Swipe to see what foods are high in soluble fibre 🌱🌱

🌹💖 Valentine’s Day is all about love, and what better way to show love than by taking care of your heart? Here are 5 simple tips on how to love your heart through your diet!

PROGRESS IN YOUR TRAINING 💪🏼
Benefits from exercise come in all forms, not just numerical progress!! It’s important to remind ourselves of all the amazing benefits training has on our mental health, strength and overall wellbeing!!

THE KEYS TO A HEALTHY GUT ^^^ 🍏

If you’re looking for a personalised nutrition plan to improve your gut health, our dietitians at Bites are here to help!! Visit our website or give us a call to find out more!

DID YOU KNOW? 🤔
23% of people quit their new year’s resolution by the end of the first week and 43% quit by the end of January. Swipe to see how you can set goals for the new year that will last throughout 2024 and beyond.

Have you set any goals for 2024 yet? Share them with us in the comments! 💪🏼

#2024