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Nutrition in Invisible Illnesses

Supportive Nutrition for Complex Conditions

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What do we do?
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The AHC Nutrition Program

Making food easier for people with invisible illnesses

"Our focus is to help you to be able to have a fulfilling, nourishing experience with food. We pride ourselves on being ahead of the game when it comes to understanding the difficulties that people with invisible illnesses face when it comes to eating, drinking and staying adequately nourished; and knowing what to do about it."

- Nathan Butler

Founder, Active Health Clinic

About Dietetics in Invisible Illness

Making food easier in invisible illnesses

We pride ourselves on being ahead of the game. We understand the difficulties that people with invisible illnesses face when it comes to eating, drinking, and staying adequately nourished. Our goal is to help you have a fulfilling, nourishing experience with food.

Whether it’s gut symptoms, reactions to certain foods or food components, fatigue or pain getting in the way of eating enough, or challenges with your relationship with food - we get it. Sometimes you also need to adjust what you eat to help manage a medical condition.

 

We support each of our patients with an individualised approach, because no two people are the same. Our goal is to help you make sustainable, realistic, and achievable changes.

 

Changes that move you closer to where you want to be - both with your nutrition, and your overall health.

Topics our Dietitians Can Support You With

Strategies to assist with the management of gastrointestinal symptoms using food based approaches and/or other nervous system based strategies.

Support with weight restoration, stability and maintenance, when appropriate.

Understanding appetite and support with regular eating to support nutritional adequacy.

Eating patterns to improve energy levels and support overall wellbeing.

We also support individuals to grow and feel empowered in developing a healthier relationship with food.

What is the Program?

Our program is here to help you rebuild your relationship with food in a way that feels manageable and supportive. We start with a full assessment of your health so we can understand your unique needs and experiences. From there, we work with you to create a plan that supports your nutrition and your life, not just your diagnosis.

1:1 Sessions

You'll be in good hands with our expert Dietitians.

6-12 sessions

Join wherever works best from you. We can support you in-person at any of our clinics, or online via telehealth.

Go at your own pace

Most people space their sessions over 6–18 months.

Your Program, Tailored to You

Title

What is covered in your sessions

Hydration that fits your life
Getting enough fluid for your body, energy needs, and health conditions.

Identifying and working around intolerances
Finding out which foods might be causing issues and helping you either avoid them or slowly reintroduce them.

Repairing your relationship with food
Supporting you to feel safe and more neutral around food again, especially if it’s felt stressful or restrictive.

Nutrition myth-busting
Helping you cut through fear-based or extreme nutrition advice and get clear, balanced answers to the questions you’ve sat with for too long.

Fatigue and pain nutrition foundations
Using nutrition strategies that support low energy, chronic pain and related symptoms.

Understanding gut and nervous system links
Learning how your nervous system affects digestion — especially if you have dysautonomia, IBS, MCAS, or high gut sensitivity.

Supplement support
Talking through any supplements that might help, and whether they’re worth it for you.

Fatigue-friendly food strategies
Making food prep and eating feel less draining, and more doable in daily life.

Appetite and routine support
Helping restore lost appetite, or shift eating patterns that don’t feel right anymore (such as only eating late at night).

Guided support beyond diet
We can link you with trusted professionals or resources that complement nutrition support and understand invisible illness care.

Real Talk From Our Nutrition Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral? 

A referral isn't always necessary however may impact on your ability to get a rebate - speak to our friendly reception staff and they can help you.

How much does the program cost?

Invisible Illnesses like sleep disorders can present in very different ways for different people.

 

Because of this, our programs are tailored to how your condition manifests, and hence, the costs vary based on the level of support needed. 

 

For program costs and information about available rebates, please give us a call!

03 9878 5394

What if I can't get to your clinic?

We’ve been offering telehealth for over 10 years and have refined our approach to make it feel personal, flexible, and easy to access. Around 80% of our clients choose to work with us this way. 

 

For those who prefer in-person sessions, our clinics are located in Blackburn, Frankston, Bendigo, and Essendon, Victoria.

Who will I be working with?

You’ll be supported by a team that truly understands sleep disorders.

 

Our clinicians include exercise physiologists, dietitians, and physical therapists. All are fully qualified, and most have experienced in managing some form of invisible illness themselves.

I’ve read so much conflicting stuff about food and nutrition online. Can you help me make sense of it?

Absolutely. There is a huge amount of information online about food and nutrition, and it can feel overwhelming - especially when you’re dealing with an invisible illness. A lot of it is negative, fear-based, and focused on extreme restriction.

 

At AHC, we take a different approach. One of the things we’re known for is giving calm, evidence-based, and realistic advice. We call it nutrition myth busting. It’s our way of helping you cut through the noise and get answers you can trust.

Start Your Recovery Journey

1. Tell Us Your Story

A no-pressure call where we get to know you, your symptoms, and listen to your journey

2. Get a Personalised Plan

We design a custom support plan based on your needs. It might include a thorough assessment, dietetic care, pacing tools, movement therapy and other services.

3. Own Your Journey

You’ll work with trusted clinicians, online or in-person, at a pace that works for your body

Tell Us Your Story Today!

Schedule Call

03 9878 5394

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What Are Nutrition Disorders?

Many of the people we see don’t have a formal eating disorder, but they do struggle with food in ways that impact their health and daily life.

Nutrition disorders can look like appetite loss from fatigue, difficulty digesting certain foods, or years of confusing advice that’s left you anxious about what’s safe to eat. Many people find themselves falling into bad happits (i.e. skipping meals, relying on a few 'safe' foods, avoiding whole food groups etc.) not by choice, but because their body makes it hard.
We exist to help you feel more confident, nourished and in control of food again, whatever your starting point.

Common challenges with Nutrition in Invisible Illnesses

Low appetite or irregular eating: 
Often caused by fatigue, nausea, or disrupted routines

Restrictive eating patterns: 
Whether intentional or symptom-driven, these can lead to poor nutrition over time

Fear or anxiety around food: 
Especially common if food has triggered symptoms in the past

Food sensitivities or intolerances: 
That make it hard to eat widely or get enough energy

Loss of trust in nutrition advice: 
After years of conflicting messages or health-focused restriction

Are You Missing a Diagnosis?

This quick, free tool was built to help people with complex symptoms connect the dots. It's not a diagnosis, but it might just give you clarity on what to look into next.

Our programs are tailored to YOUR symptoms

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

ME/CFS, Post-Viral Conditions, Long Covid, Autoimmune & Neurological related fatigue

Learn More

Hypermobility & Connective Tissue Disorders

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)

Learn More

Pain Syndromes

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learn More

Sleep 
Disorders

Narcolepsy, Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Learn More

Dysautonomia

Orthostatic Intolerance (OI), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Learn More

Mast Cell Disorders

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Mastocytosis

Long COVID

ME/CFS, Post-Viral Conditions, Long Covid, Autoimmune & Neurological related fatigue, Fibromyalgia

Learn More

Associated Diet Conditions

Gastroparesis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), MCAS, Eating Disorders, MALS

Learn More

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