Question 1

What can I expect from the first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Your session is a supportive, judgment-free conversation focused on you. There’s no pressure to be perfect.

At your first appointment, we’ll take time to understand your health history, including your medical history, kidney function, blood test results, medications, and any symptoms you may be experiencing. We’ll also talk about your usual eating patterns, lifestyle, cultural preferences, and any concerns or questions you have about food.

Together, we’ll:
Identify foods that support your kidney health. This may also include nutrition therapy for improving blood glucose and blood pressure management depending on your medical history.
Clarify what nutrients you may need to limit — and what you can enjoy more of.
Set small, realistic goals that fit into your daily life.
Provide practical tips for meals, snacks, shopping, and eating out

Our goal is for you to feel heard, informed, and empowered — not overwhelmed.

Question 2

How many sessions do I need?

Accepted Answer

The number of sessions varies from person to person.

For many patients, an initial session followed by one or two follow-up visits is enough to understand what foods work best for them and how to manage their condition day to day. Others may find regular check-ins such as every 3-6 months helpful, especially if kidney disease progresses or diabetes management becomes more complex.

We’ll work with you to decide what level of support feels right. There’s no set package or obligation — sessions are guided by your needs, goals, and comfort.
The aim is to give you the right support at the right time, so you feel confident managing your health long term.

Question 3

What support and guidance will I receive after my appointment?

Accepted Answer

After each appointment, you’ll receive a clear written summary of your consultation. This includes:
-  the key discussion points,
- personalised recommendations,
- practical, actionable steps, and 
- relevant nutrition education materials

7 days or 14 days meal plan with recipes and grocery list (premium service only)

These supports help you move forward with confidence.

Ongoing support is also available between appointments. You’re welcome to reach out via email or SMS if you have questions, need clarification, or would like guidance as you implement your plan. This ensures you feel supported and connected throughout your care journey.

Question 4

Do you offer home visits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SC Nutrition offers home visits to people with a current NDIS plan and appropriate funding category. Home visits areas are available for selected areas at the lower end of the Central Coast. Contact us to find out more.

Question 5

Do you provide meal plans?

Accepted Answer

Many people ask me this. The short answer is yes as part of our session as a discussion and teaching tool.  I always establish a one-day sample meal plan during the session as part of our discussion based on current eating habit. 
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SC Nutrition offers a premium service where a 7-day personalised meal plan is provided after the consultation (allow up to 5 workdays set-up time). This service offers a more detailed guidance. Not only you know exactly what and quantity, you also get step-by-step recipes and grocery list. Structured meal plans work well in early stage of learning as it puts all the knowledge in practice.

Question 6

Is SC Nutrition a vegan friendly dietetics practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! At SC Nutrition, I welcome and support clients who follow a vegan or plant-based lifestyle. As a vegan-friendly dietitian in Australia, I understand the unique nutrition needs that come with a plant-based diet, including getting enough protein, iron, vitamin B12, calcium, omega-3s, and other essential nutrients.
​
My approach is all about making vegan eating balanced, practical, and enjoyable. Whether you’re new to a plant-based diet or have been vegan for years, I can help you with:
Vegan meal planning tailored to your lifestyle
Exploring plant-based protein and iron-rich foods
Preventing common nutrient gaps
Achieving health goals such as weight management, digestive health, heart health, or chronic disease support
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I also work with families where some members are vegan and others are not, helping everyone enjoy healthy eating together.
 
If you’re looking for a plant-based dietitian in Australia who offers both flexibility and expertise, SC Nutrition is here to support you.

Question 7

Do I need to prepare for my session?

Accepted Answer

If you have recent blood test results, a medication list, or referral from your doctor, you’re welcome to bring them along — but it’s okay if you don’t have everything. We can work with what’s available.

It can be helpful to think about:
What you usually eat and drink in a typical day
Any symptoms or concerns you’ve noticed
Questions you have about food, diabetes, or kidney health

There’s no need to track food perfectly or change your eating beforehand. The session is about understanding your current habits and supporting you in a realistic, achievable way.

Question 8

Do you have a practice room?

Accepted Answer

SC Nutrition is an online telehealth dietetic practice based in Copacabana on the beautiful Central Coast of Australia. We provide consultations via telehealth so that more people can access highly specialised renal nutrition support, regardless of their location.Our consultations are conducted through a secure, video-based telehealth platform with screen-sharing, making the experience very similar to an in-clinic appointment. We can review results, education materials, and meal plans together in real time.After each session, you will receive a written consultation summary and a personalised meal plan, so you can feel confident that nothing is missed and you have clear guidance moving forward.

Question 9

Do you offer consultation other than English?  您们是否提供除英语以外的语言咨询服务？

Accepted Answer

Yes. Shirley Chan Dietitian is fluent in spoken Cantonese and Mandarin, as well as written Chinese.  We are able to conduct nutrition consultation in these two additional languages.

营养师 Shirley Chan 能流利使用粤语和普通话交流，也能使用中文书写。 我们可以用这两种语言进行营养咨询。

Question 10

Will I have to give up my cultural foods?

Accepted Answer

No. My approach is to include and adapt your cultural foods in a way that supports your health goals while keeping meals familiar and enjoyable.

Question 11

Do you consult with people with other conditions other than kidney disease?

Accepted Answer

Shirley is a specialist renal dietitian with over 18 years of clinical experience. While kidney disease and renal nutrition are her core area of expertise, Shirley also has extensive experience managing a wide range of other medical conditions.Over the course of her clinical career, she has worked with people with Type 2 diabetes, irritable bowel disease, diverticular disease, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, heart conditions, weight management concerns, and malnutrition (particularly in older adults).This breadth of experience means that Shirley is well-placed to support people who have kidney disease alongside other health conditions, ensuring nutrition advice is safe, practical, and tailored to the whole person—not just one diagnosis.

Shirley Chan 肾脏专科营养师
肾脏营养饮食专业咨询

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