Miriam Eichmann December 2017

2017 was a watershed moment which led me to the door of Nutrition Care. 

After feeling unwell for years, classified as obese, with several health issues and an unacceptable level of stress in my life, I decided it was time to do something if I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up.

Under the care of Cathy, I have learnt to moderate my food intake, what I need to eat more of and less of, how to read those endless labels and how to make better choices when dining out.

I now have energy, have lost weight, my health issues are under control and best of all have gained more confidence.

I highly recommend the team at Nutrition Care for support in your journey to well being.

K & M

At our first meeting we listened attentively to what Cathy (who has now retired from private practice) had to say and when we left looked at each other and said: “How is that going to work??”  We decided that Cathy had said “it’s not about losing weight it’s about nutrition” and so we decided to follow the advice.

We took a plan together for 4 months and over that time we have heard nothing but positive comments especially when we were feeling negative about something.  Cathy has a special way of explaining things to you.  If like us, you have been a yo-yo dieter or found that nothing else works for you, I would recommend that you visit the Nutrition Care team.

This was a completely new approach to health for us as we concentrated on the nutritional benefits of food rather than the weight loss and it has worked! Together we have lost a total of 15kg . This weight loss will continue as we have now been trained in proper eating habits, not for weight loss but for health, and we feel so much better for it.

November 2017

Craig Hughes

Occupational Health Advisor

As Occupational Health Advisor for Solid Energy New Zealand in 2007 (based at Huntly East Coal Mine) we ran a wellness programme for staff at all three of the Huntly sites modeled on the TV program “The Biggest Loser.” I invited the dietitians from Nutrition Care along for the ride.

From the outset the dietitians at Nutrition Care were invaluable in assisting with planning and monitoring the competitors in the programme. They developed successful healthy eating plans for guys to whom salad was a dirty word, were well regarded by everyone they were working with and enjoyed great success over the 4 month competition.

One year on from the Biggest Loser and the majority of competitors still continued to follow advice and methods given to them by Cathy and Nutrition Care. I have also referred others to them on a one on one basis for a variety of health reasons.

Fiona Scott

After suffering stomach cramps, diarrhoea and significant weight loss for over 12 months, I was feeling anxious and needed some help.

Relevant medical tests had been undertaken, showing nothing significant.  But still the symptoms persisted.

I found Nutrition Care’s telephone number in a healthy eating magazine and made a call that made a huge difference to my life.

Cathy's (who has now retired from private practice) recognition of my symptoms was such a relief.  Calmly, she set about drawing up a plan for the way forward for me.  I was given lists of food I couldn't eat and more importantly lists of food that were safe for me to eat.  My symptoms abated almost immediately. Slowly I have been able to add more food families into my diet and have started a steady weight gain.

I am so grateful to Cathy for her help.  I would recommend that anyone suffering with my symptoms contact her.  I have learnt so much about food and now feel that I am equipped with the tools to make the necessary adjustments to my diet if I find a certain food isn't agreeing with me.  Best of all, I feel as though I have regained my equilibrium.

Kevin O'Brien

Manager Special Projects, the Property Group

I started with Niki at Nutrition Care in September 2012 and have lost 20kg since that time (about 5 months). Niki has an ability to work around your personal traits and gradually change your lifestyle habits in a way that allows you to enjoy the things you have always enjoyed but to do so with moderation and an understanding of the impacts of poor diet.

I am now able to exercise as hard as I want and I am certainly reaping the benefits of being more active with my kids and more energy and drive at work.

Thanks to Niki I have gained a huge improvement in my quality of life and it isn’t over yet.

Jude Bartram

The support that we received from Nutrition Care was genuine, and reassuring. The advice that we were given was researched, very specific and manageable. Cathy has given us the tools we needed to improve our daughter's diet and to make healthy choices for our family.

Diana Le Mon

Facility Manager, Kimihia Home and Hospital

Niki has been our Dietitian for the past few years and has always provided excellent service. In addition to auditing our menu and assessing clients in need, she also does some great training for our staff at very good rates. Niki is very approachable and flexible and is always professional and helpful. We are happy to continue using her services at our facility.

Helene

I first visited Cathy (now retired from private practice) in September 2014, after a referral from my doctor to see if dietary changes rather than medication could improve some health concerns. From the very first consultation, Cathy was professional, pragmatic, compassionate and supportive.

I recall her words, ‘There’s no such thing as right food or wrong food, we’re here to work out which foods work best for you’.

To my surprise, her advice was to eat more of many of the food groups I’d been intentionally limiting; dairy, protein and fruit. Along with a clear meal and exercise plan. After just two weeks, my overall health and well-being had improved significantly, including:

• MUCH more energy – feeling vibrant, focused, motivated, energetic and capable… chores were suddenly effortless…

• The after-work walks with my son, and my overall improved health meant that I was already experiencing much more quality time with my son – we were playing together more, talking together more, and getting on better than ever before.

• I was always feeling full and satisfied – no hunger pangs which I used to get several times a day.

• My complexion was clearer, and my hair was shinier and ‘fuller’, my eyes were clearer and brighter.

• Backaches, sticky joints and carpal tunnel in my hands and forearms had disappeared.

• I was smoking less!

• My sleep quality had improved no end – it was a wonderful experience to be sleeping through the night for the first time in over 15 years….

After a month, there were also very noticeable positive effects on my budget. By buying and eating seasonal fresh foods and wholefoods, and never feeling hungry so no longer needing ‘snacks’ or ‘treats’, plus ditching the supplements, I’d saved over $120 a month!

After three months, all the health indicators in the ‘concerning’ range were either within or close to ‘normal’ range.

After six months, my biological age had reduced by 11 years – I’m now 5 year’s younger biologically than my ‘real’ age!

After nine months with Cathy, I’m now happy, healthy, vibrant, 20 kgs lighter and thoroughly enjoying my improved lifestyle.

Celeste Duston

I have struggled with my weight for a long time, I have a family history of heart disease and diabetes and am fast approaching my 40th birthday and needed some help getting my weight on track. I have a 4 year old daughter and want to be healthy enough to be around to see her grow into a young woman.

My life is very busy, just like everyone else, I know how to eat healthy & make good food choices but found it hard putting my knowledge to practice on a day to day basis. When your rushed and hungry you just eat what you can right?

Then I met Niki.

Niki was non-judgemental, supportive and full of great advice to help me get my weight down. The best thing was that I did not have to dramatically change what I was already eating, just a few small changes saved me 500 calories a day! I dropped 7 kg quite easily & wasn’t hungry all the time. I look forward to continuing my weight loss journey with all the knowledge that Niki has provided me.

Alana Scott

I first met Cathy (who has now retired from private practice) in 2013 when I was underweight and very sick with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I was confused and scared and I didn’t know what I needed to do to improve my health. Cathy was excellent. She took a detailed medical history and decided that the low FODMAP diet was the right diet for my body. The low FODMAP diet is very complex and Cathy managed to make it simple. She provided clear instructions and resources on how to follow the diet. The low FODMAP diet was incredibly effective and after being on it for a couple of weeks many of my IBS symptoms disappeared.

As well as being a FODMAP expert, Cathy has specialised knowledge in food allergies and intolerances. Her knowledge allowed her to identify my dairy protein intolerance and sensitivity to gluten. This means we now have 95% of my IBS symptoms under control. Working with Cathy has inspired me to help others on their low FODMAP journeys. In 2014 Cathy helped me win an AMP regional ‘Do Your Thing Scholarship’ to start A Little Bit Yummy which is a website that provides recipes and resources to people on the low FODMAP diet. I wouldn’t able to help others or be as happy and healthy as I am today without Cathy’s help.

Sandra Clarke

Like most of us on New Years Eve, it was time to evaluate what my new years resolutions would be. On 1 January, I decided this year I would lose weight. I had spent the last two years comfort eating due to the sudden death of my son. I was over weight, depressed and unfit.

I returned from the beach, called all the weight loss organizations and asked them why would I use their organisation and how would their programme give me weight loss that would last for the rest of my life. They all had their relevant reasons.

When I called Nutrition Care and spoke to Cathy Khouri I was extremely impressed with what she said. Cathy was friendly, informative and left a lasting impression on me. (Cathy has now retired from private practice)

However like most New Years resolutions it took me six months to do anything about it. In June, my birthday month, my husband asked what I would like for the big occasion. A trip to Nutrition Care of course! This was a life-changing gift, which I am still enjoying to this day.

July 13th was my first appointment with Nutrition Care I will never forget the date. There was an initial one hour consultation which we discussed my general health and weight history, my life style, family situation and my general likes and dislikes of food. Cathy also considered my husbands nutritional requirements, which made cooking for us so much easier. I was weighed, measured and my BMI was assessed. Cathy gave me food and portion advice, recipes and got me recording daily food intake.

Initially I would visit weekly then fortnightly or monthly depending on my needs and the support I required. My weight reduced at steady rate, not large losses but enough to make a little bit of difference to your clothes each week. Enough to keep weight off permanently without the yoyo effect of some diets. It didn’t take long before people began to notice and within 4 months I had dropped from a size 16 – 14 to a comfortable 12. I also took up walking 3-5 days a week, which was encouraged by Cathy.

People began to comment that I looked healthier; my skin was nicer and they thought I looked younger. My hair, which was very grey, began to grow black healthy new growth – amazingly. I began to feel fitter and healthier than I had for years. After two years I have maintained my weight loss and my new eating regime is now just part of my life.

I found Cathy a very real person who was supportive at all times. She is firm when it is necessary to keep you on track but empathetic when the going gets tough. Her absolute passion for her profession and years of experience are obvious and her knowledge is invaluable. Cathy’s encouragement, handy tips, fabulous recipes and genuine caring attitude made the whole experience painless and pleasant.

‘Nutrition Care’ comes highly recommend by me, I believe if you are serious about losing weight and follow their advice, you will maintain your weight loss permanently and live a happy healthy life."