Here’s the thing: both dietitians and naturopaths can help you improve your health through nutrition and lifestyle changes. But they approach your care from different angles, with different training, philosophies, and tools in their toolkit.
And what if you could get the best of both worlds? That’s exactly what makes our practitioner Jiayen Nomchong so unique.
What Does a Dietitian Do?
Dietitians are university-trained nutrition experts who’ve completed a Bachelor’s degree (and in the case of our New Leaf Dietitian, a Master’s degree) in nutrition and dietetics. In Australia, Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are regulated health professionals recognised by Medicare, private health funds, and the NDIS.
Dietitians specialise in:
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- Medical nutrition therapy for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and eating disorders
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- Evidence-based meal planning and dietary advice
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- Nutritional assessment using clinical guidelines and research
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- Working within allied health, alongside your other health professionals.
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- Interpreting pathology results and recommending dietary changes based on medical diagnoses
Dietitians are trained to work within the conventional medical model. They’re brilliant at translating complex nutritional science into practical eating plans that support specific health conditions.
What Does a Naturopath Do?
Naturopaths take a wholistic approach to health, looking at the whole person—not just isolated symptoms. Naturopaths complete advanced diplomas or Bachelor’s degrees in naturopathy, herbal medicine, and nutrition, with training that blends traditional healing practices with modern nutritional science.
Naturopaths specialise in:
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- Identifying root causes of health issues, not just managing symptoms
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- Personalised herbal medicine prescriptions
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- Functional pathology testing (like gut microbiome analysis, hormone panels, and nutrient testing)
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- Wholistic treatment plans that address diet, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and emotional wellbeing
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- Complementary therapies including herbs, nutrients, and dietary changes
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- Supporting chronic conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid issues, digestive complaints, and hormonal imbalances
Naturopaths are trained to ask why you’re experiencing symptoms and to support your body’s natural healing processes. They take time to understand your story, your lifestyle, and the underlying imbalances that might be contributing to how you feel.
So What’s the Real Difference?
Think of it this way:
A dietitian might help you manage your cholesterol with a heart-healthy eating plan based on the latest clinical guidelines.
A naturopath might explore why your cholesterol is elevated in the first place—looking at inflammation, stress, gut health, thyroid function, and nutrient deficiencies—and create a treatment plan that addresses those underlying factors with food, herbs, and lifestyle changes.
Both approaches are valuable. Both are evidence-based. They’re just different lenses on the same goal: helping you feel better.
Why You Might Want Both
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Some health concerns benefit from the precision and medical expertise of a dietitian. Others need the root-cause investigation and holistic care of a naturopath. But many conditions—especially complex, chronic issues—respond best when you combine both approaches.
That’s the magic of working with someone like Jiayen.
Meet Jiayen: Dietitian and Naturopath
Jiayen Nomchong is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a Master’s degree and a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy. She’s one of the few practitioners in Australia who holds both qualifications—and that dual expertise changes everything.
When you work with Jiayen, you get:
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- The rigorous, evidence-based nutritional science of dietetics
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- The holistic, root-cause approach of naturopathy
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- Personalised nutrition plans that go beyond generic dietary advice
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- Support for complex conditions like PCOS, insulin resistance, thyroid issues, digestive complaints, and metabolic health
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- A practitioner who understands both conventional pathology and functional testing
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- A collaborative, non-judgmental approach that meets you where you are
Jiayen doesn’t just tell you what to eat. She helps you understand why certain foods and nutrients matter for your body, your symptoms, and your health goals. She combines the best of both worlds—and that’s rare.
Who Should See Jiayen?
Jiayen is a great fit if you:
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- Have a diagnosed medical condition (like insulin resistance, diabetes, PCOS, or thyroid issues) and want holistic support alongside conventional treatment
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- Feel confused by conflicting nutrition advice and want clarity from someone who understands multiple perspectives
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- Want personalised dietary guidance that considers your whole health picture—not just calories or macros
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- Are dealing with metabolic issues, hormonal imbalances, or digestive complaints that haven’t improved with standard approaches
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- Value a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach and want affirming, body-positive care
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- Want a practitioner who listens, believes you, and takes time to understand your unique situation
The New Leaf Difference
At New Leaf Naturopathic Health, we believe you deserve care that’s both evidence-based and individualised. You deserve to be heard, believed, and supported—not lectured or judged.
Whether you’re working with Jiayen, Hannah, or Jacintha, you’ll experience the same collaborative, compassionate approach. We’re here to help you make sense of your symptoms, understand what’s happening in your body, and create a clear path forward.
And with Jiayen’s unique combination of dietetics and naturopathy, you get the best of both worlds in one practitioner.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious whether Jiayen’s approach is right for you, we’d love to hear from you.
Book an initial consultation with Jiayen (90 minutes, $240) and experience what it’s like to work with a practitioner who truly bridges the gap between conventional nutrition and holistic care.
Because you don’t have to choose between evidence-based care and holistic support. With Jiayen, you get both.
New Leaf Naturopathic Health is a 100% online telehealth clinic serving clients across Australia. We acknowledge the Wandi Wandian of the Yuin and Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our practitioners are based.
