Nutrition Course Tutors

Get to know Skye

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into nutrition?

I’ve always loved cooking and food so even as a kid I was never far away from the kitchen! I was also really interested in science so when I finished school, nutrition and dietetics seemed like a natural fit.

After I finished my studies, I worked as a clinical dietitian at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and then went on to work at hospitals in London. When I returned to Australia I eventually found my way into private practice.

I find the connection between what we eat and our health and well-being fascinating. It’s incredible to think about how much illness and disease can be prevented or even cured through what we eat.

What inspired you to become a tutor?

During my years as a dietitian, I’ve worked closely with many families, carers and other health professionals to support children with a wide range of nutritional needs.

Through this experience, I realised there was a need for accessible, practical nutrition education. All parents and caregivers want to do the best for their children, but many feel overwhelmed by so much conflicting information or aren’t sure where to start.

I then started focusing on nutrition communications and developing resources to support families and professionals in understanding childhood nutrition.

I now have a website (www.readysetgrownutrition.com) where I provide nutrition education, resources and recipes on all sorts of topics that relate to childhood nutrition. I’ve also had the opportunity to design and deliver workshops, write resources, and now create this course.

What are some essential skills or qualities that every nutritionist should possess?

1. Empathy - Nutrition isn’t just about food; it’s also about understanding people’s behaviour, challenges and emotions around food and eating. Empathy is so important in understanding issues from another person’s perspective and figuring out how to tailor your advice to their specific situation.

1. Communication skills – whether you’re helping parents make informed choices about how to feed their kids, guiding professionals in healthcare settings, or teaching kids or adults how to make healthy food choices, education is a huge part of most roles in nutrition. Good communication skills are needed so that you can explain often complex information in ways that are easy to understand.

1. Critical thinking - there’s a whole lot of information out there about nutrition, some true and some false, so you need to be able to wade through this, stay up to date with the latest research and apply this to real-world situations so that the advice you’re giving is always evidence-based and safe.

1. Problem-solving - a good nutritionist needs to be able to assess different situations and tailor their advice accordingly, finding creative solutions to challenges such as fussy eating, food allergies and any other of the many nutrition-related issues that people face.

Do you specialise in a certain area of Nutrition?

My speciality is paediatrics and childhood nutrition.

I started my career working in a children’s hospital and found working with children and their families so rewarding and impactful.

I’m particularly interested in the first 1000 days of life and the significant impact that nutritional status during this time has on lifelong health and wellbeing

What is your teaching philosophy when it comes to nutrition?

Nutrition is a complex science, but in my opinion, everyone needs nutrition education as everyone eats, and everyone's health is impacted by what they eat. I think nutrition education should be practical and accessible to everyone—regardless of their background or prior knowledge.

I really encourage students to think critically. Nutrition is such as minefield of misinformation, so it’s important to look for an evidence base behind every ‘fact’ instead of taking it at face value, and to be able to assess whether there’s enough evidence to support it or not.

What are some key skills and knowledge areas you focus on in the course?

1. Nutrition requirements across different life stages – nutrition needs change so much from infancy to adolescence, so understanding the unique nutrition needs of children at different life stages and how to tailor dietary advice for each stage is crucial.

1. Nutrition and growth – we focus on the key nutrients that are critical for optimal growth and development in children and how to ensure children get the nutrients they need.

1. Managing common paediatric nutrition issues – such as food allergies and intolerances, fussy eating and obesity. In the course we look at evidence-based approaches to managing these issues and how to tailor them to different individuals.

1. Behaviourchange strategies – nutrition knowledge is only part of the equation. Understanding how to support people to modify their behaviouris just as important, otherwise change won’t happen. The course teaches strategies for working with children and families to support behaviourchange in a way that’s practical and sustainable.

What is your favourite part about being a tutor?

I love helping students make a connection between the theory and real-life application.

Whether it’s a parent learning how to handle a picky eater or a professional finding new strategies to support a family, helping people gain confidence in making positive changes is so rewarding.

Overall, I love the fact that through teaching others about childhood nutrition, I can make a real impact on a huge number of people.

What advice would you give to new students?

Every child is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to nutrition, so curiosity and critical thinking are key.

Secondly, don't be afraid to ask questions. Childhood nutrition is a complex topic and can be difficult to get your head around at times. The tutors are here to help guide you!

Finally, try to apply what you’re learning in real-world settings as much as possible. Whether it’s a family meal, a consultation with a client, or simply observing a child’s eating habits, seeing theory come to life will really help deepen your understanding.