Weight Management
At VK Dietetics, we support individuals who are experiencing weight-related concerns and are seeking a healthier relationship with food, their body and overall wellbeing.
What is weight management v dieting?
Whether you’re navigating weight loss, weight gain, or simply trying to better understand your body, we’re here to support you with compassion, evidence-based advice, and practical strategies tailored to your needs.
“Weight loss isn’t about willpower or restriction,” says Melbourne Accredited Practising Dietitian Vanessa Krynicki, Founder of VK Dietetics.
“It’s about building a relationship with food that fits your life.
“I work with my clients to find an approach that feels sustainable, not punishing, with small, realistic changes that add up over time, rather than restrictive diets, guilt or rigid rules.”
She says when someone comes to VK Dietetics about their weight, dietitians always start by understanding not just what they eat, but their history with food, their health, their lifestyle, and what they actually want for themselves.
“Weight loss isn’t about willpower or restriction,” says Melbourne Accredited Practising Dietitian Vanessa Krynicki, Founder of VK Dietetics.
“It’s about building a relationship with food that fits your life.
“I work with my clients to find an approach that feels sustainable, not punishing, with small, realistic changes that add up over time, rather than restrictive diets, guilt or rigid rules.”
She says when someone comes to VK Dietetics about their weight, dietitians always start by understanding not just what they eat, but their history with food, their health, their lifestyle, and what they actually want for themselves.
Whether you are looking to manage weight alongside a chronic health condition, support your recovery after weight loss medication, or simply feel better in your body day to day, we offer personalised, in-home dietetic support across all Melbourne metropolitan areas.
“Weight is rarely just about food. My job is to help people find an approach that works for their life.”
~ Vanessa Krynicki, Founder, VK Dietetics
Weight Concerns
Diabetes
Gut Health
Heart Health
Mental Health
Malnutrition
General Healthy Eating
Kidney Disease
Nutritional Deficiencies
Texture Modified Diets
Vegetarian / Vegan
Fussy Eating
Meal Plans
Oral Nutrition Supplements
Weight Concerns
Diabetes
Gut Health
Heart Health
Mental Health
Malnutrition
General Healthy Eating
Kidney Disease
Nutritional Deficiencies
Texture Modified Diets
Vegetarian / Vegan
Fussy Eating
Meal Plans
Oral Nutrition Supplements
Why is weight management so important for chronic disease?
“In 2024, obesity overtook smoking as the leading cause of disease burden in Australia,” says Vanessa.
Weight management is not always purely an aesthetic goal; it is a clinical priority directly linked to chronic disease outcomes and obesity is now linked to many cancers including breast, ovarian, prostate, stomach, brain and colon cancer .
The link between excess weight and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea, and osteoarthritis is well established1,2.
Type 2 diabetes and weight
Type 2 diabetes and excess weight are closely interconnected.
Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, reduces insulin sensitivity, making it harder for the body to regulate blood glucose levels.
Even modest, sustained weight loss of 5–10% of body weight has been shown to significantly improve blood glucose control, reduce HbA1c, lower blood pressure, and in some cases reduce or eliminate the need for medication.
Dietetic support for Type 2 diabetes weight management includes:
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT):
an individualised, evidence-based approach to nutrition that targets blood glucose, blood fats, blood pressure, and weight simultaneously.
Carbohydrate management:
understanding how different carbohydrate sources and meal timing affect blood glucose levels without eliminating entire food groups.
Practical meal planning:
tailored to your cooking ability, budget, family, and food preferences while targeting specific goals.
Monitoring and review:
working alongside your GP and endocrinologist to track HbA1c, lipids, and medication changes as weight changes.
Other chronic conditions where weight management matters:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/NAFLD):
weight loss of 7-10% has been shown to reduce liver fat and inflammation 4.
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS):
even small reductions in weight can restore ovulatory function and reduce androgen levels 5.
Cardiovascular disease:
weight management reduces blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Chronic kidney disease:
weight management must be carefully balanced against protein and fluid needs; specialist dietetic input is essential.
Osteoarthritis:
reducing the load on joints through weight loss significantly reduces pain and improves mobility
Supporting weight loss medication
Weight loss medications prescribed by your doctor can be a clinically appropriate tool for some people, particularly those with obesity-related health conditions.
However, medication alone does not teach eating habits, food skills, or sustainable behaviour change. This is where a dietitian becomes essential.
Before starting medication:
A dietitian can help you build a strong nutritional foundation, identify eating patterns that may limit your results, and establish realistic goals.
During medication:
Reduced appetite is a common effect. A dietitian ensures you are still meeting protein, micronutrient, and hydration needs, critical for preserving muscle mass and avoiding nutritional deficiencies during rapid weight loss.
When tapering or stopping medication:
This is the stage most people underestimate. When appetite begins to return, having sustainable eating habits, meal structure, and food skills already in place is what determines whether weight is maintained or regained. Dietetic support is what makes the difference between lasting change and the beginning of another cycle.
What does weight management dietetic support look like?
A typical weight management program includes:
- Initial Assessment: An in-depth review of your health history, current eating patterns, physical activity, medical conditions, medications,blood test results and weight history. We also take the time to understand previous attempts at weight management and what got in the way.
- Personalised Nutrition Plan : A tailor-made plan for your nutrition designed on your lifestyle, food preferences, cooking ability, cultural background, budget, and health goals.
- Ongoing Consultations : Regular follow-up sessions to review progress, troubleshoot barriers, adjust the plan, and provide accountability and support.
- Collaborative Care: We liaise with your GP, endocrinologist, cardiologist, or other treating practitioners and allied health team to ensure your nutrition support is aligned with your broader medical care.
- NDIS Participants: Weight management dietetic support is available for NDIS participants where weight concerns are linked to a participant’s disability or health condition. We charge below the NDIS standard hourly rate.
Is a GP referral needed to see a dietitian for weight management?
No, you can self-refer. However, if your GP has referred you under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on up to five allied health visits per calendar year.
Can you support weight management for elderly clients or NDIS participants?
Yes. We have extensive experience in weight management across all ages and in complex care environments, including aged care and disability settings.
How long does it take to see results?
Sustainable weight management typically targets 0.5-1 kg per week. Slower, steady progress is associated with better long-term outcomes and preservation of muscle mass. Rapid weight loss increases the risk of nutritional deficiency, muscle loss, and rebound weight gain.
Why choose a mobile dietitian?
- No travel stress – we come to you
- We charge below the NDIS price guide
- NDIS registered provider – agency managed, plan managed and self-managed plans
- Support at Home (SaH) also previously known as Home Care Package (HCP), DVA, TCA, Medicare CDM and private clients are all accepted
Conditions we see
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Coeliac Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Dysphagia / Texture-Modified Diets
- Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 & Gestational)
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Fussy Eating
- Food Intolerance
- GERD
- Gut Issues (e.g. Constipation, Diarrhoea)
- Malnutrition
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Vegan & Vegetarian Nutrition
- Weight Gain
- Weight Loss
Disabilities we support
- Anxiety & Depression
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Bipolar Disorder
- Down Syndrome
- Global Development Delay
- Huntington’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Spina Bifida
*Not limited to
Our dietitians are all accredited practising dietitians. We proudly support NDIS participants and charge below NDIS pricing.
Mobile Services
- Aged Care Nutrition
- Residential Aged Care
- Support at Home (SaH) Dietitian (previously Home Care Package (HCP) Dietitian)
- Chronic Disease Management (CDM)
- Disability Nutrition
- Kilojoule-Controlled Meal Plans
- NDIS Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)
- Reports for NDIS Funding Decisions
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) / Group Homes
- Texture-Modified & Dysphagia Diets
- Telehealth Available Statewide
Service Areas
We proudly service all Melbourne metropolitan suburbs including eastern, western, northern, southern and inner city areas.
This includes
- Mill Park
- Werribee
- client homes
- Melton
- Dandenong
- Cranbourne
- Noble Park
- Croydon
- Ringwood and
- Lilydale
We provide our services at our clients homes, SIL homes, SDA homes, respite accommodation and residential aged care homes.
