Diet and nutrition advice
What is it?
Having cancer affects your physical health in many different ways. Good nutrition during clinical treatment is especially important as both the illness and the treatment can affect your appetite.
You may experience loss of appetite, an aversion to some foods and altered tastes. While these things normally go back to normal once treatment has finished it is important to maintain optimum nutritional intake at this time.
What will I learn?
A dietitian has a post graduate qualification in dietetics and can prescribe supplements where necessary to compliment meal plans and advice. They are nutrition experts who can help you achieve and maintain optimal weight and nutrition goals during your treatment.
Why is nutritional advice beneficial?
Getting the right advice from the right specialist will be beneficial to you during your treatment and recovery. Your nurse will be able to advise whether you need to talk to a nutritionist or a dietitian.
Eating well ensures:
- Improved general health
- Increased strength
- Faster healing and recovery times
- A higher tolerance for treatment related side effects
What will the consultations cost?
At Under the Canopy in Tauranga we work with two specialist providers. Rena Fausett is a registered dietitians.
Insurance:
Depending on the terms of your policy, you may find that your private health insurance will cover all or part of the associated costs. Please contact your provider directly to find out more. Most Southern Cross policies will cover $100 per consultation up to $500 per year.
Appointment Costs:
| Dietitians | Initial Consultation (excl GST) | Appointment Length | Follow Up Appointment (excl GST) | Appointment Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rena Fausett |
$150.00 |
45-60 mins |
$100.00 |
30 mins |
Team
Rena Fausett BPhEd, BCApSc, PG Dip Diet (2003)
New Zealand Registered Dietitian Prescriber
Rena has worked specifically as an Oncology Dietitian since 2007, at both Waikato DHB and more recently BOPDHB. Rena has extensive experience working with patients during and after Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy, as well as before and after surgery.
Rena previously worked as a Sports Dietitian for a number of years, with many high-profile athletes at national, Olympic and Paralympic level.
Rena is passionate and enthusiastic about optimising patient nutrition at all stages of the treatment journey. Rena enjoys translating evidence based practice into real life nutrition recommendations.
When not working Rena can be found enjoying the great outdoors, and chasing her two children around the sports field.
