Mobile Dietitian

27/01/2026

Midlife for women, can be… a lot. I was genuinely surprised by some of the changes in my own health, even though I’ve always looked after myself. Learning how to do health a little differently has helped more than I expected, so I’ve written about it in a recent blog post. I hope it helps 🤍

https://mobiledietitian.com.au/why-eating-for-mood-feels-harder-in-midlife/

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

21/01/2026

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to join the workshop.

I know how busy this time of year is, and I really appreciate you showing up, engaging, and being open to learning more about how food can support mood — not just in theory, but in real life.

We talked about why food matters, explored how food can support mood and began shaping simple plans using the guidance provided, including meal planning strategies to reduce daily decision-making.

The questions, reflections, and conversations reminded me why this work matters.

Thank you for being part of it.

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

19/01/2026

Back to school season is busy, but the impact is not limited to parents.
For many people, this time of year brings extra pressure, emotional load, and a shift in routine.

When life speeds up, mood often feels it first. Energy dips, decisions feel heavier, and food becomes something to manage rather than something that supports you.

This is where meal planning can help, not as a rigid plan, but as a support. A way to reduce daily decisions, protect energy, and create steadier nourishment during demanding weeks.

The "Meal Planning Workshop on 21 January" is for busy people who want food to support mood, not add to the overwhelm.

We will focus on:
✅ planning that works with low energy
✅ food choices that support emotional steadiness
✅ realistic routines for real life

If you want support without perfection, clarity without pressure, and a system that works with your life, DM "MEALS" and I will send you the details and registration.

Let the system support you, so you are not carrying it all yourself.

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

17/01/2026

If meal planning has never quite stuck for you, it may not be because you are lazy, unmotivated, or “bad at routine”.

Most people stop planning meals because:
• Decision fatigue kicks in
• Energy changes day to day
• Mood influences appetite and food choices
• Life does not behave nicely Monday to Sunday

Traditional meal plans assume you have consistent energy, time, and headspace. Most real people do not.

Good meal planning is not about locking yourself into a rigid plan.
It is about building a system that still works when you are tired, flat, busy, or overwhelmed.

That is exactly what we are unpacking in the Meal Planning Workshop on 21 January.
Not recipes for perfect weeks, but strategies for real ones.

If you have tried planning before and quietly given up, this is your permission slip to try a different approach.

Sign up for the workshop here: https://mobiledietitian.kit.com/products/food-for-mood-meal-planning-workshop

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

17/01/2026

If meal planning has never quite stuck for you, it is probably not because you are lazy, unmotivated, or “bad at routine”.

Most people stop planning meals because:
• Decision fatigue kicks in
• Energy changes day to day
• Mood influences appetite and food choices
• Life does not behave nicely Monday to Sunday

Traditional meal plans assume you have consistent energy, time, and headspace. Most real people do not.

Good meal planning is not about locking yourself into a rigid plan.
It is about building a system that still works when you are tired, flat, busy, or overwhelmed.

That is exactly what we are unpacking in the Meal Planning Workshop on 21 January.
Not recipes for perfect weeks, but strategies for real ones.

If you have tried planning before and quietly given up, this is your permission slip to try a different approach.

Sign up for the workshop here: https://mobiledietitian.kit.com/products/food-for-mood-meal-planning-workshop

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

16/01/2026

Most people know that movement supports mental health.
That part is not the secret.

What gets missed is how hard it is to move consistently when meals are rushed, skipped, or decided at 6 pm with very little brain power left.

Low energy makes exercise feel harder.
Unplanned meals make low energy more likely.
Then we tell ourselves we “just need more motivation”.

It is rarely a motivation problem.
It is a systems problem.

This is why meal planning sits inside my Mood Fuel work. Not as a rigid plan, but as a way to reduce mental load so your energy can go toward the things that actually help mood.

If you are tired of guessing what to eat, reacting instead of planning, or feeling like the basics keep slipping, this is exactly what we are working through in the Meal Planning Workshop on 21 January.

Small systems, steady energy, better follow through.
No perfection required.

Sign up for the workshop here: https://mobiledietitian.kit.com/products/food-for-mood-meal-planning-workshop

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

14/01/2026

I found this recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine for January 2026. Look it up under Sticky Salmon Poke Bowls with Peach Salsa. I made a couple of small changes but it is pretty much the same. Although their picture is a lot more professionally done!

This one is very much a low-energy day meal.

It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require much effort. On days when mood or energy is low, that really matters. Food still supports my energy and mood, but sometimes it needs to feel easy.

These are the type of meals I rely on during the week when I'm extra busy or my brain is already had enough. They’re not overly time consuming, but they’re nourishing enough to keep me balanced.

Not every meal should take a lot of effort. Different days need different levels of input, and planning for that makes follow-through far more realistic.

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

12/01/2026

I don’t love talking to a camera, so if you’re watching this, thank you for sticking with me.

I shared this clip because I want people who are swimming in low mood or depression to know that there are other evidence-based ways to explore support alongside usual care.

The story I read comes from Professor Felice Jacka. And yes, past-me forgot the “Professor” in the video. Credit where it’s very much due.

Her work, including stories shared in Brain Changer, helped change how we understand the role of food, lifestyle, and support in mental health recovery. Not as a replacement for care, but as part of the picture.

If you’d like to gently dip your toe into working with me, the Mood Fuel Meal Planning Workshop is designed as a friendly, practical starting point. No strict diets. No pressure. Just a place to begin using food to better support mood and energy.

If this resonates, you’re very welcome to join.

Sign up for the workshop here: https://mobiledietitian.kit.com/products/food-for-mood-meal-planning-workshop

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

09/01/2026

Meal planning doesn’t guarantee that you will put a 3 course meal on the table. And it doesn’t mean convenience never wins.

What planning does is give me choice.

When meals are already thought through, I don’t have to rely on motivation in the moment. If I have the energy and headspace to choose something that supports my mood, it’s there. If I don’t, that’s okay too.

This is the balance I aim for.
Support over perfection.
Structure without rigidity.

It’s also the approach behind the Mood Fuel Meal Planning Workshop, where we focus on building a weekly structure that fits real life, not an ideal version of it.

Sign up for the workshop here: https://mobiledietitian.kit.com/products/food-for-mood-meal-planning-workshop

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

08/01/2026

I made this recipe from the Magazine last night - Maple-Glazed Chicken Salad with Peaches. Goodbye, boring salads! This was a small effort for a big impact! I made a couple of minor changes - no pecans so I used what I had - pepitas and sliced almonds. I also candied them in maple syrup, not cane sugar. A delicious and nutritious meal. Thanks BHG!
— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

07/01/2026

When the SMILES trial (Jacka et al., 2017) was published, it was significant. It showed that dietitian-led nutrition support, delivered alongside usual care, led to greater improvements in depressive symptoms compared with social support alone.

Importantly, this trial helped set the direction for more rigorous research into nutrition and mental health. Since then, the evidence base has continued to grow, and clinical guidelines now recognise lifestyle-based approaches, including nutrition, as part of evidence-informed care for major depressive disorder, alongside psychological and medical treatment.

I don’t have major depressive disorder, but during my perimenopause years I’ve experienced how strongly food choices can influence mood, energy, and emotional resilience. Hormonal change, stress, sleep disruption, and inflammation all interact, and food is often one of the most practical supports available.

Using the evidence from trials like SMILES, together with clinical guideline frameworks, has helped to guid the development of my Mood Fuel approach. The Mood Fuel Meal Planning Workshop is designed as a starting point within this model, focused on building a simple weekly structure that supports mood without pressure or rigid rules.

Food doesn’t replace mental health care. But used thoughtfully, and guided by evidence, it can be a meaningful part of the picture.

If you’d like a practical, supported place to start, the Mood Fuel Meal Planning Workshop is designed for exactly that.

Join me in the workshop here: https://mobiledietitian.kit.com/products/food-for-mood-meal-planning-workshop

— Michelle
Mobile Dietitian
Dietitian, Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist

28/08/2025

Have you tried Chickpea pancakes? This is my latest recipe and I would love to know what your thoughts are about it. It is a high protein, high fibre, high iron breakfast option. Pair it with yoghurt and fruit like blueberries for added fibre, protein and calcium! Plus the fruit will help with your absorption of iron. You will find nutrient information comparing wholemeal pancakes with these ones on the post. The results were interesting! I dare not compare them to packet mix pancakes 🙄.
Mobile Dietitian Community Mobile Dietitian

Chickpea pancakes - a protein rich, high fibre breakfast option that is delicious and will keep you satisfied!