Dietetics for multiple sclerosis

At MS Society SA & NT, our Dietitians work with people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in South Australia and the Northern Territory to support nutritional health, manage symptoms and help you maintain your best health and wellbeing. 
dietitian during visit

Eating well is one of the most powerful things you can do for your MS

Good nutrition matters for everyone but when you're living with MS, it becomes even more important. MS can affect the way you eat, digest food and absorb nutrients, while also influencing your energy levels, strength and overall wellbeing. Our Dietitians will work with you to assess your nutritional needs, set sustainable goals and provide evidence-based dietary advice that's tailored specifically to you.

All our Dietitians are Accredited Practising Dietitians registered with Dietitians Australia.  
dietitian during visit with client

What to expect

A personalised approach to nutrition can support immune function, protect nerve health, help manage inflammation and maintain the strength and energy you need to stay well. Our Dietitians understand the specific nutritional considerations that come with MS including the way fatigue, cognitive changes, swallowing difficulties and changes to mobility can all influence your relationship with food. 

Once you express interest in our Dietetics service, a Dietitian will get in touch to discuss how they can help and what referrals may be required. They'll then arrange an initial assessment to better understand your needs and put together a plan that works for you. 

All appointments are delivered via telehealth, so you can access qualified dietary support from home, wherever you are in South Australia or the Nortern Territory.

How can our Dietitians help you?

Our Dietitians can assist if you're experiencing issues with: 
  • Reflux, nausea, vomiting, bloating or gas 
  • Fatigue, loss of appetite or early satiety (feeling full too quickly) 
  • Bowel changes such as constipation or diarrhoea 
  • Unintentional weight changes 
  • Meeting your nutritional needs with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) 
  • Difficulties accessing, preparing or eating food 
  • Enteral nutrition, including PEG or RIG tube management 
  • Wound management (our Dietitians work with the nursing team to provide nutritional advice that supports healing) 
  • Optimising muscle mass and strength through diet 
  • Chronic disease management and preventing nutritional deficiencies 
  • Food allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements (religious, cultural, medical or personal) 
  • Meeting your nutritional needs when cognitive changes such as memory loss are a factor 
Depending on your needs and goals, support from our Dietitians may include: 
  • Tailored nutrition education and recommendations 
  • Meal plans with recipes and snack ideas 
  • Personalised nutrition goals and recipe analysis 
  • Training for carers and family on tube feeding and gastrostomy care 
  • Quotes, reports and funding support for ongoing dietetic services 

Who we support

Our Dietetics services are available to people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in South Australia and the Northern Territory, via telehealth. We support people who may be experiencing challenges with: 
  • Weight management and appetite 
  • Digestive health and bowel function 
  • Fatigue and energy levels 
  • Eating well with swallowing difficulties 
  • Enteral nutrition support 
  • Maintaining muscle mass and strength 
  • Managing dietary requirements alongside MS 
Whether you've recently been diagnosed or have been living with MS for many years, our Dietitians can provide support tailored to your current needs and goals.
group of adults playing cards and smiling

Why choose MS Society SA & NT?

Our Dietitians are Accredited Practising Dietitians registered with Dietitians Australia. They bring an evidence-based approach to every consultation, and provide dietary advice and information that is easy to understand and tailored specifically to you and your MS. 

As part of a multidisciplinary team, our Dietitians work closely with our Speech Pathology team, Nursing staff and other allied health professionals to ensure your nutritional needs are considered alongside your broader health and wellbeing. For example, where swallowing difficulties affect what you can eat, our Dietitians and Speech Pathologists work together to ensure your diet remains safe, nourishing and enjoyable. 

All appointments are available via telehealth, meaning you can access qualified dietary support from home, wherever you are in South Australia or Northern Territory. 

Frequently asked questions

How can diet help with MS?

expand_more expand_less
A personalised diet plan can play a supportive role in managing MS by helping to reduce inflammation, protect brain and nerve function and support your overall health and wellbeing. Our Dietitians will work with you to develop a plan that takes into account your specific MS symptoms, lifestyle and goals. 

Who can access Dietetics services? 

expand_more expand_less
Our Dietetics services are for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in South Australia and Northern Territory. All appointments are delivered via telehealth so you can access dietary support from the comfort of your home.

What can I expect at my first appointment? 

expand_more expand_less
Your first appointment is an initial assessment. Your Dietitian will get to know you and your current diet, health goals, symptoms you're managing and any dietary preferences or requirements. From there, they'll put together a personalised plan with practical, evidence-based advice tailored to you. 

Can a Dietitian help if I have swallowing difficulties? 

expand_more expand_less
Yes. If you're on a texture-modified diet due to swallowing difficulties, our Dietitians can help minimise the risk of deficiencies that can sometimes arise from texture-modified diets and ensure you're still meeting your nutritional needs. Our Dietitians work closely with our Speech Pathology team in these cases. 

Can a Dietitian help with tube feeding or enteral nutrition? 

expand_more expand_less
Yes. Our Dietitians can provide support for enteral nutrition, including PEG or RIG tube management. They'll work with you, your carers and the broader care team to ensure your nutrition and hydration needs are met. 

Do I need a referral to access Dietetics services? 

expand_more expand_less
You don't need a referral to get in touch with us. You will need to provide a letter of diagnosis or referral from your GP or Neurologist (dated within the last 12 months) as part of the registration process. If you're not sure what's required, just give us a call, we're happy to help. 

How do I pay for Dietetics services? 

expand_more expand_less
There are a number of ways to fund your Dietetics services, including the NDIS, Support at Home, Chronic Disease Management Plans (CDMP) and private payment. Our team can help you work out the right option when you get in touch.

Get in touch

To find out more about our services, please complete the form below and we will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

Articles and resources you might find useful

Discover useful advice from the MS Society SA & NT team.