About Mary-Anne Chamoun

I have been working in a clinical dietitian setting since 2007 after graduating from the University of Sydney. This has allowed me to become very confident in nutrition therapy addressing diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease, food intolerance and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.

In addition, the prevention of unintentional weight loss is of great importance to clients who are recovering from illness or who have lost their appetite. I can help by providing suitable meal and snack ideas for a high energy and high protein diet, which will ensure that muscle loss is minimised.

I currently also work closely with clients who have had weight loss surgery and have completed a Clinical Dietetics for Bariatric Surgery course devised by Dietitians Australia. My role is to provide assistance, from pre-surgery preparation to a fluid diet, puree diet, soft diet and then finally transition to normal textured foods.  

I have a particular interest in diabetes and all associated conditions including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. I have also completed the Monash University FODMAP Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to tackle this growing and often confusing area. I will be able to provide guidance on a low FODMAP baseline diet, followed by systematic ‘challenges’ to assess whether IBS symptoms are sensitive to FODMAP’s. Hence, this will determine tolerance thresholds and allow for FODMAP personalisation.

I am always working to stay up to date with the latest nutrition developments including food intolerance. Most people with food intolerance are sensitive to more than one substance comprising of natural food chemicals (e.g. salicylates, amines and glutamates) as well as common food additives. My role involves helping to identify triggers and optimising symptom control.

Being a mother of 3 children, I strongly emphasise the need to be creating lifestyle habits that will last a lifetime. I have seen an increase in children’s obesity through my clinical work, where parents are so confused about lunchbox snacks and children’s portion sizes. My fundamental goal for the treatment of overweight children is not to focus on weight loss but rather cease further weight gain, thus allowing children to work towards meeting a lower percentile target as they get older.

Mary-Anne now consults at Norwest Private Hospital, Milsons Point, Mount Kuring-Gai and West Pennant Hills.