We provide specialist support in a safe, compassionate environment.
ABOUT LEAH
Director
Leah is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over nine years of private practice experience. She obtained her Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition & Dietetics) from the Queensland University of Technology in 2014 and has continued her development as a certified fertility and pregnancy dietitian with the Early Life Nutrition Alliance. Having grown up locally, Leah returned to Toowoomba to practise in a place she feels a strong connection with.
Leah is passionate about all things women’s health but maintains a strong focus on PCOS, endometriosis and thyroid disease, as well as fertility and pregnancy.
As a mum of one, Leah focuses on providing realistic nutrition advice. A lover of cooking, she believes in a food-first approach to support clients in developing positive relationships with eating and body image.
As a member of the Early Life Nutrition Alliance, Leah is recognised as a leader in Early Life Nutrition and provides training for other dietitians on considerations for fertility and pregnancy with thyroid disease.
Leah provides dietetic services as part of the amazing team at Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery. She is particularly interested in supporting women through their fertility, pregnancy & postpartum journey after weight loss surgery.
ABOUT RHIANNON
ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician
Rhiannon is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over six years of private practice experience. Upon finishing boarding school in Toowoomba and relocating from Roma, she completed a Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics at Griffith University in 2017.
After living and working in London, Rhiannon returned home in 2020 to work with Balance Nutrition, where she continues to develop her clinical practice alongside her personal values of compassion, curiosity and mindfulness.
In 2021, Rhiannon completed further training to become an Accredited Sports Dietitian and has since become a qualified eating disorder clinician through ANZAED.
Rhiannon loves connecting with women who are going through times of change in their lives, such as during adolescence and as young adults. A believer in taking a practical, no-nonsense approach in guiding clients towards better health, Rhiannon is skilled at building relationships with those who may be overwhelmed and seeking to simplify their approach to nutrition.
You can also find Rhiannon teaching pilates at Athletic Reformer, or follow her on instagram @rhiset_dietetics
ABOUT SHANNA
Accredited Sports Dietitian
Shanna is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian with a passion for empowering individuals to achieve their optimal health and performance goals. With over seven years of private practice experience, Shanna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Balance Nutrition team.
Originally from Brisbane, Shanna made the move to Toowoomba in 2019 to raise her young family. Her journey into sports nutrition began with further training through Sports Dietitians Australia in 2017, where she specialized in fuelling for performance. Shanna firmly believes that nutrition is for everyone, not just elite athletes, and she strives to make healthy eating accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for all.
Prior to her career in dietetics, Shanna spent 8 years as a Personal Trainer, co-owning a personal training studio, Phoenix Physique. This experience has equipped her with a unique perspective on the importance of nutrition in achieving overall health and fitness goals.
At Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery, Shanna is an integral part of the team, where she is dedicated to helping individuals break free from unrealistic diets and restrictive rules. She advocates for a personalized approach to nutrition, focusing on each individual's needs, lifestyle, skills, and goals.
In her spare time, Shanna enjoys staying active with her family, exploring the beautiful outdoors of Toowoomba, and experimenting with delicious and nutritious recipes in the kitchen.
ABOUT MADISON
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Madison is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a deep commitment to promoting health and wellbeing. With a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master's in Dietetic Studies from the University of Queensland under her belt, Madison's journey into dietetics was fuelled by her passion for empowering individuals to take control of their health through evidence-based nutrition.
Driven by her own personal experience of improving her endometriosis symptoms and enhancing her overall wellbeing through nutrition, Madison understands firsthand the transformative power of food. Her fascination with the complexities of women's health, coupled with her belief in the importance of education and support, motivates her to empower women at every stage of their lives to prioritize their health and nourish themselves effectively.
In addition to her expertise in women's health, Madison has developed a keen interest in nutrition for gut health, chronic disease management, and fostering healthy relationships with food. She believes in approaching nutrition with empathy and compassion, making it less daunting and more accessible for her clients to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
With certifications in eating disorder management, the Monash FODMAP diet for IBS, and specialised training in women's health conditions, Madison is committed to staying at the forefront of evidence-based practice to provide her clients with the best possible care.
Madison is also a qualified yoga instructor, and in her spare time enjoys finding yummy brunch spots, hiking and reading about all things nutrition.
Madison is available for consultations in clinic & via telehealth.
ABOUT STEPH
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Steph Dee is an Australian-trained dietitian who completed her undergraduate degree in health science and her master's in dietetic studies at the University of Queensland. After gaining experience in the weight loss industry, Steph moved to London, where she specialised in behaviour change, weight management, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Since returning to Australia, she has focused on helping people achieve their goals and become the best versions of themselves.
Steph believes in integrating the pillars of wellbeing while acknowledging the realities of life and busy schedules. As a mum of two who experienced gestational diabetes firsthand, she is passionate about helping other pregnant women navigate this journey with education and ease. Steph translates the latest research into practical advice, taking a client-focused approach to ensure sustainable long-term changes.
When she's not busy chasing after her two young kids, you'll find Steph cooking, catching up with friends, or enjoying the beach.
Steph is available for consultations via telehealth.
ABOUT BALANCE NUTRITION
Dietitians are often required to stretch themselves across a broad range of health conditions in generalised practice. This can make the search for specialist advice feel difficult. Balance Nutrition was created in 2019 by Leah Stjernqvist to simplify this process for women who are looking for tailored, professional advice in a safe & compassionate environment.
Balance Nutrition is proud to be a member of the Early Life Nutrition Alliance, a curated group of dietitians around the world who are passionate about improving women’s health. This network ensures that Balance Nutrition is up to date with the latest research & most effective practising methods.
Balance Nutrition provides dietetic services to Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery alongside surgeon Dr Neil Wylie.
HOW IT WORKS
Initial Consultation
This is where your personal nutrition journey begins. Your accredited practising Dietitian will identify and calculate what your individual requirements are to ensure that you receive personalised care from the very beginning.
As opposed to a quick fix, we pride ourselves in the detail and quality of service we offer you. We conduct thorough investigations and dive into your concerns and motivations to address the root cause of your nutrition issue.
We Will Discuss
· Your medical conditions
· Relevant biochemistry or blood test results
· Your medications and supplements
· A comprehensive dietary assessment
· A lifestyle assessment
· Review of your personal goals
Please bring details of any medications, nutritional supplements or blood test results that you have to your initial appointment or request your doctor to forward your results to us.
It is also beneficial to record your food intake for a few days prior to the appointment to support your assessment.
We will send a copy of our report to your doctor and specialists (as required) to advise them of your treatment plans.
Follow Through
A nutrition plan will be negotiated at the initial appointment, containing a meal plan if required. Ongoing review consultations will be recommended as creating and sustaining healthy habits is necessary to reach any health goal. Review consultations are used to touch base, celebrate the wins, troubleshoot ongoing concerns and provide an opportunity for ongoing education and counselling. As a guideline, clients usually consider a total of eight consultations over a 6 to 12 month timeframe.
What Is The Cost?
Director's Fees
Initial consultation $275
Review consultations $140
Dietitian's Fees
Initial consultation $210
Review consultations $105
Can I Get A Rebate?
As you are seeing an Accredited Practising Dietitian, private health rebates are available dependent on fund and level of cover. Those with an Enhanced Primary Care Plan from their GP may be entitled to a $60.35 Medicare rebate per visit, totalling the number of visits indicated on the referral.
Unfortunately, Balance Nutrition is not currently a registered NDIS provider.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes. We use Zoom and can do consultations via phone if necessary.
LET’S CHAT
LEAH STJERNQVIST APD
Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition & Dietetics)
&
RHIANNON STONE APD
Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics
&
SHANNA MASKELL APD
Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition & Dietetics)
&
MADISON HOWS APD
Bachelor of Health Science & Master of Dietetics Studies
&
STEPH DEE APD
Bachelor of Health Science & Master of Dietetics Studies
Suite 2, 109 Herries Street, East Toowoomba Q 4350
p. 07 4566 0765 | f. 07 3036 5376
hello@balancenutrition.com.au
We accept referrals via Medical Objects
We help you to develop sustainable food habits to support your health
