About me
Meet Dr Anika Rouf
Qualifications
- Accredited Practising Dietitian & Accredited Nutritionist – Dietitians Australia
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
Doctor of Philosophy (Behavioural science and nutrition)
Certified Prenatal Dietitian (Early Life Nutrition Alliance)
My journey and vision
My mission is to provide compassionate and non-judgmental prenatal nutrition support that embraces the principles of intuitive and mindful eating. We believe in supporting expectant mothers in developing a balanced and intuitive approach to nourishing themselves and their babies while embracing changes in their body. Our vision is to create a safe and nurturing space where women feel empowered to cultivate a positive relationship with food while honouring their body’s natural cues and instincts during pregnancy and provide them with the tools and understanding to make informed choices that promote optimal nutrition.
My journey into the world of nutrition and dietetics began with a simple desire to help people through food. As I pursued my studies and became a dietitian, I quickly realised the profound influence that nutrition has on our overall health and well-being. Then I was driven by a desire to create a meaningful impact which led me to pursue a PhD. My doctoral research delved deep into understanding the unique nutritional needs and challenges faced by young adults, aiming to develop strategies that promote well being and chronic disease prevention.
It was during my own pregnancy that I truly fell in love with the field of prenatal nutrition. After going through my own pregnancy journey and witnessing the remarkable capabilities of our bodies, I knew I had found my calling. My commitment to supporting and guiding pregnant women during this transformative time grew stronger and ultimately inspired me to specialise as a prenatal dietitian. In my virtual practice, I bring together my expertise in young adult nutrition and my passion for prenatal nutrition to provide evidence-based recommendations and a compassionate care.
The story behind my virtual practice ‘Appetite by Anika’
I chose the word ‘appetite’ because that’s the reason we primarily eat! We eat to enjoy our foods. Our biggest reason for eating is hunger and having an appetite for something. There is no point eating something if you don’t get enjoyment out of it. I want my clients to focus on food enjoyment. We have a variety of foods available around us and this might influence people to eat something they don’t actually have appetite for. People often lose food enjoyment by following diets that are too restrictive or involve eating foods they don’t actually like to eat. My goal is to help you to keep the foods you love and enable you to eat according to your appetite while balancing your plate. I’m here to show you that healthy eating can be fun and doesn’t have to feel restrictive!
As someone who always hasn’t had the best relationship with food, I know what it’s like to be obsessed with food and focusing on a number on the scale. And that’s why, my virtual practice is all about helping busy women find that balance and make peace with food.
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