Clinical & Mental Health Dietitian | Gut Health & Hormonal Nutrition | APD & AN | 9+ Years Clinical Experience
eat better, feel better
Our Philosophy
We believe in using simple, classic, whole foods as the basis for a healthy lifestyle, with food variety and an 'everything-in-moderation' approach. We love nutrient-rich meals that taste delicious, nourish your body and mind, and help you to look and feel like your best you.
We are passionate about practising what we preach and helping others to achieve their goals on their health journey. Through practical application of evidenced based nutrition information, tailored to you, your goals and your lifestyle, we aim to help you be the best version of yourself.
Candice AshtonAPD & AN
Candice is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Accredited Nutritionist (AN), Mental Health Dietitian, and a Sports Dietitian, with over 16 years of experience across the health and fitness industry. This extensive background includes over nine years of clinical practice as an APD, preceded by more than seven years as a personal trainer, providing her with a rare, 360-degree perspective on human health and performance.
Her professional career is underpinned by a lifelong foundation in high-performance sport. After beginning her swimming journey at age six, Candice was selected for elite squads by age seven and progressed to competing at a school national level from the age of ten, followed by competing at a national level from the age of 13. This early immersion in high-intensity training schedules - including the commencement of strength training at age 12 - instilled a first-hand understanding of the physical demands placed on athletes and the pivotal role nutrition plays in growth, recovery, and peak performance. Before completing her Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics (Honours)at the University of Wollongong, Candice spent over seven years in the fitness sector. She furthered her education through the Sports Nutrition Course by the Sports Dietitians Association at the Australian Institute of Sport. She has also completed the certified Monash University Low FODMAP Dietitian Course, equipping her with advanced skills to assist patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal disorders. Candice's early experience was high-pressure and diverse, ranging from working in the Recovery Kitchen for the St George Illawarra Dragons Rugby League Club to deep-immersion mental health work. Her honours thesis was completed in the mental health field, and she spent many of her 400 placement hours in a variety of mental health settings. Following her graduation, she worked as a dietitian in a private hospital's mental health unit, where she provided weekly group education sessions. This professional experience, combined with her placement hours, has given her a deep understanding of the issues, challenges, and health complications that people with a mental illness face. This allows her to navigate the intricate links between nutrition and mental health with significant empathy and clinical depth. Candice brings both clinical experience and lived experience as a neurodivergent practitioner to her work. This perspective allows her to provide truly neuro-affirming care, ensuring that nutrition strategies are realistic, sensory-friendly, and supportive of the unique executive functioning needs of her patients. Candice has a wide range of dietetic experience, dealing with many different health conditions in both clinical and community settings. She has extensive experience working within the NDIS and with people living with Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Intellectual Disabilities, and various mental health conditions. As the Principal Dietitian of Nutritionally Ahead, Candice has spent the last nine years establishing clinics across Wollongong and Sydney, alongside a robust online consultation service. She has expanded her practice by integrating cutting-edge technology, including the InBody advanced body composition scanner. This allows her to provide patients with a detailed, data-driven understanding of their health, which is a powerful tool for developing highly personalised and effective nutrition and lifestyle plans. She is particularly skilled in using this advanced data and her clinical knowledge of the low FODMAP diet to help patients across a broad spectrum of needs, including athletes, women in various life stages, those starting a new fitness journey, individuals recovering from injury and those using prescription weight loss medications. Candice's philosophy is two-fold: she is a fierce advocate for a non-diet approach to improve relationships with food, particularly regarding disordered eating, while providing rigorous, performance-based meal planning for her sports nutrition patients to meet their performance goals. Outside of the clinic, Candice is an avid hiker and gym enthusiast. She is passionate about eating well, keeping active, and living a healthy, happy life. Candice remains dedicated to the belief that movement is as vital for mental well-being as it is for physical health, and she uses her 16+ years of industry knowledge to help empower every patient to be the best version of themselves. A Note From CandiceI understand that navigating nutrition can feel overwhelming, and taking that first step toward professional support can be difficult. My goal is to provide a space where you feel heard and supported with evidence-based strategies that actually fit into your real life. Whether you're ready to book or just have a quick question, I look forward to hearing from you.
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What is a Dietitian?
An Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is a university-trained health professional with a deep understanding of food and nutrition. We use our knowledge of the body and the role of nutrition to nourish healthy individuals and to treat those with medical conditions.
APDs provide practical advice based on scientific health and nutrition research. To ensure our advice is credible and up-to-date, APDs are required to undertake ongoing training and education to maintain our APD status.
An APD is also an accredited nutritionist. However, a nutritionist without a dietetics degree is not recognised by Medicare, the DVA, or private health insurers, and cannot take on the clinical role of a dietitian.
APDs provide practical advice based on scientific health and nutrition research. To ensure our advice is credible and up-to-date, APDs are required to undertake ongoing training and education to maintain our APD status.
An APD is also an accredited nutritionist. However, a nutritionist without a dietetics degree is not recognised by Medicare, the DVA, or private health insurers, and cannot take on the clinical role of a dietitian.
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Locations
397a Princes Hwy, Woonona NSW 2517 Level 1/134-140 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042 120 Cahors Rd, Padstow NSW 2211 Online |
Nutritionally Ahead
Monday: 9.00am - 6.00pm (from January 2026) Tuesday: 8.00am - 8.00pm Wednesday: 9.00am - 7.00pm Thursday: 9.00am - 8.00pm Friday: 8.00am - 8.00pm |
Postal Address
PO Box 30, Woonona, NSW 2517 |
