Nutrition support for long COVID & post-viral recovery
AREAS I SUPPORT
Following a viral illness, some people experience ongoing changes to the immune system, nervous system and other interconnected functions that continue to influence recovery. These changes may contribute to the ongoing symptoms seen in Long COVID and other post-viral illnesses, including fatigue, brain fog and reduced exercise tolerance.
As an Integrative Clinical Nutritionist, I work alongside your conventional medical care, where appropriate, to help you better understand your health and the factors influencing your recovery. Together, we'll explore how nutrition and lifestyle may support immune function, nervous system regulation and the foundations that help your body recover as well as possible.
Does this sound like you?
RECOGNISING THE PATTERN
Long COVID and post-viral illness don't look the same for everyone, but many people describe feeling like they've never quite returned to the person they were before becoming unwell. You might recognise some of these experiences:
Energy that never fully returned after COVID or another viral illness.
Fatigue that rest doesn't seem to fix.
Brain fog that's affecting your work, conversations or everyday life.
Feeling like your body no longer responds the way it used to.
Crashing after physical or mental activity, then paying for it for days.
Feeling wired but tired, as though your nervous system is stuck on high alert.
Stress that has become a physical state, not just a feeling.
Being told your tests are "normal" while knowing something still isn't right.
Understanding long COVID and post-viral illness
A LITTLE CLARITY
Long COVID and post-viral illness are increasingly recognised as involving changes that extend beyond the initial infection. In some people, a viral infection can leave the body in a protective, hyper-responsive state, where the immune system, nervous system and cellular energy systems continue responding as though a threat is still present. This may involve immune dysregulation, changes to nervous system function, altered mitochondrial function and, for some people, mast cell activation.
When this happens, the body naturally prioritises protection over performance. Energy that was once available for exercise, concentration, digestion, repair and recovery is redirected towards maintaining this heightened state. This helps explain why everyday tasks feel exhausting, why brain fog can make simple decisions feel difficult, and why pushing through symptoms often leads to setbacks rather than progress. Importantly, this doesn't mean your body is broken. It means your body may still be prioritising protection over recovery.
This Work Is Personal
WHY THIS MATTERS TO ME
This area of my work is deeply personal to me because I know what it's like when your body no longer responds the way it once did. In 2015, I experienced myocarditis and a heart attack with no clear underlying cause, marking the beginning of my own journey through persistent migraines, chronic pain and ongoing changes to my health. Over the years, increasing immune and nervous system dysregulation, together with significant physiological and emotional stressors, reinforced something I've long believed: our health is rarely shaped by a single event. It's influenced by the cumulative effect of our biology, environment and our lived experiences.
Today, I combine evidence-based nutrition with a holistic approach that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing, helping clients better understand their bodies, advocate for their health and gradually rebuild trust in a body that no longer feels predictable, while creating the conditions for recovery.
How I work with you
WORKING TOGETHER
As an Integrative Clinical Nutritionist, my role is to help uncover the patterns that may be influencing your recovery. Together, we'll explore personalised nutrition, lifestyle and nervous system regulation strategies that help create the conditions your body needs to recover as well as possible.
01
Your initial consultation
A 70-minute consultation, in person in Christchurch or online, where we'll explore your health history, symptoms, nutrition and lifestyle to understand the factors influencing your hormonal health.
02
Supporting Foundations
A personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan. This may include supporting blood sugar regulation, nutrient intake, sleep, stress management and other factors that influence hormone function.
03
Further Investigation
Where appropriate, we'll discuss whether functional testing such as a DUTCH test or collaboration with your GP or other healthcare practitioners may provide additional insight.
04
Ongoing support as you progress
Regular follow-up sessions allow us to refine your plan as your body, symptoms and health needs change, helping you build confidence and long-term wellbeing.
Hormonal health influences many aspects of your health and wellbeing. Changes in hormones can affect your skin and hair health, energy, body composition, recovery and performance, making these areas of support closely connected.
Related areas I support
CONNECTED AREAS
AREAS I SUPPORT
MCAS and Histamine Intolerance
Explore the many nutritional, hormonal, inflammatory and lifestyle factors that influence skin and hair health, supporting resilience from both the inside out and the outside in.
EXPLORE →
AREAS I SUPPORT
Performance and Active Women
Hormonal health plays an important role in energy, recovery, strength and body composition. Learn how nutrition can support an active lifestyle through every stage of a woman's life.
EXPLORE →
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions people often ask
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No. I support women through every stage of life, including preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, the reproductive years, perimenopause and menopause. Whether you're experiencing PMS, irregular or absent periods, conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, or simply noticing changes you suspect may be hormone-related, your nutrition and lifestyle plan is tailored to your individual needs.
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Not necessarily. My goal is to make your nutrition as sustainable as possible while supporting your health. Sometimes that means making simple additions, while other situations may benefit from short-term dietary changes to better understand what's influencing your symptoms. Any recommendations are personalised and made with a clear purpose.
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Not always. In many cases, your health history, symptoms and existing medical investigations provide a strong foundation for developing your plan. Where appropriate, we can discuss whether functional testing, such as the DUTCH test, or collaboration with your GP, endocrinologist or other healthcare practitioners may provide additional insight.
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Nutrition doesn't replace medical care or change every hormonal condition. However, it can meaningfully influence many of the systems that support healthy hormone function, including blood sugar regulation, energy availability, gut health, inflammation, detoxification and overall nutritional status. Together, these factors help create the environment in which hormones function.
My role is to identify where nutrition and lifestyle can make the greatest difference for you. Depending on your needs, this may include personalised nutrition strategies, functional testing or tools such as a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to better understand your individual blood sugar responses.
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Yes. I work with clients throughout New Zealand via secure online consultations, as well as offering in-person appointments in Christchurch.
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I am currently certified in both Integrative Nutrition and Performance Nutrition and am completing my final year of supervised clinical mentoring towards becoming an Accredited and Registered Clinical Nutritionist and Complementary Medical Practitioner in Australasia. As part of this process, I continue to practise under the guidance of an experienced clinical mentor.
Not sure where to start?
A GENTLE NEXT STEP
A complimentary 15-minute chat is a simple way to connect, ask questions and explore whether we're the right fit. No pressure, no obligation, just a conversation.