Weipa dietician Jillian Clements, pictured with a client at her Cape Dietetics practice, says small changes can make big differences to heart health for western Cape York residents. Photo: Supplied.
A Weipa dietician is urging Cape York residents to take their coronary health seriously ahead of Heart Week 2024.
Cape Dietetics founder and accredited practising dietician Jillian Clements said making a few small changes and healthy swaps could have a marked impact on heart health.
“Small, sustainable changes are the key to overall lifestyle change that stick,” she explained.
“Choose one healthy change that you’re thinking of making and chip away at that.
“A few healthy food choices and healthy swaps can go a long way to improving our health and making us feel better on the inside; the good news in a place like Weipa is that fish and seafood are abundant.”
Ms Clements said opening her business was the result of an identified demand for local, accessible health and nutrition advice.
“I have lived in Weipa for four years, and before that I lived in Brisbane and Mount Isa working as a dietitian,” she said.
“I saw a need in Weipa for nutrition advice and healthy lifestyle support for both adults and children.
“My mum worked as a home economics teacher, so I grew up helping her in the kitchen, and I have always been interested in healthy cooking and eating.
“I love the social aspect of food and how it brings people together, so that inspired me to become a dietitian nearly 10 years ago.”
With one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every four minutes, Ms Clements said it was vital for people to understand their personal heart disease risk.
