1. BE inspired
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WordsSarahMarinosphotographyGETTYiMAGES(foodonly)
hen she was just 12,
Sally Marchini began
to experience strange
health symptoms. Her doctors first
diagnosed her with gastroenteritis,
and sent her on her way. But when
she was hospitalised after losing
a staggering 14 kilos in two days,
Sally was diagnosed with type 1.
As the initial shock of diagnosis
wore off for Sally and her parents,
she found a balance between
giving herself twice-daily
injections and living her life.
A career in marketing, marriage,
a move to the UK and back again,
and a baby followed, before Sally
hit an obstacle in her diabetes – she
also had coeliac disease. But, instead
of seeing it as a setback, she used
it as an opportunity to go back to
university, and retrain as a dietitian.
Why did you end up switching
from a career in marketing to
one in nutrition?
‘While living in the UK, my husband
and I left London and moved to the
coast. I travelled to see my clients
once a month and worked from
home the rest of the time.
‘When we returned to Australia,
we – and our baby – settled in
Swansea, near Newcastle. The PR
companies I was going to work for
wanted me in their Sydney offices
every day, which wouldn’t work.
‘So I was at home, wondering –
and worrying – about what to do
next when I found out I was one
of the 10 per cent of people with
type 1 who had coeliac disease, too.
‘I saw a dietitian but the
fact I had coeliac disease
and diabetes was a little
overwhelming, so I decided
to learn how to help myself.’
How did becoming a
dietitian help you
take care of your
own health?
‘It has helped me understand
how my body works, how
type 1 and coeliac disease affect
my body, how different foods
affect my body and how diet and
lifestyle can help me stay healthy.
I’d still rather not have diabetes!
But it’s part of me. I treat it like a
buddy who goes along with you in
life – treat it well and it treats you
well. Nutrition is a key part of that
because what you eat greatly affects
your short- and long-term health.’
What pieces of wisdom have
you been able to pass on
to your clients with diabetes?
‘That it’s really important to make
changes to your diet even though
it may take some time to get used to
the idea of reading every food label
and checking everything you eat.
‘We have a greater understanding
of how the Glycemic Index affects
glycaemic control in a person
with diabetes, and we know more
about how you can enjoy a low-GI
gluten-free diet.
‘I also think it’s important for my
clients to find someone who lives
with the condition to help them.
It makes diabetes so much easier to
deal with, and there’s less chance
they’ll have diabetes distress or
burnout down the track.’ ■
the facts
What: Marchini Nutrition,
diabetes and coeliac dietitian
When: Established in July 2012
Where: marchininutrition.com
A trip to a dietitian to learn more about diabetes
led mum Sally Marchini to a whole new career
Food for
W
thought
Sally’s
a diet
guru.