Leah Jayne Stjernqvist
Balance Nutrition (also operates as Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery for bariatric clients)
About
Balance Nutrition is a specialised dietetic clinic in Toowoomba, founded in 2019 by APD Leah Stjernqvist. We provide focused, evidence-based nutrition care for complex medical and metabolic conditions, working closely with medical and allied health professionals. We believe complexity deserves to be understood, not simplified.
Our clinicians prioritise safety, dignity, and long-term wellbeing over trends or quick fixes. We recognise food, weight, and health are influenced by physiology, environment, culture, and personal history. Rather than rigid plans or prescriptive rules, we provide structured, individualised strategies for long-term metabolic health.
Located within Toowoomba Endocrine & Diabetes alongside Dr Sheila Cook, we support integrated care where communication and clinical reasoning matter.
Approach: Practical, food-first, non-restrictive. Empathetic and evidence-based. Collaborative with medical teams. Focuses on sustainable habits without restrictive dieting, hormone balance, energy, and a confident relationship with food.
Weight Loss Approach
Evidence-based, food-first, non-restrictive approach. Focuses on sustainable habits, hormone balance, and metabolic health rather than quick fixes or rigid dieting. Individualised strategies grounded in biology, lived experience, and personal context.
Safety, dignity, and long-term wellbeing are prioritised over trends.
Yes – specialised pre- and post-operative bariatric surgery nutrition support for gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. Focus areas include nutritional optimisation, muscle preservation, deficiency prevention, and safe return to exercise. Particular interest in supporting women through fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum following bariatric surgery. A dedicated Bariatric Clinic booking pathway is available.
Areas of Expertise
Pricing
Medicare Rebates
Location
Balance Nutrition (also operates as Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery for bariatric clients)
Suite 14, Toowoomba Specialist Centre, 7-11 Scott Street, East Toowoomba, QLD 4350
Multiple Locations
Also listed at St Andrew's Hospital, 280 North Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350 (via Dietitians Australia directory as Toowoomba Weight Loss Surgery). Primary practice is Balance Nutrition at Scott Street.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition & Dietetics)
- Queensland University of Technology (2014)
- Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)
- Certified Fertility and Pregnancy Dietitian (Early Life Nutrition Alliance)
Memberships
- Dietitians Australia
- Sports Dietitians Australia (affiliation noted for clinic)
Rebates & Insurance
Medicare
Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) / GP Chronic Disease Management Plan accepted. Medicare rebate of $60.35 per visit for the number of sessions indicated on the referral. Note: Leah is not currently accepting new clients; Madison (telehealth only) is not currently accepting GP Care Plan clients.
NDIS
Balance Nutrition is NOT currently a registered NDIS provider.
DVA
Yes – DVA Provider (listed in Dietitians Australia directory).
Private Health
Private health fund rebates available depending on fund and level of cover. Specific funds not listed.
Referral
GP referral not required to self-refer, but an EPC/Chronic Disease Management Plan from a GP is needed to access Medicare rebates. Referrals also accepted via Medical Objects.
Book a Consultation
60-minute assessment. Covers medical conditions, relevant biochemistry/blood test results, medications and supplements, comprehensive dietary assessment, lifestyle assessment, and personal goals review. A report is sent to GP and specialists.
Clients advised to bring medication/supplement details, blood test results, and ideally a few days' food diary.
Medicare rebate available with GP referral
Other Weight Loss Dietitians in Queensland
Hannah Louise Slattery
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Mid-life women's health and nutrition · Perimenopause and menopause · Gut health and IBS management · Coeliac disease and food intolerances
“APD Hannah Slattery, 14+ yrs experience, specialises in gut health & mid-life women's nutrition in Toowoomba. Offers evidence-based, compassionate support for IBS, menopause, weight, bariatric & GLP-1 needs.”
Kimberley Ann Davis
Good Nutrition For Life
Healthy eating and general nutrition advice · Non-diet approach / Intuitive eating · Health at Every Size (HAES) · Cardiovascular disease (high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure)
“Kimberley Davis APD & AN, owner of Good Nutrition For Life (est. 2013) in Brisbane Bayside, specialises in HAES, non-diet approach, diabetes, GI health, bariatric surgery, and more.”
Fiona Louise Willer
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Eating disorders (EDO) · Women's health · Weight-neutral/non-diet approach · Size-inclusive practice
“Dr Fiona Willer (PhD, AdvAPD) trains health professionals in weight-neutral, non-diet approaches. She does not offer weight loss consultations to individual clients.”
Wai Chi Kwan
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Paula Packer
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Midlife & menopause nutrition · Metabolic health · Weight management · Overweight and obesity
“APD Paula Packer specialises in midlife & metabolic health for women — covering weight, muscle, bone, insulin resistance, and chronic disease through evidence-based, personalised nutrition care.”
Courtney Donovan
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Paediatric nutrition (babies, children, adolescents) · Fussy/picky/selective eating · Weight management (overweight, underweight, weight maintenance) · Gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, coeliac disease)
“Courtney Donovan is an APD specialising in paediatric nutrition and disability on the Gold Coast. She offers mobile and telehealth services for children, teens and young adults, including NDIS participants.”