Stefanie Valakas APD

Founder & Lead Fertility & Pregnancy Dietitian

Stefanie is an Accredited Practising Dietitian & Nutritionist with expertise in fertility, reproductive health & pregnancy nutrition. In 2018, she launched one of Australia’s first 100% online nutrition clinics dedicated to helping individuals and couples on their path to grow their family. Stefanie is considered a leader in the fertility & reproductive health nutrition space speaking at conferences all over the country, developing resources for

Key Practice Areas:
  • Endometriosis & adenomyosis management (pain, gut health, irritable bowel syndrome and fertility)
  • PCOS & Insulin Resistance
  • Low AMH & primary ovarian insufficiency
  • Thyroid concerns – hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, hyperthyroidism & Grave’s disease
  • Weight management for fertility concerns
  • Fertility & pre-conception health
  • Egg freezing nutrition preparations
  • Fertility treatment support – ovulation induction, IUI, IVF (including reciprocal IVF, donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryo & gestational surrogates)
  • Pregnancy nutrition

When Stef doesn’t have her head in a scientific journal learning about fertility nutrition you can find her baking bread in her breadmaker, soaking up the Sydney sunshine and trying to decipher her Greek grandmother’s recipe for her favourite dessert, galaktoboureko.
Qualifications & Achievements: +

  • Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist – Dietitians Australia
  • Certified Fertility and Pregnancy Dietitian – Early Life Nutrition Alliance (formerly Nutrition Plus)
  • Master of Nutrition & Dietetics – The University of Sydney
  • Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Nutrition & Metabolism) – The University of Sydney
  • 2020-2021 Dietitian of the Year Finalist at the Allied Health Awards
  • 2022 Impact & Innovation Finalist at the Allied Health Awards
  • 2022 Quality in Primary Care Award (Small Business Category) – Dietitians Australia
  • 2022 Best Pregnancy & Fertility Clinic in Australia – Global Health & Pharma Awards
  • 2022 InsideOut Eating Disorder Training for Dietitians
  • 2023 Young Achiever of the Year Finalist – Dietitians Australia
  • 2023 Dieititan of the Year Finalist at the Allied Health Awards
  • 2023 Allied Health Educator Excellence Finalist at the Allied Health Awards
  • 2023 Best Fertility-Focused Dietitian Provider Australia – The Fitness & Nutrition Awards
  • 2023 World Congress of Endometriosis, Edinburgh - Poster Presentation
  • 2024 Dietary interventions & Endometriosis paper published in Nutrients
  • 2024 Co-founded arxi a reproductive health & preconception supplement brand

Georgia Spry APD

Senior Fertility & Pregnancy Dietitian

Georgia is an Accredited Practising Dietitian & Nutritionist with a deep passion for reproductive health, fertility and pregnancy nutrition borne from watching so many loved ones be diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis and be led astray by advice online. She believes in an approach that is not only grounded in the latest science but truly respects where you are in your own unique journey and builds life-long skills for you and your future family.

Key practice areas:
  • Endometriosis & adenomyosis management (pain, gut health issues, irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Thyroid concerns – hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, hyperthyroidism & Grave’s disease
  • PCOS management – insulin resistance, regulating cycles and tackling acne, hair growth & hair loss.
  • Hypothalamic amenorrhea & disordered eating patterns Fertility nutrition including pre-conception optimisation
  • IVF nutrition including egg quality, sperm quality, transfer support & egg freezing
  • Pregnancy loss & recurrent miscarriage nutrition support Pregnancy nutrition including twins & gestational diabetes Post-partum nutrition (including breastfeeding, new motherhood and preparing for another baby)

When Georgia isn’t busy helping people get pregnant, you can find her at a Pilates class in Brisbane, walking the beach on the Gold Coast or dropping into Mecca for the latest skincare treat.
Qualifications+

  • Accredited Practising Dietitian & Accredited Nutritionist – Dietitians Australia
  • Master of Nutrition & Dietetic Practice – Bond University
  • Bachelor of Health Science – Griffith University
  • Fertility Friendly Dietitians Clinical Supervision Group – The Dietologist
  • Certified Prenatal Dietitian – Early Life Nutrition Alliance

I feel so relaxed and confident that I’m doing the best for my body ahead of freezing my eggs

“I saw Georgia for an express prenatal vitamin consultation ahead of my egg freezing she was super thorough, my plan came very quickly and everything was laid out clearly. I feel so relaxed and confident that I’m doing the best for my body ahead of freezing my eggs”

Sarah King

She brings a great energy and attitude to something that could easily be very clinical. 

“Such a positive experience having a consultation with Stef. She is so informed and thoughtful. She brings a great energy and attitude to something that could easily be very clinical. Will be recommending to everyone”

Madeline Tomkins

It's so refreshing to deal with a health professional who listens and genuinely cares about her clients

“Stefanie has been amazing in helping me manage a recent health issue. She offers professional and well researched advice but at the same time is friendly and so easy to talk to. It's so refreshing to deal with a health professional who listens and genuinely cares about her clients”

Maria Campagna

Stef was warm, funny, engaging, considerate and kind throughout all of my consults.

“The Dietologist overall is a very professional and responsive service, but most importantly compassionate and authentic. I reached out when I was struggling to conceive after seeing other dietitians that were just focused on weight loss. Stef was warm, funny, engaging, considerate and kind throughout all of my consults. Would recommend!”

Celia Hayes

Stefanie is clearly very passionate about what she does - she had a lot of information and knowledge to share, but did so in a very accessible way.

“Highly recommend! Very easy booking process. I especially like the flexible appointment times (including weekends and after core business hours). Communication pre, during and post appointment was great - pre-appointment reminders by text and post-appointment email with lots of follow up information, including recipe links. Stefanie is clearly very passionate about what she does - she had a lot of information and knowledge to share, but did so in a very accessible way.”

Laura

The Dietologist was born out of a profound gap in the world of fertility and reproductive health, a lack of science-backed and accessible guidance on the role of nutrition in fertility.

As someone who witness the impacts of poorly planned diets during childhood, our founder, Stefanie Valakas, knew we had to start the conversation earlier, when hopeful parents were just dreaming about a baby.

Stef’s career began in paediatric nutrition, where I worked with families navigating challenges that often stemmed from poor parental health and nutrition before conception. I saw the generational impact firsthand and couldn’t help but think: “Why aren’t we stepping in sooner?” Research already showed that diet and lifestyle could improve fertility by a whopping 69% and significantly influences a child’s future health outcomes, from reducing risks of allergies to preventing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.

It was crystal clear to her, that nutrition wasn’t just a piece of the fertility puzzle; it was essential for every couple and individual who hoped to become a parent one day. That’s why, in November 2018, she launched The Dietologist, an online fertility and reproductive health nutrition clinic dedicated to supporting couples and individuals optimise their reproductive health and fertility through nutrition services that help them get pregnant, stay pregnant and have a healthy baby - on their terms.

At The Dietologist, we’re reimagining the way fertility nutrition is delivered. Our team of expert dietitians, including founder, Stefanie Valakas APD and Georgia Spry APD, are fiercely committed to delivering real advice, backed by science all through flexible online nutrition consultations. It’s not just about stats and facts, we are here to see you as a unique individual human giving you the knowledge and confidence to make the right choices for your body.

We provide comprehensive care for couples and individuals wanting to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and have a healthy baby. We’re Australia’s trusted authority in fertility nutrition. Take control of your fertility story by accessing expert-led nutrition services completely tailored to your unique reproductive health and fertility story.

Since its inception, The Dietologist has supported over 1000 individuals and couples from around the world on their fertility journeys. We’ve reached hundreds of thousands through our Instagram page @the_dietologist and podcast, Fertility Friendly Food and have been awarded Best Fertility & Pregnancy Nutrition Clinic in Australia (2023) and Quality in Primary Care Award by Dietitians Australia (2022). Trophies aside, what lights us up is watching the people we work with feel empowered by what’s on their plate for their reproductive health and celebrating the wins - big and small - with them too.

Looking ahead, our mission remains steadfast to help couples and individuals optimise their reproductive health and fertility through nutrition services that help them get pregnant, stay pregnant and have a healthy baby - on their terms.

Ready to experience the confidence of a personalised plan for your reproductive health journey?

Get in touch

IVF Essentials. How to prepare and care for your body during IVF.

Navigating IVF can be overwhelming, but supporting your body doesn’t have to be.

In this audio guide, you’ll discover simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies that play a big role in your fertility journey. Whether you’re in the thick of treatment or just getting started, this practical resource will help you feel informed and empowered to give your body the care it needs during this important time.

Listen here

Pioneering change in fertility

We are proud leaders in fertility nutrition, committed to setting a new standard for inclusive and comprehensive reproductive care. At The Dietologist, we understand that the fertility needs of Australians have evolved, and we’ve evolved with them. As advocates for fertility awareness, we aim to shift the conversation from focusing solely on those struggling to conceive to a broader discussion that includes everyone—empowering more people to take control of their fertility story. Whether you’re proactively managing your fertility, navigating complex medical challenges, or simply seeking to make informed decisions about your reproductive health, we recognise that every fertility journey is unique and offer support to you regardless of circumstance or choice.

Real advice, backed by science

We’re all about the science, but we deliver it in a way that actually makes sense. By blending the latest fertility research with real-world advice, we make it simple for you to follow nutrition and supplement strategies that support your reproductive goals. With our flexible, online services, you’ll get the support you need, wherever you are on your fertility journey, whenever you need it. For us, it’s not just about the facts—we’re here to put the humanness back into fertility, giving you the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions for your reproductive health.

Delivering comprehensive care

We understand that fertility care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we create intentional space to listen to your unique needs and experiences during your consultation, working alongside you to develop nutrition strategies tailored to your specific fertility needs. Our approach extends beyond nutrition, collaborating with other healthcare practitioners to ensure every aspect of your reproductive health is considered to provide you with a comprehensive level of care. We don’t dictate decisions; we empower them—giving you the knowledge, tools, and compassionate support to make informed choices about your fertility, on your terms.

The 4 Surprising Mistakes You’re Making With Your Fertility Diet

This free masterclass uncovers the four common mistakes you might be making with your fertility diet - and shows you exactly where to focus your efforts to optimise your fertility through food and nutrition. 

Watch Here

The Ultimate Preconception Lifestyle Checklist

Your go-to resource for couples and individuals preparing for conception.

This practical, easy-to-follow checklist breaks down everything you need to know about supplements, diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors to consider before trying to conceive—helping you take charge of your preconception journey.

Download Here