
Sports Nutrition
Nutrition Matters
Ien Hellemans (MSc, NZRD, Regd Nutritionist) is Sports Clinic’s resident dietitian and sports nutritionist. Ien loves helping people develop a personalised eating strategy to achieve their health and sporting goals.
Why a sports nutritionist?
A sports nutritionist has additional postgraduate qualifications in the area of sport and exercise nutrition and assesses nutritional needs in relation to your exercise or training program.
Our nutritionist tailors Nutrition Plans to the specific needs of different training phases and specific competitions. Whether you are an elite-level athlete or a weekend warrior, our nutrition team has specific knowledge of your chosen sport and we pride ourselves in providing cutting-edge nutrition information to ensure you are able to be at your best.
Sports clinic's Nutritionist

BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, MSc, NZRD, Regd Nutritionist
Ien is one of New Zealand’s most experienced sport and health dietitians. She has consulted with athletes, sports teams and the general public for over 30 years. Ien was the dietitian for the New Zealand Athens Olympic Team and has worked with the Silver Ferns, the Crusaders, and the New Zealand Triathlon, Bike and Swim Teams, as well as many multi-sporters and ultra-runners.
Most recently Ien helped Ruth Croft, New Zealand’s trail running legend, prepare for the 2021 Western States Endurance Run, in which Ruth finished second female and ninth overall.
Ien enjoys mountain biking and walking in the Christchurch Port Hills and has competed in many half marathons and multi-sport events, including the iconic Coast to Coast.

Our difference
Why choose sports clinic
Ien is available for in-clinic appointments at 156 Bealey Avenue and for online appointments for people who live outside Christchurch. Ien is also available for group presentations and Meal Planning for Sports Teams.
Ien offers personalised advice on
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Training Nutrition
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Competition nutrition
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A healthy diet including vegetarian & vegan
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Injury rehabilitation
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Increasing muscle mass
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Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S)
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Women's health
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Bone health
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Chronic inflammation
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Digestive issues including IBS
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Heart health
- Healthy weight
Initial consult
- 50 min. includes personalised Meal Plan and recipe e-book $160.00
- 30 min. for injury management or for a Q&A consult $80.00
- Body-composition assessment, using skinfold method $60.00
Follow-up consults
- 20 – 30 min. $60.00 - $80.00
Consultations can be claimed on comprehensive health insurance. Please check with your provider.
After booking an initial appointment, our friendly receptionist will email you a questionnaire and food diary template to complete and return to Ien before your appointment.
During the consult, we’ll discuss your health or sporting goals, relevant health or sports-related issues, and how you can optimize your diet. Following the consult, you will receive a personalised Nutrition Plan if you wish, as well as a recipe e-book and relevant resources that will help you implement the recommendations. Alternatively, for injury management, body composition assessment, or if you don’t want a nutrition assessment, you can book a shorter, 30-minute appointment.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress, provide support, additional information and/or resources, answer your questions, fine-tune dietary strategies and address additional goals, as appropriate.
Yes, if you need to cancel your appointment we require 24 hours notice.