Spotlight | Leah Stjernqvist, Balance Nutrition
Meet the dietitian who loves cheese and pastries.
Published on 19 February 2020
Photography by Morgan Smith
Leah Stjernqvist’s passion for food is not what you might commonly associate with a dietitian. But through her practice at Balance Nutrition, she works with clients to focus on the positive impact food and cooking can have on our lives.
We sat down with Leah to talk moving home, ideal weekends and delicious pastries.
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First things first: why Toowoomba?
I grew up across a collection of regional towns - Emu Park, Yeppoon and Dalby - before attending boarding school in Toowoomba when I was 15. My parents eventually moved here as well. I never expected to be in Toowoomba when I ‘grew up’ - I always had my sights set on the city - but after several years in Brisbane, the allure of a simpler life, being closer to friends and potential business opportunities were just too good to pass up.
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What is Balance Nutrition?
Balance Nutrition provides specialist nutrition advice for women. Nutrition information is everywhere, so it can be overwhelming, confusing and when provided by the medical community, all too commonly disempowering. As a dietitian my job is to cut through the noise, provide advice that best suits my clients’ health and lifestyle, and support them to make sustainable, realistic changes. However, after being a generalist dietitian for over four years, I recognised this wasn’t enough. My advice was too general too often and I knew I had a responsibility to provide a higher level of support to my clients - so I started Balance Nutrition.
Balance Nutrition is different as my approach blends my in-depth knowledge of female-specific conditions (endometriosis, PCOS, pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disease etc.), a genuine love of all foods, my preference for the practical and efficient, and a deep respect for each client’s unique set of circumstances that has led them to my clinic. Nutrition is a science, but eating is a behaviour - the latter is often not given the attention it needs.
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What have you learned about running a business in Toowoomba?
Toowoomba is full of opportunity - it is what you make it. Networking is key and I’ve made some amazing new friends. I find local dietitians overwhelmingly supportive of one another despite being in ‘competition’ - this is definitely not the case elsewhere. Clients also love local and want to know more about you, the person running the business.
What does an average day look like for you?
I share a beautiful, peaceful clinic space with Susan Long Psychology. Our day features friendly banter courtesy of our receptionist Bron, who keeps me laughing (and on track - I’m easily distracted). The rest depends on my clients. Sometimes my consults are spent sitting on the floor with mums and bubs, sometimes I’m suggesting recipes or talking through how to prepare certain foods, sometimes I’m listening to someone’s negative past experiences because it continues to impact on their eating habits today. There’s lots of laughter and lots of tears in my clinic; you never know what you’re going to get. At home, I always prioritise time to cook dinner. This is my time to decompress away from screens and practice my own self care. This is usually followed by chilling out with my little dog Biscuit.
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What does your ideal Toowoomba weekend look like?
Pottering around our new house, walking Biscuit in Queens Park, investigating and searching for new, interesting ingredients and recipes. And of course - cooking and/or eating delicious food, best enjoyed with family and friends.
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Only a Toowoomba local would know…
Just how beautiful Toowoomba is when spring hits - one minute it’s foggy and grey, the next everything is in full bloom.
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Favourite weekend spots to…
PERK UP: Sage & Butler has been my go to coffee shop since it first opened. I get my ground coffee for home here too. The raspberry and white choc muffins are amazing.
RELAX: Profile Hair Design. I don’t think of a visit here as going to the hairdresser; it’s really time for me to chill out away from the usual day to day (and to get a head massage).
EAT: Tuna sashimi at Ichi, Korean fire chicken at Kajoku, absolutely anything from The Baker’s Duck.
INDULGE: A visit to Deli Delicious to purchase a wedge of Cremeux d’Argental cheese. It’s like a French brie but SO much better. Best served with champagne and good company.
SHOP: Florence & Marabel. Alex and Donna stock beautifully made clothing and accessories, and the way they’ve grown their local business is inspiring.
CATCH UP: Breakfast at Burrow, a long lunch at Rosalie House, girls’ night at Zev’s.
BE INSPIRED: Cobb & Co farmers’ market.
