National Nutrition Week takes place from 12–18 October 2026. This year, Nutrition Australia is encouraging a more connected and nourished Australia, with a focus on positive food experiences, equitable access to nutritious food, mental wellbeing and reducing food waste.
Nutrition can influence many aspects of our health, but healthy eating is not about following a “perfect” diet. Individual needs vary, particularly for people managing obesity, preparing for metabolic or bariatric surgery, or adjusting to life after a procedure.
For these patients, nutrition should form part of coordinated, individualised and ongoing healthcare.
Key Takeaways
- Nutrition advice should be tailored to your health, needs, preferences and circumstances.
- Obesity is a complex chronic disease and is not simply the result of individual food choices or willpower.
- Treatments for overweight, obesity or metabolic disease, need to be managed well to avoid compromising nutritional health
- Nutritional preparation is an important part of care, whether using dietary change,, lifestyle, medications, or metabolic or bariatric surgery.
- Eating patterns and nutritional requirements change after surgery, and recommended vitamin and mineral supplements and blood tests remain important over the long term.
- Your surgeon, GP and dietitian may work together to support safe, cooradinated care.
- Speak with your healthcare team before making significant dietary changes or taking new supplements.
What is National Nutrition Week?
National Nutrition Week is an annual Nutrition Australia campaign that highlights the challenges and opportunities within Australia’s food landscape.
The 2026 campaign focuses on:
- Positive food experiences for children and young people
- Food and nutrition security and equity
- Mental wellbeing and food
- Environmental sustainability and reducing food waste
These themes recognise that eating is influenced by more than personal choice. Culture, finances, food availability, health conditions and emotional wellbeing can all play a role.
What Does Good Nutrition Mean?
Good nutrition does not require every meal to be nutritionally perfect. It generally involves eating a varied range of foods that provides the energy and nutrients your body needs. Importantly, this needs to be sustainable for you over a long period of time.
What this looks like will differ between individuals. Your nutritional needs may be influenced by:
- Your age and stage of life
- Existing health conditions
- Medications
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Cultural and personal preferences
- Access to suitable food
- Pregnancy or fertility plans
- Your relationship with food
- Previous or planned surgery
General nutrition information can be helpful, but it cannot replace individual advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Nutrition and Metabolic Health
Metabolic health relates to the way the body uses and regulates energy. It can be affected by many interconnected factors, including genetics, hormones, sleep, medications, physical activity, environment and nutrition.
Obesity is a complex chronic disease. It should not be reduced to a person’s food choices or portrayed as a failure of discipline.
Some people living with obesity may also experience related health conditions such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Fatty liver disease
- Reflux
- Joint pain
- Cardiovascular disease
Nutrition may form one part of a broader treatment plan. Depending on the individual, care may also involve behavioural support, physical activity, medication, metabolic or bariatric surgery, or management of related health conditions.
Why is Nutrition Important for people on GLP medications or having Metabolic or Bariatric Surgery?
If you are considering GLP1 medications, or metabolic or bariatric surgery, nutritional preparation can help your healthcare team understand your current health and plan your care.
Before surgery, or when starting GLP1 medications, this may involve reviewing:
- Your usual eating and drinking patterns
- Previous dietary approaches
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Vitamin and mineral levels
- Current supplements and medications
- Your ability to follow the eating stages required after surgery
- Any concerns about your relationship with food
- The support you may need during recovery
Some patients are asked to follow a preoperative eating plan for a defined period. The exact plan and duration depend on the procedure and your individual circumstances.
Only follow the instructions provided by your treating team. A preoperative eating plan should not be started independently or continued for longer than recommended.
How Does Eating Change After Metabolic or Bariatric Surgery?
Eating and drinking need to change after metabolic or bariatric surgery. Your treating team will provide instructions based on your procedure and recovery.
Patients generally progress through several stages, beginning with fluids and moving gradually towards more textured foods. The timing of each stage varies, so it is important to follow the advice provided specifically to you.
Longer-term guidance may include:
- Eating slowly
- Taking small mouthfuls
- Chewing food thoroughly
- Prioritising appropriate sources of protein
- Drinking enough fluid
- Separating food and drinks when advised
- Recognising comfortable fullness
- Avoiding foods that repeatedly cause discomfort
- Taking recommended vitamin and mineral supplements
Your tolerance of particular foods may change over time. If you are having difficulty meeting your nutritional or fluid requirements, contact your treating team rather than trying to manage the problem alone.
Why are Vitamins, Blood Tests and Follow-up Important?
Some metabolic and bariatric procedures can reduce food intake or affect how particular nutrients are absorbed. This can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Depending on the procedure, monitoring may include nutrients such as:
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Thiamine and other B-group vitamins
This is not a complete list, and individual monitoring requirements vary.
Taking supplements without appropriate guidance is not a substitute for follow-up. Some deficiencies may develop without obvious early symptoms, which is why recommended blood tests and regular clinical reviews remain important.
Patients should continue taking supplements as directed and speak with their healthcare team before changing or stopping them.
What About GLP1 Medications?
Although GLP1 medications are much less effective than metabolic surgery, with the effects usually wearing off if people reduce the dose or stop them, they still create a situation where most people will be eating less, potentially for a long time. Also, side effects can include nausea, vomiting, bowel problems, and other symptoms that interfere with eating.
When people are eating less (for what every reason) unless their food doesn’t increase in nutritional value, they will naturally have a less nutritious diet. On top of this, people commonly have nutritional deficiencies they are unaware of, before starting medications, which are likely to get worse with reduced food intake.
There are growing concerns that a lot of people taking GLP1 medications are not getting the support they need to ensure their nutritional needs are being met.
Because of the extensive experience with a more effective approach to reducing food intake, the multidisciplinary care teams that support people with metabolic bariatric surgery, are often ideal resources for those looking to ensure good nutrition while on GLP1 medications.
Nutrition is About More Than Weight
Food is connected to culture, family life, enjoyment and emotional wellbeing. It is important that nutrition discussions remain respectful and avoid shame, blame or unrealistic expectations.
Weight alone does not provide a complete picture of a person’s nutritional or general health. A person can lose weight and still develop a nutritional deficiency, particularly after metabolic or bariatric surgery.
Long-term care may therefore consider:
- Nutritional adequacy
- Strength and physical function
- Management of related health conditions
- Emotional wellbeing
- Changes in medications
- Eating behaviours
- Quality of life
- Sustainable routines
Progress will look different for each patient.
Who May be Involved in Your Nutritional Care?
Safe, coordinated care may involve several healthcare professionals, depending on your needs.
These can include:
- Your GP
- A metabolic or bariatric surgeon
- An accredited practising dietitian
- An endocrinologist or obesity medicine specialist
- A psychologist
- A pharmacist
- Other specialists involved in your care
Clear communication between practitioners can help reduce conflicting advice and make sure relevant test results, medication changes and nutritional concerns are followed up.
Practical Ways to Support Your Nutrition
Rather than trying to change everything at once, it may be helpful to focus on practical steps relevant to your circumstances.
These may include:
- Planning meals and snacks where possible
- Keeping suitable foods available at home
- Eating without rushing
- Following the portion guidance provided by your dietitian
- Drinking regularly throughout the day
- Taking prescribed supplements consistently
- Keeping appointments and completing requested blood tests
- Asking for help if cost or access affects your ability to follow a plan
- Letting your healthcare team know if eating is causing pain, vomiting or persistent discomfort
These suggestions are general only. Your individual advice may differ, particularly before or after surgery.
When Should You Contact Your Healthcare Team After Surgery, or on GLP1 medications?
Contact your treating team if you are concerned about your eating, drinking, supplements or recovery.
Prompt medical advice may be required if you experience:
- Persistent vomiting
- Increasing difficulty swallowing
- Inability to keep fluids down
- Signs of dehydration
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- New or worsening reflux
- Ongoing dizziness or weakness
- Symptoms suggesting a nutritional deficiency
Seek urgent medical attention for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Next Steps
National Nutrition Week is a useful reminder that nutrition forms part of broader health care, but there is no single eating pattern or treatment pathway that suits everyone.
For people living with obesity, treatment decisions should be based on individual health, goals, clinical needs, risks and preferences.
For some people, this may include non-surgical treatment or metabolic and bariatric surgery, with nutritional support forming part of preparation and long-term follow-up.
If you are considering metabolic or bariatric surgery, a specialist assessment can help you understand the available options, potential benefits and risks, and ongoing care involved. Meeting with a surgeon does not mean surgery will automatically be recommended; it provides an opportunity to discuss whether surgery or another treatment pathway may be appropriate for you.
Dr Alex Craven provides assessment and surgical care for people considering metabolic and bariatric procedures in Melbourne.
For more information or to book with Dr Alex Craven, call (03) 9852 3777 or email hello@dralexcraven.com.au.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical, nutritional or surgical advice. Treatment recommendations vary according to individual circumstances. Metabolic and bariatric surgery involves risks and requires ongoing follow-up. Speak with your GP, surgeon or accredited practising dietitian before making significant dietary changes or changing your medications or supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to follow a special diet before metabolic or bariatric surgery?
Some patients are asked to follow a specific preoperative eating plan. The type and duration depend on the procedure and individual clinical circumstances. Follow only the instructions provided by your treating team.
How long does the staged eating plan last after surgery?
The timing varies according to the procedure, your recovery and your treating team’s protocol. Patients generally move gradually from fluids to puréed, soft and then more textured foods. Do not advance stages earlier than advised.
Will I need vitamin and mineral supplements after surgery?
Many patients require ongoing supplementation after metabolic or bariatric surgery. The type and dose depend on the procedure, dietary intake, blood test results and individual needs.
Why do I need blood tests if I feel well?
Some nutritional deficiencies may not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular blood tests can help identify changes before they become more serious.
Can I follow nutrition advice from social media after surgery?
General online advice may not be appropriate for your procedure or health needs. Check significant dietary or supplement changes with your treating team or an accredited practising dietitian.
Is obesity caused by poor food choices?
Obesity is a complex chronic disease influenced by biological, genetic, environmental, social, psychological and behavioural factors. Food choices may form one part of the picture, but they are not the sole cause.
Source:
Nutrition Australia. National Nutrition Week 2026: 12–18 October 2026. https://nutritionaustralia.org/services/national-nutrition-week/
Markovic TP, Proietto J, Dixon JB, et al. The Australian Obesity Management Algorithm: A simple tool to guide the management of obesity in primary care. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. 2022. doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2022.08.003.
Queensland Health. Nutrition Education Materials Online (NEMO): Bariatric Surgery patient resources, including preoperative diet, staged postoperative eating and vitamin and mineral recommendations. Updated 23 October 2025.
Eisenberg D, Shikora SA, Aarts E, et al. 2022 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO): Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2022;18(12):1345–1356. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2022.08.013.
O’Kane M, Parretti HM, Pinkney J, et al. British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society Guidelines on perioperative and postoperative biochemical monitoring and micronutrient replacement for patients undergoing bariatric surgery—2020 update. Obesity Reviews. 2020;21(11):e13087. doi:10.1111/obr.13087.
