About Katie Harrigan
Hi, I’m Katie from Eat for Well-Being.
I have 25 years’ experience as a registered nurse, public health advisor and registered nutritionist.
The idea to start Eat for Well-Being came in response to a challenge to remove confusion about health and nutrition, so all people can integrate healthy eating into their current lifestyle. There is way too much information (and mis-information!) out there, which makes it hard for many people to know what to believe, what may apply to them, and how to implement healthy habits.
My Background
Early in my career I worked as a Registered Nurse. Working across public and private hospitals in Canberra and Sydney, I had the privilege to care for people during some of the most vulnerable and defining moments of their lives.
Working in acute and clinical settings gave me firsthand insight into how quickly health can change, and how closely physical and mental health are interconnected. It also highlighted that many of the conditions I encountered were influenced by factors that had developed over time—often linked to lifestyle, diet, environment, stress, and access to support.
There are many patients I still think about. These experiences led me to reflect on the importance of prevention, and the potential to support people earlier, before their health becomes more complex or difficult to manage.
My perspective was further shaped through my work in public health, where I developed a broader understanding of how population health is influenced by social, environmental, and behavioural factors. Working and living overseas also added to this understanding.
In Tonga and the Philippines, I observed differences between traditional dietary patterns—centred around root vegetables, fresh seafood, rice and tropical fruit—and Westernised diets, and the impact these changes had on long-term health. Where people living on the outer Islands still consumed a traditional diet, I could see this in real time. In Spain, I experienced a culture where meals are shared, unhurried, and valued as part of daily life, reinforcing the importance of connection, routine, and presence around food. Back in Australia and working with individuals and groups on health assessment and promotion, I recognised the essential connection between health, lifestyle and eating.
Across these experiences, one theme remained clear: health is not defined by medical care alone, but by how we live our everyday lives, including how we eat.
These experiences shaped my interest in nutrition and preventative health, particularly the role that food, lifestyle, and daily habits play in supporting long-term wellbeing. However I recognise that nutrition can often feel confusing or overwhelming, especially with the amount of conflicting information available.
How I Help People
Through Eat for Well-Being, I bring together my nursing background and broader health and nutrition experience to support people in building practical, sustainable habits that fit their individual lives. My approach is gentle, realistic, and person-centred, with a focus on progress over perfection.
I work alongside clients to help them better understand their health, feel more confident in their food and lifestyle choices, and create meaningful changes that are achievable and sustainable over time—supporting both immediate wellbeing and long-term health.
At its core, my work is grounded in prevention, balance, and supporting people to live in a way that is nourishing, sustainable and enjoyable.
Outside of Work
Outside of nutrition and health, I enjoy travelling, meeting new people, visiting local markets, good coffee, and exercise. Having spent much of my adult life living and working overseas and in different parts of Australia, I have developed a strong appreciation for different cultures, lifestyles, and approaches to food and wellbeing.
For the past 7 years, I have called Adelaide home. I live here with my husband, our three beautiful girls, and our 18-year-old cat, Mango.
Qualifications, Memberships & Awards
Education
- Deakin University – Master of Human Nutrition (2020)
- University of Sydney – Master of International Public Health (2007)
- University of Canberra – Bachelor of Nursing (2003)
- Cornell University – Plant-Based Nutrition Online Certificate (2020)
Memberships
- Nutrition Society of Australia – Registered Nutritionist
- Size Inclusive Health Australia – Verified Provider
- Fruit Share Adelaide – Committee member and volunteer
- Park Terrace Community Garden – Member and volunteer
Awards
- Frontline Labs – Vet 1 Course Pitch Competition Winner
Registered Nutritionist
I am a University Qualified Nutritionist and am registered through the Nutrition Society of Australia.