Meet the team
Shannyn Thatcher
Director | Accredited Practising Dietitian | Feeding Therapist | Tube Feeding Specialist
Shannyn Thatcher is a neurodivergent, trauma-informed dietitian with over five years of experience supporting people with disability to feel more confident and in control around food and feeding. She is the Founder and Managing Director of The RealEat, providing mobile and telehealth dietetic services across Australia and New Zealand.
Shannyn specialises in disability nutrition, including tube feeding (especially blended tube feeding), feeding differences linked to autism, ADHD, ARFID, cerebral palsy, and complex conditions such as ME/CFS and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Her approach is neurodiversity-affirming, holistic, and grounded in lived experience.
Shannyn creates a supportive space where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered. She values collaboration and works closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver consistent and coordinated care.
Outside of client work, Shannyn mentors dietitians, speaks at national conferences, and contributes to projects improving disability nutrition care across Australia. She is committed to raising the standard of care within the NDIS and ensuring every individual has access to meaningful, respectful nutrition support.
When she’s not working, Shannyn loves spontaneous nature adventures, quality time with family, and competitive rounds of her favourite game, Bohnanza.
Ana Dvarakesa
Accredited Practising Dietitian | Feeding Therapist
Ana is a compassionate dietitian with a strong interest in paediatric feeding disorders and ARFID. She supports children and families within the disability sector using a respectful, responsive approach grounded in trust and connection.
Ana’s work is influenced by the Ellyn Satter model and supported by her completion of the AEIOU Integrative Approach to Paediatric Feeding coursework. She focuses on reducing mealtime stress, encouraging curiosity around food, and building positive feeding relationships.
Ana brings warmth and empathy to every interaction. She understands the complexities of navigating the NDIS and strives to create tailored solutions that honour each family’s unique needs and goals. Her collaborative, non-judgmental approach helps families feel safe, supported, and empowered.
On weekends, Ana enjoys discovering the best food spots with her family. She’s our in-house certified food guide.
Natalie Santelli
Accredited Practising Dietitian | Feeding Therapist |
Tube Feeding Specialist
Natalie Santelli is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a passion for supporting individuals and families to build confident, calm relationships with food. She has a special interest in paediatric and disability nutrition, particularly sensory feeding challenges, ARFID, PFD, and tube feeding and weaning.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and has worked across hospitals, clinics, homes, and schools. She is known for her warm, practical approach that puts clients at ease and supports realistic, family-centred solutions.
Natalie believes that nutrition care should feel accessible and empowering. She works closely with clients and care teams to develop strategies that reduce mealtime stress and align with personal values, routines, and goals.
Natalie’s happy place is the beach, preferably with a book in one hand and an almond croissant in the other. She's also well-known for cooking 2-minute noodles in just 90 seconds!
Daniel Cavallin
Administrative, Care Support & Business Development
Daniel is our friendly point of admin contact at The RealEat, here to support you with anything you need. Whether it is administrative help, guidance with services, or simply having someone reliable to reach out to, Daniel is always ready to assist and make things easier. Daniel is the glue that holds us together at The RealEat. He supports our clinical team of dietitian's to thrive (e.g team bonding days, team win meetings, managing calendars, systems and more) so you can too. He also plays a key role in business development, helping build strong relationships and ensuring the RealEat continues to grow in a way that best supports the people it serves.
Outside of The RealEat, Daniel is a practicing physiotherapist who loves supporting people across all stages of life, from everyday wellbeing to sport. He is also a passionate soccer fan, and a loyal Tottenham supporter, which means he has developed a great sense of resilience over the years.