Profile
About Nutricionista Fabiana
Fabiana Cardoso is a nutritionist with a degree in Nutrition Sciences from the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of the University of Porto (FCNAUP). She has worked in clinical and community nutrition since 2009 and offers online nutrition consultations in Portuguese and English.
She began with her clinical placement at the Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Centre, in the outpatient nutrition clinic and on the wards. She then worked for the Northern Regional Health Administration (ARS Norte) in the Santa Maria da Feira health centres, for the Liga Portuguesa de Profilaxia Social in Porto and for the Portugal em Forma programme, with one-to-one consultations, personalised meal plans and nutrition education. She has also worked with a recovered alcoholics' association, a clinic and a pharmacy.
From 2017 to 2023 she was the nutritionist at two gyms in Espinho, seeing people who train and want to lose weight or eat better, both in person and online. She now focuses on online nutrition consultations.
Her further training covers diabetes and nutrition, clinical nutrition, supplementation and weight loss, and the new Portuguese food exchange lists. She completed the trainer course for the Portuguese education programme for people with type 2 diabetes and holds a teaching skills certificate (Certificado de Competências Pedagógicas).
What she can help with online
- Weight loss and overweight, with a meal plan built around you
- Changing eating habits and healthy everyday eating
- Sports nutrition for people who train
- Eating with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure
- The Mediterranean diet and food choices for the whole family
- Consultations in English or Portuguese
What needs other care
A nutrition consultation does not replace a medical one. Unexplained weight loss, signs of an eating disorder or conditions that need medication should be assessed by a doctor, and Fabiana can work alongside them. In an emergency, call 112.
Qualifications
- Licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição — Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto (FCNAUP), 2009
- Estágio curricular em nutrição clínica e comunitária — Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho (2009)
- Nutricionista — ARS Norte, Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde, Santa Maria da Feira (2010-2011)
- Nutricionista — Liga Portuguesa de Profilaxia Social, Porto (2011-2012)
- Nutricionista — Ginásio Ativa e Ginásio OnFit, Espinho (2017-2023)
- Consultas de nutrição online (desde 2025)
- Curso de Atualização em Diabetes e Nutrição (2011)
- Formação de Formadores do Programa Educacional para Pessoas com Diabetes tipo 2 (2010)
- Curso de Atualização Profissional em Suplementação e Perda de Peso (2013)
- Curso de Atualização Profissional em Nutrição Clínica (2013)
- Certificado de Competências Pedagógicas (2010)
FAQs
How does an online nutrition consultation with Fabiana Cardoso work?
It is a video consultation. Fabiana asks about your eating habits, routine, goals and health, and builds a meal plan around you. In follow-up consultations she tracks your progress and adjusts the plan. She has offered online and in-person nutrition consultations since 2017.
Can she make me a meal plan to lose weight?
Yes. Instead of a one-size-fits-all weight loss diet, she builds a meal plan around your tastes, schedule and health, aiming for gradual weight loss that lasts. The focus is on changing eating habits so they stay with you after the plan ends.
Does she help people who train at the gym?
Yes. From 2017 to 2023 she was the nutritionist at two gyms in Espinho, and sports nutrition was part of her degree at the University of Porto. She helps you plan meals around training, whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle or have more energy.
Can she help with eating for type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol?
Yes. She has trained in diabetes and nutrition and completed the trainer course for the Portuguese education programme for people with type 2 diabetes. She helps you adapt what you eat; your doctor stays in charge of any medication.
What should I prepare before the consultation?
If you have them, keep recent blood test results, a list of the medicines and supplements you take, your weight and height and a rough idea of what you eat on a normal day to hand. This helps Fabiana build a more precise plan from the first consultation.
Is Fabiana an English-speaking nutritionist?
Yes. She offers nutrition consultations in English and Portuguese, which helps international residents in Portugal.
