Imagine Dietitians

Imagine Dietitians Chantel, Bianca and Megan are dietitians with a passion to heal your relationship with food and body

Imagine Dietitians (practice number: 0595039) opened its doors on the 4th of January 2016 in Stellenbosch. Imagine Dietitians offer various dietetic services which include (but is not limited to) nutritional assessments and counseling in hospital for patients who need nutritional support (sip feeds, enteral- or parenteral nutrition) or patients diagnosed with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus

(or any other chronic disease of the lifestyle), cancer, renal problems, auto-immune disease, eating disorders, and children who are picky eaters, suffer from constipation, have an iron deficiency or have inadequate dietary intake. We are three registered dietitians working at the practice: Chantel Walker, Maya du Plessis and Danielle le Riche.

PROTEIN WORKS BETTER WITH COMPANY! Protein often gets the spotlight, but carbohydrates also play an important role in su...
24/06/2026

PROTEIN WORKS BETTER WITH COMPANY!

Protein often gets the spotlight, but carbohydrates also play an important role in supporting muscle recovery and protein utilisation.

When protein is consumed alongside carbohydrates, the resulting insulin response may help enhance amino acid uptake into muscle and support muscle protein synthesis.

This doesn't mean you need a supplement. Food-first combinations work beautifully:

1) Greek yogurt + fruit + oats�
2) Eggs on wholegrain toast�
3) Chicken with rice or potatoes�
4) Whey protein blended with fruit and oats�
5) A protein supplement alongside a carbohydrate-containing snack

Rather than focusing on a single nutrient, consider how nutrients work together to support recovery, performance, and overall health.

👅 Taste changes (dysgeusia) and taste fatigue are common during cancer treatment and can make eating feel frustrating an...
21/06/2026

👅 Taste changes (dysgeusia) and taste fatigue are common during cancer treatment and can make eating feel frustrating and exhausting.

When foods or supplements no longer taste the way they used to, nutritional intake often suffers. Fortunately, a few simple strategies can sometimes make a meaningful difference.

For dysgeusia:�
• Try plastic or wooden cutlery instead of metal
�• Maintain good oral hygiene with regular tooth brushing�
• Avoid alcohol-containing mouth rinses if they worsen irritation
�• Chew sugar-free gum if appropriate
�• Choose colder foods and drinks if better tolerated�

For taste fatigue with oral nutritional supplements:�
• Add to porridge or oats
�• Blend into smoothies�
• Mix with a cold beverage
�• Freeze into a slushie or ice lollies
�• Add flavourings such as cocoa powder, coffee powder, milkshake powder, cinnamon or vanilla essence

🛠️ Small adjustments can sometimes help improve nutritional intake when every mouthful feels like a challenge.

IBS flare ups while on holiday are more common than many people realise!Often, it is not only the food itself that contr...
18/06/2026

IBS flare ups while on holiday are more common than many people realise!

Often, it is not only the food itself that contributes to symptoms, but also the changes that come with travelling:

• Increased stress or anxiety around planning and travelling�
• Changes in meal and snack routines
�• Different bathroom access and toileting habits
�• Reduced fluid intake
• Disrupted sleep schedules
�• Unfamiliar foods and eating environments

Even exciting holidays can place extra strain on the gut-brain connection, making IBS symptoms more likely to flare.

If IBS symptoms are making travel stressful, we can help you develop practical strategies to better manage your symptoms before, during and after your trip so that you can enjoy your holiday with greater confidence. 💙

✨ Eating disorder recovery is hard enough — the support shouldn’t make it harder.⁠Here are some common places where trea...
16/06/2026

✨ Eating disorder recovery is hard enough — the support shouldn’t make it harder.⁠
Here are some common places where treatment can unintentionally get stuck:⁠
⁠
• Setting goal weights too quickly or too rigidly⁠
• Praising “progress” in ways that feel pressuring or reinforce ED thinking⁠
• Not exploring all foods and letting certain fears linger⁠
• Keeping meal plans so structured that they become new rules⁠
• Leaving parents/caregivers without enough guidance⁠
• Replacing one set of food rules with another “healthier” set⁠
• Not reaching out for a second opinion when the client is stuck⁠
⁠
None of these come from bad intentions — just areas where we can all grow, soften, and support recovery more fully. 💛⁠
⁠

IBS doesn't have to ruin your holiday.One of the most common concerns I hear from IBS patients is:"What if my symptoms f...
13/06/2026

IBS doesn't have to ruin your holiday.

One of the most common concerns I hear from IBS patients is:
"What if my symptoms flare while I'm travelling?"

While we can't eliminate every trigger, being prepared can make a huge difference.

My IBS travel kit usually includes:
1)Peppermint oil: may help reduce bloating, abdominal pain and cramping.
Buscopan: a useful option for managing abdominal spasms and cramps when needed.
2)Fibre support (psyllium husk, chia seeds or a soluble fibre supplement): helps support bowel regularity and can be useful for both constipation- and diarrhoea-predominant IBS.
3)Banatrol Plus ® : a practical option to keep on hand for acute diarrhoea flare-ups while travelling.
4)HyFiber® : can be useful during constipation flare-ups when fibre intake is inadequate.
5)Gut-friendly snacks: because skipping meals or relying solely on airport convenience foods doesn't always end well for sensitive tummies.
6)Water bottle : hydration is one of the most overlooked aspects of IBS management, especially while travelling.

The goal isn't to pack your entire pantry, but to have a few trusted tools on hand so you can spend less time worrying about your gut and more time enjoying your trip.

⚠️ Always discuss medications and supplements with your healthcare provider and dietitian, as IBS management should be individualised.

Your muscles don't stop recovering when you go to sleep!In fact, overnight is one of the longest periods your body goes ...
10/06/2026

Your muscles don't stop recovering when you go to sleep!

In fact, overnight is one of the longest periods your body goes without food, making it an important window for muscle recovery and repair.

Research shows that consuming a protein-rich snack before bed, particularly casein protein, can increase overnight muscle protein synthesis and support recovery from exercise.

Why casein?
Casein is a slow-digesting protein that releases amino acids gradually throughout the night, helping to provide your muscles with a steady supply of building blocks while you sleep.

You don't necessarily need a supplement to get the benefits. Food sources such as:
🥛 Milk
🍶 Greek yoghurt
🧀 Cottage cheese
🥣 High-protein yoghurt can provide a similar effect.

This doesn't mean everyone needs a bedtime protein shake. Total daily protein intake remains the most important factor.

However, if you're training hard, trying to build muscle, recovering from illness, or struggling to meet your protein requirements, a protein-rich bedtime snack may be a simple strategy worth considering.

Recovery doesn't stop when you sleep. Sometimes it starts there.

Seeing an Eating Disorder-trained Dietitian in Eating Disorder Recovery: Why it MattersRecovery isn’t just about eating ...
08/06/2026

Seeing an Eating Disorder-trained Dietitian in Eating Disorder Recovery: Why it Matters

Recovery isn’t just about eating more or following a plan—it’s about rebuilding trust with food, your body, and yourself.

An ED-trained dietitian offers care that is:
✨ Grounded in a non-diet, HAES-informed approach
✨ Focused on health and wellbeing—not BMI or weight
✨ Guided by the latest eating disorder research
✨ Compassionate, gentle, and paced for recovery—not pressure
✨ Integrated with a multidisciplinary team for full support

But just as importantly, they notice what often goes unspoken:
• Anxiety around meals
• Subtle food avoidance or restriction patterns
• Body language that signals fear, guilt, or discomfort
• The emotional weight behind eating behaviours

Because recovery isn’t only about nutrition—it’s about safety, understanding, and being seen.

You deserve support that sees the whole picture.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with food, body image, or eating patterns, we invite you to reach out and book an appointment—we’re here to support you through every step of recovery.

"But it's just a supplement..."We often see patients assume that supplements are always beneficial during cancer treatme...
08/06/2026

"But it's just a supplement..."

We often see patients assume that supplements are always beneficial during cancer treatment. The reality is that supplements can be helpful, unnecessary, or potentially problematic depending on the individual, the dose, and the treatment being received.

While some patients may benefit from supplementation due to deficiencies, poor intake, or increased nutritional needs, certain high-dose vitamin, mineral, herbal, or antioxidant supplements may interact with cancer treatments. For many supplements, we simply don't have enough evidence to confirm safety or benefit during treatment.

Our advice?
✔️ Tell your oncology team about every supplement you're taking.
✔️ Supplement for a reason, not because it's trending.
✔️ Individualised advice will always beat a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

When it comes to supplements during cancer treatment, more isn't always better.

✨ Post-workout snacks aren’t about “earning” food — they’re about giving your body what it needs to recover, refuel, and...
02/06/2026

✨ Post-workout snacks aren’t about “earning” food — they’re about giving your body what it needs to recover, refuel, and feel good.⁠
Movement uses energy, and snacks help you put some back. 💛⁠
⁠
Some favourites that are quick, simple and satisfying:⁠
🍌 Banana + peanut butter⁠
🥛 Yoghurt + fruit⁠
🥚 Boiled eggs + wholegrain toast⁠
🥤 Chocolate milk⁠
🌰 Nuts + dried fruit⁠
🥙 Hummus + crackers or veggies⁠
⁠
There’s no “perfect” snack — just find what feels supportive for your body, your hunger, and your routine ✨⁠
⁠

Address

Suite 110, Drive Abrie Vermeulen's Rooms, Stellenbosch Mediclinic
Stellenbosch
7600

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00
Thursday 08:30 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 14:00

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Imagine Dietitians posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Imagine Dietitians:

Shortcuts

Share

Category