Reena Soniassy - Prenatal & Paediatric Dietitian

19/09/2026

Nutrition is not an optional extra in healthcare. It is part of safe, effective patient care.

Alongside my work as a prenatal and paediatric dietitian, I am privileged to serve as Vice-President of the Dietitians Association Mauritius. In this interview with L’Express, I discuss the broader, and still insufficiently recognised, role of dietitians in Mauritius.

Our work extends well beyond prevention and weight management. Dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy to support treatment and recovery, identify and manage malnutrition, adapt nutrition to medical conditions and symptoms, and help patients meet their needs safely at every stage of life. This begins in infancy, when early feeding experiences help lay lifelong foundations, and continues through illness, rehabilitation and older age.

Since returning to Mauritius and establishing my practice here, one thing that has particularly stood out to me is the need for greater understanding of this wider role - among the public, within healthcare services and across multidisciplinary teams.

I am pleased to help raise the profile of nutrition support and of the vital contribution dietitians can make to health and recovery in Mauritius.

Thank you to Marie-Annick Savripène and L'express Maurice for helping bring this conversation forward.
Read the full interview – link in comment ⬇️

13/08/2026

👩🏽‍👧🏽Real Stories. Real Change.

Small changes, repeated consistently, really do become life-changing.

This lovely mum first came to see me because she wanted the very best for her little girl. During that journey, routine health checks showed mum also needed support.

Over the following eight months, she committed to making gradual, realistic and sustainable changes. There were no crash diets, detoxes or quick fixes - just consistent habits, step by step, supported by personalised nutrition and ongoing guidance.

The results speak for themselves:
✨ Blood sugar back in the healthy range
✨ Insulin resistance normalised
✨ Cholesterol dramatically improved
✨ Digestive health restored after longstanding constipation and painful a**l fissures
✨ 15.2 kg weight loss (75 kg → 59.8 kg)
✨ 6.5 cm off her waist
✨ A healthier future for herself and her family

But what I'm most proud of is her commitment. She showed up. She trusted the process. She kept going when results weren't instant or linear. She made hundreds of small decisions that, over time, completely changed the direction of her health.

Lasting change doesn't happen in 30 days.
It happens through consistency, patience and sustainable habits that become part of everyday life. And perhaps that's the most important reminder of all...

💚 When mums take care of their own health, the whole family benefits. While there is no quick fix for lifelong health, there is a path - and every small step counts.

07/08/2026

This Friday night, as World Breastfeeding Week draws to a close, I’m reminded of the powerful role girlfriends can play during this season of motherhood. 🌸

Girls’ night may look a little different these days - for you and your bestie, sister or cousin. Perhaps a little less glamorous too: no make-up, legs not waxed for weeks, leaky b***s, very little sleep and a body that may still feel sore and unfamiliar...

Breastfeeding offers incredible benefits for both baby and mum, but it can also be incredibly challenging. And postpartum itself can be a vulnerable, confusing and sometimes deeply isolating time.

I’ve loved being able to show up for my girlfriends whenever I could - vino for me, a nourishing smoothie for her, a delicious platter for us both and of course, a few of those sushi pieces she had sorely missed during pregnancy! 🍣

Because breastfeeding support takes many forms. Sometimes it’s expert guidance; sometimes it’s preparing something nourishing, refilling her water bottle, holding the baby while she rests, listening without judgement or simply sitting beside her so she doesn’t feel alone.

We can all play a part in supporting our mummas. And if breastfeeding or eating well during this demanding season feels difficult, reaching out for support can make such a difference.

Because a well-nourished mumma is a stronger mumma.
Breastfeeding nutrition matters. Friendship matters. Showing up matters. 💛

Girls’ night may look different these days.
But showing up matters more than ever.

02/05/2026

🥄 Petites Bouchées - Nourish from the First Bite and Beyond

This is a stage I’ve come back to again and again throughout my career. I first ran an introduction to solids group early on as a new graduate and since then, I’ve supported many families through this phase.

Over the years, guidelines have evolved, but one thing has remained constant:

👉 How we introduce solids matters.

It shapes:
• feeding confidence
• food acceptance
• and the relationship with food over time

And yet, for many parents, this stage can feel:
• confusing (“where do I even start?”)
• overwhelming (too much conflicting advice)
• and sometimes a little stressful

That’s exactly why I created Petites Bouchées - a small, practical, evidence-based programme designed to bring clarity and confidence to this stage.

If you’re preparing to start solids (or just starting), I’d be very happy to support you 🧡

📩 Message “Bouchées” for details

28/04/2026

28/04/2026

What you might not know about paediatric dietitians 👶🧠

One of the most rewarding parts of my work? Supporting children whose growth has slowed, plateaued, or fallen off the charts, and helping them catch up, step by step.

✨ I recently remembered this beautiful message from a mum whose little boy was born prematurely at just 28 weeks. We first connected when he was 8 months (corrected age) due to slow weight gain. With careful changes to his feeding plan, including adjusting formula concentration and fortifying meals with nutrient-rich ingredients like ghee, avocado oil, Greek yogurt, and nut pastes, he gained 170 grams in one week 💪🏽

➡️ These strategies may sound simple, but they need to be tailored. Concentrating formula isn’t just about adding scoops, and not all “high-calorie” foods are right for every child. Growth that’s too slow or too fast needs close monitoring.

If your baby or child is struggling to grow, or not gaining weight as expected, please don’t wait or guess. Paediatric dietitians are trained to support families through this.

📩 Get in touch for gentle, personalised guidance that supports healthy growth without overwhelm.

22/04/2026

🥄 Petites Bouchées - Nourish from the First Bite and Beyond

Starting solids is one of the most important (and often overwhelming) stages in your baby’s development.

While it’s often simplified to “what to feed first”, it’s really about so much more - developing feeding skills, building confidence, and supporting your baby’s relationship with food from the very beginning.

Petites Bouchées is a small, specialist-led programme designed to guide parents through starting and progressing solids in a calm, practical and evidence-based way.

Designed for parents preparing to start solids, with guidance covering the full 6–12 month journey.

Over 3 interactive sessions, we’ll cover:
✔ Readiness and how to start
✔ Nutrients, textures and allergens
✔ Gagging vs choking
✔ Family meals for baby

✨ Intentionally small group (max 4 families)
✨ Practical, hands-on guidance in a warm, supportive setting

📍 Ebene
📅 Saturday 16, 23 & 30 May
💰 Rs 6,000 (full programme)
Introductory rate for the first intake

📩 Message or email to register
+230 5500 5464
[email protected]

19/04/2026

Thank you Dietitians Mauritius and Defimedia.info Le Dimanche/L'Hebdo for last week’s feature on the role of nutrition in supporting health, preventing diseases, enhancing treatment and improving recovery.

A key message to remember: Nutritional deficiencies can occur regardless of body size and nutrient-rich diets are important at every age and stage 🧡🌿

12/04/2026

Delighted to have contributed to conversations around World Health Day this week with Defimedia.info 🤍

In this interview, I share insights on everyday eating habits, common misconceptions, and simple ways we can better support our health - not only for prevention, but also in the management of health conditions and recovery.

A message I feel strongly about: Nutrition is not about restriction - it’s about nourishing the body in a way that supports health at every stage of life.

I’m also proud to represent the Dietitians Association (Mauritius) in continuing to raise awareness of the vital role dietitians play in supporting individuals, families, and communities.

Grateful to be part of these important conversations 🌿