Nicola Drabble - Bariatric Dietitian South Africa

15/06/2026

04/06/2026

Eeeek 10 more days until

I just compiled this PDF for a running club in East Africa and I thought I'd share it here! If any of you are doing/ or know anyone doing the Comrades please share with them!

Eat well, perform better! 🏃‍♀️ 🏅

PS Sports nutrition for post op bariatric surgery and GLP-1's may need to be tweaked depending on individual toleration to foods and supplements.

29/05/2026

Last night’s webinar was all about patient expectations after bariatric surgery.

Most patients choose surgery for health reasons.

⭐Better metabolic health
⭐Less pain
⭐More energy
⭐A longer, fuller life

For many patients, life after surgery far exceeds their expectations.

🤸🏼‍♂️They move more.
🤸🏼‍♂️They feel stronger.
🤸🏼‍♂️They regain confidence.
🤸🏼‍♂️They participate in life again.

Many say:
“I wish I had done this sooner.”

But around the 12-month mark, expectations naturally shift.

Weight loss slows.
Life feels normal again.
And it’s easy for the focus to drift back to the scale.

Long-term success isn’t about chasing a number.

It’s about:

✨ Keeping health over weight
✨ Remembering your WHY
✨ Staying consistent with follow-up
✨ Monitoring blood results
✨ Committing to lifelong vitamins
✨ Seeing your body as a tool — not just an ornament

Surgery is a powerful tool.

And when expectations mature with it, the results are not just weight loss…

They’re life-changing.

If you joined the webinar, what was your biggest takeaway?

If you missed it, you can watch the recording on the Obesity Community Fund Website

28/05/2026

Today is Day 1 for another patient on the Obesity Community Fund journey 💫

He is one of 13 patients we’ve now supported through surgery with the help of the fund.

Behind every number is a real person with a real chance at a healthier future.

Bariatric surgery is never the “easy way out.”
It’s a tool and for many people, it’s life-changing.
It can mean improved health, mobility, confidence, energy and a "second chance" at life.

I'm so grateful to be part of these journeys alongside an incredible team 🤸🏼‍♂️




Thank you to everyone who supports, donates, swims, shares and helps make this possible ❤️

21/05/2026

As you all know, I love sports and sports nutrition.
And I absolutely LOVE seeing my bariatric and GLP-1 patients getting into exercise. 💪
Seeing you lift weights, walk further, join classes, feel stronger…its amazing🤸🏼‍♂️

But more and more, I’m noticing a common trend.
You’re not fuelling properly.

There’s so much noise right now about:
“Protect your muscle.”
“High protein only.”
“GLP-1 causes muscle loss.”

I mean there is even protein pasta 🤢

So what do you do? You fall into the trap of adding protein shakes and bars - not structure and not better timing

Yes, protein is crucial but muscle protection is not just about more protein.
It’s about:
✔ Adequate total intake
✔ Structured meals
✔ Enough carbohydrate to fuel activity
✔ Resistance training
✔ Recovery

Protein protects muscle.
Carbs power performance.
You need both.

My golden rule still applies:
👉 You need to eat to lose weight….And you absolutely need to eat to train well.

If you’re exercising after BS or on a GLP-1 and feeling flat…
Before you increase your cardio…
Before you add another protein shake…
Before you give up and opt for the couch…
Look at your structure; your total intake and your balance.

✨ If you want personalised guidance to make sure your nutrition actually matches your training — this is exactly what I help my bariatric and GLP-1 patients do during our consultations.
Send me a DM if you’re ready to work on this properly.

Let’s train smart.
Let’s fuel properly.
Let’s protect your results... and prevent injuries!
💪🏼

15/05/2026