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.

✨ 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. 💛⁠
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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
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There’s no “perfect” snack — just find what feels supportive for your body, your hunger, and your routine ✨⁠
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Nutrition is not a cure for mental health conditions but it is also not something we should ignore. The brain needs adeq...
30/05/2026

Nutrition is not a cure for mental health conditions but it is also not something we should ignore. The brain needs adequate nourishment to function, regulate mood, support concentration, energy, and overall wellbeing.

Mental health care should be holistic and nutrition can form an important part of treatment alongside therapy, medication, movement, sleep, and support .

If you are struggling with your relationship with food, emotional eating, low appetite, chronic dieting, or nutrition concerns related to mental wellbeing, feel free to reach out to our team for support and guidance ✨

✨ PREGNANCY DO’S & DON’TS (That Actually Help You Feel Better)⁠⁠Pregnancy nausea and food aversions aren’t about “being ...
28/05/2026

✨ PREGNANCY DO’S & DON’TS (That Actually Help You Feel Better)⁠
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Pregnancy nausea and food aversions aren’t about “being picky” — they’re a real, physiological response.⁠
Here are simple evidence-supported tweaks that can ease the overwhelm:⁠
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🌿 DO: Try These Soothing Options⁠
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🍋 Sour & acidic foods⁠
Citrus, pineapple, lemon water, lemonade, lemon lozenges.⁠
These can stimulate digestion and ease nausea for many.⁠
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🫚 Ginger⁠
Ginger tea, ginger chews or even ginger biscuits may help settle the stomach.⁠
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🥗 Cold, fresh foods⁠
Cold fruit, raw veggies, fresh sandwiches, wraps or smoothies often feel easier when hot foods are triggering.⁠
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🌱 Mint⁠
Brushing your teeth, mint tea, mint gum, or a gentle peppermint rinse can relieve lingering nausea and reduce sensitivity to smells.⁠
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🔥 DON’T (For Now): Foods That Often Make Nausea Worse⁠
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🌶️ Spicy meals⁠
Curries or chilli can irritate the stomach when you’re already feeling sensitive.⁠
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🧄 Strong smells⁠
Garlic, pesto, fish, or anything with an intense aroma can quickly trigger nausea.⁠
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🍳 Hot foods with steam⁠
Even “safe” foods may feel overwhelming when warm — the smell rises with the heat.⁠
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💛 A gentle reminder⁠
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Pregnancy eating is not about perfection.⁠
It’s about finding what feels doable, honouring your body’s signals, and reducing pressure or rules wherever possible.⁠
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If you need personalised support with pregnancy nausea, food aversions, or keeping meals tolerable, you’re welcome to reach out for gentle, practical dietetic care.⁠
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✨ PICA IN PREGNANCY: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What It Can Look LikePica during pregnancy is more common than most...
25/05/2026

✨ PICA IN PREGNANCY: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What It Can Look Like

Pica during pregnancy is more common than most people realise — yet many feel embarrassed or scared to talk about it.
Let’s bring clarity, compassion, and evidence to the conversation.

🌿 What is Pica?

Pica is the craving or eating of non-food substances for at least one month.
In pregnancy, this can show up as intense urges for items that have no nutritional value.

👀 How Does Pica Look in Pregnancy?

Common cravings include:
• Ice (very common — pagophagia)
• Soil or clay
• Chalk
• Paper or cardboard
• Starch (cornstarch, laundry starch)
• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Sand

These cravings may feel irresistible or soothing — and that doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with you.

❓ Why Does Pica Happen in Pregnancy?

Research suggests several contributing factors:

🩸 Iron deficiency (the most common link)
Pica — especially ice eating — is strongly associated with low iron or low ferritin levels.

🧪 Other nutrient deficiencies
Low zinc or other micronutrients may play a role.

🤰 Physiological changes of pregnancy
Shifts in hormones, appetite, taste and smell can influence unusual cravings.

🧠 Sensory needs
Some textures (like crunching ice) can feel soothing or help with nausea.

💛 Emotional factors
Stress or anxiety during pregnancy can heighten certain cravings.

None of these causes are your fault — they’re signals your body is sending.

🌼 What Should You Do?

Pica in pregnancy is treatable, and support is available.

The next steps usually include:
• A simple blood test to check iron + micronutrient levels
• Supplementation if needed (iron deficiency responds beautifully once treated)
• Gentle support from a dietitian to meet increased nutritional needs
• Exploring sensory or emotional triggers if cravings continue

💛 A gentle reminder:

Pica in pregnancy is not a moral failing, not “weird”, and not something you have to hide.
Your body is communicating — and with the right support, these cravings can improve quickly.

Fuelling your body properly before and after a workout can make a big difference in your energy levels, performance, rec...
22/05/2026

Fuelling your body properly before and after a workout can make a big difference in your energy levels, performance, recovery, and muscle support 🏋️

The goal is not perfection but rather giving your body the nourishment it needs to move, recover, and feel its best. A combination of carbohydrates for energy and protein for recovery is often a great place to start.

Some balanced pre or post workout meal and snack ideas include:

🥜 Peanut butter on toast with banana
🥣 Greek yoghurt with berries and granola
🍳 Eggs on toast with avocado
🍌 A smoothie with fruit, yoghurt, oats, and nut butter
🍚 Chicken, rice, and roasted vegetables
🧀 Crackers with cheese and fruit
🥪 A chicken or tuna sandwich
🍫 Chocolate milk and a banana for quick recovery fuel

Remember that everyone’s needs, preferences, training intensity, and timing are different. What works for one person may not work for another and that is okay 💛

Food is fuel but it is also enjoyment, satisfaction, and part of caring for your body.

If you would like guidance with sports nutrition, workout fuelling, recovery nutrition, muscle gain, or performance support, feel free to contact us to book a consultation with one of our dietitians!

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is so much more than occasional tummy issues. Conditions like Crohn’s disea...
19/05/2026

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is so much more than occasional tummy issues. Conditions like Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis can affect every part of a person’s life from energy levels and nutrition status to mental health, social situations, and quality of life.

Many people living with IBD fight battles that others cannot see including pain, fatigue, food fears, flare ups, hospital visits, and uncertainty. Yet they continue showing up every day with incredible strength 💜

Nutrition can play an important supportive role in helping manage symptoms, maintain nourishment, support gut health, and improve overall wellbeing during different stages of the disease. Every person’s journey with IBD is unique which is why individualised care matters.

Today on World IBD Day we stand with every person navigating life with IBD both seen and unseen.

Your experience is real and you deserve support and care!

🌍 World Hypertension Day — 17 May⁠Supporting your heart starts with small, sustainable habits — no pressure, no perfecti...
17/05/2026

🌍 World Hypertension Day — 17 May⁠
Supporting your heart starts with small, sustainable habits — no pressure, no perfection. 💚⁠
This year, Bianca (Dietitian) and Shingi (Physio) are teaming up to highlight how nutrition + movement work together to care for your blood pressure.⁠
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🥗 Nourishing Habits for Blood Pressure⁠
- Add more plants to your plate: Fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains support heart health and steady energy.⁠
- Build flavour creatively: Herbs, spices, lemon, vinegar, garlic, and fresh ingredients enhance taste while helping you keep salt mindful.⁠
- Include balanced meals: Pair carbohydrates with proteins and fats to keep you satisfied and stabilise energy levels.⁠
- Stay hydrated: Water, herbal teas, and infused water all count.⁠
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👟 Movement That Supports You⁠
- Choose movement you enjoy: Walking, dancing, Pilates, swimming, strength training, stretching — anything that feels good in your body.⁠
- Consistency over intensity: Gentle, regular movement can be just as supportive as harder sessions.⁠
- Listen to your body: Build movement around comfort, capability, and recovery.⁠
- Incorporate strength work: Light weights or body-weight exercises support circulation and heart health.⁠
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🤝 Stronger Together⁠
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Managing blood pressure is easier with a team behind you.⁠
Bianca and Shingi combine nutrition and movement to help you build realistic, supportive habits.⁠
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If you’d like personalised guidance,⁠
📩 Send us a message to book a session — we’re here to help.⁠
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Cholesterol isn’t just about what you avoid.It’s also about what you add to support heart function, hormones, digestion,...
14/05/2026

Cholesterol isn’t just about what you avoid.
It’s also about what you add to support heart function, hormones, digestion, and inflammation.
Your body needs fats — the goal is to lean into the ones that help cholesterol work with you.

Here are nourishing foods shown in research to naturally support healthier cholesterol levels:

🥑 Supportive plant fats
Avocado, nuts, seeds, olives and olive oil are rich in monounsaturated fats that help improve HDL while lowering LDL.

🐟 More oily fish, chicken & venison
Oily fish like salmon, sardines and trout provide omega-3s that reduce inflammation.
Chicken and venison offer high-quality protein options with less saturated fat.

🌾 Oat β-glucan
A type of soluble fibre in oats that forms a gel in the gut and helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. Even one bowl of oats can make a difference.

🌿 Plant sterols & stanols
Found naturally in nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and wholegrains.
They help block cholesterol absorption in the gut.

🍎 High-fibre foods
Beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and seeds support cholesterol excretion and nourish the gut microbiome.

🍇 Antioxidant-rich foods
Berries, citrus, leafy greens, colourful vegetables, herbs and spices help reduce oxidative stress and support cardiovascular wellbeing.

If you’re wanting guidance on how to gently add more of these foods into your routine,
👉 you’re welcome to reach out and work with a dietitian for personalised, supportive care.

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

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