Services We Provide
About Us
At the practice we strive for excellence. Our approach to nutrition and counselling is slightly different, compared to the traditional approach of weight loss. According to research only 5% of individuals who actively try to lose weight can keep it off long term. This made us realize that more focus should be placed on improving overall health and well being, without focusing on weight loss alone. We aim to individualize each session and provide information and goals suited to your needs and everyday life. Follow up appointments are crucial to achieve your personal goals.
OUR NUTRITIONAL MODEL
MISSION
Living a healthier life, made easy (affordable and sustainable)
VISION
At Imagine Dietitians we believe that it is possible to live a healthier life by incorporating small changes into your daily life. We love food and healthy nutrition and are firm believers that eating healthy does not have to be boring or expensive. We also have two other pillars that form an important part of the practice: exercise and health promotion.
GOALS
- Provide knowledge and skills on ways to incorporate a healthy diet into daily living
- Provide much needed resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Assist with improving your relationship with food
- Focus on intuitive eating and identifying body cues
- Manage a balanced life that includes social activities
- Set ‘SMART’ goals
Get to know the team…
Chantel Walker
Registered Dietitian
Registered dietitian, business owner, amateur baker, avid reader, keen traveller and foodie
Chantel started her dietetics career at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010. After graduating in 2013 she decided to choose a town far away from home to start her community service at, and was placed at Sabie Hospital in Mpumalanga in 2014. She gained valuable knowledge in this year as she worked in the male and female general wards, clinics, paediatric and maternity wards. After her community service she packed her bags and moved back to the Western Cape, where she started at an established private practice in Worcester. She eventually decided to start a private practice of her own – Imagine Dietitians and officially opened the doors in Stellenbosch, January 2016.
Chantel is passionate about assisting her clients with making sustainable dietary changes and lifestyle choices by following an individualized approach with each person that walks into her office. She is a firm believer of intuitive eating and practices these guidelines at each session. Her areas of interest include critical care (ICU) chronic diseases of the lifestyle (diabetes – type 1 and type 2, hypercholesterolaemia), disordered eating and emotional eaters, palliative care, weight loss, women’s health (PCOS, hypothyroidism) and gastro-intestinal diseases, as well as peri-operative nutrition.
Qualifications / Courses:
- BSc Dietetics Honours (US) 2010 – 2013
- Infant Feeding course, BFHI (20 hour, Western Cape, Department of Health)
- CDE – 5 day Advanced course in Diabetes Care (CDE, Johannesburg)
- Bariatric Accredited Dietitian (CEMMSSA)
- Optifast accredited Dietitian (CDE and Nestle)
- Mind the Food Space (Disordered Eating Course), Module 1 and 2 (completing the rest this of this course in 2020)
- Role of Nutrition in Optimal Growth and Immunity (Post Graduate Programme in Pediatric Nutrition, through Boston University – in Progress, 2020)
Chantel’s activities when she is not at the office:
Chantel loves to bake and decorate cakes for friends and family’s special occasions, like birthday parties, baby showers and kitchen teas. She will gladly entertain and cook for loved ones at home as often as she can. When she is not cooking regular, everyday meals, she is experimenting with new recipes and flavours – often leaving her friends and family having to be the guinea pigs. She loves to read and has a variety of books on her bookshelf at home: ranging from love stories, autobiographies, short stories and classics. She enjoys the vineyards and mountains in her backyard and regularly explores new areas in the Western Cape with the love of her life. She loves to travel and is already planning her next trip, where she will be exploring the variety of food, traditional ingredients and recipes they have to offer.
She is registered with the HPCSA (DT0042412) and is a member of Golden Key, Allergy SA and ADSA.
Maya du Plessis
Registered dietitian
Registered dietitian, nature lover, world traveler, absolute foodie
After graduating from Stellenbosch in 2017 with a degree in dietetics, Maya went on to do her community service year at Kimberley Hospital in the Northern Cape. There she gained considerable experience by working in the various intensive care units, neonatal unit, the pediatric wards and various medical and surgical wards. After completion of her community service year she headed back to Stellenbosch and joined Imagine Dietitians in 2019. Maya is also busy with her Master’s degree in Therapeutic Nutrition at Stellenbosch University.
Maya is a firm believer that lifestyle changes can start at any age and loves being part of her patients’ journeys to optimal health. As an avid foodie she is passionate about promoting healthy cooking without compromising on taste and appearance.
Her areas of interest include pediatric nutrition, allergies and intolerances, nutrition in pregnancy and lactation, critical care nutrition, nutrition in kidney failure and gastro-intestinal disorders.
Qualifications / Courses:
- BSc Dietetics Honours (US): 2014-2017
- Masters in therapeutic nutrition: in progress
- Infant feeding course, BFHI (Northern Cape Department of Health)
- Role of Nutrition in Optimal Growth and Immunity (Post Graduate Programme in Pediatric Nutrition, through Boston University)
Maya’s activities when she’s not in the office:
Maya loves cooking food and regularly hosts dinner parties for friends and family. She is also fond of checking out new restaurants and cafes over weekends. Maya enjoys nature and hiking in the beautiful mountains in the Western Cape and often goes camping with friends. Maya’s parents live overseas so during her holidays she normally travels to new countries and explores the nature, meets new people and always does a cooking class or two.
Our Blog
Kidneys, a Bean-shaped Gem
It is Kidney Awareness week from 1 – 7 September and throughout this week we are going to look at kidneys and its function in our body.
HEALTH FOR EVERYONE
It is world health day and the theme of this year is Health for everyone. Health can be defined as being free from illness or injury. Nutrition plays a big role in the contribution towards health. Yet nutritional needs are different for each individual. Our nutritional needs are based upon our gender, age, weight, height, ethnicity and health status. In South Africa we have general guidelines to lead us towards meeting our nutritional needs and have optimal health. This article will explore the South African Food-based Dietary Guidelines.
Steel Cut Oats
Delicious and easy steel cut oats
ROASTED VEGETABLES
Serves 4 - 6 This roasted vegetable recipe is so easy to make - any variety of vegetables can be used. Ingredients: 1 Onion, medium 125 g Mushrooms, roughly chopped 6 - 8 Carrots, baby, whole OR 3 - 4 Carrots, medium, roughly chopped 400g Broccoli and...
POTATO, CAULIFLOWER AND LEEK SOUP
This is a deliciously creamy soup, it is easy to make and really satisfying. Ingredients: 4 Potatoes, medium, diced 200 g Leeks, baby, chopped 1 kg Cauliflower, roughly chopped into smaller pieces 2 Tbsp. Canola or Olive Oil 1 tsp. Onion Powder 1 1/2...
CREAMY BUTTERNUT SOUP
Serves 2 - 4 Ingredients: 1kg Butternut, peeled and diced 2 medium Carrots, roughly chopped 3 Gem squash, halved, seeds removed 2 Tbsp Canola oil 1/2 tsp. Garlic, crushed 2l Water, boiling 3 tsp. Stock, powder, chicken 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon 1/4 tsp. Cumin 2 - 4 Tbsp....
CREAMY ROASTED TOMATO AND BASIL SOUP
Serves 4 – 6 Ingredients: 600g Tomatoes, Rosa, small, halved 1 tsp. Garlic, chopped 2 Tbsp. Olive oil 2 Tins Tomato, diced 6 – 8 Basil leaves, chopped 250ml Stock, vegetable or chicken 1 – 2 tsp. Sugar 1 tsp. Vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 4 – 6 Tbsp. Cream...
BOBOTIE WITH FLAVOURED RICE
BOBOTIE WITH FLAVOURED RICE Yields 6 portions INGREDIENTS: 1 slice white bread, thick 125ml milk 25ml oil 2 onions, in slices 2 garlic cloves, chopped fine 15ml ginger, fresh, grated 30ml curry powder 5ml tumeric 3ml cumin, fine 3ml coriander, fine 1kg mince,...