Are you struggling to lose weight? Does your stomach bloat or cramp after eating certain foods? Do you seem prone to stress fractures, or are you chronically tired? These, and many other symptoms, could be the result of inefficiencies in your diet, and you may need professional help getting your nutrition back on track.
But who do you talk to?
If it’s about nutrition, ask a dietitian!
A dietitian is a qualified health professional registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) who has a minimum of a four year Bachelor of Science in Dietetics degree and 1-year post-graduate diploma. Dietitians have been trained in all aspects and fields of nutrition therapy and are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat diet and nutrition-related issues and can treat and prevent illness and disease using science-based nutritional advice.
There is so much misinformation about what should or shouldn’t be eaten and, understandably, it can get very confusing! Dietitians are nutrition experts and lead the public away from false claims or claims that are not backed up by compelling scientific evidence and guide you to make the best food choices for your specific nutritional goals.
Medical conditions managed by private practicing dietitians include (and not limited to):
- Diabetes (type 1, type 2 and gestational)
- Heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol)
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- TB
- Throat, stomach and intestinal disorders (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, constipation, flatulence, diarrhoea, IBS)
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Eating disorders
Dietitians are also trained in providing specialized nutritional advice for:
- Sports nutrition
- Various stages of a person’s lifecycle (pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adulthood and elderly)