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Meghan du Plessis Dietitian

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Meghan du Plessis Dietitian

Private practicing Dietitian

Individualized dietary advice and meal plans for various conditions in

03/04/2021

HEALTH AND WELLNESS FEATURE

We are so excited to have done this feature for the health and wellness magazine 😁

It sure may seem so small to many, but for us it is worth the celebration 🍾 😁👏

If you are ready to give your lifestyle that change you have been wanting to do since new years - you know where to find me😄

Consultations are also done virtually 💻

23/03/2021

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

So incase you were wondering - This is some of the many of the types of conditions we can help you with🌻

As I mentioned in my previous post - Dietitians are the only health professionals that can diagnose, treat and manage nutrition-related conditions and can attend to BOTH healthy and "sick" individuals

19/03/2021

WHO SHOULD YOU TRUST WITH YOUR HEALTH?

This has got to be one of thee most important questions you should ask yourself. I mean, you are literally trusting another person with YOUR health and therefor your life. It's the same way you would trust a doctor with your life right?

Nutrition has become such a massive topic, especially because there are now so many individuals who suffer from chronic lifestyle conditions (such as diabetes, high blood etc.). Not only that, but many have also now decided to take charge of their health - Which is AWESOME!

BUT, getting advice and guidance can literally now come from anyone who claims a title or does a google search. It is extremely important for you to know who to go to and who to trust.

A Registered Dietitian is the highest qualified nutrition expert, who are the only health care professionals that can diagnose, treat and manage nutrition-related conditions (Watch out for our next post) and who are regulated by law.

I mean, would you trust a doctor with your life if he dropped out half way?

Think about it.

09/03/2021

Calorie Counting and why it shouldn't scare you.

Ever thought about how to balance your intake and output when it comes to calories and then all of a sudden realize:
"I just don't have the time for it", "it's too difficult", "I don't know how", "I don't want to weigh my food everytime".

Let me tell you something. It has become ALOT easier than it was long ago. We now have wonderful technology that can help us get it right. Believe me when I say that it really does not eat up all your time. It is also the best way to make sure you eat what you need to eat to achieve your goals.

So this brings me to the following: What is calorie counting and why it can be good for you

Listen, I'm not saying everyone should do it, but if you find yourself really struggling with portion control or you have specific exercise goals in mind such as building lean muscle or needing to lose fat mass, then counting calories should become your new best friend.

"Oh no, but where do I start?!"

Firstly, as a Registered Dietitian, I can help you to calculate what your calorie intake should be. Based on various factors and your goals. Then advice you on your eating and how you need to consume your calories throughout the day - while still including all your favourite foods!

Secondly, thank goodness for technology, you can literally use any fitness app to track. Such as my fitness pal or samsung health app (I currently use this one). The majority of food items you'll already find there so there is no need for you to look at the packaging under the microscope.

Thirdly, you should weigh most items to be exact. But you will learn very quickly which items are worth weighing as they take up the most calories. You will also start to pick up how much would a serving be etc. This will ultimately help you learn portion control and make you so much more aware what you put into your body.

*Disclaimer: Any information shared on this page is generalized and does not replace a Dietetic consultation for individual needs and advice*

01/03/2021

NESTLÉ OPTIFAST

A VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) that has been medically and scientifically formulated for the use in managing diabetes and obesity that results in rapid weight-loss and maintenance.

Initially it provides a maximum of 800 calories per day whilst consisting of sufficient proteins, essential fats, carbs, vitamins and minerals for safe and rapid weight-loss. After which one progresses to the next phases of the program. This is done under the strict supervision of an accredited Dietitian and where necessary, your doctor.

Apart from this, the optifast shakes make for a snack or meal replacement when there are time constraints as they are portioned and calorie controlled whilst providing the essentials. Although a proper meal is always advised - Sometimes we all need a lil help.

* Scientifically proven to help with diabetes type 2 remission (taking into consideration the years you have been diabetic and other chronic conditions)

Message me should you want more information on the program or products🌻

25/02/2021

"I love making meal plans", said no dietitian ever.

Who can relate?

23/02/2021

You and Exercise - Part 2

I think that exercise has always been associated well with weight-loss, being fit, building muscle, getting lean etc. - which essentially is not wrong (I'm not going to go into extensive details) but it has always been projected as such that we often forget that there are so many other benefits. These very same benefits are often what drives the motivation for exercise (thank you to everyone who participated in my questionnaire)

Everyone has different goals and reasons for exercise but it's important to know and be aware of yours. The goal does not always have to be for weight-loss, being lean etc.

Some of the reasons for exercise came up were as follows:

- Mental wellbeing: For me it serves as a good thinking and reflection time
- Better QUALITY of sleep (quantity does not mean anything if the quality is not right)
- More energy throughout the day (not feeling sluggish)
- How good it makes you feel (regardless of what your goals are)

These are the very reasons that drive me and I really missed the way it made me feel during my time out.

Whether it is a walk around the neighborhood or a 5km jog. Find what works for you. Find what drives you.

16/02/2021

You and Exercise

I enjoy running a lot more than I enjoy being in a gym (and this is okay! You don't have to like both!). I would go for daily runs and walks as much as I could and enjoyed going on regular hikes. But after my recent back injury, the most I could do were only short walks (sometimes as bad as only one single block). I struggled at work due to having to be on my feet a lot. From normally taking stairs to barely making it to the elevator. Moving around caused a lot of pain especially on the days after physio while still in recovery. This has gone on for just over a month and I'm still working towards getting to where I was

Why am I sharing this with you?

I have been active most of my life and I think we often forget how difficult some might find exercise or how challenging it is to start - expecially if it is something we got used to. This is the position I find myself in now, having to get back to where I was which is very challenging for me. But it also made me realise even more the reasons why I love going for a run or spending lots of time in the outdoors.

I would really love for you to share some of your thoughts and experiences on exercise!

Watch out for part 2 where I'll be sharing some reasons you should include some form of exercise😁😁

14/02/2021

Weekend got you feeling guilty?

DON'T!

For you to gain just half a kilo of fat, you would need to eat at least 3500 calories MORE than what your maintainance is. So lets say your maintenance is 1800 calories, this means you would need to have eaten 7100 calories over the weekend (Sat and Sun) just to gain 0.5kg of fat!

INSANE RIGHT!

So if you had that dessert, those extra chocolates or that side of chips with your burger...let go of the guilt and enjoy it. It takes a lot of overeating on a regular basis to gain those kilos you think you packed on over one single weekend

Start the week off without the guilt and focus on your goals balancing your meals 😁 Don't punish yourself with restriction (such as skipping meals) and excessive exercise! This will only negatively impact your mindset and could easily lead to binge eating

Happy Healthy Eating!

*DISCLAIMER: Any information shared on this page is generalized and does not replace a Dietetic consultation for individual needs and advice*

21/01/2020

"What is a Dietitian"

A Dietitian is a degree-qualified health professional who:

🍓Helps promote nutritional health and wellbeing, treat diseases and to prevent nutrition related problems

🍏Provides practical, safe and individualized advice, based on current scientific evidence

🍉 Are the only health care professionals that can assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition related problems - google can't
[Adapted from BDA]

14/01/2020

Let me start by introducing myself..

I was born and raised in the Eastern Cape and studied Dietetics in the beautiful city of Port Elizabeth. After graduation I had the honour of completing my community service year in the very rural Hewu hospital in Whittlesea. Being the very first Dietitian to be placed at this hospital and having to start up an entire department inspired me to open up a practice to continue doing what I love - helping people achieve their nutritional goals.

I now specialize in providing good quality nutritional advice and treatment as well as individualized meal plans for various conditions

I am based in Pretoria East but also doing virtual consultations with clients across South Africa

Feel free to contact me for any enquiries 😊

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Newcastle

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