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.

FOOD FOR STRONGER BONES!Building and protecting your bones starts in the kitchen! Here are some delicious, everyday meal...
24/02/2026

FOOD FOR STRONGER BONES!

Building and protecting your bones starts in the kitchen! Here are some delicious, everyday meal ideas packed with calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin K, and protein - all essential for bone health.

Remember: You don’t need “perfect” meals, just small, consistent additions of nutrient-rich foods that support your bones. Your plate can play a big role in your long-term strength.

Here is why I don’t routinely supplement all patients;When it comes to bone health, more isn’t always better, and supple...
22/02/2026

Here is why I don’t routinely supplement all patients;

When it comes to bone health, more isn’t always better, and supplements aren’t always the first answer. In fact, your body is incredibly smart, and it often absorbs nutrients better from food than from a tablet.

Food-first matters because 🦴 :

• Nutrients from whole foods come packaged with proteins, fibre, fats, and co-factors that naturally support absorption and utilisation.
• Calcium from food is absorbed more steadily and comfortably than high-dose calcium supplements.
• Vitamin D works best when paired with a balanced diet and regular movement.
• Magnesium, vitamin K, and protein, all essential for bone strength, are easiest to obtain through varied, consistent meals.

So why not supplement everyone?

Because over-supplementation has risks!

• High-dose calcium can increase the risk of kidney stones and GI discomfort.
• Unnecessary vitamin D supplementation can lead to toxicity if taken long-term without monitoring.
• Taking single nutrients in excess can throw off the balance of other minerals your bones rely on.

Each person’s medical conditions, medications, and blood results are different, which means a blanket approach simply isn’t safe.

My approach:
I look at the whole picture, your diet, bloods, medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms, before recommending any supplements.

If your intake is low or you have clinically low levels, then supplements can be incredibly helpful. But they should always be targeted and personalised.

Bottom line 🫶 :
Supporting your bones starts with food, movement, and lifestyle, and supplements are just one tool, not the foundation.

✨ Eating disorders and disordered eating ARE NOT the same thing ✨ and understanding the difference matters.⁠⁠Why this d...
19/02/2026

✨ Eating disorders and disordered eating ARE NOT the same thing ✨ and understanding the difference matters.⁠
⁠
Why this distinction matters:⁠
Because not every person with disordered eating has an eating disorder, and not everyone with an eating disorder looks unwell on the outside.⁠
⁠
Recognising the difference helps ensure people get the right level of care, support, and early intervention.⁠
⁠
🫶 If you see yourself in either of these descriptions, you deserve help, long before things feel “serious enough.”⁠
⁠
HealthAtEverySize WeightStigmaAwareness MentalHealthMatters FoodRelationship IntuitiveEatingJourney NonDietDietitian BodyImageSupport

✨ Eating disorders and disordered eating ARE NOT the same thing ✨ and understanding the difference matters.Why this di...
19/02/2026

✨ Eating disorders and disordered eating ARE NOT the same thing ✨ and understanding the difference matters.

Why this distinction matters:
Because not every person with disordered eating has an eating disorder, and not everyone with an eating disorder looks unwell on the outside.

Recognising the difference helps ensure people get the right level of care, support, and early intervention.

🫶 If you see yourself in either of these descriptions, you deserve help, long before things feel “serious enough.”

Let’s talk bone health!Your bones reach their peak density between the ages of 25 and 30. After that, it’s all about mai...
13/02/2026

Let’s talk bone health!

Your bones reach their peak density between the ages of 25 and 30. After that, it’s all about maintaining and protecting what you’ve built. Lifestyle, nutrition, hormones, and medical conditions can all influence how quickly bone density changes over time.

🥗 Nutrients that matter most:

Calcium: The building block of bone. Aim to meet your needs through food first - dairy, fortified plant milks, sardines, tofu, and leafy greens are great choices.

Vitamin D: Essential for calcium absorption. Sunlight helps, but many people still fall short, especially in winter.

Protein: Important for the structure of bone tissue and maintaining muscle mass to support bone strength.

Magnesium & Vitamin K: Support bone metabolism and healthy mineralisation.

💊 What about supplements?
Supplements can help, but they aren’t for everyone.

Calcium supplements may be useful if your intake is low, but high doses aren’t better and can cause side effects.

Vitamin D supplementation is often recommended when blood levels are low or if sun exposure is limited.

Always speak to a healthcare professional (hi 👋) before starting anything new, especially if you have chronic conditions like kidney disease or thyroid disorders.

✨ Bottom line:
Bone health isn’t just an ageing issue, it’s a right-now issue.

Nourish your body, move regularly, and check in with a professional when needed. Your future self will thank you.

✨ Menopause & Nutrition: 4 Nutrients That Make a Difference ✨🥛 1. CalciumSupports strong bones and helps slow age-relate...
11/02/2026

✨ Menopause & Nutrition: 4 Nutrients That Make a Difference ✨

🥛 1. Calcium
Supports strong bones and helps slow age-related bone loss.
Sources: yogurt, milk/fortified alternatives, broccoli, kale, sardines, almonds, chia seeds.

🌞 2. Vitamin D
Boosts bone strength + immune health.
Sources: sunlight, oily fish, red meat, fortified plant milks/cereals.

🌱 3. Phytoestrogens
Gentle, plant-based estrogen-like effects that may ease symptoms — without stimulating estrogen-driven cancers.
Sources: tofu, tempeh, soybeans, legumes, nuts, flaxseed, garlic, apricots, dates.

🌾 4. Fibre
Supports gut health + helps stabilise glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure.
Sources: whole grains, fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts, seeds.

💛 Menopause is a big transition — you don’t have to navigate it alone.
If this is something you’re struggling with, reach out to us. We’re here to help you feel supported, informed and nourished.

🌍 World Cancer Day | Nutrition is part of cancer treatmentCancer and its treatment place the body under immense strain, ...
04/02/2026

🌍 World Cancer Day | Nutrition is part of cancer treatment

Cancer and its treatment place the body under immense strain, increasing energy and protein needs, while often reducing appetite and intake.

Without early nutrition support, unintentional weight and muscle loss are common and can affect strength, recovery, and treatment tolerance.

Research consistently shows that early dietitian-led nutrition care, oral nutrition support, and personalised counselling improve outcomes and quality of life in people living with cancer. 💙

From simple meal fortification, to medical nutrition supplements, to practical meal strategies - small, early interventions make a powerful difference.

If you or a loved one is navigating cancer treatment, don’t wait.
📩 Early support matters.

📚 Evidence-informed by:

Arends et al., 2017 • Arends, 2025 • Zhang et al., 2022 • Zhang et al., 2025 • KP Bavika et al., 2024 • Hosseini et al., 2025 • International Declaration on the Human Right to Nutritional Care, 2023

10 Years of Imagine Dietitians! This year, we celebrate 10 years of Imagine Dietitians and private practice in the Winel...
31/01/2026

10 Years of Imagine Dietitians!

This year, we celebrate 10 years of Imagine Dietitians and private practice in the Winelands (Stellenbosch / Paarl / Durbanville).

Ten years of conversations, growth, learning, unlearning, and relearning, and walking alongside incredible humans on their health journeys.

As we mark this milestone, we’ve been reflecting on what the last decade has taught us, not just about nutrition and our clients, but about ourselves.

Here are 10 things we’ve learned in 10 years:

1️⃣ Progress is rarely linear and that’s perfectly okay. Show up anyway.
2️⃣ Listening is often more powerful than giving advice.
3️⃣ Food is never just food, it is so much more than that: it is childhood memories, it is a celebration and sometimes it is fear, guilt and anxiety. We all experience the food space differently - be compassionate and curious about what it looks like for you..
4️⃣ Trust is built slowly, and it’s everything; don't rush it.
5️⃣ We don’t have to have all the answers to be helpful.
6️⃣ Compassion (for clients and ourselves) changes outcomes.
7️⃣ Burnout is a signal, not a failure. Listen when your body is telling you what it needs.
8️⃣ Community matters more than we ever expected, lean into it.
9️⃣ Our work is most meaningful when it’s values-led, not trend-led.
🔟 We are still learning, and that’s what keeps this work exciting.

To every client, colleague, referrer, and supporter who has been part of these 10 years: thank you. You’ve shaped who we are and how we practice.

Here’s to the next chapter in the Winelands, where we will be showing up with curiosity, care, compassion, and imagination.

💛 With Lots of Love, Chantel

Children learn about food and bodies from the way we speak to ourselves, not just from what we say to them.Small shifts ...
30/01/2026

Children learn about food and bodies from the way we speak to ourselves, not just from what we say to them.

Small shifts in awareness and compassion can change the story for a whole family.🤍

We’re here if you’d like support ✨

Family-friendly meal ideas in under 45 minutes 🍽️Simple, balanced dinner options using familiar ingredients and mild fla...
18/01/2026

Family-friendly meal ideas in under 45 minutes 🍽️

Simple, balanced dinner options using familiar ingredients and mild flavours, suitable for everyday family meals.

Day 1 - Beef Stir-Fry (±30 min)
Main: Beef stir-fry (sirloin or rump strips)
Flavour: Light soy, garlic, a touch of honey
Sides:
• Steamed jasmine rice
• Stir-fried mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, sugar snap peas)

Day 2 – Baked Chicken (±40 min)
Main: Oven-baked lemon & herb chicken thighs
Sides:
• Baby potatoes roasted with olive oil
• Steamed green beans or peas

Day 3 – Crispy Baked Fish (±35 min)
Main: Crispy baked hake (crumbed or lightly floured)
Sides:
• Sweet potato wedges
• Cucumber & yoghurt dip
• Steamed corn or carrots

Day 4 – Beef Bolognese (±40 min)
Main: Mild beef mince bolognese
Sides:
• Spaghetti or short pasta
• Grated cheese
• Side salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber)

Day 5 – Lentil Cottage Pie (±40–45 min)
Main: Lentil & vegetable cottage pie
(lentils, carrot, onion, tomato base)
Sides:
• Creamy mashed potatoes (topping)
• Steamed broccoli or peas

Day 6 – Chicken Fajita Bowls (±30–35 min)
Main: Chicken fajita bowls
(pan-fried chicken strips with mild spices)
Sides:
• Soft tortillas or rice
• Sautéed peppers & onions
• Avocado slices or guacamole
• Sour cream or plain yoghurt

Day 7 – Quiche (±35 min)
Main: Veggie-packed quiche
(egg, cheese, feta, spinach, onion)
Sides:
• Simple tomato & cucumber salad

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Behind the scenes of our 2026 planning session 💭Big ideas, meaningful conversations, and lots of passion for what’s ahea...
17/01/2026

Behind the scenes of our 2026 planning session 💭

Big ideas, meaningful conversations, and lots of passion for what’s ahead.
Taking time to reflect and align the year to come, always with our patients and community at the centre!

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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Our Story

Imagine Dietitians (practice number: 0595039) opened its doors on the 4th of January 2016 in Stellenbosch. Our motto is – Imagine Living a Healthier Life. Now it is possible - we believe a holistic approach is the best way to a healthy lifestyle: Live – signifies living an active life by doing exercise most days of the week. We will be collaborating with personal trainers and biokineticists to ensure that the client receives appropriate advice on exercise. Health – signifies a healthy life through health promotion. We do Vitality Nutrition Consultations and will be arranging health days or nutrition talks at local businesses and schools. Life – The last part of the motto is directly related to nutrition – healthy recipes, interesting topics and articles on the latest research will be published regularly on our blog. Imagine Dietitians offer various dietetic services which include (but is not limited to) nutritional assessments and counselling 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, rheumatology disease, eating disorders, weight loss and children who are picky eaters, who had weight loss or poor weight gain, suffer from constipation, have an iron deficiency or have inadequate dietary intake. At the moment there are two registered dietitians working at the practice: Chantel Walker and Maya du Plessis. All clients / patients in hospital are billed at medical aid tariffs to ensure that their medical aid allocation for allied health will be stretched and they can benefit from proper nutritional care and follow-ups where needed, without unnecessary financial limitations. Out of hospital our tariffs are based on medical aid fees and clients / patients can claim back from their medical aid.

Chantel started her dietetics career at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010. After graduating in 2013 she decided to move far away from home for her community service year. She was placed at Sabie Hospital, in Mpumalanga and 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 where she gained valuable knowledge in the field of private practice. She eventually decided to start her private practice – Imagine Dietitians in Stellenbosch and officially opened the doors in January 2016.

Qualifications / Courses:


  • BSc Dietetics Honours (US) 2010 – 2013