Chantel, Bianca and Brittany 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.
06/11/2025
Welcome to our Senses Series: The Magic Between First Foods & Our Senses
Did you know that the way we introduce solids can shape a child’s sensory world?
Those first spoonfuls — the sweetness of pumpkin, the smoothness of avocado, the crunch of soft veggies, the stickiness of saucy ribs in the hands — are more than just nutrition. They’re tiny sensory lessons! 👅
Each taste, texture, color, and smell helps little ones:
🥕 Build confidence with food
🍎 Develop fine motor + oral skills
🍞 Explore without fear
🌿 Form positive, lifelong food relationships
As a dietitian and a mom, I love reminding parents: feeding is more than fuel — it’s sensory exploration, curiosity, and connection. 💛
So let them squish, smell, and taste. It’s all part of the journey.
03/11/2025
Real food. Real people. Real change 🌿
We’re a team of dietitians who love helping you build a healthier, more balanced relationship with food - without judgement.
From eating disorders and disordered eating, to women’s health and PCOS, diabetes, gut health, cancer, and sports performance, we’re here to guide you with personalised, practical, evidence-based support that fits your life.
You can find us at our offices in Stellenbosch Mediclinic, Stellies Campus Health, Durbanville & Paarl ✨
31/10/2025
This month, we wear pink to honour the fighters, celebrate the survivors, and remember those we’ve lost. 💞
Let it also be a gentle reminder to nourish yourself - body, mind, and soul.
Eat well. Move your body. Book that check-up. Rest when you need to.
Your health is your greatest gift; protect it fiercely. 🌸
✨ Early detection saves lives. Self-checks and regular screenings matter.
You matter. 💗
29/10/2025
🧠💙 World Stroke Day | Eat for your brain and heart
Today is World Stroke Day, and a simple way to protect your brain and heart is by eating fish 2-3 times a week 🐟
Omega-3 fats found in fish help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and support healthy blood flow to the brain - all important for stroke prevention.
SWIPE 👉🏼 for an affordable and delicious recipe to add more fish to your week!
-inflammatory
25/10/2025
♻️ Repurposing Leftovers Series | Episode 1: The Mighty Steak
Cooked up a delicious steak with mushroom sauce, chips, and salad last night? Don’t let those tasty leftovers go to waste! Transform them into four new, easy meals that are anything but boring!
Here’s how to give your steak a second life 👇
1️⃣ Steak Stroganoff: Slice your leftover steak and toss it in a creamy mushroom sauce. Serve with rice or pasta and a fresh green salad. 🍄🍝
2️⃣ Veggie Power Bowl: Combine steak strips with quinoa, roasted veggies, and a drizzle of hummus dressing for a hearty, nourishing lunch. 🥗
3️⃣ Greek Wraps: Wrap steak with fresh salsa, crisp lettuce, and a spoonful of tzatziki for a flavour-packed handheld meal. 🌯🇬🇷
4️⃣ Steak Stir-Fry: Flash-fry sliced steak with veggies, toss in an Asian-inspired coconut dressing, and serve over noodles for a quick dinner fix. 🍜🌿
Leftovers never looked (or tasted) so good!
Save this post for your next steak night 🔖
23/10/2025
At Imagine Dietitians, we believe wellness goes beyond nutrition. 🌿
True health is more than the food on your plate; it’s how you care for your mind, your energy, and your boundaries.
Protecting your peace is part of caring for your health, because emotional balance and nourishment work hand in hand.
When we slow down, tune in, and honour what our bodies and minds need, we create space for real healing to happen. 💕
20/10/2025
🌍 World Osteoporosis Day | Weekly Meal Inspo 🍽️
Strong bones start with strong habits and what better way to celebrate than by fueling your body with bone-loving foods! 🦴
This week’s Meal Inspo is all about calcium, vitamin D, and protein, the ultimate trio for bone health:
Monday: Mediterranean salmon bowl with quinoa, roasted vegetables and a tzatziki dressing
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo pasta with a side of green salad topped with roasted almonds
Wednesday: Lentil, spinach, and sweet potato coconut curry served with steamed rice and sesame seeds
Thursday: Sardine or pilchard fish cakes served with mash and roasted broccoli and carrots.
Friday: Beef stir-fry with bok choy, mushrooms, bell peppers and sesame seeds, served with noodles
Saturday: Marinated tofu baked with mixed root veggies and served with quinoa and tahini
Sunday: Greek lamb koftas served with salsa, chopped kale salad, tzatziki and wholewheat wraps
Remember:
✅ Get enough sunlight for Vitamin D
✅ Stay active with weight-bearing exercise
✅ Keep your bones nourished, one meal at a time
Let’s take care of our bones today so they can carry us for life. 💜
18/10/2025
🎀 Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀
Nutrition plays a vital role in both prevention and recovery.
This month, we honour the strength of those affected and raise awareness about the power of nourishment, balance, and care in every stage of the journey.
💗 Choose colourful, nutrient-rich foods to support your body.
💗 Prioritise regular meals - nourishment is strength.
💗 And most importantly, show kindness to yourself, always.
Together, let’s build awareness, support one another, and nourish healing and hope.
16/10/2025
🌍🌱 World Food Day 🌱🌍
This year’s focus is on fostering sustainable and resilient food systems - because the way we grow, share, and consume food shapes our health, communities, and planet. 💚
🌾 Support local & seasonal - choosing local produce strengthens farmers and reduces environmental impact.
🥖 Reduce food waste - mindful shopping, storing, and cooking help protect resources and ensure food reaches more people.
💧 Protect our future - sustainable farming and food habits build resilience in the face of climate change.
14/10/2025
Just tried this amazing recipe I spotted on and wow… it’s a total game-changer! 🤩
Not only is it packed with flavour, but it’s also quick, simple, and such a crowd-pleaser. This recipe definitely ticks all the boxes - comforting, tasty, and fun to make. 💚
➡️ Swipe to see the magic unfold ✨
📌 Saving this one because trust me, you’ll want to make it again (and again).
Have you tried this recipe yet? Let me know what you think!
10/10/2025
🌍✨ World Mental Health Day ✨🌍
Your mind matters as much as your body. Taking small, intentional steps each day is a form of self-care. 💚
🥗 Take time to eat – Food isn’t just fuel; it’s nourishment for your body and mind.
☕ You can’t pour from an empty cup – Prioritise balanced meals to keep your energy steady.
😴 Rest is essential – Sleep and downtime recharge your brain, helping you show up fully in life.
💬 Reach out – Talking and connecting with others can ease the weight you carry.
Today, remember: caring for yourself is not selfish - it’s necessary. 💚
08/10/2025
Snacking isn’t a sign of “eating too much”; it’s a sign you’re listening to your body. 💛
�Snacks are not an indulgence; they’re nourishment your body needs. Balanced snacks help stabilise blood sugar, improve focus, and support emotional wellbeing.
�This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s celebrate nourishment - not restriction.
�
Address
Suite 110, Drive Abrie Vermeulen's Rooms, Stellenbosch Mediclinic Stellenbosch 7600
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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
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)
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 with each session. Her areas of interest include critical care (ICU) chronic diseases of the lifestyle (diabetes – type 1 and type 2, hypercholesterolaemia), eating disorders, disordered eating and emotional eaters, weight loss, women’s health (PCOS, hypothyroidism) and gastro-intestinal diseases.
When Chantel 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, classics and economy or research based books. 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 that they have.
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: currently busy completing
Infant feeding course, BFHI (Northern Cape Department of Health)
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.
