Carla Gerryts - Dietitian

Carla Gerryts - Dietitian Hi there! Welcome to my official nutrition page. Here you will find some interesting information, support and advice in your journey towards health.

21/04/2026

Learning by seeing

I think many of us are visual learners: if you show us one time how its done, we got it. I tend to be a combination of visual and auditory (I vividly remember reading my biology textbook onto a casette tape and listening to it over and over).

The concept of a vision board is certainly not novel, but I do want to remind you why it is so powerful. It reminds us of what is possible. It is yours to get creative with. From a food perspective, there are many ways to use this as inspiration and explore your creative side as well. I am purposefully not using a food example, because I dont want to project my own perceptions and goals onto others.

This is my vision board for how I would like my life to feel, even in the mundane of home affairs and taxes.

Would love to see yours!

Is your food journey looking slightly like... the second version of the rose in my garden after the storm? Are you feeli...
20/04/2026

Is your food journey looking slightly like... the second version of the rose in my garden after the storm?

Are you feeling deflated, ashamed and like you are never going to bloom again?

It might feel that way, but did you know that the hailstorm that led to this battering and bruising actually provides the ground with nitrogen - to come back stronger than ever!

What if I tell you that what you are experiencing as failure is actually information that teaches you how to move forward?

Even wilted, both are still the same rose. You are still you - have grace with seasons!

Lots of love. Oh, and a new Olivia Rodrigo for your Monday!

Strong positioning for lifestyle interventions as a crucial, even fundamental pillar for the treatment of MDD. Been shou...
09/04/2026

Strong positioning for lifestyle interventions as a crucial, even fundamental pillar for the treatment of MDD.

Been shouting this from the rooftop for years, but the documentation and evidence-base is getting stronger and stronger. For all my bio colleagues: movement as PRIMARY therapy - I want to see you as part of the MDT in all psychiatric MDT teams.

A river that doesn't flow, leads to the death of all things living inside and outside of it. Movement is life. And nutrition does not only support the ability to move, but also biochemical changes in the brain.

When I ask: have you moved your body lately, I am not judging or wondering about the total number on the scale. I am exploring if you are underusing one of the most effective tools in your toolbox.

Be it gardening, yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aquarobics, there is a form of movement that can work for you - and fueling appropriately for it is just as important!
It is very empowering to position myself as someone who can help others build this very important pillar for their mental wellbeing.

Women and food - complicated, isn't it? What would you add to the list? And how can we support each other to make the jo...
08/04/2026

Women and food - complicated, isn't it? What would you add to the list? And how can we support each other to make the journey easier?

Proof of lifeYes, I am still here. There were reasons why I retreated for a bit. Usually, I will apologize for my silenc...
23/03/2026

Proof of life

Yes, I am still here. There were reasons why I retreated for a bit. Usually, I will apologize for my silence, but I am first and foremost a healthcare professional and definitely not an influencer - my focus will always be channeled to the patients in front of me.

But even before I am a healthcare professional, I am a human. A human that went through the most challenging 6 months of her life. I think we all know that list of the top stressors in life - I ticked many of them, including the loss of a loved one as well as moving house.

Through all of this, I knew the storm will pass eventually. That is the nature of storms. And as humans, we would like to put quick timelines to everything. We talk the talk about the "healing journey", but when it comes to walking the walk, we would prefer to be recovered by end of business today.

That is not how life works. And when the puzzle pieces move like this, you start to really rethink how you live your life. Your priorities.

All I knew is that I didn't want my gravestone to read: she worked hard. And I still have a tug of war inside of me, finding the balance between purpose, meaningful work, rest, health and all that makes me me. Who am I trying to impress?

At the end of the day, everyone is sound asleep at 01:00 at night, and you need to be at peace with your life.

I don't have all the answers. All I know is I haven't felt this grounded in a long time.
And I am taking the advice I give to many of my patients: starting from where I am and using what I have.

It is humbling.
It is beautiful.

04/02/2026

A nutrition support group - is it for you?

Let's talk about it!

This why we can't have nice things, darling. Anything you would like to add to the list?
03/02/2026

This why we can't have nice things, darling.

Anything you would like to add to the list?

When you think I am your dietitian but I am also your1. Chef2. Teacher3. Psychologist 4. Professional food shopper5. Fin...
29/01/2026

When you think I am your dietitian but I am also your
1. Chef
2. Teacher
3. Psychologist
4. Professional food shopper
5. Financial planner

P S: all in good humour - I understand scope of practise 🤣

20/01/2026

What are some of the differences between a "regular" consultation and a consultation to discuss the plan for treating emotional eating or an eating disorder?

Let's discuss.

When a day falls apart - do you rebuild? I was quite positive about this Monday morning. Until I wasn't. It started with...
19/01/2026

When a day falls apart - do you rebuild?

I was quite positive about this Monday morning. Until I wasn't.

It started with an early phone call from the husband: something is up with the complex gate. When you take Yoda for a walk, let me know if its still an issue.

It was.

So, I tried to follow Whatsapp instructions on what to do. Gave the battery an hour to charge. Nothing. Husband comes back home to see what is going on.

We take an intelligent guess that the battery got damaged during the storm. Three stores later, find a new battery. No luck fixing the issue.

At that moment, a bird's nest fell. And it felt exactly like a metaphor of my day. I had work and plans. But I had a choice to make: call it a day, play Solitaire and try again tomorrow...

OR make a cup of coffee and toast and rebuild the Monday to change the narrative.

How do you choose to rebuild and regroup?

It's the start of a new year, and with many new connections, a good time to reintroduce myself and get the conversation ...
16/01/2026

It's the start of a new year, and with many new connections, a good time to reintroduce myself and get the conversation going.

Hi, my name is Carla Gerryts. I am an almost 35-year-old registered dietitian based in Pretoria, South Africa. This year, I will be married to the best decision I ever made for 8 years. We are currently in the process of buying a house (look out for my potential bestseller The Complex Chronicles coming soon) and very excited about this fresh start. We have a Pekingese rescue dog named Yoda that is our soul dog and a great source of joy.

I grew up in Pretoria and matriculated from Affies in 2009. It was some of my most enjoyable years and I am very proud of my Old Girl status. I studied B.Sc Dietetics at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus and completed by Community Service year at Witrand Psychiatric Hospital. This experience is what sparked my interest in nutritional psychiatry.

Between 2015 - 2018, back in Pretoria, I gained experience in a lot of different settings, including clinical, corporate and food service. In 2018, I found my home at Petri Fourie Dietitians, an out-patient practice. In conjunction with that, I also worked as part of the MDT at Evexia Day Psychiatric Hospital between 2020 and 2025, an experience that changed how I see the world and how I practice.

This year, I am focused on building our private practice and organizing a successful Nutrition Congress 2026. I am always open to new challenges and projects. My interests include nutrition care for the vulnerable, nutritional psychiatry, eating disorders and group therapy. If you need an article for your publication, someone to facilitate a session in your support groups, develop educational material or advocate for nutrition in vital spaces - I am your person.

If you are looking for a "typical" dietitian, seek assistance with sports nutrition, focus on aesthetics (for example bodybuilding) or someone with experience in pediatrics or allergies, I have trusted colleagues that will be better positioned to assist you.

Let's connect!

What am I up to? This week, I am spending a lot of my time finalizing a nutritionally balanced, adequate and practical v...
14/01/2026

What am I up to?

This week, I am spending a lot of my time finalizing a nutritionally balanced, adequate and practical venue for a frail care center.
I find the work extremely meaningful, especially after the two years of personal experience. This is a population that is often forgotten, also in nutrition terms. Here is what I am focusing on:

1. Predictability: chicken on a Monday, mince on a Tuesday. It is not boring. It creates safety, for the cooks and for the residents.
2. Favourite meals done better. Cottage pie? Sign me up, but perhaps we can switch the mash for sweet potato for our diabetic resident and bulk it up with vegetables?
3. Texture: soft, moisture, sauce-rich and palatable. Always work with a speech therapist when in doubt, safety first.
4. Light, but nutrient dense suppers
5. The highlight? Of course, pudding – included twice a week and balanced in requirements.

When you are 91, I will gladly offer you a piece of apple pie. You deserve it.

Just like the dog my talented pencil artist mom sketched, turn your head to the light.

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1015 St Bernard Drive
Pretoria
0042

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 07:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 07:00 - 17:00
Thursday 07:00 - 17:00
Friday 07:00 - 17:00

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