Francette Dietitian

02/11/2025

Get your South African bariatric cookbook from Nutrition Kitchen this November at 20% discount!
Suitable for pre- and post-op bariatric meals, GLP-1 meals and anyone following a balanced diet - low in fat, low in sugar with a focus on higher protein intake.
Hard copy R320 excl courier fee
Digital copy R240
Contact Bev Pretorius directly
📧temperedindulgence@gmail.com
📞 082 901 1289

27/10/2025

Meals tailored to your unique nutrition journey! Bev is based in Pretoria and well known for her delicious perfectly portioned meals. I highly recommend her especially to my bariatric patients - Bev can assist with each of your dietary phases pre and post-op 🙌🏻
Added bonus is that Bev makes delicious wholesome food your whole family can enjoy. 🥘

26/10/2025

Each balanced meal & snack after bariatric surgery should be planned around your serving of protein. 🤓

After bariatric surgery, protein becomes your anchor.

It heals, strengthens, and keeps you fuller for longer.
When you read labels, aim for 10g or more per serving. It’s a simple habit that builds long-term success.

17/10/2025

🍊 A Slice of Sunshine on My Desk

🇿🇦Blood oranges are still around, the last little gift from the cooler months. These jewel toned citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that help the body heal, protect cells and calm inflammation.

💪 For my bariatric patients, vitamin C enhances iron absorption and supports recovery.
🤰 For pregnant women, it helps baby’s development and strengthens mom’s immune system.
🌸 And for those on a fertility journey, antioxidants quietly support egg and s***m quality by reducing oxidative stress.

Just like the deep red of a blood orange appears only when the season turns, health too reveals its beauty in its own time. 🌿

🎧 This fruit (and its story) featured in the latest episode of my podcast, Kosreis – “Bloedlemoene: Hoe rooier, hoe mooier en gesonder.”
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts – link in bio.

15/10/2025

💜 in October month - picture perfect and the streets are covered in blossoms like confetti. View from Bourke street hospital. 🤩

17/07/2025

📣 Attention: Pre- and post-op bariatric patients, family, friends and support buddies and interested medical professionals. You do not want to miss this next webinar! We are going to talk about the emotional challenges and rewards of the bariatric journey and give lots of tips!

One week to go!

Join us for our FREE webinar session
Date: Thursday 24th July
Time: 7pm

The theme of this months’ “Ask us anything”: Navigating the emotional and relational journey of bariatric surgery.

Register via the link on the Obesity Community Fund Website (Link in Bio)

We are here to support you on your bariatric journey

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." – African Proverb

10/07/2025

05/07/2025

🌿 About Me 🌿

I’m Francette, a Bariatric Surgery Dietitian based at the beautiful Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital in Pretoria, and a certified Fertility & Pregnancy Dietitian.

Whether you’re preparing for bariatric surgery or navigating the emotional highs and lows of trying to conceive (especially after IVF or loss), my role is to walk with you, with compassion, clarity, and a plan that truly nourishes you.

✨ It’s not just about meal plans or supplements — it’s about giving your body a fighting chance, rebuilding trust, and taking back control of your health journey.

Let’s redefine what it means to nourish hope.

📍Based in Pretoria
💻 Online consultations also available
🤍 Nourishing bodies. Nurturing futures.

04/06/2025

Watch Dr Thinus Smit talk about Bariatric Surgery & The Obesity Community Fund - making bariatric surgery more affordable and accesible 🙌🏻

The Obesity Community Fund is a non profit organisation led by patients - funders are needed and as this grows more service providers. Dream BIG with us and let this spread accross the country so that people living with obesity in South Africa can get access to care and life changing surgery. 🏥

“The Obesity Community Fund is a patient-led non-profit organisation based in Pretoria, serving people across South Africa. We are part of a collaborative effort that includes doctors, surgeons, dieticians, counsellors, researchers, and advocates who are working together to change the national response to obesity.
​
We help patients access funding for life-changing bariatric surgery, provide education and support, and advocate for obesity to be recognised and treated like the serious disease it is. Our mission is to break the stigma, increase access to evidence-based care, and build a community of empowered patients and families.”

Here are some helpful links:
Obesity Advocacy & Join to become a member www.obesitycommunityfund.co.za

Join the information session on 17th of June to learn more
RSVP here:
https://www.obesitycommunityfund.co.za/event-details/what-is-the-obesity-community-fund-information-session

https://youtu.be/NASszHALBMk?si=5bxgsHFDGxEKwH-R

14/05/2025

🤰🏽Can you have a healthy pregnancy after bariatric surgery? Absolutely!

🏥What is Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)?
Bariatric surgery involves altering the stomach to reduce food intake, and in some cases, the intestines are also altered to reduce nutrient absorption. It also impacts gut hormones that regulate hunger, fullness, and cravings. Bariatric surgery is currently the gold standard for treating severe obesity, especially when other interventions haven’t worked.

🗓️Is Pregnancy Safe After Bariatric Surgery?
Yes! However, it’s recommended to wait 12 to 18 months after surgery, or ideally 2 years, when weight has stabilised and the risk of nutritional deficiencies is lower.

🚑What Are the Risks of Pregnancy When a Woman Is Living with Obesity?
Pregnancy in women with obesity is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm labour, and newborn complications, such as having a larger baby or losing the baby around the time of birth.

🚼What Are the Risks of Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery?
Pregnancy after bariatric surgery comes with a higher chance of having a baby born early (premature) or smaller than expected for their age.

Can I Have a Healthy Baby After Bariatric Surgery?
Yes! To reduce risks and ensure the best outcomes:
✅ Wait to get pregnant after surgery (use contraception during rapid weight loss).
✅ Keep up with follow-up visits with your bariatric team and take all your supplements.
✅ See your bariatric dietitian and doctor at least once every trimester to review your health, blood results, and diet.

Get in touch to learn how personalised nutrition can support your unique bariatric pregnancy journey! 📍 Zuid Afrikaans hospital, Pretoria & Online
📆 Link to book in bio

03/05/2025

🧩Recurrent miscarriage & the role of nutrition.

About 85% of miscarriages are due to genetic factors, often related to advanced maternal age.

Some other causes include chromosomal factors, infection, anatomical factors (e.g. fibroids), underlying medical conditions (Diabetes, PCOS, Clotting disorders)
& Lifestyle factors (diet and lifestyle choices).

How can nutrition help reduce the risk of having another miscarriage?

#1 Optimise weight before pregnancy & ensure appropriate weight gain during pregnancy
#2 Reduce the risk of gestational diabetes & pre-eclampsia
#3 Dietary management of celiac disease
#4 Dietary management of malabsorptive conditions (e.g. Crohn’s, Ulcerative colitis, surgical removal of stomach/part of intestines, Bariatric surgery)
#5 Fix micronutrient deficiencies
#6 Screen for higher folate/folic acid requirements (e.g. MTHFR)
#7 Dietary management of Male factor infertility
#8 Include protective nutrients
#9 Exclude harmful substances

There is no one perfect diet. The best diet is one that is tailored to suit your routine, lifestyle, likes and dislikes while incorporating some essentials to help you on your unique TTC journey.

📍 Zuid Afrikaans hospital & Online
📆 Link to book in bio

29/04/2025

🤍Picking yourself up after losing a pregnancy is one of the most difficult things to go through. Ask me, I know. It is a dark and lonely place. It does not matter at what stage of the pregnancy the loss occurred - the pain is unbearable and real.

The mental and emotional recovery takes long and may seem like the only healing you need, but your body has been through a traumatic event and you also need physical recovery with:
- Nutrients to support healing of tissues
- Nutrients to reduce inflammation and infection
- Replenish your blood cells and body stores of nutrients.
- You might still be carrying the weight you gained during the pregnancy and find yourself using emotional eating as a coping mechanism.

My practice is a safe space for couples who have experienced pregnancy loss. I was in such a bad mental space that I would never have imagined doing the work I do today. My own pain was once too unbearable that I had no capacity for anything else. BUT now I am here for YOU.

💔Your emotional healing is not within my scope of practice, but from my personal experience I can share that I spent 18 months away from my TTC journey. I consulted a counsellor that deals with infertility & IVF, I had a series of appointments with a psychologist who taught me tools to cope and I started thriving. I took up some hobbies such as gardening succulents and other plants and I started painting. I have a collection of precious little paintings from 2016, 2017 and 2018 which is the time our TTC journey took a halt. In 2019 I fell pregnant with a third and final IVF attempt.

🎨Those little paintings ended up in the baby room in 2019 as a reminder of the path it took to finally hold my own baby. And when my son asks about the mommy fox with the baby fox painting, dated long before his conception, I answer - “It is me and you, of course”.

👩🏻📝As prenatal dietitian I can help with your nutritional needs as you recovery from pregnancy loss, all the while holding space for your emotional loss and making recommendations from a point of understanding that you are not in a good space at the moment. Get in touch to start your physical healing process. Link in bio