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.
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.
�
04/10/2025
💙 World Ostomy Day 2025 💙
Today we recognize and support all individuals living with an ostomy; a hidden disability that often goes unseen but deserves to be understood, respected, and supported.
An ostomy is a surgically created opening on the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body when part of the bowel or bladder isn’t functioning properly. It may be needed after surgery for conditions such as bowel cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or trauma.
Nutrition plays a vital role after ostomy surgery - supporting wound healing, preventing dehydration, managing output, and helping patients regain strength and confidence with food.
💡 Dietitians guide patients through each stage of recovery; including reintroducing foods safely to finding a balanced, enjoyable way of eating again. With the right nutrition support, life with an ostomy can be healthy, active, and full.
Let’s raise awareness and start the conversation this 💙
03/10/2025
Mental health is a vital part of overall well-being. As dietitians, we see firsthand how food, nutrition, and lifestyle impact not only the body but also the mind.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s create space for compassion, understanding, and care - for ourselves and for others. 💚
30/09/2025
🥗 Lunch inspiration for your week!
Here are some balanced, satisfying ideas to keep your afternoons feeling full and energised. 🌼
🥙 Quinoa salad with roasted veggies and chickpeas
🥪 Wholegrain wrap with hummus, grilled chicken, and salad
🍛 Lentil curry with brown rice
🥗 Mixed greens with roasted salmon and avocado
🍲 Veggie soup with a slice of bread
Lunch can be a time to pause, enjoy, and refuel your body - whatever that looks like for you. 🌞
26/09/2025
A little reminder from all of us dietitians: taking care of your nutrition is just as important as taking care of your mind and body.
Whether you’re feeling stuck with meal ideas, struggling with energy, managing a health condition, or just want support to feel your best, we’re here to guide you. 🌿
We help you:
🥗 Find meals and routines that work for you
📋 Navigate special nutrition needs or conditions
💬 Build confidence and knowledge around food
🌼 Create practical strategies for everyday life
Remember: seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a step toward feeling more empowered in your choices. 💛
24/09/2025
Happy Heritage Day, South Africa! 🇿🇦✨
Today we celebrate the rich tapestry of our cultures - and what better way to honour it than through the flavours that bring us together?
From samp and beans to bobotie, shisanyama, koeksisters, bunny chow, roti and curry, and everything in between, our heritage lives in the food we prepare, share, and pass down through generations.
Whether you're lighting the braai, cooking with your family, or remembering the meals that shaped your childhood, today is a celebration of unity through diversity and connection through cuisine.
Let’s honour our roots, our recipes, and the stories behind every bite.
21/09/2025
World Heart Day 🌍❤️
Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day - let’s give it the care it deserves.
Today is a reminder that heart health matters for everyone, at every age.
Small daily choices make a big difference:
🥗 Nourish your body with heart-healthy foods
🚶♀️ Move your body regularly
💤 Prioritise rest
🧘♂️ Manage stress
🩺 Know your numbers (cholesterol, BP, blood sugar)
Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death - but most of it is preventable. Let’s raise awareness, take action, and support one another toward healthier hearts. ❤️
19/09/2025
✨ A little reminder from all of us: it’s okay to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself today.
Your feelings are valid, and taking a moment for yourself isn’t selfish - it’s necessary.
Whether it’s resting, journaling, talking to someone, or simply sitting in silence, small acts of self-care add up. 🌿
Remember: you’re doing the best you can, and that’s enough. 💛
17/09/2025
September is PCOS Awareness Month and nutrition is one of the biggest areas of confusion. Women are told to cut everything out, follow strict rules, and spend money on endless supplements. The truth is much simpler 🌸
Nutrition for PCOS is not about perfection or extremes. It is about steady meals that balance blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and nourish your hormones over time 🥗✨ Supplements can support, but food always comes first.
Swipe through this Q and A to see answers to the most common PCOS nutrition questions, including carbs, supplements, cravings, and lifestyle 💡
What is your biggest PCOS question? Drop it below 💬
15/09/2025
✨ Breakfast inspiration for your week!
Here are some balanced, satisfying ideas to start your mornings with warmth and energy. 🌼
🍳 Eggs on toast with avo
🥣 Overnight oats with berries
🍞 Nut butter on wholegrain bread with banana slices
🥑 Savoury breakfast bowl with roasted veggies
🍓 Yoghurt with granola and fruit
Breakfast can be a time to nourish, comfort, and energise your body -whatever that looks like for you!
Which one would you love to try first? 🥰
09/09/2025
🚫🍷 Today is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Awareness Day!
Every year on September 9th, we raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) - a group of lifelong conditions caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.
FASD can affect a child’s:
🧠 Brain development
🫀 Growth and physical health
🗣️ Learning and behaviour
🧩 Social and emotional skills
The good news?
✨ It’s 100% preventable.
There’s no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.
💛 Today, let’s stand together to:
🤰 Support alcohol-free pregnancies
📢 Educate and raise awareness
🌍 Protect and empower future generations
Every choice matters. Every sip matters.
Share this to spread the message and help prevent FASD!
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.