Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
A nutritionist has either just completed a basic healthy eating course and can advise the general population. A Dietitian did a 4 year degree in Therapeutic nutrition. Meaning we can assist in the treatment of people living with disease eg Diabetes, cholesterol, High blood pressure, cancer etc. Dietitians are also the ones working in hospitals where as Nutritionists cant.
How long should I be seeing a Dietitian for?
That’s depends on your needs and your individual goals. If its just to get a bit of advise on healthy eating to prevent disease or to take care of a family, then it might be 1-2 sessions, where as if you have a big weight loss goal or are training for an event such as Iron man and we need to adjust the meals with training schedule, it will be a longer period.
What if I get a meal plan, but I can’t help myself to cheat? What if my cravings are too strong to stay disciplined?
I will always meet you where you are at and provide motivation and encouragement to get you back on your feet again but also see what we need to put into place in order to try prevent future cheats and cravings. Or what better options to have.
How long does it take to see real results?
That will differ from person to person, but normally the more changes you make and keep the consistency, the better your outcomes of results. In our sessions I always work on the individual and something that might not work for you, might work for someone else, so the more you give me feedback, keep me posted and the more follow ups you attend, the sooner you can be on track to a healthier, leaner you.
Why am I gaining weight even though I’m eating healthy?
There can be various reasons eg portion sizes, you might be gaianing muscle if you are exercising or even just have water retention, and that we will also be able to see with the Inbody scale. This not only gives you the total weight, but also give you a breakdown of how much muscle, fat, water etc you have so we can make the right decisions going forward.
How often should I weigh myself or take measurements?
This differs from person to person, but during the session I would be able to guide you on how often and what you should be measuring.
I’ve hit a weight loss plateau—what should I do?
This is the best time to attend a diet consultation or a follow up, as I can then determine, why you might have reached a plateau so we can put the right measurements in place to get you on track again.
Can a diet help balance my hormones?
It might not be able to get all hormones in the healthy ranges, but can definitely assist in making healthier hormones or at least help balance it in conjunction with medication and other lifestyle measures.
I travel a lot for work which makes diet plans challenging, is it still worth seeing a dietitian?
Absolutely! We can then discuss where you will be travelling, what is available etc so we can look at what you can do during that time to not stop your progress.
Can I lose weight without giving up all my favourite foods?
Definitely! I have even worked in wine to some of my clients diets to help them better manage a healthy balance.
Can I still come see you if I have specific food preferences such as vegan or vegetarian?
Yes. This will also be a great time to ensure that you are still meeting your macro-nutrient goals and getting in enough of the right proteins and vitamins and minerals.
Can you make a meal plan for my whole family, even if we have different health goals?
The family package is the best option for you. I see all the family members and compile meal plans to suit your individual needs.
Will my meal plan include supplement and vitamin advise?
Yes.
Does a diet plan mean I can never enjoy my favourite treats again?
Nope. I actually don’t like the word diet, as it does feel very restrictive and limits almost all your favourite foods. I prefer a healthy lifestyle and see what we can do to make sure you are eating healthy but at the same time, enjoying what you are having. And again, keeping it consistent so its not just for a short period and then you fall back into bad habits.
Do I have to count my calories and put in a lot of effort?
That will depend on what we discuss during the session. As mentioned, I work with each individual and meet you where you are at and work according to your goals.
Are carbs really bad for you?
Not all carbs. This is also a topic we discuss during the consultation to see what types of carbs and portions would be best suitable for you.
What’s the best diet for sustainable weight loss?
Your own personalised meal plan or lifestyle that you can follow consistently over a long period of time.
How long between follow ups are necessary?
I normally recommend 3-4 weeks especially in the beginning as we will track and adjust anything that is not working.
Do you have card facilities?
Yes I do have a Yoco machine that can also do tap payments from a virtual card on your watch or cellphone.
Contact details
Tel: 082 555 2762
Email: esteevl9@gmail.com
Contact details
Tel: 082 555 2762
Email: esteevl9@gmail.com
Location
Randburg:
53 Elise Rd, Fontainebleau, Randburg, 2032
Fourways:
Kingfisher office park, 39B King fisher drive, Fourways.