Dietetics

The hospital dieticians evaluate the patient’s nutritional status and recommend the appropriate diet therapy specific to that patient’s needs/goals. Individualised treatment plans and lifestyle modification specific to each patient are created to allow for a sustainable change. The nutritional plan is revised on a regular basis in order to evaluate the client’s response to the recommended nutritional therapy. The dietetics team acts as a vital member of the team treating our patients, by serving as a liaison between the physician, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. 

Weight loss and health management

As dieticians, a large part of our practice entails helping people of various ages lose unnecessary weight as well as live an optimally healthy life. Dieticians use scientific evidence-based methods of weight loss and health management by educating patients on general healthy lifestyles from dietary advice, supplementation, exercise regimes and general wellbeing. All patients placed on weight loss programmes have their individual caloric requirements calculated and then meal plans are drawn up, specific to the patient’s current dietary and cultural preferences. 

We can also give our patients basic guidance on exercise and the intensity, duration and estimations of the calories burnt during these exercises. Our dieticians are also qualified to suggest certain micronutrient supplements, like vitamins, minerals or meal replacement shakes needed for general health and wellbeing.

All outpatients will have a body analysis, when applicable, using a bioelectrical impedance machine which allows the patient and the dietician to assess factors like body fat mass, lean muscle mass and distribution, and other important parameters. These parameters are used in constructing a personal plan to meet the patient’s goal. 

Chronic diseases

The leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease which is closely linked to obesity and Diabetes. Scientific evidence and international health guidelines recommend lifestyle modification, including a healthy diet and physical activity as prevention and often a first line of treatment. Our dieticians are highly trained and skilled to assess, advise and educate you to achieve your health goals and manage your condition(s).

Patients we may help include those who have:

• Excess weight/obesity
• Elevated cholesterol levels and triglycerides
• Hypertension
• Insulin resistance/glucose intolerance (pre-diabetic)
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic renal failure
• Cancer
• Gastroenterological issues: Crohn’s disease, celiac, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, encephalopathy

Our initial consultation will be a thorough assessment which includes a weight and diet history, and physical activity level. Anthropometry is measured including weight, height, waist circumference and body analysis to measure lean muscle and fat distribution. A plan is devised between you and the dietician where goals and time frames are set. Medical nutrition therapy and education is also provided based on your medical condition(s), preferences and keeping in mind cultural values and practices. Your management and progress is monitored periodically to ensure goals are being achieved. 

Paediatric dietetics

Paediatric dietetics encompassed a range of fields from fussy eaters to children with severe nutrition-related disease or conditions. We see children of all ages, from infants to adolescents. 

After a nutritional assessment of the child’s general growth status and nutritional condition we educate the parents on the condition and inform them of various nutritional and dietary options, giving practical ways on how these changes can be implemented into the child’s lifestyle. All education is evidence-based dietary advice given to parents and often children if they are old enough to understand. 

In all consultations, thorough growth monitoring is performed as well as a detailed dietary recall and analysis prior to all condition-specific advice is given. Early referral of all children is key to the achieving the best results.

Conditions seen by paediatric dieticians include, but are not limited to:

• Childhood obesity, Diabetes Mellitus (symptoms of the metabolic syndrome – hyperlipidemia, hypertension), impaired glucose tolerance)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Food allergies or intolerances (meeting children’s requirements when certain food groups are eliminated)
• Complementary feeding (weaning from breast/bottle to solids)
• Fussy eaters, poor growers, failure to thrive
• Bottle feeding guidelines
• Sports nutrition for adolescents
• Immunonutrition (children with weak immune systems)
• Children needing specialist nutritional formulas (soya, hypoallergenic, lactose free, anti-reflux etc)
• Cancer
• Burns
• Nutrition for children with feeding difficulties (Downs, CP etc)
• Disease of organ systems (renal, liver, GIT, cardiac) 

Sports dietetics

All people serious about sport and activity know how critical healthy eating is to ensure optimum results. Our dieticians are qualified to help teenagers and adults taking part in competitive events, rather than athletes, reach their target weight, calculate their food and supplement requirements as well as advise them on dietary strategies for training. All patients have their body fat, muscle mass end basal metabolic rates assessed and are then given dietary guidance in order to meet their specific goals