Healthy eating, healthy living in 2015!

Signing up for the gym, eating more tuna and drinking 9 cups of water per day are the seasonal New Year’s resolutions that sit on the top of South African lists. Not to say eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis are not top priorities, but going on a whim when it comes to your health based on what you see on TV and the internet will see those resolutions be pushed down the list as the year progresses.

This is because simply downloading a meal plan for a quick fix diet will not necessarily work for your body, since most of the time they are generalised templates. Seeking expert advice from a Registered Dietitian should replace your first New Year’s resolution on your healthy list and this is where the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) plays a vital role.

Consulting a Registered Dietitian (RD) will ensure that you get professional guidance as well as an analysis of what is best for your specific needs with regards to eating and gaining optimum health. “A Registered Dietitian is a trained professional in the nutrition field, providing expert advice and support to ensure you embody a balanced healthy lifestyle as a permanent one. It is essential for consumers to ask for a Registered Dietitian in order to receive nutrition info they can trust”, says Claire Julsing-Strydom, ADSA President.

A Registered Dietitian is:

• A qualified health professional registered with the HPCSA
• Has a minimum qualification of a four year scientific degree
• Has been trained in all aspects and fields of nutrition therapy

Registered Dietitians are involved in many different fields and areas of expertise including: Private Practising Dietitians, Therapeutic Dietitians (who mainly work in a hospital setting), Community Dietitians (who work in the public sector) and Food Service Management (managing healthy and specialised diets in institutions).

Nutrition is a science and there isn’t one solution that fits everyone. Registered Dietitians are the recognised experts in the field of evidence-based nutrition and will develop personalised nutrition plans for each one of their clients to ensure that they are able to stick to the plan and reach their goals. “Consumers need to be aware that there are many unscientific health and nutrition gimmicks around, with new fad diets launching all the time”, concludes Julsing-Strydom.

To find a dietitian in your area, visit www.adsa.org.za