Meet the Dietitian: Alta Kloppers

You might have heard the name Alta Kloppers. She serves on the ADSA Executive Committee from 2019 – 2023 in the Private Practicing Dietitian portfolio. Do yourself a favour and get to know them better!

• Tell us a bit more of yourself?

I was born more than a half century ago at one of the hospitals where I currently run a practice, at that time known as the Glynnwood Nursing Home in Benoni. I was also schooled and lived on the East Rand all my life. I obtained a B Dietetics degree as well as Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital Dietetics from the University of Pretoria and recently completed a M Sc Dietetics degree from the University of the Free State. I have been a PPD for 27year.

In December, I will be married for 33 years. We have a beautiful 23year old son that makes us very proud.

• Why did you become a Registered Dietitian?

I wanted to become a pharmacist all my life. When I was not accepted to study pharmacology, (those years there were no 2^nd and 3^rd choices) – I paged through possible courses and noted that a certain course included pharmacology as subject in the third year. I paged back and saw that it was the B Dietetics course and immediately decided that this is what I want to do.

• What would you have wanted to do if not Dietetics?

30 years ago, a pharmacist, now…  I can’t imagine being anything other than a dietitian.

• Where did you study (degree and/ or postgrad)

UP

• Where do you work and what does your job entail?

My practice is based in Alberton and Benoni. My personal special interest is critical care, food allergies as well renal. I work with a team of passionate dietitians. Besides consulting my own patients, I love mentoring and teaching the younger dietitians in my practice. I also enjoy running my own business and the challenges that it entails.

• What do you enjoy most about the work you do? What are the most satisfying moments?

I love teaching. I enjoy most to be able to “connect” with a patient during a session and observing the “aha moments” in their eyes, regardless, if it is explaining to a weak ICU patient why they need additional supplementation or an insulin resistant patient grasping that they actually do need carbohydrates. I also love it when young dietitians show a true passion for the profession and being able to mentor them to the best of my ability.

• What has been your career highlight?

I know it sounds boring but obtaining my Masters.

• What are the most challenging aspects of your career?

Running my practice like a business. 

• What is something that people don’t know about you?

I am determined to learn how to  ride a horse at my mature age.  I can’t ride a horse but I am determined to learn how to do it and do it well when I can make the time to do so!

• What are your favourite foods?

“Skaaptjoppie met n stukkie vet aan”

• What are the three things that you think people should stop saying when they meet a dietitian?

Start telling me what they eat

Telling me they “don’t do carbs” without even knowing what carbohydrates are

Changing “people” to “nursing staff”  – what is for lunch today?