Meet the Dietician

I love food - everything about food. My favourite way to spend my free time is in the kitchen kneading dough to make mouthwatering focaccia or burger buns for a picnic. If I'm not in the kitchen, I am probably browsing through a recipe book or magazine or thinking about how I'm going to use last night's leftovers. Also, nothing beats sitting down to a meal I've meticulously planned and prepared and sharing it with friends and family.

Of course, being a dietician, I know more about food and how important it is for human health than average and I know which foods will promote physical and mental well-being and which are going to do more harm than good. My years of experience have also taught me that strict dietary rules don't work (for most people) and learning how to make mindful food choices based on healthy diet principles is more likely to help you reach your health and weight loss goals.

As you can see, contrary to popular belief, dietitians are not the food police. While people consult with me for advice on what to eat to help them lose weight or gain health, I enjoy delicious food as much as the next person. In fact, when a group of dietitians gets together you may even see us eating pizza and drinking a glass of wine! I know, right! How could we? The truth is, dietitians love food as much as you do. I may have made it my life's work to guide people's food choices, but that doesn't mean I don't understand your struggle.

Are Dieticians Worth it?

A dietician can help you make sense of online nutrition advice

There's a quote from Wolfgang von Goethe I've been referring to since I opened my first practice in 1999 that sums up why so many people battle to stick to their lifestyle changes. It goes like this:

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."

In my twenty plus years working as a dietitian, I have learned that most people who seek help from me know what they need to do, but don't know how to apply their nutrition knowledge to their unique requirements. Similarly, making an appointment with me indicates that you are willing to change your eating habits, but the reality of doing so is challenging. Life has a way of throwing curve balls at you, making it seem impossible to stick with your good intentions.

Yes, it is my job to assess your food choices and eating habits and inform you where you are going wrong. However, more important than that, is having the knowledge and the experience to tell you what you're doing right and what you can do to make your diet even better.

In the digital age we live in, you can pick up your phone and search for dietary advice any time of the day or night and get an instant answer. For example, there is an astounding number of search results when you type "diet for weight loss" into your browser - nearly 2.5 million! While many will give you accurate, science-based advice, there are many more that will muddy the waters, causing confusion about which is the right path for you.

This is where a dietician's knowledge and experience working with real people becomes valuable. First, in order to become a dietician, we must complete a medically based BSc as well as post-graduate training and community service. This enables us to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Allied Healthcare Professional.

Furthermore, learning how to read scientific papers is integral to our education and essential for staying on top of developments in diet and nutrition. That means, as a dietician, I am equipped to evaluate the latest fad diet and help you make an informed decision about the best dietary choices you can make for yourself. Whether you are considering a keto diet, intermittent fasting, or a low fat diet, I can show you why it will work for you, or why it won't.

Apart from the wealth of nutrition knowledge I love sharing with people, the real value in working with a dietician is the support we offer to help you make lasting lifestyle changes. Let's be honest, change is hard! But, it helps to have someone in your corner who can correct your course when you fall off the rails or give you a gentle nudge when your motivation begins to slip. The best part of my job as a dietician is celebrating your victories with you.

FAQs

Can a dietician help me lose weight?
Yes. A dietician is an expert in diet and nutrition and can create a practical diet plan that meets your unique needs to ensure that you lose weight and gain health.

Dietician for weight loss

Are dieticians doctors?
No. Dieticians are not doctors. However, they are medically trained allied healthcare professionals that are qualified to help people manage their weight as well as chronic health conditions such as hight cholesterol, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What do dieticians eat?
Dieticians eat the same food you eat. While we strive to live by the rules we encourage people to follow, like you, we are tempted by delicious food that may not always be the healthiest choice. The trick is to enjoy your more decadent meals and move on, eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins for most of your meals.

What do dieticians eat?

Why see a dietician?
There are many reasons you should see a dietician. Even the healthiest person can benefit from some expert nutrition advice. You can see a dietician for weight loss, but you can also see a dietician for diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, brain and mental health, and dietary support for cancer. Dieticians can also help athletes plan a diet that will boost their performance.

My Transition to Freelance Health Writing

After more than twenty years working in the healthcare industry as a dietician, Covid came along. It resulted in a significant drop in the number of people who consulted with me, forcing me to seek an alternative way to make an income.

Throughout my career, I have enjoyed creating explanatory diet sheets and personalised diet plans for my patients. I even dabbled in creating a blog. These activities allowed me to embrace my creative side and I discovered that I had a knack for translating complex health concepts into everyday language everyone can understand. So, I thought I would try my hand at being a Freelance Health Writer.

It turned out to be the right move at the right time. In fact, it worked out so well that after a year of writing, I closed my practice, and I haven't looked back. I still miss the challenge of finding the best dietary solution for my patients and the thrill of seeing them succeed, but my days are now filled with an exciting assortment of freelance writing tasks.

My focus is still diet and health, but I have been given the opportunity to write product descriptions, blog articles on home renovations, and even a book about homemade dog food. My new job brings together my knowledge, years of experience, and my creativity in the perfect package that keeps me on my toes.

Future Plans for Wendy Lord, Dietician

I may not be consulting with patients anymore, but my contributions to health and wellness now reach more people than I ever could before. 2024 is the year I turn my attention to creating my own content, books, and courses which I can't wait to share with you. Keep an eye on my social media to see how I can help you improve your health with science-backed diet and nutrition information in easy-to-understand blog articles, books, and DIY courses.

Wendy Lord - Registerd dietician and freelance health writer

Wendy Lord - Registerd dietician and freelance health writer

Wendy Lord Registered Dietician

Meet the Dietician

Are Dieticians Worth it?

FAQs

My Transition to Freelance Health Writing

Future Plans for Wendy Lord, Dietician

Social Media

Disclaimer for Wendy Lord Dietician

Disclaimers for Wendy Lord Dietician

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