The Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) is the professional organisation for registered dieticians.

A dietician is a qualified health professional registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) who has a minimum qualification of a four year scientific degree.

How can a dietician help you? Your first thought might be weight loss, and you would be right, but that’s not all. Obesity is only one of a many nutrition-related conditions that dieticians can treat. Nutrition is in fact one of the cornerstones of good health for all.

Some of the well known conditions managed by dieticians include diabetes, heart disease, intestinal disorders, food allergies and intolerances and eating disorders. Dieticians also play a role in sports nutrition and the nutrition advice for various stages during a person's lifecycle (from pregnancy to old age).

To find a registered dietician in your area, visit Adsa's website.

You can also direct queries to Health24's nutrition expert Dr Ingrid van Heerden, also known as DietDoc.

Birgit Ottermann