Meet the team
As a practice we believe in combining our strengths in order to deliver services of quality and guidance that meet your individual needs
Nadia van Dyk
Raised and schooled in the Helderberg area, I obtained my BSc degree at the University of Stellenbosch graduating in 2006. I have been providing disease therapeutic nutrition for more than 10 years with a special interest in clinical dietetics, post-op surgical care, critical care and renal dietetics.
In 2011 I moved to Bloemfontein where I started my own practice consulting at Universitas Netcare as well as MediClinic Bloemfontein. I consulted patients who were in the ICU, ventilated, malnourished, critically ill and those requiring dietary input pre and post-surgery.
I moved to back to Somerset West and started my own practice, where I strive to establish a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care, providing a clinical dietetic service to in-patients at Vergelegen MediClinic, consulting in ICU, surgical and medical wards. I am also CEMMSSA accredited and part of the Vergelegen MediClinic multi-disciplinary bariatric team.
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Being a mother of two, I am also passionate about breastfeeding and I'm gaining personal experience in the field of picky-eating on a daily basis.
Christy Smit
I am passionate about people, our bodies and health, food and being active! I love interacting with people from all backgrounds and empowering them through knowledge to initiate long lasting healthy lifestyle changes.
My goal as a dietitian is to help others, and I believe it goes beyond just our daily food. I aim to help individuals uncover the underlying emotional, relational and social dynamics of their life that cause them to eat and live the way they do as well as how to manage these.
I have worked with many different individuals, families and cultures. I have a vast experience/interest in working with emotional eaters, fussy eaters, patients with chronic diseases of lifestyle, oncology patients and gut problems. I am also very passionate about breastfeeding counseling.
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I love cooking and helping others to be able to put together healthy and delicious meals for all lifestyles.
Our bodies should be nourished, respected and loved. Life should be cherished and enjoyed, and food just the same.
So eat right, stay active, pursue health
Mignon van der Merwe
Mignon van der Merwe is delighted to return to her hometown of Somerset West. She earned her degree in dietetics from the University of Cape Town in 2010.
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Mignon has a special interest and years of experience in pediatric and neonatal nutrition.
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Recognizing the crucial role of early nutrition in long-term health, she places a particular emphasis on supporting parents in feeding premature infants, whom she regards as little heroes facing unique challenges.
As a mother herself, Mignon empathizes with the fears and uncertainties parents encounter.
In both her professional and personal life, Mignon is guided by the words of C.S. Lewis: "Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work."
Marieke Reitz
I am extremely excited to announce that I am the newest member of the Somerset Dietitians team. I am a registered dietitian with empathy, warmth, and sincerity towards my patients.
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After obtaining my BSc Dietetics degree from Stellenbosch University, I completed my community service year in Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. I started my career as a private practice dietitian in the beautiful Hermanus at the beginning of 2023.
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I have a special interest in lactation and breastfeeding. I am currently busy completing the South African Certified Lactation Consultant course and loving every minute of it.
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The field of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics fascinates me, to such an extent that I completed the DNAlysis course in 2022. The effect of our lifestyle on our genes and vice versa cannot be overlooked.
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I enjoy the clinical (hospital) aspect of dietetics as well as helping patients with chronic diseases of lifestyle, such as diabetes, and oncology patients.
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My love for people, food, eating, and an active lifestyle enables me to motivate my patients to change their behavior around food and making healthy lifestyle changes. I use evidence-based nutrition and try to make healthy eating practical and sustainable.
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I truly believe in the saying that you must nourish to flourish. Without nourishing ingredients such as healthy food, exercise, sleep, stress management and support, we cannot be the best version of ourselves. I want to help you become the best version of yourself.
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Fun fact about me: I cannot leave a grocery store without buying a bottle of sparkling water, and sometimes a small container of Pringles ;)
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