Food for thought

5 OCTOBER marks the beginning of National Nutrition Week, with the theme ‘eat less – choose your portion with caution’. We chatted to Dr Tersia van Niekerk, a local Dietician, to see what her thoughts are on downsizing meals, as well as getting her insightful tips on leading a healthy lifestyle.

According to the Department of Health, over 40% of adult women are obese, this has increased by 12.5% over the past decade. Children in the age group between two and five years show that 18.9% of girls and 17.5% of boys are overweight. So what does this increase mean?

Tersia, who has been in the industry for over 19 years, believes that South Africans have become more accustomed to the convenience of eating out and children spend more time indoors with technology than participating in outdoor activity.

Tersia, originally from Rustenburg, stumbled into this profession in matric when she had no idea what career path she wanted to pursue.

Now living in Richards Bay with her husband and two children for over a decade, she is one of the few dieticians in the area, registered with Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and an accredited diabetic’s educator.

She sees patients at her private practice at Care Doc and also consults for The Bay Hospital.

‘We eat to stay alive and not alive to eat,’ says Tersia. She agrees that by reducing portion size and increasing the number of meals a day, the percentage of obesity will decrease, as this speeds up your metabolism.

Tersia emphasised that people need to be educated about leading a healthy lifestyle, and education she says starts at home.

‘I believe in time management and preparation of meals the night before, especially with both parents working 9-5 jobs in this day and age. It is important to sit at the table instead of in front of the television, as you can focus on tasting your food rather than being oblivious to how much you’re eating,’ explains Tersia.

According to Tersia, fat cells are like ‘pac-man’, they keep wanting more, and the more you consume –with less of the nutrients you use, the more fat accumulates. It is therefore imperative to exercise, even if it’s a walk around your block.

‘It all comes down to making a decision to lead a healthy lifestyle, and if you say I’m going to start on Monday, rather not,’ says Tersia with a big grin.

If you are interested in getting professional advice, contact your local dietician and rather say ‘I start today’.