Mon - Fri 9:30 - 20:00
vmdiet@gmail.com
Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550
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084 513 0000

Vanessa McEwan
Clinical Dietitians

Vanessa McEwan Dietitians Inc is a team of registered dietitians dedicated to supporting your health through personalised, evidence-based nutrition. Our experienced team works collaboratively with you to develop practical, sustainable nutrition strategies that support long-term health and wellbeing.

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We offer medical nutrition therapy for

  • Diabetes type 1 & Diabetes type 2
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Insulin resistance
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood pressure
  • Medical Aid Motivations
  • Optifast Very Low-Calorie Diet
  • Assist with GLP-1 diet and lifestyle changes (with your doctor)
  • PCOS
  • Nutrition during pregnancy
  • Lactation consultations (breastfeeding support)
  • Weight loss
  • Taste changes
  • Nausea management
  • Dysphagia treatment
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease)
  • Coeliacs Disease
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What to expect

Initial appointment

A comprehensive assessment of your medical history, lifestyle, goals, and nutritional needs to create a personalised nutrition plan.

Follow-up appointment

Focused sessions to review progress, address challenges, and adjust your nutrition strategy to support sustainable results.

Home visits

Available for patients who require additional support, including post-surgical care, PEG feeding, or those who prefer the convenience of online consultations.

Inpatient appointment

Our dietitians provide specialised nutritional care during hospital admissions, working closely with the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Weight loss package

We offer structured, personalised weight management programmes designed to support sustainable lifestyle change. These programmes may include nutrition education, meal planning, behaviour-change support, and regular follow-ups tailored to your individual needs. As programmes are customised, fees and package options are discussed directly with the patient — please contact our practice secretary, Sue, for more information.

Bio’s

Vanessa

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US) | Group Exercise Instructor

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Jeanne

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)

View Bio
Bonita

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)

View Bio
Barbara

Dietitian
BSC Dietetics (US) MSc Public Health (US)

View Bio
Michelle

Dietitian | Lactation consultant
BSc Dietetics | SACLC

View Bio
Nina

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US) | MSc Clinical Nutrition (US)

View Bio
Mari

Dietitian | Lactation consultation in training
BSc Dietetics (US) | SACLC (in training)

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Sonja

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)

View Bio
Elzette

Secretary
Accounts

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Sue

Secretary
Bookings

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Medical Aid Benefits for Dietitian Consultations

DISCOVERY

DIABETIC BENEFIT
2x Dietitian visits per year
GP needs to activate the Diabetes Care Program
Patient must be registered on the Chronic Disease Benefit
PERSONAL HEALTH FUND
A dietitian visit can be claimed from your personal health fund (depending on the availability of funds)
Health check required at Dischem or Clicks
*MATERNITY BENEFIT
1x Dietitian visit per year
Postpartum is part of your maternity benefit

FEDHEALTH WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

2x Dietitian visits per year
Biokineticist consultation required - Biokineticist needs to activate the program

POLMED WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

2x Dietitian visits per year
Biokineticist consultation required - Biokineticist needs to activate the program

BANKMED WELLNESS BENEFIT

2x Dietitians visits per year
To include members with a BMI of ≥30
Health assessment is to be completed first

BESTMED WELLNESS TEMPO PROGRAMME

All bestmed members on all plans
2x Dietitian visits per year
Health evaluationis first required at any accredited pharmacy

MEDSHIELD DIABETIC BENEFIT

A prescription and motivational letter are required to register for approval.

KEYHEALTH WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

3x Dietitian visits per year
A patient with a BMI over 30 will need authorisation to see the dietitian

DISCOVERY

DIABETIC BENEFIT
2x Dietitian visits per year
GP needs to activate the Diabetes Care Program
Patient must be registered on the Chronic Disease Benefit
PERSONAL HEALTH FUND
A dietitian visit can be claimed from your personal health fund (depending on the availability of funds)
Health check required at Dischem or Clicks
*MATERNITY BENEFIT
1x Dietitian visit per year
Postpartum is part of your maternity benefit

FEDHEALTH WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

2x Dietitian visits per year
Biokineticist consultation required - Biokineticist needs to activate the program

POLMED WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

2x Dietitian visits per year
Biokineticist consultation required - Biokineticist needs to activate the program

BANKMED WELLNESS BENEFIT

2x Dietitians visits per year
To include members with a BMI of ≥30
Health assessment is to be completed first

BESTMED WELLNESS TEMPO PROGRAMME

All bestmed members on all plans
2x Dietitian visits per year
Health evaluationis first required at any accredited pharmacy

MEDSHIELD DIABETIC BENEFIT

A prescription and motivational letter are required to register for approval.

KEYHEALTH WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

3x Dietitian visits per year
A patient with a BMI over 30 will need authorisation to see the dietitian

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?

The best way to book is to contact our practice secretary, Sue, at 084 513 0000 or email admin@vmdiet.co.za. She will help find a time and location that suits you best.

We work with most major South African medical aids (including Discovery, Momentum, Bonitas, etc.). Many schemes offer specific “Wellness” or “Chronic” benefits that cover dietitian visits. Please have your medical aid details ready when booking.

While you don’t always need a referral to see us, certain medical aid benefits (like the Diabetes Care Program or Weight Loss benefits) may require a GP or Biokineticist to “activate” the benefit first.

Please bring your ID, medical aid card, and any recent blood test results you may have. If you are taking chronic medication or supplements, a list of those is also very helpful.

  • Initial Appointment: Usually 45–60 minutes. This includes a full assessment of your medical history, lifestyle, and goals.
  • Follow-up Appointment: Usually 20–30 minutes. These are vital for tracking progress and adjusting your strategy.

Yes! We offer home visits for patients who cannot travel (common for PEG feeding or post-surgery), and we also offer virtual consultations for those who prefer the convenience of meeting online.

Absolutely. We work alongside your prescribing doctor to ensure you are meeting your nutritional requirements and managing side effects while on GLP-1 medications, helping you build sustainable habits for the long term.

You should book with Michelle or Mari, who are our specialists in lactation and infant feeding. They can assist with latching, milk supply, and the transition to solids.

Yes. Our team has extensive experience in clinical environments, covering everything from ICU nutrition and surgical recovery to oncology and renal diets.

Our accounts secretary, Elzette, manages all invoicing. While we can often claim directly from your medical aid, please note that the patient remains responsible for the account should the medical aid funds be exhausted or the claim be declined.

We welcome private patients! Please contact us for our current private rates. Payments can be made via Eft or cash. We allow payments to be made over two months.

Testimonials

The team at Vanessa McEwan Dietitians Inc provided personalised nutrition guidance that was practical and easy to follow. Their support helped me make lasting changes to my health and lifestyle.
John Doe
John DoeCEO
I really appreciated the caring and professional approach of the dietitians. They took the time to understand my goals and created a nutrition plan that worked perfectly for me.
John Doe
John DoeCEO
Working with Vanessa McEwan Dietitians Inc was a wonderful experience. Their evidence-based advice and ongoing encouragement helped me develop healthier habits and feel more confident about my nutrition.
John Doe
John DoeCEO

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Passionate Professionals

Nicole Adams

Dietitian

Nicole Adams

Dietitian

Daniel Nelson

Dietitian

Andrew Baker

Dietitian

Offices

Durbanville Medi-Clinic

Durbanville Family Centre, 19 Somerset Cres, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550

Louis Leipoldt Medi-Clinic

Inside Buchanan physiotherapy practice, 7B Solway Street, Bellville, 7530.

Melomed Bellville

In Dr Visser office, Melomed Bellville, 4th Floor, Suite 24/25, Corner of Voortrekker Road and AJ West Street, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530

Melomed Tokai

In Dr peterson office, Melomed Tokai, Cnr Main &, Keysers Rd, Tokai, Cape Town, 7945

Vanessa

Dietitian | Practice founder and owner
BSc Dietetics (US) | Group Exercise Instructor

Vanessa is a Registered Dietitian and Practice Founder with an additional Exercise Teachers Association (ETA) qualification as a Group Exercise Instructor. She strongly believes that good nutrition and regular physical activity are the cornerstones of long-term health and longevity.

Vanessa has worked abroad in the UK at various NHS hospitals and has over 10 years of experience in the nutrition pharmaceutical industry. Locally, she has been in private practice in Cape Town for the past 16 years, consulting across four hospitals and supporting patients across a wide range of nutritional needs.

She has presented at the annual SASPEN Critical Care Congress, regularly delivers talks at corporate wellness events, and hosts educational nutrition webinars. Vanessa has also completed the Life-Long Learning (LLL) Programme in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism through ESPEN.

Her special interests include gastrointestinal disorders, particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), bone health through her work with the Osteoporosis Institute, and weight management as part of multidisciplinary Weight Wellness teams.

Vanessa’s commitment to ongoing professional development reflects her dedication to providing the highest standard of evidence-based care.

Jeanne

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)

Jeanne is one of our dedicated Registered Dietitians consulting at Durbanville Medi-Clinic. She gained early clinical experience at Tygerberg Academic Hospital and has a special interest in critical care, surgical nutrition, and complex medical conditions.

Jeanne works closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, particularly in hospital and ICU settings, to deliver evidence-based, patient-centred nutritional care. She is known for her thorough, compassionate approach and strong commitment to optimal clinical outcomes.

Bonita

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)

With over 20 years of experience, Bonita brings a wealth of clinical expertise and compassionate care to our team. She primarily consults patients at Melomed Bellville. After several years working in the NHS (UK), where she managed complex gastrointestinal, liver, and pancreatic conditions, she served as a Nutrition Support Lead before returning to South Africa.

Her special interests include critical care, gastrointestinal health, surgery, and weight management. Bonita is passionate about empowering patients through education and supporting sustainable lifestyle changes to improve diabetes management, heart health, and digestive wellbeing.

Bonita provides personalised, evidence-based nutritional care to both inpatients and outpatients, as well as through home visits.

Barbara

Dietitian
BSC Dietetics (US) MSc Public Health (US)

Barbara is a Registered Dietitian with a BSc in Dietetics from Stellenbosch University and a Master’s degree in Public Health. She consults both inpatients and outpatients, primarily at Louis Leipoldt Medi-Clinic.

Barbara takes a holistic, patient-centred approach to nutrition, supporting individuals in finding practical, realistic, and sustainable ways to improve their health. Her areas of expertise include diabetes education, chronic disease prevention, and long-term weight management.

Her approach focuses on simplifying nutrition, reducing confusion, and empowering patients to build healthy habits that fit their lifestyles.

Michelle

Dietitian | Lactation consultant
BSc Dietetics | SACLC

Michelle is a Registered Dietitian and Lactation Consultant who supports mothers through every stage — from pregnancy and breastfeeding to baby’s first solids. She provides inpatient care at Melomed Bellville, consults in our rooms, and offers home visits when needed.

Michelle is also passionate about helping individuals achieve their lifestyle goals through personalised nutrition, including DNA-based nutrition plans. She brings compassion, evidence-based care, and practical support to every consultation

Nina

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US) | MSc Clinical Nutrition (US)

Nina is a Registered Dietitian with a BSc in Dietetics and an MSc in Clinical Nutrition from Stellenbosch University. She consults inpatients at Durbanville Medi-Clinic and is passionate about evidence-based care and staying up to date with the latest nutrition science.

Nina specialises in optimising nutrition for surgical patients and has a special interest in the role of micronutrients during illness. She also supports patients managing weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, and gastrointestinal conditions through a personalised and compassionate approach.

Mari

Dietitian | Lactation consultation in training
BSc Dietetics (US) | SACLC (in training)

Mari is a compassionate Registered Dietitian with a strong focus on paediatric and family nutrition. She supports children and their families with growth, feeding challenges, and overall nutritional wellbeing using a gentle, supportive approach.

Mari currently works as a locum dietitian within the practice, assisting when team members are on leave or over weekends. She is currently completing her lactation consultancy training and is passionate about helping families build healthy, sustainable habits from an early age.

Sonja

Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)

Sonja is a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience in clinical and hospital-based nutrition care. She has a special interest in renal nutrition and supports patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.

Sonja consults patients across various dialysis units in the northern suburbs and also offers online consultations. She is known for her calm, compassionate approach and focuses on providing practical, evidence-based nutrition advice that supports long-term health and quality of life.

Elzette

Secretary
Accounts

Elzette is our dedicated Practice Secretary responsible for accounts, invoicing, and medical aid queries. She assists patients with claims, payments, and administrative questions, helping to make the financial side of care as clear and stress-free as possible. Elzette is known for her efficiency, attention to detail, and willingness to help.

Sue

Secretary
Bookings

Sue is the friendly first point of contact for our practice. She manages appointments, bookings, and general enquiries, ensuring patients feel welcomed and supported from their very first interaction. Sue plays a key role in keeping the practice running smoothly and is always happy to assist with scheduling and day-to-day queries.