Hey! I’m Niki,
a registered dietitian & lactation consultant in Cape Town, South Africa.
Navigating through my teenage years, I grappled with an eating disorder, a struggle intensified by the academic path I had chosen—studying dietetics degree at the University of Pretoria in 2013. The journey to recovery was challenging, and the conventional teachings of my discipline didn’t make it any easier.
The seeds of my passion for pediatrics and breastfeeding were planted during my community service year in 2014 at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg. There, I immersed myself in the care of premature infants and toddlers facing feeding challenges. Whether it was cup-feeding a baby, bathing a toddler, or assisting a mother with engorged breasts, those moments shaped my compassionate approach to nutrition. I graduated as a lactation consultant in 2019.
In 2019, we moved to Cape Town, where I started working at Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital and Cape Town Mediclinic.
When we moved to Cape Town, I became frustrated with the ‘standard’ way of practicing as a dietitian. I became aware of how people in bigger bodies were struggling and how they were ill-treated. To equip myself to better understand how to bridge the gap, I completed courses in Intuitive Eating and Non-Diet approaches as well as an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Counselling for Dietitians, and I am currently completing the Intuitive Eating Counsellor Certification.
My journey, marked by personal triumphs and professional growth, fuels my commitment to guide others on their unique paths toward well-being. I’ve been where many of my clients are, and I bring not just expertise but empathy to every consultation.
I look forward to getting to know you!
Niki x
Personal Tidbits
In my spare time, I enjoy painting, hiking, and reading. Cooking brings me joy, as does petting our cats and playfully composing songs to tease my sweet husband and infant.
Connect with Me
Professional Training:
- BDietetics (UP 2013): Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from the University of Pretoria.
- Lactation Consultant SACLC (Wits 2019): Certified Lactation Consultant from the University of the Witwatersrand.
- Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor (In Progress): Currently pursuing certification as an Intuitive Eating Counselor.
- The Be Body Positive facilitator training (In progress): Currently pursuing training to teach the Be Body Positive curriculum to address the self-destructive, isolating struggles many students experience with their body image, eating, and exercise.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Dietitians (EDRDPRO 2020): Training in therapeutic techniques for dietitians.
- Weight Inclusive Approaches and Intuitive Eating (London Centre for Intuitive Eating 2020): Advanced training in weight-inclusive approaches and intuitive eating from the London Centre for Intuitive Eating.
- Eating Disorder Management for Dietitians (InsideOut Institute AUS): Specialized training in managing eating disorders from the InsideOut Institute in Australia.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Training (EatFit 2019): Specialized training in managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome through EatFit.
- Introduction to Palliative Care (UCT 2021): In-depth understanding of palliative care from the University of Cape Town.
- Foundation Course in Diabetes Care for Health Professionals (CDE 2021): Comprehensive course in diabetes care from the Center for Diabetes Education.
- Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition (Cornell University 2015): Certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University.
- Ketogenic Training (Matthews Friend’s KetoCollege London 2019): Specialized training in ketogenic nutrition from Matthews Friend’s KetoCollege in London.