Our practise | Schrader Dietitians

About Bianca

I completed by BSc dietetics degree at Stellenbosch University in 2015 and am currently completing my Masters degree also at Stellenbosch University specialising in the GIT, paediatrics and enteral and parenteral nutrition.

I myself have had a rollercoaster ride with my weight since I was a child. I have been overweight and have lost 20kg twice (yes I did gain it back) with a balanced and healthy approach to food that worked for me.

Weight loss is much more than just eating less and exercising more. It is about knowing what to put in your body to fuel it better, it is about your mental health and strength and it is about knowledge.

I am a firm believer that weight loss is not just about cutting calories or even carbs (Who can live without carbs!?) and running hours on the treadmill. Us females have been done dirty when it comes to how to lose weight. Society has us thinking we need to starve ourselves in order to succeed., and unfortunately I see this in practice on a daily basis. It does NOT work ladies.

My mission is to help teach woman that feeling your body and actually eating food and not living off coffee, is how you will reach your goals and start feeling like you again.

I teach patients how to start thriving again, not just living.

I have also recently (early 2023) been diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis myself. After that, I decided to dive deep into the research and learn as much as I could about this condition. I made it my mission to learn how I can support my body through this journey.

Unfortunately I didn't have a good experience with my GP (As many woman do), and decided that I am the one to take control.

Through only 3 months of medication and an optimal nutrition and lifestyle approach, I can testify that my Hashimoto's is currently in remission without the use of any medication. I also fell pregnant shortly after my diagnosis!

I know seeing a dietitian is not associated with positive thoughts for many, but I am here for YOU. Think of me as your biggest cheerleader. I do not criticise failures. They should be embraced for what they are and seen as the building blocks to your success.

I welcome all my patients into my practice with open arms and together we will get you to where you need to be.

Main areas of interest:

About Arnel

I completed my BSc degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of the Free State in 2022 after which I started my own practice in June of 2024.

My personal journey with IBS has been a significant motivator for me to study dietetics. I know firsthand the challenges that come with this condition, and it drives my commitment to help others navigate similar struggles. My main goal is to prevent others from enduring the same difficulties I faced, empowering them with the knowledge and support they need to thrive. My own journey with IBS began in 2018, following numerous emergency room visits, colonoscopies, gastroscopies, hospitalisations and different medications. I was struggling with severe stomach cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea. All these symptoms deeply impacted my life as I couldn’t enjoy the food I loved anymore and was never comfortable in my own skin. Through this challenging experience, I learned how to identify my food triggers and adapted my diet from a very restrictive approach to one that embraces moderation.

I believe that every person is unique and what works for one person may differ for another, and I’m committed to helping my patients find their unique paths to wellness. Along with my struggles with IBS, I also battled with depression, mental health, stress and anxiety and had my own weight loss struggles. I’ve always struggled with how I looked in the mirror, never quite comfortable in my own skin. But over time, I’ve learned to embrace my stretch marks and I want to encourage my patients to do the same, reminding them not to compare themselves to the seemingly perfect images portrayed online.

I am a firm believer in the principle of "prevention is better than cure". This means taking proactive measures to maintain health and well-being. Therefore I believe in setting small, sustainable goals for my patients for them to be able to make gradual changes that will fit into their everyday lives, making it easier to stick with those changes over time.

Main areas of interest:

Weight management | Irritable bowel syndrome | Woman's health

| Sports nutrition | Critical care (ICU)

Our approach

Our nr.1 rule is:

"No diets or treadmills"

We strongly believe that when we have the best health, we poses the most valuable thing on earth. As a dietitian we will always strive to teach and give our patients the tools and knowledge they require for all their individual needs to go out into the real world and make the best food choices.

There is no one size fits all when it comes to nutrition. We are trained to look at you as an individual and this is what we vow to do here. We will always take into consideration your health and nutritional goals, coupled with what you enjoy and desire, and guide you as to what is best for you.

I know seeing a dietitian is not associated with positive thoughts for many, but we are here for YOU. Think of us as your biggest cheerleaders. We do not criticise failures. We as dietitians are not perfect with our relationship with food and don't eat "perfect". We eat pizza, drink champagne and enjoy every moment. Food and life should be enjoyed.

Food should not be seen as a "thing" that can help you either lose or gain weight. Food should be delicious and most importantly, fuel your body to thrive. Food is wonderful, it can protect you against so many diseases as well as help you manage diseases such as IBS, where nutritional management is currently the only treatment option, and can enhance your sport performance significantly.

With us, you will never be given a boring diet with broccoli, chicken and rice (Unless that is what YOU want). Food is meant to not only nourish our bodies, but also be delicious. When you enjoy your meals, you are more likely to stick to it!

Being healthy does not mean following a strict diet for the rest of your life, it is about learning what your body needs in order to thrive for the rest of your life.

We hope to assist you in your journey to better health and nutrition!

xx.

What to expect in the first consult

1. Step 1 for us to get to know you and your needs is to dive into your medical history and current medical and/ or nutritional concern. We will have a chat about what your current symptoms and concerns are that need to be addressed.

2. We then would have a discussion about your current lifestyle and daily schedules so that we can implement a plan that suits your lifestyle.

3. Once we complete your dietary evaluation, we give you feedback on areas that we can implement some changes to reach your specific goals. We will also start discussing relevant information to your medical concerns / nutrition goal.

4. We also look at any blood tests that you have previously done and if more tests are required, we will provide you with a form to go and do the test.

5. We then move over to our InBody analysis measurement where we measure your full body composition (water, bone mass, water mass, fat mass, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate etc) and provide feedback and the test results.

6. Lastly we will set an overall end goal along with smaller achievable goals.

7. Once the consult is done, we will start compiling your personalised meal plan and nutrition guide that we will email to you within 2-3 days.

Now, we wait for the magic to start happening!