Clinical Dietitians / Dieetkundiges

Cecile van Niekerk, Samantha Greyvenstein, Lucinda Lourens & Helena Beukes

Registered Dietitians with a special interest in Pediatric Nutrition

Hours

By appointment only

Contact information

Cecile 082 549 8274
dietitian@petc.co.za
Samantha 072 104 0802
Lucinda 084 078 1406
Helena 082 631 7248

Cecile van Niekerk

Cecile is a clinical dietitian with a special interest in Pediatric Nutrition. She graduated with a B.Dietetics degree at the University of Pretoria in 2005. Following graduation, Cecile completed her Community Service at Potchefstroom District Hospital in the North-West Province and thereafter she was employed at Steve Biko Academic Hospital where she developed a keen interest in pediatric nutrition.

In 2014 she completed her Master’s degree in Nutrition (UP) which focused on the prevention of childhood obesity.

Cecile has over 15 years of experience and training in the areas of lactation, neonatal and pediatric nutrition and is passionate about teaching families to have a healthy relationship with food.

Samantha Greyvenstein

Samantha Greyvenstein is a passionate dietitian with nearly ten years of experience in provision of therapeutic nutrition. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Samantha has completed her M.Sc. in Dietetics (NWU) and attained a qualification as a lactation consultant (SACLC).

Samantha, a mother of three herself, is also passionate about nutrition throughout pregnancy and infancy with emphasis on breastfeeding. She persistently uses evidence-based nutritional information to improve lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes.

Lucinda Lourens

Lucinda is a mom of three incredible children and love the beautiful chaos they create.

She qualified as a Clinical Dietitian in 2010 from NWU and also holds a master’s degree in Dietetics (2017). Her research focused on nutrition-related concerns of children affected by cerebral palsy.

From very early on in her career she was fortunate to have found her intended path: Special needs nutrition. Since working in a government institution then in private practice and even in the pharmaceutical industry, she found it incredibly fulfilling when investing her time, skills and knowledge in families and caretakers of children with special dietary needs. Her niche lies in children affected by ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and Prader willi syndrome.

Helena Beukes

Helena is a Clinical Dietitian with a passion for Paediatric Nutrition. In 2010 she graduated with a B.Dietetics degree from the University of Pretoria. She completed her community service at Kalafong Tertiary Hospital, where she stayed on for another 5 years, working in the field of paediatric and internal medicine.

During this time, she developed a keen interest in paediatrics when she realised it is not just about giving practical sound advice. While growth and development are key factors to consider in paediatrics, it is equally important to meet the needs and likes of not only the child, but also the parents.

From 2017 she has been working in private practice while raising her three amazing children. This has given her new insights into the practical management of child nutrition.

Services offered by Cecile, Samantha, Lucinda and Helena

Cecile, Samantha, Lucinda & Helena provides specialist paediatric nutrition advice for:

Pregnancy and Fertility
Breastfeeding and Formula feeding
Growth monitoring during Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence
Special needs and disability
Tube feeding and modified textured diets
Introduction of Solid Foods
Picky eater and problem feeders
Food allergies and Food intolerances
Gastric-intestinal problems: Reflux, Colic, Constipation, Encopresis, Inflammatory bowel disease and Irritable bowel syndrome
Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis, Liver-, Renal- and Congenital heart disease and Immune suppressive disorders i.e. Oncology, HIV/AIDS, TB
ADHD
Autism spectrum disorder

Cecile, Samantha, Lucinda & Helena give informative talks for parents and teachers and hosts workshops on various nutrition topics.

Testimonials

Nathaniel’s mom said: “Being diagnosed with multiple food allergies during the terrible-twos was daunting. Cecile explained in detail so we could easily understand which foods to give him. Her nutritional advice was clear and practical. My son is now growing and eating much better.”

“Ek het soveel vrae gehad oor watter vaste kos om vir my baba te gee. Na Cecile se insiggewende praatjie, was ek baie rustiger en het ek met meer gemak vaste kossies kon gee. Ek beveel Cecile vir alle ma’s met graagte aan; veral dié wat angstig daaroor voel om kos vir hulle babas te begin gee.”

“We are very impressed with Cecile who showed empathy towards us when we brought our teenage daughter for weight management. Her passion for a healthy lifestyle encouraged our whole family to sit together for meals, eat more fresh food and less take-aways. Now we try to exercise most days of the week. Thank you, Cecile for making our lives easier, we can already see the results!”

“Die DNA toetse se uitslae het vir my ‘n nuwe wêreld oopgemaak. Ons het begin reg eet en kossoorte uitgeskakel. Ons het daarby gebaat om op ‘n lae koolhidraat dieet te volg, suikerinname te verlaag en meer gereeld te oefen. Ons het ‘n lys van aanvullings ontvang, wat ons nou gereeld drink. Ek probeer om beter keuses te maak wanneer ek aankope doen, lees kosetikette beter en sorg dat my gesin ‘n gesonder lewenswyse volg. Ek het reeds 5 kilos afgeskud en my man al 4kg. Ek dink dit is een van die beste dinge wat met ons kon gebeur het. Dit maak mens bewus van aspekte waaraan jy kan werk om toe te sien dat jy ‘n gesonder leweswyse volg. Ek is baie dankbaar teenoor Cecile wat die DNA toetse baie professioneel ontleed het en ons attent gemaak het op beter lewestylkeuses.”

Before we met Lucinda, my baby was extremely small and not developing and growing to how she should be. Dealing with complications like reflux, where we had been on 5 different formulas and nothing seemed to work.

That's when we met Lucinda, she changed her formula and took us through each child's individual drinking and eating habits and needs.

My child not only started drinking more, she started enjoying drinking. Once she was old enough, Lucinda helped us understand how to start baby led weaning, to focus on nutrient dense foods and how to do this.

Not only is my baby loving food but thriving and growing at her own pace.

I could not thank Lucinda enough for all she has done for us and continues to do. She is always helpful and patient in explaining and always available to me should I have any questions.