Who We Are
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.
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.
Our Services
We offer medical nutrition therapy for:
Metabolic Health
Diabetes type 1 & Diabetes type 2
Gestational Diabetes
Insulin resistance
Heart Health
Cholesterol
Blood pressure
PEG Feeding at home
Medical Aid Motivations
Weight Loss
Optifast Very Low-Calorie
DietAssist with GLP-1 diet and lifestyle changes (with your doctor)
Reproductive Health
PCOS
Nutrition during pregnancy
Lactation consultations (breastfeeding support)
Oncology
Weight loss
Taste changes
Nausea management
Dysphagia treatment
Gastrointestinal Health
Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease)
Coeliac Disease
We work with multiple Medical Aids
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
DISCOVERY
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
DISCOVERY
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
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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.
Which medical aids do you work with?
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.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
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.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
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.
How long does a consultation take?
● 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.
Do you offer virtual or home visits?
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.
Can you help me if I am taking GLP-1 (weight loss) injections?
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.
I’m struggling with breastfeeding; who should I see?
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.
Do you assist with specialised hospital diets?
Yes. Our team has extensive experience in clinical environments, covering everything from ICU nutrition and surgical recovery to oncology and renal diets.
How do payments work?
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.
What if I don't have medical aid?
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.
Experience
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Experience
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Passionate Professionals
Meet Our Team
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
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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
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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
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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)
Jeanne is one of our dedicated Registered Dietitians consulting at Durbanville Medi-Clinic. She gained early clinical experience at Tygerberg Academic
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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.
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
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
Mari
Dietitian
BSc Dietetics (US)
Lactation consultation in training
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
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,
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
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
Where Can You Find Us?
Our Locations
Durbanville Mediclinic
Durbanville Family Centre
19 Somerset Crescent
Durbanville
Cape Town
7550
Louis Leipoldt Mediclinic
Inside Buchanan Physiotherapy Practice
7B Solway Street
Bellville
Cape Town
7530
Melomed Bellville
In Dr Visser's office
4th Floor, Suite 24/25
Cnr Voortrekker Road & AJ West Street
Bellville
Cape Town
7530
Melomed Tokai
In Dr Peterson's office
Cnr Main & Keysers Rd
Tokai
Cape Town
7945
