A Bit About Me

Born and bred in Cape Town, I obtained my qualification as a dietitian in 1995 from the University of Cape Town after studying a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by a Nutrition & Dietetics, Honours degree. Since moving to New Zealand in 1995, I have obtained my Masters degree in sports nutrition and my Doctorate in the area of weight loss. I work at AUT as a senior lecturer and nutrition researcher, and I continue to maintain my private practice nutrition work.

I have evolved as a practitioner during my years of consulting as a nutritionist and Registered Dietitian alongside the research and science of nutrition. These days I am a “whole-food” advocate; and believe that everyone can benefit from eating less overall processed carbohydrates and more protein and healthy fat than our current national guiding nutrition principles.

The precise amounts of these macronutrients that people need sits on a wide spectrum, and I believe should be personalised to each and every individual.

This philosophy is ground in good science and logic, and in my opinion the way forward for nutrition if we want to achieve optimal health and reverse the trend of elevating overweight / obesity and particularly, Type 2 diabetes.

In my practice, while I work with individuals with a diverse set of goals, my main specialty is the application of the whole food, carbohydrate-restriction approach to metabolic health and sports performance.

At AUT, I am an Associate Professor, where I teach and research nutrition. AUT is an organisation that supports academic freedom and the teaching and research of cutting edge work, no-matter how controversial it may be. I teach on the Sport & Recreation Programmes; and my research is conducted out of the Human Potential Centre. Here is my academic profile academic profile.