The Registered Dietitian

Felicity is a part of the CDE family and has a passion for Diabetes Education as well as Carb counting.

Today she shares her insights with us.

Hi, I’m Felicity Black.

I’m a registered dietitian working for the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology and the CDE Academy. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (4-year degree).

Who is Felicity?

I am a dedicated dietitian with a deep-rooted passion for holistic health and client education. My experience spans various healthcare settings, including hospitals, communities, corporate wellness programmes, and physical rehabilitation facilities. From the evidence and my clinical experience, I subscribe to a multi-disciplinary approach to provide client-centred care and achieve the best possible outcomes. As a facilitator of self-care, I am a strong advocate for empowering my clients to actively participate in their health journeys.

Beyond my work life, I have a particular affinity for fermented foods, and I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen to create nourishing meals. My favourite quote, one by Michael Pollan is, “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food”. This reflects my commitment to promoting whole, natural, and wholesome nutrition choices.

How do you see your role as part of a Diabetes Care Team?

In my professional role I can make a significant difference, as lifestyle change is the foundation for the effective management of a wide range of health conditions. Lasting treatment success and improved well-being cannot be achieved without embracing and sustaining lifestyle choices with proven health benefits. While dietary adjustments are a crucial aspect of this transformation, I also emphasize the importance of addressing other vital components, such as regular movement and physical activity, sufficient quality sleep, and management of our exposure to and responses to stress. This holistic approach is key to promoting long-term health and optimum wellness.

Why is it important to include you in the Diabetes Care Team?

I bring a perspective of ‘food freedom’ to the multidisciplinary diabetes care team, emphasizing that individuals with diabetes can enjoy a variety of foods while managing their condition. This approach not only enhances quality of life, but also reduces the sense of restriction and deprivation often associated with diabetes management.

Furthermore, my involvement can lead to a reduced medication burden for our clients as they learn to make better nutrition choices and effectively manage their blood glucose levels and other risk factors. This, in turn, can result in better health outcomes and a reduced risk of potential complications associated with diabetes.

Ultimately, my contribution to the Diabetes Care Team is integral in fostering a holistic and person-centred approach to diabetes management, which focuses on improving the overall wellbeing and quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.

Your top tip for people living with diabetes?

Become an expert on your health by listening to your unique body. Get curious about how your body responds to things like food, exercise and stress. How can you restore balance, how can you nourish yourself? Which foods make you feel good?

Do not miss the insights from the pharmacist, registered nurse and psychologist!

Continue the diabetes care and advocacy conversation with ‘not ARTIFICIALLY Sweetened’, a FREE weekly CDE Academy podcast, providing unfiltered reflections on all thing’s diabetes. These podcasts, aimed at both people with diabetes and the health professionals that facilitate their care, offer a free weekly knowledge, attitudes, skills and insight update. Join specialist physician Dr Stan Landau, and diabetes specialist nurse, Michael Brown in building bridges of shared insights between all people touched by diabetes. Now available on Spotify with listeners in 29 countries! If you see value in this podcast, we would appreciate you sharing either of the two image-based adverts attached with any health professional, or person with diabetes you know. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or contributions for future episodes, please email Stan and Michael @ Podcast@CDEDiabetes.co.za

E xx