Chantelle vd Merwe Dietitians
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • FEES
  • ESSENTIAL NEWS
  • CONTACT
  • Diabetes. Living Well Blog
  • Healthy Living Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • FEES
  • ESSENTIAL NEWS
  • CONTACT
  • Diabetes. Living Well Blog
  • Healthy Living Blog

Food for Health, Health for All

10/11/2025

1 Comment

 

Author: Chantelle van der Merwe 

Registered Dietitian (SA) . PG Dip Diabetes Management (UK). All about Real nutrition for Real, every-day life  

Happy National Nutrition Week 2025!

​From 9–15 October, South Africans across the country come together to celebrate National Nutrition Week — a reminder that good health starts with good food.

This year’s theme, Food for Health, Health for All, shines a spotlight on a critical truth: everyone deserves access to safe, nutritious, and affordable meals — no matter their income or background.

Eating well isn’t only about personal wellness. It strengthens families, energises communities, and builds a healthier nation.
To make healthy eating easier for every household, we’re sharing a collection of budget-friendly recipes costing R40 or less per person — delicious, filling, and made with everyday ingredients.

You don’t need expensive products or fancy ingredients to nourish your body. Small changes add up — and we’re here to help you make them.

Download the recipes, try them at home, and be part of the movement toward better health for all. Click here to download.

Let’s make good nutrition a daily habit, not a luxury!
Picture
1 Comment

Mediterranean Couscous & Chickpea Salad with Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette

8/25/2025

0 Comments

 

Author: Jeannine Stokes-Waller

Registered Dietitian (SA). Dedicated to helping you live healthier — one simple, sustainable step at a time.

Looking for a colorful, nutrient-packed salad that’s as delicious as it is practical? This Mediterranean Couscous & Chickpea Salad with a tangy sundried tomato vinaigrette is a perfect option. It’s high in fiber and plant-based protein thanks to the combination of legumes (chickpeas) and vegetables, while couscous provides sustained energy from complex carbs.
This salad is also a meal prep superstar—it stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 4–5 days, making it ideal for busy weeks. For an extra boost of protein and a complete meal on the go, add grilled chicken or even shredded rotisserie chicken. Served warm or cold, this dish is versatile, satisfying, and easy to pack for lunches or quick dinners.

Why This Salad is a Nutritional Winner
  • Legumes for extra fiber & protein – Chickpeas are rich in plant protein, helping with fullness and blood sugar balance, while their high fiber content supports gut health.
  • Vegetables for added nutrients – Carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion bring a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support energy and immunity.
  • Balanced meal option – With couscous for slow-release carbs, chickpeas for plant protein, crunchy almonds for healthy fats, and the option of chicken, this salad easily becomes a complete balanced plate.
  • Meal prep made simple – Keeps fresh for days, so you can portion it out in containers for grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners.
Mediterranean Couscous & Chickpea Salad with Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette

​
Ingredients

​Salad
  • 150 g couscous
  • 250 ml vegetable stock
  • 1 tin (400 g) chickpeas, drained
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • ½ cup dried cranberries and raisins
  • 1 cup flaked almonds
  • Handful of fresh parsley, chopped

​Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 4 sundried tomatoes, chopped
  • Oregano, to taste
  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp honey 
  • Water, as needed to thin



​Method

​Salad
  1. Place the couscous and hot vegetable stock in a bowl. Cover with a plate and let stand for 5 minutes until fluffy.
  2. In a large salad bowl, combine the chickpeas, carrot, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion, cranberries, raisins, and parsley.
  3. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Toast the almonds in a dry pan until golden, then set aside.
  5. Pour the sundried tomato vinaigrette (see below) over the salad and toss well.
  6. Sprinkle with toasted almonds just before serving.

Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegars, sundried tomatoes, oregano, garlic powder, honey (or sugar), salt, and pepper.
  2. Add a splash of water if needed to thin to desired consistency.

Chef’s Tips
  • Make it a full meal – Top with grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even grilled halloumi for a balanced plate with all major nutrients.
  • Boost fiber further – Serve over a bed of leafy greens like baby spinach or rocket.
  • Meal prep win – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days. Dressing can be stored separately and added before serving for extra freshness.
  • Enjoy warm or cold – This salad is delicious either way!

Click here to download the recipe
Picture
0 Comments

Getting Out of Winter Hibernation: 3 Simple Steps to Ease into Spring

8/25/2025

0 Comments

 

Chantelle van der Merwe

Registered Dietitian (SA) . PG Dip Diabetes Management (UK). All about Real nutrition for Real, every-day life ​

Winter tends to shift us into “comfort mode.” Heavier meals, fewer vegetables, less movement, and more time indoors. And that’s okay—our routines often adapt to the seasons. But now that spring is here, there’s no need for an “all-or-nothing overhaul.”

The key? Take it one step at a time. Small, realistic changes are easier to stick to—especially when life already feels full with long workdays, family commitments, or constant travel. Here are 3 practical steps to help you ease out of winter mode without the overwhelm:

Step 1: Focus on Food First
Instead of trying to revamp your entire eating plan, zoom in on one thing this week.
  • If your vegetable intake slipped, start by adding one extra serving of veggies a day—slice cucumbers with lunch, roast some carrots for dinner, or throw spinach into your sandwich. Click for an ultra-yummy Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Sundried Tomato Dressing (Super convenient for meal prep!) 
  • If your meals have been more on-the-go, pack a few simple snacks for the car or office (think: a handful of nuts, a banana, or a boiled egg).
  • If sugar or comfort foods crept in, don’t cut everything out. Simply swap one treat a day for something nourishing.
Action Step:  Write it down: This week, I will add ___ to my meals. Keep it visible on your fridge, planner, or phone.

Step 2: Move More—Without the Gym Contract
Getting active doesn’t mean rearranging your life. You don’t need new gear, a gym membership, or a “10-week shred plan.”
  • Short on time? Add a 10-minute YouTube workout before work or during a lunch break.
  • On the road a lot? Park further away or walk while taking phone calls.
  • Need a social boost? Rope in a friend or your family for a weekend walk or hike—it doubles as quality time.
Set a visible mini-goal: This week, I will move for 10 minutes every day / I will plan one active outing with the family this weekend.

Step 3: Keep It Visible & Simple
​
The biggest mistake? Trying to fix everything at once. Instead, pick one focus area each week—food, movement, or even sleep.
  • Write it down in a notebook, stick it on the fridge, or track it on your phone.
  • Tick it off each day—you’ll be surprised how motivating those small wins feel.
  • Once it feels natural, add the next focus.
Remember: spring is about growth, not pressure. By easing in one step at a time, you’ll build habits that actually last—no “spring overhaul” required.

Takeaway: Life is already crazy enough. Don’t pile on with impossible goals. Instead, choose one simple focus each week, make it visible, and ease into spring with energy and balance.
Picture
0 Comments

    Chantelle vd Merwe RD (SA)

    Sustainable health made simple—backed by science, not trends. All about real nutrition for real life.

    Jeannine Stokes-Waller RD (SA)

    Dedicated to helping you live healthier — one simple, sustainable step at a time.

    Archives

    December 2025
    November 2025
    October 2025
    August 2025
    July 2025
    June 2025

    Categories

    All
    Food Storage & Preparation
    Healthy On A Budget
    Meal Prep
    Mental Health & Nutrition
    Quick Meals
    Recipes
    Supplements
    Sustainable Healthy Living
    Travel

    RSS Feed

Location

What Our Clients Are Saying

"So happy and thankful to Chantelle to have had her be part of my journey, without her I would not have been as successful as I was." - Gayle , diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes 

"Chantelle is industrious in researching the answer, and applying it to suit my specific needs. Since working with her, I have noticed considerable improvements in my mental, physical, and emotional health relating to food. " - Sungeni , wanted to optimize her health with better nutrition 

"
Chantelle is amazing at understanding exactly where you are, and adjusting treatment accordingly. Her compassion and patience is amazing, and I genuinely feel that she partners with me in my nutrition and health" - Danielle , wanted help with weight loss 

"
The sympathy, empathy she works with is phenomenal. It just motivates you to talk to someone that understand your challenge. I am on my path to lose 30kg, it is surely not happening overnight. However, my journey with Chantelle is making every centimeter I lose absolutely worth to take on the next one to shake off." - Sonja, wanted help with weight loss post heart attack 

Contact Us

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
Privacy Policy 2025
​PAIA Manual 2025
POPIA Manual 2025
Website Terms & Conditions 2025 
Website Disclaimer 2025