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What is dietetics?

Dietetics includes both nutrition and dietetics. Dietetics is the science that connects nutrition and disease. A diet is an adaptation of a dietary pattern that is carried out with the aim of promoting health. Dietetics is the science of nutrition, nutritional values, digestion and metabolism.

When to go to the dietician?

A dietician is the specialist when it comes to nutritional advice. She/he has a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. A dietician is a protected profession, in which it is important to continue training. A dietician provides scientifically substantiated information and advice regarding your diet. A dietician does not just give a general schedule, but takes into account your personal situation and formulates a tailor-made advice. This advice can be about a healthy diet (for everyone, including infants, children, pregnant women, athletes, vegetarians, vegans …) or about a medical problem (diabetes, high cholesterol or blood pressure, overweight, underweight, renal insufficiency …). The dietician not only informs, but also motivates, supports and guides you in adapting your eating and living habits. The dietician will be happy to answer all your questions about product and label information, nutrition claims, composing a diet adapted to your situation, recipes, …

For advice:

A dietician can advise you on healthy food, but also on dietary advice in the context of illness or disorders. Dietary advice is tailored to the individual and his or her situation. The dietician can give advice on healthy nutrition to individuals of all ages:

  • Healthy and balanced nutrition
  • Vegetarianism & veganism
  • A healthy relationship with nutrition
  • Sports nutrition
  • Nutrition during pregnancy or lactation

In addition, a qualified dietician advises and guides patients with certain diseases, disorders and/or therapies:

  • Overweight and obesity
  • Emo eating
  • Diabetes Mellitus type 1 and 2 and with disturbed blood sugar levels
  • Dyslipidemia: high cholesterol and/or triglycerides
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Food allergies and intolerances
  • Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition
  • Cancer
  • Eating disorders
  • Chewing and swallowing disorders
  • Digestive disorders
  • Before and after surgery

After a hospital admission:

You can also turn to a dietician after a hospital admission. In this way you are assured of an optimal recovery.

NOTE: A referral letter from your general practitioner or specialist is required for advice on dietetic food due to illness.

Back payment

A consultation with a recognised dietician is often partially reimbursed. This depends on your health insurance and whether you meet any conditions. Consult your health insurance fund for more information.

Jolien Kennis – Dietician

Jolien graduated from the University College Leuven-Limburg in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Jolien has a great passion for healthy food and for a healthy, sporty lifestyle.

Lifelong learning is very important to Jolien. In 2018, she completed her postgraduate diploma as a diabetes educator, followed an extensive training in sports nutrition and continues to follow regular refresher courses. In recent years she has mainly studied emotional food and plant-based nutrition.  She has experience as a paediatric dietitian by working in the paediatrics department at the University Hospital of Antwerp in 2018-2019.

Jolien wants to share her knowledge about nutrition with everyone who is interested. You can contact her for nutritional advice in case of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems, sports, pregnancy, and so on. She also likes to coach you towards a healthy eating pattern or to get rid of binge eating and emotional eating. Jolien listens attentively to what you need and formulates tailor-made advice that suits your lifestyle. This personal approach ensures that you can achieve your goals.

Besides being an independent dietician, Jolien is also coordinator at the Flemish Professional Association of Dieticians (VBVD).

The consultation

During the first consultation, the dietician will get to know you better. This includes an extensive anamnesis to know what your current eating pattern looks like. Your weight and fat percentage can be determined. The dietician will also take a closer look at your medical history, your expectations and your goals.

During this first consultation you will receive nutritional advice in a nutshell. The dietician will agree on a number of working points with you in order to move in the direction of your nutrition plan.
During the second consultation, your request for care and the first difficulties will be further discussed. The tailor-made nutrition plan and dietary advice will then be discussed in detail.
During all subsequent consultations there will be room to ask questions, learn to read labels and you will receive tips on all kinds of difficulties you may experience. These conversations can help with new difficulties, questions, new products and to stay motivated to achieve your health goal.


Need a dietician? Come see Ospoplus.

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