Allergy Dietetic Interest Group (ADIG)

ADIG Mission and Vision

ADIG is a group of dietetic members of ALLSA working in the field of food allergies and – intolerances. The group was formed with the following objectives in mind:

Creating a support network for dietitians working in the field of allergy
Improving dietitians’ visibility and their promotion within the allergy multidisciplinary team
Participating in CPD-accredited training in food allergies for dietitians and other health professionals in conjunction with ALLSA & AFSA
Improving allergy awareness among the general public
Establishing evidence-based guidelines and pathways to ensure consistency in work
Disseminating recent research
Supporting the Allergy Foundation of South Africa (AFSA) with regards to food allergy resources, training and active involvement in the SA Food Allergy Support Facebook group
Liaising with the food industry with regard to labelling legislation

Meet the Team

Jandri Barnard

Jandri Barnard has been in private practice in KwaZulu-Natal for over 14 years, after completing her community service year at Newcastle Provincial Hospital. She completed her dietetics degree at the University of Pretoria and her Masters in Dietetics degree in 2016 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with ongoing studies as a PhD candidate in Dietetics. Presenting her research at national and international congresses, after receiving a research fellowship at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. She consults paediatric and adult patients in Newcastle, Northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga as well as online. She is also a contributing health writer for various publications and received numerous awards for her articles.

She recently completed the ESPEN ICU Nutrition course at the Critical Care Congress and the Renal Nutrition Workshop. In 2017 she completed the Post Graduate Program in Paediatric Nutrition in association with Boston University School of Medicine in the US. She is on the Allergy Association of South Africa Dietetics Committee, a SCOPE accredited member for the World Obesity Federation and member of the South African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SASPEN) and the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN). She also assisted at the University of Pretoria’s Employee Wellness Program to give nutritional classes online.

Taryn Bortz

Taryn Bortz graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2017 with a Bachelors in Dietetics. She then completed her Community Service at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and is still currently working there as a Clinical Dietitian. She has gained valuable experience in both an in-patient and out-patient setting in conditions relating to paediatric, infant and maternal nutrition, as well as weight management and various chronic diseases.

Taryn also works in Private Practice in Johannesburg where she helps individuals to meet their nutrition related goals. She has a special interest in food allergies, and works closely with her team to provide comprehensive allergy testing and treatment for infants and children with food allergies. Taryn has completed The FARE Certificate of Training in Paediatric Food Allergies which has broadened her knowledge and enabled her to provide up-to date evidence-based care to patients. Through completing the course, she realized the vital role dietitians play in food allergy management.

Taryn has also completed additional courses in the fields of:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (EatFit Low FODMAP accredited).
Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics (3×4 accredited).
Weight Management (CDE Optifast accredited).

Taryn is an avid foodie and strongly believes there is no need for unnecessary restrictions and cutting out food groups. She wishes to provide individuals with the knowledge on how to nourish their bodies, eat more mindfully and remove all things “fad diet” related.

Lindsay Archibald-Durham

Lindsay is a Paediatric Dietitian based at the Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg. She graduated from the University of KwaZulu Natal in 2000 and spent 13 years in the National Health Service, in the UK, working in the field of paediatrics and allergy. Lindsay has a special interest in food allergies and is on the executive committee of ALLSA. She has a passion for encouraging children to be adventurous with new foods and for establishing healthy eating habits early on in childhood. Lindsay has a young son with food allergies and is passionate about improving allergy awareness.

Marenel Pansegrouw

Marenel Pansegrouw is a private practicing dietician in Centurion / Midstream area since 2014. She started her career in the South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) in 2011 till 2014. She then joined the private practicing dieticians. She completed her degree at the University of Pretoria in 2009 and community service in Delmas, Mpumalanga. Marenel also completed a Diploma course in Hospitality Management at the Tshwane University of Technology in 2005. Marenel is married and has three children.

Marenel has various special interest in both paediatric and adult nutrition therapy. These include, however not limited to, food allergies and intolerances, cardiometabolic nutrition (diabetes care, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, fatty liver disease), and enteral and parenteral nutrition.

Marenel completed her accreditation with the Institute of Functional Nutrition Academy in 2020 and constantly challenges herself with the different theoretical paradigms to help the individual improve overall. Marenel also completed EatFit Accredited Courses nutritional management of bowel disorders and allergies. Marenel also completed the SOS approach to Feeding (trans disciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties) in 2018. She has been working alongside paediatric and adult gastroenterologist since 2019 among other specialities. Food allergies and intolerances remain a strong interest.

Cecile van Niekerk

Cecile is a registered Dietitian with a master’s degree in Dietetics from the University of Pretoria. She completed her community service year in Potchefstroom and developed her passion for pediatric nutrition thereafter at Steve Biko Academic hospital where she worked for six years. From 2012 she has been practicing at Netcare Pretoria East hospital, Life Wilgers and more recently at Midstream Mediclinic.

She is the founder of PaeNut Dietitians who is a team of Dietitians that focus on medical nutritional management of children. Main focus areas include gastro-intestinal disease, obesity, allergies, neuro-divergent children and general healthy eating for prevention of disease. They practice at a paediatric multidisciplinary practice called Pretoria East Therapy Centre, where they also provide feeding therapy for children struggling with pediatric feeding disorders. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Pretoria and love to educate students and families about the important role of nutrition in managing allergic disease. Cecile follows an evidenced based approach and enjoys translating scientific information to practice for newly graduate dietitians as well as families. In her free time, Cecile loves spending time with her loving husband and three busy kids!

Idonette van Zyl

Idonette van Zyl is a registered dietitian in private practice, with a special interest in food allergies & – intolerances. As a mother of three food allergic – & intolerant children, she understands the challenges faced and therefore strives to offer support through optimal individualised allergy management. She believes in a holistic approach and is passionate about working together as a health-care team. Idonette graduated from the University of Pretoria (UP) in 2007. She has been employed as a part-time senior academic advisor for dietetic students at the North-West University (NWU) since 2015. In 2018, she completed her master’s degree (cum-laude) the NWU. She has been elected as the chair of the ALLSA Allergy Dietitians Interest Group (ADIG) in 2022. Idonette is the founder and managing director of the SA Food Allergy Support App called “AlleGrow”; which aims to improve quality of life by reducing the burden of food label reading in-store, as well as helping families discover a greater variety of suitable food products. She is passionate about healthy living in general and enjoys cycling and a good cup of coffee. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors and playing music.

Food allergy Information

When someone has a reaction to foods that are harmless for most people, the person is having a “hypersensitivity” reaction. When everyone who eats that food has a reaction (e.g food poisoning) it is called a “toxic” reaction.

Many people think the terms food allergy and food intolerance mean the same thing; however, they do not. “Food intolerance” is a hypersensitivity reaction that does not involve the immune system. Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response. It occurs when something in food irritates a person’s digestive system or when a person is unable to properly break down the food.

A food allergy is a reaction that involves the immune system. The difference is important because food allergy can range from mild reactions to severe, life threatening (anaphylactic) reactions and can occur even with tiny doses. Food intolerances are not life threatening and the person may be able to eat small amounts of the food, but have symptoms on eating larger amounts.