Are you pregnant?
I had a chat with Dr Grant Saffer, a Melbourne-based obstetrician-gynaecologist, about his thoughts on the importance of seeing a dietitian during your pregnancy.
Here’s what he said…
Are you pregnant?
I had a chat with Dr Grant Saffer, a Melbourne-based obstetrician-gynaecologist, about his thoughts on the importance of seeing a dietitian during your pregnancy.
Here’s what he said…
1. What do you love about what you do as an obstetrician-gynaecologist?
I probably love best the fact that I do it well. I love the responsibility and the buzz that it gives, and I love the relationship that I have with my patients. More than anything, I love the personal rapport I have with my patients, the camaraderie with my staff, and the enormous sense of satisfaction I get from looking after a mum. I think that’s immense. It’s more than a job, it’s a life. It’s a hard life with a lot of stresses and strains but I wouldn’t swap it for anything else, because it’s just so rewarding.
2. What are your top tips for eating to stay healthy during pregnancy?
I encourage my patients to have a normal healthy diet – to eat healthy, eat well, eat natural and don’t eat for two. Just be yourself and eat as you feel you need. I’m not a fan of multivitamins, I don’t like supplements. I tell my patients to eat healthily, to go to the veggie store where they can get their multivitamins for free through their food. And you’re allowed a little bit of junk but not too much. So don’t eat too much rubbish, but don’t be overly focused and paranoid about what you’re eating either.
3. When might pregnant women also benefit from seeing a dietitian?
Anyone who is overweight should really be seeing a dietitian because we know that excess weight gain in pregnancy is not only associated with increased risk of problems during pregnancy, but also gestational diabetes with type 2 diabetes to follow. And if anyone is concerned about the amount of what they should be eating or what is a healthy weight gain for pregnancy, they can also benefit from seeing a dietitian.
4. What do you like about Melanie’s services as a dietitian?
I like Melanie’s holistic approach because I think that’s what people need. It’s not just about diet and eating well, it’s about changing your mindset, your whole psychology about lifestyle. I also like Melanie’s scientific focus – she’s very advanced with all the technology she uses in assessing body composition and she’s very up to date with all the latest philosophies about diet and exercise.
5. Finally, because all dietitians are foodies at heart…we’d love to know what is the one item that can always be found in your pantry?
Coffee. It’s 100% always coffee. A good coffee always goes down well with me. Followed closely by Lindt dark chocolate, although that can’t always be found in my pantry!
For more information, visit Dr Grant Saffer’s website at http://www.drgrantsaffer.com.au/