How I work
My approach has been shaped by years of professional training, and just as many years of personal experience, as a dietitian and a parent.
In practice, this means working from a Person or Family Centred Care model, informed by non diet, weight inclusive and intuitive eating principles. There's no one size fits all approach here, to health, eating or family life.
I work within a responsive feeding framework, paying attention to your child's cues, your family's context and what's realistic for your daily life. I keep up to date with evidence based research, and equally value what you already know about your own child.
I often collaborate with other professionals involved in your child's care, including paediatricians, psychologists and occupational therapists. As a weight inclusive dietitian, my focus is on your child's relationship with food and their overall wellbeing, not on numbers on a scale.
“Really appreciate the care she has taken with my daughter”
"My daughter loves her sessions and always looks forward to the next one. She seemed so much calmer and more reassured after speaking with Karlien — that means everything to me."
— Anita (parent), Singapore
Hi, I'm Karlien Duvenage
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a dietitian. I loved everything about food and cooked and baked from a young age, a hobby my late godmother nurtured for years. In secondary school, I placed in the top 10 nationally in South Africa's Food Science Olympiad, twice.
I studied dietetics at Stellenbosch University in South Africa and graduated with the award for best performance in paediatric nutrition. My honours research focused on breastfeeding support in the private healthcare setting. My early career took me into paediatric malnutrition wards, gastrointestinal disease care and HIV clinics at a rural hospital near the Mozambique border.
In 2007, I joined a large private practice at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, where I worked with athletes of all ages and abilities, from recreational athletes to Olympians. I developed a strong interest in youth athlete nutrition and eating disorder care.
The biggest shift in how I work came in 2015, when I started a Master's in Psychology. That's where my interest in neurodivergence and how it shapes eating and feeding began. It's also where I found my tribe with the Health at Every Size movement and a non-diet, weight-inclusive way of working, something that's stayed central to my practice ever since.
Along the way, life took plenty of twists and turns. Marriage, children, multiple international moves, and now my latest adventure: owning a bouncy cocker spaniel! During the pandemic, I took time out to be a stay-at-home parent and experienced the ups and downs of feeding a family from the other side of the table.
When I moved to Singapore in 2022, I decided to focus on my original passion and build a practice that supports young people with feeding challenges and eating differences.
Helping your family find beter ways to eat
Feed your family with more confidence and less stress.
Strengthen your intuition about what and how to feed your children.
Find ideas for nourishing, varied meals, lunchboxes and snacks, even with feeding challenges.
Create a home that supports body acceptance for the whole family.
Reduce battles and tension around mealtimes.
Let go of shame, fear and perfectionism around food, health and weight.
How I Got Here
From Stellenbosch, South Africa to Singapore and a few other countries in between.
2005
BSc Dietetics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Graduated with the award for best performance in paediatric nutrition.
2007
Joined the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, working with athletes at every level, including Olympians, and building expertise in youth athlete nutrition and eating disorder care.
2015
Moved to China and started a Masters in Psychology, marking the beginning of a focus on neurodivergence and how it shapes eating and feeding.
2019 - present
Completed specialist training in ARFID and neuro affirming care, eating disorder treatment, body image, and trauma informed care.
2022
Moved to Singapore and founded a dietetics practice focused on children and teens with feeding challenges and eating differences.
Present
Completed nutrition for Hypermobilty Spectrum Disorder, MCAS and POTS, alongside ongoing work as a Safe and Sound Protocol practitioner.
Professional registrations and memberships
BSc Dietetics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
MSc Psychology, Roehampton University, London, UK
Professional registrations
Full Nutritionist member of the Singapore Nutrition and Dietetic Association (SNDA)
Registered Dietician accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
Full Dietitian membership with the Association of Dietetics of South Africa (ADSA)
Co-Chairing the SNDA Eating Disorder Interest Group (EDIG)
Most Recent Continuing Education
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Trauma-Informed Dietetic Care by the Mindful Dietitian (Fiona Sutherland)
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Eating Disorders Training by the Mindful Dietitian (Fiona Sutherland)
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ARFID and Neuro Affirming Care by Whole Body Nutrition
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A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working With Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults by Exhale Psychology
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Body Image in Focus by Marci Evans and Fiona Sutherland
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Inclusive Approaches to Supporting Neurodivergent Children with Feeding Challenges by Naureen Hunani
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Working with Adolescents and Families in Eating Disorder Treatment by EDRD Pro
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Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Nutrition Course (EDS ECHO)
