About Dr Hildegard Strydom
Registered Dietitian | PhD
Diabetic and Insulin resistance dietary management
I am a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience in the dietary treatment of diabetes, insulin resistance, and weight management.
My work combines clinical practice, academic research, and practical implementation to deliver structured, measurable outcomes for my patients.
Education and Early Career
I completed my B Dietetics degree at the University of Pretoria in 2001. In 2002, I began working at the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, where I worked in hospitals across England.
It was during this time that I developed a strong interest in the dietary treatment of diabetes.
After returning to South Africa, I established my private practice with a special focus on diabetes, insulin resistance, and weight management.
Masters Research
In 2009, I completed my Master’s degree at Stellenbosch University, focusing on the implementation of low Glycemic Index (GI) principles in the prevention and management of diabetes.
My research explored how South African dietitians apply low-GI dietary strategies in clinical practice, an area that continues to influence my structured approach today.
PHD Research
In 2025, I obtained my PhD from the University of Pretoria. My doctoral research focused on the implementation of the glycemic index, glycemic load and food insulin index in the dietary treatment of diabetes.
My PhD included:
- A scoping review analysing global research on the food insulin index
- Development of a validated adherence tool to measure how well patients follow structured diabetic dietary principles
- In-depth research on how adherence to a diabetic diet I developed improved blood glucose control among people with diabetes.
The research strengthened the scientific foundation for the dietary approach I use in practice.
The Dr Hildegard Strydom Approach
Evidence-Based. Practical. Sustainable.
Glycemic Index (GI)
how quickly carbohydrates raise blood glucose
Glycemic Load (GL)
portion size and total carbohydrate impact
Food Insulin Index (FII)
how much insulin the body releases in response to specific foods
By combining these principles, I help patients stabilise blood glucose levels, reduce insulin demand, manage weight, and improve long-term metabolic health.
Dietary treatment of diabetes is centred around blood glucose control.
This is not a restrictive diet. It is a structured, sustainable lifestyle approach.
Published Research
My research has been published in international peer-reviewed journals.
Dietary treatment of diabetes is centred around blood glucose control.
The Application of the Food Insulin Index in the Prevention and Management of Insulin Resistance and Diabetes: A Scoping Review. Nutrients. 2024; 16 (5)
Adhere to Personalised Nutrition Education Based on Glycemic and Food Insulin Index Principles and Their Association with Blood Glucose Control in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22 (6), 925
Reliability and validity of an adherence score sheet to monitor adherence of patients with diabetes to personalised nutrition education. Clinical Nutrition Espen. 2025; 69 (c)
Professional Contributions
In addition to private practice and research, I have:
- Written dietary information sheets for pharmaceutical companies
- Consulted for dietary-related magazine publications
- Worked as a food labelling specialist
- Presented training session on diabetic dietary intervention to medical doctors, dietitians, and pharmacists
Take Control of Your Blood Glucose. For Good.
If you are ready to move beyond trial-and-error dieting and commit to a structured, evidence-based approach to diabetes care, I would be honoured to guide you.