Nutrition

Help with food and eating in the UK comes from three kinds of practitioner: dietitians, nutritionists and nutritional therapists. Each brings something a little different, and all three work one to one to help people eat in a way that suits their health, their goals and their life. Dietitian is a title protected by law, and nutritionists and nutritional therapists are self-regulated through professional registers, so checking the person you choose takes a minute.

Dietitian, nutritionist or nutritional therapist?

Dietitians are trained to degree level in food, health and the body, including the special diets people may need when they have a medical condition. They work in NHS hospitals and community teams, in schools and sport, and in private practice. Every dietitian is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Nutritionists are experts in the science of food and how it supports good health. Many work in public health, research, sport or the food industry, and many also see people one to one. Registered Nutritionists carry the letters RNutr, or ANutr for a Registered Associate Nutritionist earlier in their career.

Nutritional therapists build a personal plan around you: what you eat, how you live, how you feel and what you'd like to change. Consultations tend to be long and detailed, with follow-ups to adjust the plan as you go.

Which one suits you depends on what you're looking for. If you have a medical condition that needs a specific diet, a dietitian is the natural first step, and your GP can talk you through it. For healthy eating, energy, sport or a fresh start with food, any of the three can help, and many people simply choose the person whose approach feels right.

What happens at a first appointment

Many practitioners send a short questionnaire or ask you to keep a food diary for a few days before you meet. It helps them see your normal week and saves time on the day.

The first appointment is a conversation: your health, any medicines or supplements you take, what you usually eat and drink, your sleep, work and activity, and what you'd like to achieve. Appointments can be in person, by video or by phone.

You come away with practical, personal suggestions, often written down, such as meal ideas, swaps and simple habits to try. Follow-up sessions are usually shorter and are where the plan gets fine-tuned to what's working for you.

What people come for

People most often see a nutrition practitioner for:

• Healthy eating for the whole family
• Energy and general wellbeing
• Weight and eating habits
• Digestive comfort
• Sport and fitness
• Eating well as you get older
• Plant-based and vegetarian eating
• Eating well alongside a long-term health condition
• A fresh start with food after a busy or stressful time

Your practitioner will talk you through how they can help with what you'd like to work on.

Alongside the rest of your care

Good nutrition advice sits comfortably alongside the rest of your care. If you have a medical condition, take regular medicines, or are pregnant, tell your practitioner at the start and keep your GP in the loop, especially before making big changes to your diet or adding supplements.

If you have symptoms that haven't been looked at yet, see your GP as well. Many nutrition practitioners work alongside doctors and will ask about this at your first appointment. Your GP can also refer you to an NHS dietitian where that is the right route for you.

How many sessions, and what it costs

Most people start with one longer first appointment, often an hour or more, followed by a few shorter follow-ups spread over several weeks or months. Some people only need one or two sessions to get going; others like regular check-ins while they settle into new habits.

Prices vary with the type of practitioner, the length of the appointment, where they are and what's included, such as written plans, recipes or messaging support between sessions. Many offer a package price for a first appointment and follow-ups, and some offer a free first chat. Practitioners are happy to tell you their prices, and many show them on their own websites.

Registration: protected and self-regulated titles

Dietitian is a protected title by law. Every dietitian must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and you can check anyone in moments using the HCPC's online register. Many dietitians also belong to the British Dietetic Association, their professional body.

Nutritionists and nutritional therapists are self-regulated through professional registers. Each sets training standards, has a code of conduct and a complaints process, and has a public search:

• The Association for Nutrition keeps the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists. Registered Nutritionists use RNutr, and Registered Associate Nutritionists use ANutr.
• CNHC (the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) runs a register for nutritional therapists, among other therapies. It is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, the body that oversees the UK's health regulators.
• BANT (the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) is the professional body for nutritional therapists and has its own Find a Nutritional Therapist search.

Choosing your practitioner

Nutrition practitioners are happy to talk about how they work. Good things to ask at a first chat:

1. Are you a dietitian, a nutritionist or a nutritional therapist, and where did you train?
2. Which register are you on? (For a dietitian, the HCPC.)
3. Do you have professional insurance?
4. How have you helped people with what I'd like to work on?
5. How many sessions do you suggest, and what will it cost in total?
6. Will you work alongside my GP if I have a health condition?

Want to look someone up? Check a practitioner's registration → every regulator and register in one place, with links to their public searches.

Common questions