The Dietitian Cafe

Obesity management is evolving, and with new insights from The Lancet's Clinical Obesity Commission and NICE guidelines, there’s growing recognition that BMI alone is not enough. While BMI has long been used as a quick and convenient screening tool, it does not account for factors like body composition, metabolic health, and fat distribution. Measures such as waist-to-height ratio and other m...

For too long, weight management has been framed as a choice — surgery or nutrition, medication or lifestyle changes. But we know the most effective, sustainable results come when these approaches work together.  In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing how dietitians, surgeons, clinicians, and the wider healthcare team can break down silos, collaborate more effectively, and ultimately improve outco...

Island life might seem idyllic, but when it comes to nutrition and healthcare, working in remote settings presents a unique set of challenges. Food security, supply chain disruptions, and the impact of climate change all influence how dietitians practice in these environments. So, what does it take to be a dietitian on an island in the middle of the Atlantic?  To help us explore this, we’re joined...

Today, we’re diving into a very timely and important debate: Should dietitians play a more active role in breastfeeding support? With the British Dietetic Association now offering courses to help dietitians build confidence in discussing breastfeeding with patients, it raises an important question: Should dietitians be more involved in supporting breastfeeding? On one hand, dietitians have extensi...

Sustainability is an increasingly vital conversation in the world of nutrition, yet it often falls short when it comes to practical application. Finding the balance between what’s good for our health and what’s good for the planet requires a nuanced approach one that considers accessibility, ethics, and long-term impact. Today, we’re diving deep into this important topic, exploring how dietitians...

Nutrition plays a vital role in managing chronic illnesses, but when it comes to sickle cell disease, the conversation often falls short. This complex condition requires a nuanced approach to care, and today, we’re exploring how nutrition can address some of the unique challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease. Joining us is Dr Claudine Matthews, a registered Consultant Dietitian a...

Social media has revolutionised how we access information, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube becoming key sources for everything from lifestyle tips to health advice. While this accessibility has opened up new opportunities for education, it has also raised concerns about the reliability of the information being shared. In today’s episode, we’re asking an important question: Is Ti...

Lately, food additives have been a topic of growing interest and debate, with questions about their roles, benefits, and potential health impacts. Today, we’ll dig into these questions and shed light on what food additives really are, why they’re used, and the standards that regulate them. We’ll also explore the role additives play in food security, food waste and food taste. To guide us in this c...

You may have noticed the buzz surrounding personalised nutrition lately, with various programs and apps claiming to tailor dietary advice specifically to your unique biology. But what does personalised nutrition really entail, and how can it impact individual and population health? Today, we’re delighted to welcome a true leader in the field of nutritional science: Professor Sarah Berry. Sarah has...

Join us to mark November’s World Diabetes Day as we dive into the unique challenges faced by children and young adults living with type 1 diabetes. From managing blood sugar levels during athletic activities to navigating social pressures, this episode explores the complexities of balancing life and health during these critical years. Today, we’re joined by Paula Chinchilla, an expert Paediatric D...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the fascinating yet complex world of collaborating with brands as a registered nutrition professional. Whether you’re looking to secure partnerships or curious about maintaining ethical integrity while working with brands, this episode is packed with insights for you. We’re excited to explore topics like the importance of transparency, how to review contracts,...

You may have noticed an increase in the number of gut health testing kits being advertised on social media recently. These kits promise insights into the microbiome and solutions for a healthier gut, but what do they really offer, and how reliable are their claims?  Today, we're excited to bring in two exceptional experts to help us dig into the science and marketing behind these tests: Dr. E...

In today’s interview episode we’re exploring the topic of plant-based hospital menus and asking the question, are they the way forward? In America, a company called ‘Greener by Default’ is working to transform hospital food services by making plant-based meals the default option on the hospital menu. As they’re planning to bring their innovative approach to the UK, we’ll use today’s episode to fin...

Today, we're diving into the ever-evolving world of diet trends, focusing on what’s taking the spotlight in 2024. Each year brings a new wave of food and diet trends, but which ones are gaining traction this year? From the popular to the controversial, we’re here to unpack some of the biggest trends, explore their origins, and separate fact from fiction. In this episode, we’ll cover everythin...

Today we’re delving into the world of nutricosmetics and collagen supplements. Nutricosmetics, which encompass products and ingredients that act as nutritional supplements to enhance the health of skin, nails, and hair, have surged in popularity recently. But what's driving this trend, and is there solid evidence to support the claims? In this episode, we’ll focus on collagen, a key player in...

Today we’re putting the spotlight on the food supply chain and specifically the nutritional implications of varying practices along a food's journey from farm to fork. We’ll chat to our expert guest about a variety of factors that might impact nutrition, from cultivation to consumption – everything from organic vs non-organic to soil quality and pollution! We’re looking forward to diving into...

In today’s episode we’re looking at biohacking. Biohacking is defined as, ‘Attempts to improve the condition of your body and mind using technology, drugs or other chemical substances such as hormones’ - such techniques can include cold water swimming, meditation and a variety of supplements. With biohacking growing in popularity, we’re asking the question – is it essentially diet culture repackag...

In today’s episode, we’re putting the focus on British Dietetic Association (BDA) membership and specifically the benefits it has for its member dietitians. With over 80% of all HCPC registered dietitians being members of the BDA, you might be one of many dietitians who renew their membership year on year. But are you getting the most out of it? In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by retur...

With cystic fibrosis awareness week being 17th-21st June 2024, in today’s episode we put the focus on CF. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting the CFTR protein and in recent years the use of CFTR modulators have changed the game for the management of this condition. In today’s podcast I’m delighted to be joined by two experts to discuss the nutritional implications of this change as we...

Fasting has regained attention after Rishi Sunak endorsed a weekly 36-hour fast. So, in today’s episode, we’ll take an evidence-based look at why and when fasting could be helpful (and when it might not be), as well as discussing the evidence around some of the most popular fasting health claims. Our expert guests will share their practical experience, discussing whether they recommend fasting in...

Weight loss injections have sparked considerable debate since the decision in March 2023 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to approve their use within the NHS for managing overweight or obesity. In today’s episode, we'll discuss the different types of injections and how they function as well as reviewing the evidence for their efficacy. We’ll also ask our guests...

You might have heard the title primary care or first contact dietitian banded about in recent years, but how much do you know about the role? In today’s episode, we’re talking all things primary care dietetics, looking at everything from what promoted the shift to include dietitians in primary care settings and the benefit of this change to what the day-to-day role entails. Whether you’re consider...

As a dietitian, have you ever wondered about being quoted in the paper, interviewed on the radio or even appearing on a TV programme? If so, then today’s episode is just for you! Dietitians in the media play a crucial role in shaping public understanding and perceptions of nutrition and health, by translating complex nutritional information into accessible and relatable content. Today we’re joined...

For our debate today, we will be discussing the hot topic of nutrition misinformation. In recent months it has been the subject of much debate amongst nutrition experts. We will be discussing the reasons behind the spread of misinformation, the damage it does, and brainstorming the best ways to deal with it. So, in this month’s episode, we’re tackling it head-on and bringing together experts who k...

As women’s health becomes less of a taboo topic, conversations surrounding menstruation, menopause and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are becoming more common place. Some individuals are homing in on their hormonal health and looking for nutritional solutions to positively impact their hormones. But is it all just another nutrition fad? Can you balance your hormones with your...