If you decide you would like to seek the advice of a professional nutritionist and start your approach by searching on the internet, you like most people, may start searching for the ‘best nutritionist’ or ‘London nutritionist near me’. The results you may receive would quite possibly be published from a range of professionals claiming to be nutritionists or nutritional therapists. This is frustrating user experience, as even from my point of view, a qualified nutritionist, It can be very hard to understand all the different qualifications and what they actually mean and more importantly who you can trust.
What is a nutritionist?
A nutritionist is a health professional that has been degree educated from a select range of pre- approved courses to advise the public on how food and its nutrient components affect our health, can promote a healthy lifestyle and help to prevent certain diseases. We have a background in science, metabolism, physiology and nutrition and learn how to apply this underlying nutrition knowledge to the public in clear, safe and meaningful ways.
Where can I find the best nutritionist for me?
The challenge we have in the nutritionist profession at the moment is that the title is not protected meaning anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without undergoing a minimum of a 3-year approved undergraduate degree. To find a nutritionist in London or the surrounding UK cities please visit the Association for nutrition. The Association for Nutrition is the awarding body that looks after the nutritionist profession and ensures that any nutritionist they have on their books has undergone the correct training and meets their strict acceptance criteria. Here is the link to check a nutritionist has the correct registration status
Are there any other health professionals that are recommended?
There are two reputable health professionals that can provide nutrition advice, the first as previously mentioned above is a nutritionist associated with the Association for Nutrition. These nutritionists hold ANutr or RNutr after their name.
The second trusted health professionals are registered dietitians. A dietitian is a health professional registered with the British Dietetic Association and is a protected title. Dietitians work in both hospitals and clinical outpatient clinics. They like registered nutritionists undergo extensive training and have the skill sets needed to provide trusted nutritionist advice. You can find dietitians here.
What type of qualifications do the nutritionists at Health Nutritionist hold?
The nutritionists at Health Nutritionist are all associated with the Association for Nutrition , and they have undergone extensive training from approved university nutrition degrees. Our founder, Charlotte, chose to study nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London which included clinical placements in hospital settings, she then after working across various industry placements undertook an MSc in human nutrition at London Metropolitan University and converted to be an associate nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (AFN).
Charlotte founded Health Nutritionist to ensure the public receives scientific and trusted nutrition advice from reputable sources. After studying for 6 years, she knows the importance of protecting the public from inaccurate research findings and how these outcomes could easily mislead the public and enter the media sphere of misinformation. In this daily electronic age it is become harder and harder to trust online experts which is why Charlotte is making it her priority to convey expertly curated advice.
if you are interested in becoming a nutritionist or dietitian, the best route is to undertake a-level biology and chemistry and to apply to the select degree courses in the UK that offer the qualifications. The BDA and AFN will have a list of university undergraduate or post-graduate degrees on their respective websites.
What types of nutritionist are there?
Hopefully, you now know a little bit more about which nutritionists are backed by science. When it comes to understanding their specialities, it is best to consult their individual websites for what areas they cover as this can vary widely.
Lastly, and I think most importantly, any client and professional relationship relies on communication, trust and respect. I would ensure time is well spent finding the best nutritionist that suits your needs. Example questions to ask maybe 'How do they offer their consultations? Are they online, phone based or in person? Do they offer multiple locations?' London nutritionists tend to offer multiple clinics which is very helpful for clients living across town.
I believe strongly in a non-judgemental approach and also believe in providing tangible advice that the client can implement on a weekly basis. I work with clients to create daily tweaks that drive lasting changes. My preferred method is not to provide a complete diet overhaul which may require the client to completely change their eating habits overnight. I personally believe that this type of dramatic change isn’t sustainable. However, this approach may not suit everyone, so it is worth seeking the right approach for you.
Are there any free nutrition resources out there?
There are some great resources on nutritionist resource, the BDA ,AFN and the NHS also has great healthy nutrition and wellbeing tips.
If you despite having a great basic understanding of nutrition and health still seem a bit stuck and unable to know why what you are eating is causing you health concerns, please reach out as we are here and trained to help. Change can be hard especially when our lifestyle, our jobs and work patterns, our internal thoughts and stress levels can all play a role. Sometimes it takes an expert to help you find the answers and simply help guide you around how your lifestyle is affecting your health and wellbeing.
If you would like to speak to our team at Health Nutritionist we have nutritionists in London and Bristol. We offer expertise in the following areas: Weight loss, personalised nutrition, eating disorders, allergy, IBS and digestive issues, nutrition and mental health and sports nutrition.