Dietitians
What dietitians do, how they are registered in the UK, how to check a registration, and NHS and private routes. General information only, not personal advice.
What Dietitians Do
Dietitians — food, nutrition and eating, including in eating disorder and mental health care
Dietitians use the science of nutrition to assess, diagnose and treat problems related to food and eating, and translate it into practical, personal advice. In mental health work they are an important part of eating disorder care, helping people restore regular eating and nourishment safely, rebuild trust around food, and manage the physical effects of restriction, bingeing or purging, alongside psychological therapy. They also support people whose medication affects appetite or weight, people with restrictive eating linked to sensory needs or anxiety, and those whose mood, energy or digestion are tangled up with eating. Appointments begin with an assessment of eating patterns, health and goals, followed by a plan agreed together and reviewed over time, without judgement about body shape or size. Dietitians work in the NHS, community and hospital teams, eating disorder services, schools, sport and independent practice.
Registration and Titles
Protected title: Dietitian — must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register (“Nutritionist” is not protected). The British Dietetic Association is the professional body.
How to Check a Registration
Search the register for the person’s name and check the entry says Dietitian. Anyone using that title must be registered; “nutritionist” on its own is not a protected title.
Our guide on how to check a register explains what to look for. Every practitioner on Therapist Circle shows their register and number on their profile so you can check it yourself.
NHS and Other Routes
NHS dietitians work in hospitals, community clinics, GP practices and eating disorder services. You are usually referred by your GP, consultant or another health professional, and in some areas you can refer yourself. Eating disorder support normally starts with a GP appointment, which can lead to a specialist service.
See finding NHS support and free and low-cost therapy for more routes.
Private Sessions and Fees
Private fees vary by area, experience, session length and setting, so ask each practitioner for their fee, cancellation terms and any reduced-fee places before booking. Our guide to fees, private practice and NHS routes explains what to ask.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Which register are you on, and what is your registration number?
- What experience do you have with the kind of difficulty I have?
- How long are sessions, how often, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer online, phone or in-person sessions?
Find Dietitians
Other Professions
Informed by: British Dietetic Association · Health and Care Professions Council. Not affiliated with any professional body. If you need urgent help, call NHS 111, Samaritans free on 116 123, or 999 if life is at risk.