Nualtra: Dietitian Cafe #RD2B Nualtra

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Great Ormond Street Hospital Paediatric Dietitian Natalie Yerlett, to talk all about dietetics in paediatrics. Paediatrics can often seem scary to many, especially to those with no experience with children or young people but today we will be putting the spotlight on this area with the aim of removing some of the mystery from it. We’ll be discussing how advice within paediatrics can differ from adults as well as asking Natalie about the experience required for a paediatric role.

Natalie Yerlett obtained an honors degree in Biology at Imperial College, London, before gaining her post-graduate diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2006. Natalie worked in various posts around Yorkshire before joining the gastroenterology department at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2009 and has worked there as a highly specialist paediatric dietitian since.

Natalie also holds various other roles including a Band 8a supplementary prescriber and the dietetic lead for the rare genetic skin condition epidermolysis bullosa and dermatology. Natalie also runs a private practice for patients with coeliac disease and allergies, is the diet sheet coordinator for the BDA and a member of the ACBS committee for the Department of Health. She has published over 15 peer reviewed journal articles and chapters in her areas of expertise and is currently an intern to write up her PhD application.

Show Notes:

Natalie’s Socials:
Instagram - @kids.coeliac.dietitian
Facebook – Kids.coeliac.dietitian
LinkedIn – Natalie Yerlett

Today we're delighted to be joined by Dietitian, Emily Stuart and Nutritionist Fleur Key, both of whom work in the food industry, to talk all about the differences between these two careers as well as how nutritionists prepare for an industry role and what transferable skills allow dietitians to work in this field.

Fleur Key studied Human Nutrition at the University of Greenwich, before obtaining a post graduate diploma in Public Health, from Christ Church University Canterbury, and starting her nutrition career working for the school meals caterer of Greenwich Council.
5 years as a nutritionist in the education sector and Fleur was ready for change, so joined the wholesaler, Brakes, as their Nutritionist supporting customers from businesses such as Care Homes, Schools, Pubs and Restaurants, to name a few.
Fleur has now been with Costa Coffee as their Nutrition Manager since May 2023, where she is responsible for setting nutrition targets, and supporting the food and beverage teams to meet them.
Fleur is passionate about supporting others in the industry, so volunteers as a mentor through Flourish in Food, and is always open to offering work experience to budding nutritionists.

Emily Stuart is a Registered Dietitian for leading food manufacturer apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods, who are producers of nutritious and delicious meals into the Health and Social Care Sector, including Specialist Nutrition Meals for people with specific nutritional needs. Emily has more than 10 years dietetic experience, both within the food industry and clinical settings including acute and community dietetics. Emily is a member of the BDA and committee member of the Food Services Specialist Group of the BDA.

Emily’s Socials:
LinkedIn: Emily Stuart


Fleur’s Socials:
LinkedIn: Fleur Key ANutr
Instagram: fleurlouisekey

In this episode, we will explore the benefits of joining the British Dietetic Association, how it can support students and prospects once qualified, and in particular all about the specialist groups that are available to join. So today, we're delighted to be joined by 3 guests: Kyle Kennedy BDA student representative, Gillian Farren Vice-Chairperson of the board of directors of the BDA and Emma Brighton BDA Membership Manager to give us more information on how the BDA can support your learning journey.

Kyle Kennedy is a third-year Human Nutrition and Dietetics student studying at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). He is the BDA Student representative for 2023/2024, Secretary for the BDA Public Health Specialist Group, Communications Representative for the Nutrition Society (Student Section), President of the GCU Dietetics Society, and on the School Board for the School of Health and Life Sciences at GCU as Department Representative for Occupational Therapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Kyle is a passionate advocate for students and is currently working on his 3 aims as BDA Student Representative: identifying financial, geographical, and educational barriers for students who want to go into dietetics; ensuring that all BDA student members have equal access to BDA related extracurricular events; and increasing awareness of the profession. He has also written two Public Health Nutrition articles for the BDA.


Gillian is a registered dietitian, based in East Ayrshire, Scotland, who is passionate about all things food-related. Gillian is registered with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC). Qualifying with a BSc (Hum. Nut. & Diet.) from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in 1998, Gillian has chalked up a comprehensive range of experience in over two decades as a practising dietitian. Her experience and research interests extend across the specialisms of neurology, acquired brain injury, mental health and wellbeing, inherited metabolic disorders, endocrinology, weight management and sports performance, having also held specialist posts in maternal and early years nutrition earlier in her career. Throughout her career, Gillian has enjoyed opportunities to share her work and achievements at events hosted within and outside the field of Dietetics, both nationally and internationally. Gillian’s current role within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is Professional Lead for Dietetics, and alongside this, Gillian is Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the British Dietetic Association.

Emma Brighton is the Membership Manager at the British Dietetic Association and has been in her role now for around a year and a half. Her main responsibilities include leading on engagement activities to continue the BDA's high levels of member satisfaction and to drive growth of membership across all levels from students to experienced professionals in the field of dietetics and nutrition. Her role is also responsible for overseeing the recruitment and retention of BDA members, ensuring that their offering meets their respective needs and remains inclusive to all within the wider dietetic community throughout every step of their career.

Show Notes:
Kyle’s Socials:
Twitter: KyleKennedyRD2B
Instagram: KyleKennedyRD2B
LinkedIn: Kyle Kennedy


Gillian’s Socials:
Instagram: theartfuldietitian
Twitter: FarrenGillian
TikTok: theartfuldietitian


Emma’s Socials:
LinkedIn: Emma Brighton

In this episode, we will explore the trend of Veganuary and the rise in Vegan diets. We’ll also discuss how to support patients following a vegan diet and if the vegan diet can help improve health of certain patient groups. So today, we're delighted to be joined by Registered Dietitian, Andrea Rymer, from The Vegan Society to talk all about the vegan diet and the benefits to such alternative diets.

Andrea is a Registered Dietitian who forms part of the nutrition team at The Vegan Society. Andrea chose to study dietetics to combine her love of food and cooking with nutritional knowledge. Some of her work involves developing nutritional resources, answering public nutrition related queries, providing education sessions to public sector industries, creating healthy balanced recipes and responding to media hot topics. Andrea has experience working in food and catering industries and since becoming a Dietitian, has specialised in hospital food services, learning disabilities and weight management. Andrea adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2014 and is now using her professional and personal skills and experiences to support the work of The Vegan Society.

Show Notes:
Andrea’s Socials:
Instagram: @vegan_drea87
Twitter: @rymer_vegandrea

nutritionsociety.com/nutrition

Azmina Govindji, Founder of Azmina Nutrition, is an award-winning dietitian, consultant nutritionist, international speaker and best-selling author of 20 books. Her latest peer-reviewed book, Vegan Savvy: The Expert’s Guide to Nutrition on a Plant-based Diet is supported by The British Dietetic Association and The Vegan Society.

Azmina is a media spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association as well as Public Health England’s Better Health Campaign to combat obesity. Her television appearances include Sky, BBC and ITV news, This Morning, Victoria Derbyshire show, the One Show, Inside the Factory and Food Unwrapped.
Azmina was previously Chief Dietitian for Diabetes UK and a Member of the British Heart Foundation’s Ethnic Advisory Board. She now runs her own consultancy working with the food industry and the media to help ensure that nutritional messages are accurate and evidence-based.

In this episode, we will discuss the practicalities of freelance work, such as when and how to take the step and how to get the best support in this space. We also explore the benefits of freelance working and ask Azmina for her top tips to being a successful freelance dietitian.

Show Notes:

Azmina’s Socials:
Website: https://azminanutrition.com/
Instagram: @azminanutrition
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@azminanutrition5089/videos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azminagovindjird/
Twitter: @AzminaNutrition
Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Azmina-Govindji/e/B004MWM69K/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

For this third episode, we’re finding out more about MDT working, including how dietitians work alongside speech and language therapists and the challenges and benefits of MDT working.

With this in mind, we're delighted to welcome Dietitian Fran Allsop and Speech and Language Therapist Jacqui Learoyd, who have a lot of experience both in their individual roles but also together during their time at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham.

Fran is a registered dietitian, currently working as a clinical lead in a mental health inpatient unit. Fran has experienced a number of areas of dietetics in her career including oncology, surgery, prisoner health, teaching in higher education, stroke, gastro and COVID ICU. She’s well placed to discuss how the dietetic and SLT professions intertwine, as she’s had the pleasure of working alongside some very talented colleagues in various settings.

Fran is the 2022 winner of the CN award ‘’clinical nutrition professional of the year’’.

Jacqui is a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with a range of clinical experience who is currently working in Operational Management. If pressed, Jacqui identifies as a forensic SLT with an interest in psychologically informed care and services which are designed to be trauma friendly.

Jacqui is the author of recently published ‘’working with Working With Adults with Communication Difficulties in the Criminal Justice System: A Practical Guide for Speech and Language Therapists’’.

In this episode, both Fran and Jacqui will discuss the importance of MDT working and the reasons why dietitians may need to work closely with other health professionals, such as speech and language therapists and how these two therapies often go hand in hand.

Show Notes:
Fran’s Socials:
Instagram- @frandietitian
Twitter- @FranAllsop
LinkedIn – Francesca Allsop

Jacqui’s Socials:
LinkedIn – Jacqui Learoyd