The Dietitian Cafe

Nualtra

The Dietitian Cafe is a podcast for healthcare professionals to learn from. We meet a number of different dietitians and discuss many areas of dietetics and nutrition, from studying to academia, clinical to industry, the NHS to freelancing.

  1. 20 AUG

    Out of Orbit Into Practice What Can Dietitians Learn From Space Nutrition?

    Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of space nutrition. While fuelling astronauts in microgravity might sound worlds away from everyday dietetic practice, the science behind it offers surprising and valuable insights for clinical care, recovery, and public health here on Earth.  I’m joined by three brilliant guests: Kristine Atienza, Christina-Ariadni Valagkouti & Stavroula Chaloulakou. Together, they bring expertise spanning public health, emergency food security, clinical nutrition, and even preparing for the future of commercial space travel. They also share a passion for making space science accessible to everyone so whether you work in clinical practice, research, or are simply curious about the future of nutrition, this is a conversation that might just change the way you think about inactivity, metabolism, and the role of dietitians in some of the most extreme environments imaginable.  Show Notes  Space Nutrition Network https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-nutrition-network  Space Generation Congress: https://spacegeneration.org/sgc2025  International Astronautical Congress: https://www.iafastro.org/events/iac/  Space Generation Advisory Council: https://spacegeneration.org/  European Space Agency Academy: https://www.esa.int/Education/ESA_Academy  Space Careers UK: https://spacecareers.uk/

    40 min

  2. 6 AUG

    Peeling Back the Lid on the Baby Food Industry With Dr Diane Threapleton & Dayna Brackley

    Today, we’re peeling back the lid on the commercial baby food industry. A sector that’s been thrust into the spotlight after recent media investigations questioned the nutritional quality and marketing of commercial baby food.  For many parents and health professionals, navigating the early years food landscape has never felt more complicated. Are these products helping to build healthy eating habits from the start, or are high sugar levels, nutrient gaps, and confusing marketing messages making things harder? And how can dietitians and healthcare professionals cut through the noise to empower families with clear, evidence-based advice?  To help us break down the facts, and the fiction, we’re joined by two brilliant guests Dr Diane Threapleton and Dayna Brackley.   Dr Diane Threapleton is a Senior Research Fellow in Nutritional Epidemiology at the University of Leeds, and Co-Principal Investigator of the Growing Well Study, which explores diet and health in young children. Diane specialises in maternal and child nutrition and public health policy. Her recent research, featured on BBC Panorama earlier this year, has taken a closer look at commercial baby foods and what really matters to families when it comes to infant feeding. Diane’s work is all about improving food systems and supporting healthier outcomes for children and families.  And Dayna Brackley is a food policy expert and Partner at Bremner & Co, an independent consultancy specialising in food policy and systems change. She works across the whole life course,  from early years and infant feeding, right through to school food and further education, with a focus on nutrition, child food policy, and shaping the wider food environment. With a master's in food policy, Dayna specialises in turning evidence into practical, system-level changes that make healthier choices easier for children and families.  Show Notes  Dr Diane Threapleton: https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/12816/dr-diane-threapleton Dayna Brackley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayna-brackley-5069b028/ The Food Foundation Early Years Series Report 3: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/TFF_Early%20years%20report_2025.pdf • Commercial baby foods crisis revealed in Leeds research: • https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-health/news/article/5767/commercial-baby-foods-crisis-revealed-in-leeds-research • Commercial Baby Foods In Crisis: Addressing Health, Marketing and Inequalities in the UK: • https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/doc/commercial-baby-foods-crisis-addressing-health-marketing-inequalities-uk • Nourishing Our Future: Digital Conference Report: • https://nourishingourfuture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/digital-nof-conference-report-march2025-1.pdf First Steps Nutrition Trust: https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/ Best Start in Life: https://beststartinlife.campaign.gov.uk/ Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM): https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2022-6681-46447-67287

    42 min

  3. 17 JUL

    Complementary, Not Alternative: Balancing Evidence and Individual Choice in Cancer With Dove Yu

    Today, we’re opening up an important conversation about complementary therapies in cancer care, and how dietitians can support patient choice without compromising safety or outcomes. The release of the Netflix documentary Apple Cider Vinegar earlier this year has reignited concerns about misinformation in this space. But beyond the headlines, many people affected by cancer are simply trying to feel better and that often includes exploring dietary changes, supplements, or holistic therapies. So how can dietitians respond with empathy and clarity, especially when the evidence is limited or the risk is high? Joining me today is Dove Yu, a Senior Specialist Dietitian in oncology and palliative care at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Dove supports patients across both hospital and community settings and brings over five years of experience in cancer care. She’s also on the committee of not one but two BDA Specialist Groups and she shares valuable and engaging insights on her own social media account. Show Notes Instagram: @doveyu_dietitian / @bda_oncology / @bda_olderpeople BDA Oncology Group ‘Cancer Diets: Myths and More:’ https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/cancerdiets-myths-and-more.html CRUK Diet and Cancer Myths webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_A6eb8w4sw Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) About Herbs database: https://www.mskcc.org/cancercare/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs/search World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF): https://www.wcrf.org/ Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition: https://www.pennutrition.com/index.aspx NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/ Penny Brohn: https://pennybrohn.org.uk/

    42 min

  4. 18 JUN

    Finding and Maximising Career Opportunities as a Dietitian With Sarah Danaher

    The Dietitian Cafe Podcast has been shortlisted for Nutrition Resource of the Year at the 2025 CN Awards. If you’ve found value in the podcast, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. Just head to CN Magazine’s Nutrition2Me website to cast your vote. You’ll also find the link in the show notes. Today, we’re talking about opportunity, and how dietitians can think differently about where it comes from and how to make the most of it. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career in a new direction, this conversation is all about sparking ideas and seeing what’s possible. We're joined by Sarah Danaher, a UK Registered Dietitian whose career shows just how versatile and creative dietetic practice can be. Over the past 23 years, Sarah has worked across clinical care, public health, academia, research, and digital innovation, with special interests in gastroenterology, probiotics, hormone health, and neurodiversity like ADHD and autism. She’s currently the UK Team Lead for AEProbio, collaborating with researchers from the Universities of Reading and Leeds on the newly launched Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products in the UK. From the NHS to Sure Start, university lecturing to private practice, Sarah’s journey is a brilliant reminder that there’s no one way to build a meaningful career in dietetics. Show Notes Website: SRD Nutrition: https://www.srdnutrition.co.uk/ AEProbio Guide UK: https://probioticguide.uk

    51 min

  5. 11 JUN

    Building Confidence in LGBTQ+ Inclusive Nutrition Conversations With Dr Sarah Hillier

    The Dietitian Cafe Podcast has been shortlisted for Nutrition Resource of the Year at the 2025 CN Awards. If you’ve found value in the podcast, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. Just head to CN Magazine’s Nutrition2Me website to cast your vote. You’ll also find the link in the show notes.  Today, we’re talking about how dietitians and other healthcare professionals can feel more confident and capable when having inclusive, person-centred conversations with LGBTQ+ individuals.  While awareness of diversity and inclusion has grown in recent years, many professionals still feel unsure about the language to use, how to avoid saying the wrong thing, or how to create a truly welcoming environment. This episode is all about supporting those professionals to move past fear and uncertainty and towards more open, respectful, and informed conversations.  We’ll explore why language matters, what inclusive communication looks like in practice, and how understanding concepts like gender identity, pronouns, and lived experience can help us meet people where they are.  And we’ll look at the bigger picture, too: how education, structural barriers, and generational experiences shape the way people access and engage with healthcare today.  Joining me for this conversation is Dr. Sarah Hillier, a Registered Nutritionist and Senior Lecturer in Nutrition at Bournemouth University. Sarah’s research explores the intersections of minority and  underrepresented populations in nutrition, health, and higher education. Her work focuses on structural barriers to healthcare, nutrition, and education, with a particular emphasis on menopause, pregnancy, and reproductive health.  Beyond her research, Sarah is a strong advocate for inclusivity, serving as Chair of the Bournemouth University PRIDE Network, where she works to promote LGBTQ+ visibility within academia.  Show Notes  Dr Sarah Hillier (she/her)  LinkedIn: Dr Sarah Hillier  Instagram: @DrSarahHillIer  Bournemouth University  Instagram: @NutritionBU / @bournemouthuni  LinkedIn: Bournemouth University  Facebook: @JoinBournemouthUni  X: @bournemouthuni  Stonewall  List of LGBTQ+ terms | Stonewall LGBTQ+ facts and figures | Stonewall Key dates for LGBTQ+ equality | Stonewall Diversity Champions | Stonewall Bournemouth University  Dr Sarah Hillier - Bournemouth University Staff Profile Pages Centre for Midwifery & Women's Health | Bournemouth University Centre for Seldom Heard Voices | Bournemouth University Celebrating our LGBTQ+ community | Bournemouth University Research Papers and Charity Links  Nutrition and Health in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Community: A Narrative Review Palliative and end of life care for LGBTQ+ people | Marie Curie Support for Transgender & Non-binary Parents | LaLecheLeague Effective Communication About Pregnancy, Birth, Lactation, Breastfeeding and Newborn Care: The Importance of Sexed Language Gender-inclusive language in midwifery and perinatal services: A guide and argument for justice Support Services  LGBT Foundation Micro Rainbow Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Good Law Project Vote for The Dietitian Cafe at the 2025 CN Awards: https://nutrition2me.com/cn-awards/voting/

    56 min

  6. 7 MAY

    Demystifying The HCPC Audit: What Dietitians Need to Know With Natalie Berrie

    The Dietitian Cafe Podcast has been shortlisted for Nutrition Resource of the Year at the 2025 CN Awards. If you’ve found value in the podcast, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. Just head to CN Magazine’s Nutrition2Me website to cast your vote. You’ll also find the link in the show notes.  Thank you so much for your support!  Today, we’re talking about something that many dietitians find a little daunting - the HCPC CPD audit. Whether you've been selected before or you’re wondering what it might involve, today’s episode is here to demystify the process and answer your most pressing questions.  We’ll explore what counts as CPD, how often you should be doing it, and what really happens when you’re selected for audit. We'll also bust some common myths, like whether renewing your registration early puts you at risk, or if informal learning can actually count towards your CPD record.  And it couldn’t be a better time to have this conversation, the HCPC held its first-ever CPD Week earlier this year, highlighting just how important continuing professional development is across all registered professions.  To guide us through all of this, we're joined by someone who knows the process inside and out.  Natalie Berrie is the Registration Manager at the Health and Care Professions Council, AKA the HCPC, which is the UK regulator responsible for safeguarding the public through professional standards. Natalie has overseen the CPD process for several years and now also manages renewals. She leads a  team of Registration Advisors and oversees the Partners who carry out CPD assessments across the professions, including dietetics.  Show Notes  The Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC): https://www.hcpc-uk.org/  CPD Resources: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/cpd/cpd-resources/  What activities count as CPD?: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/cpd/carrying-out-and-recording-cpd/what-activities-count-as-cpd/  Vote for The Dietitian Cafe at the 2025 CN Awards: https://nutrition2me.com/cn-awards/voting/

    48 min

  7. 28 APR

    Your Probiotic Questions Answered With Dr Megan Rossi

    Today, we're thrilled to welcome back Dr Megan Rossi, one of the world’s leading gut health experts and founder of The Gut Health Doctor®. Megan joined us previously to talk about gut health fundamentals, and today she’s back to focus on one of the most talked-about topics in the wellness world: probiotics.  We’ll be diving into:  Where we might be going wrong with probiotics Whether we really need to take them daily The benefits of targeted strains How to recommend probiotics to patients And what to watch out for when choosing a supplement Whether you’re a healthcare professional or just gut-curious, this episode is packed with science-backed advice and practical takeaways.  Show Notes:  Website  The Gut Health Doctor: https://www.theguthealthdoctor.com/  Products:  Smart Strains: https://smartstrains.com/  Bio & Me: https://bioandme.co.uk/  Books:  Eat Yourself Healthy  Eat More, Live Well  Social Media:  Instagram: @theguthealthdoctor  Facebook: Dr Megan Rossi  X: @TheGutHealthDoc  TikTok: @theguthealthdoctor  Episode resources discussed:  Smart Strains Infographic: https://smartstrains.com/pages/for-healthcare-professionals  World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines Probiotics and prebiotics: https://www.worldgastroenterology.org/guidelines/probiotics-and-prebiotics/probiotics-and-prebiotics-english

    48 min

  8. 13 MAR

    Rethinking Obesity: Moving Beyond BMI With Dr Giles Yeo

    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 metabolic markers are gaining attention as more accurate indicators of health risks.  To help us navigate this shift, we’re joined by Professor Giles Yeo, a leading expert in the genetics of obesity and feeding behaviour. He is a Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge and Programme Leader at the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, where his research explores how our genes influence body weight and appetite regulation.  Beyond the lab, Giles is passionate about making science accessible. He serves as Honorary President of the British Dietetic Association, presents science documentaries for the BBC, and hosts the podcast Dr Giles Yeo Chews The Fat. He’s also the author of Gene Eating and Why Calories Don’t Count, offering evidence-based insights into nutrition and metabolism. His contributions to research and public engagement have earned him multiple honours, including an MBE.  Show Notes  X/Instagram: @gilesyeo  Facebook: Giles Yeo  Books:  Gene Eating Why Calories Don't Count

    50 min
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About

The Dietitian Cafe is a podcast for healthcare professionals to learn from. We meet a number of different dietitians and discuss many areas of dietetics and nutrition, from studying to academia, clinical to industry, the NHS to freelancing.

Information

  • Creator
    Nualtra
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Dietitian Cafe
  • Show Website
    The Dietitian Cafe

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