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. 8 MAY

    Sweet or Sour? Unpacking the BDA’s Position Statement on Sweeteners With Duane Mellor and Gabrielle Morse

    For years, messages about sugar reduction and sweeteners have fuelled confusion among both the public and healthcare professionals. From safety headlines to bold claims about benefits, dietitians and nutritionists have had to cut through the noise to provide credible, balanced advice. In response, the British Dietetic Association, in collaboration with the British Nutrition Foundation and Diabetes UK, has published a joint, evidence-based position statement on low- or no-calorie sweeteners, outlining what we know, what remains uncertain, and how clinicians can guide clients while balancing safety, tolerance, and real-world dietary choices.  In this episode, we unpack the statement in depth, exploring the context of UK sugar reformulation and “enforced consumption”, alongside emerging research on individual and combined sweetener effects. We’re joined by Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian and contributor to the statement, and  Gabrielle Morse, an advanced dietitian specialising in neurogastroenterology, who brings a gut-focused lens. Together, they examine the evidence, navigate the nuances, and translate the science into practical advice for everyday dietetic practice.  Dr Duane Mellor is a paediatric diabetes dietitian based in Leicestershire with over 25 years’ experience in diabetes care. He began in the NHS supporting adults with diabetes before moving into research and academia. An experienced diabetes educator, Duane regularly shares his expertise through television, radio, national guidelines, over 100 research papers, and several textbooks. He’s been named BDA Spokesperson of the Year and is one of the editors of the upcoming 7th Edition of the Manual of Dietetic Practice.  Gabrielle Morse is a specialist neurogastroenterology dietitian with experience across a range of gastroenterology conditions, alongside interests in women’s health, lipids, and metabolic health. She specialises in digestive issues linked to changes in communication between the gut-brain axis. Gabrielle is a BDA Workplace Ready dietitian and delivers workplace wellbeing workshops, providing evidence-based nutritional advice to the wider public. She has been featured in national media including the Sunday Telegraph. Gabrielle has worked at a world-leading hospital in London, is a guest lecturer at King’s College London, and regularly provides nutrition training to doctors, GPs, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals.  Show Notes  Gabrielle’s LinkedIn: Gabrielle Morse | LinkedIn  Duane’s LinkedIn: Duane Mellor | LinkedIn

    1hr 13min

  2. 17 APR

    Are Creatine Supplements Essential or Overhyped? With Linia Patel and Nigel Mitchell

    Creatine has long been associated with gym culture, but it’s now trending far beyond strength training, appearing across social media, women’s health spaces, and everyday wellness conversations.  Despite its popularity, the evidence is often misrepresented or overhyped, particularly around muscle gain, cognitive benefits, and mood, leaving both the public and clinicians to navigate a lot of mixed messages. In this episode, we explore where creatine is strongly supported by evidence, where claims remain uncertain, and how dietitians can provide clear, practical guidance. Joining me today is Dr Linia Patel, registered dietitian specialising in women’s health and population nutrition, and Nigel Mitchell, registered dietitian and performance nutrition specialist, who bring their distinct perspectives to this evidence-led discussion on creatine and responsible supplementation. Linia Patel is an award-winning Women’s Health Dietitian, Performance Nutritionist, and Public Health Researcher with over 20 years of experience spanning sports nutrition, clinical practice, corporate wellness and public health. Author of the best-selling book Food for Menopause and new book Life After Weight loss Medications Linia has worked across diverse settings—from highperformance sport to NHS-commissioned weight management services—translating science into practical strategies that improve wellbeing and long-term health outcomes. Nigel Mitchell is a Dietitian who has worked in clinical and elite sport nutrition for over 30 years.  Across his career, he has supported more than 30 Olympic and Paralympic medallists, world champion athletes, triathletes, and Tour de France champions. He led the nutrition strategy for Team Sky in 2009 and provided nutritional support during Bradley Wiggins’ 2012 Tour de France win, as well as supporting British Cycling at the London 2012 Olympics and athletes at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. He currently holds an academic position at Leeds Beckett University, a visiting position at Arizona State University, and serves as Clinical and Technical Lead for the UK Sports Institute, as well as Head of Nutrition for British Athletics and the British Sailing Team. Show Notes Linia’s LinkedIn : Dr Linia Patel (PhD) | LinkedIn

    53 min

  3. 25 MAR

    Paws for Thought: Do Pets Need Nutritionists Too? With Zoe Russell

    Pet nutrition is booming. From fresh subscriptions to wellness-driven brands, owners are investing more than ever in what goes into their pets’ bowls, but with that growth comes confusion, clever marketing, and plenty of science to sniff through.  In this episode, we unpack what truly matters when it comes to feeding pets well, from understanding “complete and balanced” diets to navigating trends, treats, fussy eaters, and life stage nutrition.  Joining me today is Zoe Russell, Nutrition Officer at The Skinner’s Group, who shares practical insights on evidence, regulation, misinformation, and where the future of pet nutrition is heading.  Zoe Russell is a Registered Associate Nutritionist with a First-Class degree in Animal Biology. As a Nutrition Officer at The Skinner’s Group, she provides nutrition consultations, ensures legislative compliance, produces technical content, and supports product and packaging development. She represents the company at industry events and shows, and with experience across a range of animal husbandry roles, she brings a broad understanding of animal nutrition.  Show Notes  Zoe’s LinkedIn: Zoe Russell | LinkedIn

    47 min

  4. 25 FEB

    Eat, Sleep, Repeat: Is Sleep the Most Undervalued Nutrition Tool We Have? With Rob Hobson

    In this episode, we explore why sleep is so undervalued in nutrition, how poor sleep influences what we eat, and what dietitians and nutritionists can do in practice to better support their clients.  Joining me today is Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist and author of The Art of Sleeping, who introduces his BED framework - Behaviour, Environment and Diet, and explains how sleep, food, and lifestyle can work together to support overall health.  Rob Hobson is a registered nutritionist with a degree in nutrition and master’s degrees in public health and sports nutrition. He’s a Sunday Times bestselling author of five books, including Unprocess Your Life and The Low Appetite Cookbook. With over 20 years’ experience spanning public health, private practice, and brand work, Rob writes extensively across the media and regularly appears on TV, radio, and podcasts as a trusted health expert.  Show Notes  Rob’s LinkedIn: Robert Hobson | LinkedIn  Rob’s Instagram: Rob Hobson nutritionist RNutr SENR (@robhobsonnutritionist) • Instagram photos and videos  Rob’s Website: Rob Hobson Nutritionist

    45 min

  5. 28 JAN

    From Veg Battles to Bean Boosts: What it Really Takes to Shift a Nation’s Eating Habits With Rebecca Stevens

    For decades, public health campaigns have tried to get both children and adults to eat more vegetables, often with little success. Traditional messaging like “five-a-day” has struggled to inspire behaviour change, leaving dietitians, parents, and educators searching for approaches that actually resonate.  Veg Power has taken a different path. Through playful, story-led campaigns, creative advertising, and cross-sector partnerships, they’ve transformed the way the nation thinks about healthy eating. By pretending veg are evil, making children the heroes, and building national campaigns that reach classrooms, homes, and retailers, Veg Power has shown that healthy eating can be fun, culturally relevant, and genuinely behaviour-changing. In this episode, we delve into what makes Veg Power’s campaigns so effective. From the bold creativity behind Eat Them to Defeat Them to the nationwide push to get beans back into everyday meals with Bang in Some Beans, we share insights, strategies, and collaborative approaches that are changing the way the UK eats.  Joining me today is Rebecca Stevens from Veg Power, who is committed to helping the nation eat better through creative healthy eating campaigns. Rebecca offers insight into what truly shifts behaviour, how we can make healthy eating fun again, and where nutrition professionals can play a meaningful part in that change.  Rebecca Stevens is a registered Associate Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition and holds an MSc in Human Nutrition from St Mary’s University. Before returning to university, she spent over a decade working in healthcare PR. In her Communications & Campaigns role at Veg Power, Rebecca enjoys bringing together her expertise in nutrition and communications and is always on a mission to expand her family’s vegetable repertoire.   Show Notes  Veg Power Newsletter Sign Up: newsletter-signup - Veg Power  Veg Power LinkedIn: Veg Power CIC: Posts | LinkedIn  Veg Power Instagram: Simply Veg @ Veg Power (@vegpoweruk) • Instagram photos and videos  Bang in Some Beans Campaign: Boosting Beans - Veg Power  Eat Them to Defeat Them Campaign: Home - Eat Them To Defeat Them  National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 - 2023: National Diet and Nutrition Survey - GOV.UK

    38 min

  6. 7 JAN

    Working Against the Clock: The Nutrition Challenges of Shift Work With Clémence Cleave and Andy Picken

    For millions of people across the UK, working outside the traditional 9-to-5 is simply part of life. From nurses and doctors to delivery drivers, factory workers, construction workers and police officers, shift work means eating, moving, and resting against the body’s natural rhythm, often with consequences  for health, wellbeing, and performance. As dietitians and healthcare professionals, we’re in a unique position to support these patients, helping them navigate the challenges of irregular schedules, make practical nutrition choices, and maintain balance despite working against the clock. In this episode, we’re exploring the physiological and nutritional challenges of shift work, from metabolic and gut health impacts to practical strategies for meal timing, employer support, and longterm wellbeing. Joining me today are two guests committed to helping shift workers thrive, offering clear, practical advice on how to eat, recover, and maintain health whilst navigating the nutritional challenges of working outside the 9-to-5.  Clémence Cleave is an award-winning Registered Nutritionist, author, trained chef, visiting lecturer, and founder of Rocket Fuel Wellbeing – the corporate nutrition consultancy for healthy people and healthy growth. Clem specialises in workplace wellbeing, gut health, women’s health, and longevity, and delivers trusted, practical guidance that drives lasting change for individuals and organisations. Andy Picken is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health with 19 years’ experience in public health and workplace health and wellbeing. Based in Manchester, Andy works for the HSQE Partnership across multiple sectors and currently serves as Head of Health and Wellbeing within the rail and construction sector, where shift work is an integral part of the operational cycle. Andy’s professional passion lies in lifestyle and preventative medicine, particularly in addressing the challenges of applying these approaches within shift-working environments. Show Notes: Clem Cleave: Website: Home | Rocket Fuel Wellbeing | Nutrition & Workplace Wellbeing Services Instagram: CLEM CLEAVE | Nutritionist RNutr | Rocket Fuel Wellbeing (@clemcleavenutrition) • LinkedIn: Clemence Cleave RNutr, FRSPH | LinkedIn Andy Picken: Website: Our Team - HSQE Partnership LinkedIn: Andy James Picken FRSPH | LinkedIn

    1 hr

  7. 10/12/2025

    Mastering Mealtimes With Dr Kirsty Porter

    For many families, mealtimes can feel far from peaceful. Between juggling busy schedules, food preferences, sensory sensitivities, and the constant noise of “shoulds” from social media and parenting advice, it’s easy for stress to replace enjoyment.  As dietitians, we’re often the ones supporting parents through that experience, helping them navigate the balance between nutrition, nurture, and realistic expectations. In this episode, we’re exploring what’s really going on at the dinner table, from picky eating and food neophobia to evolving feeding advice and the guilt that can so easily come with it all. Joining us is Specialist Paediatric Dietitian, Dr Kirsty Porter. Kirsty has over 15 years’ experience working with families across the NHS and private practice, helping them build more positive, confident and calm relationships with food. She was named Paediatric Nutritional Professional of the Year and Social Media Personality of the Year at the 2025 CN Awards, recognising not just her clinical expertise, but the impact of her reassurance, practicality and voice in this space. Show Notes Facebook: Nutrition4kids Children's Dietitian Instagram: @nutrition4kidsni Website: www.nutrition4kidsni.com

    47 min

  8. 03/12/2025

    Health Halos, Indulgence, and Food Industry Confusion With Sophie Gastman & Jemma Joel

    2025 alone has seen a wave of food launches designed to make a statement. At one end of the spectrum are products wrapped in a health halo - clean labels, minimalist ingredients, wellness claims. At the other, unapologetically indulgent creations that celebrate excess and nostalgia. Both command attention, but together they highlight just how blurred the lines around healthy eating have become.  In today’s episode, we’re exploring what these extremes say about modern food culture, how they shape public perception, and whether they bring us closer to balance, or pull us further apart.  Joining me are two guests dedicated to cutting through nutrition confusion and helping people find a more balanced, confident approach to eating.  Sophie Gastman is a Registered Nutritionist, speaker, and soon-to-be author with a passion for translating complex nutrition science into simple, balanced, and enjoyable advice. Her work spans public health, education, and digital communications – supporting families, schools, and a community of over 140,000 followers to eat well without myths, rules, or guilt.  Jemma Joel is a Registered Nutritionist, coach, mentor and TEDx speaker with a background in psychology, specialising in public health and behaviour change. She coaches clients to improve their health and relationship with food, and mentors' fellow nutrition professionals to integrate behaviour-change techniques into their practice.  Together, we’ll unpack how “health halos” and hyper-indulgent products influence our relationship with food and explore the role nutrition professionals can play in helping people find genuine balance.  Show Notes  Sophie Gastman  Instagram: @sophiethenutritionist TikTok: @sophiethenutritionist  Jemma Joel  Instagram: @lifewithjemmajoel

    53 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dietitian Cafe
  • Show Website
    The Dietitian Cafe

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