The Dietitian Cafe

Nualtra

Welcome to The Dietitian Café, a podcast from Nualtra for dietitians, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals, bringing honest conversations and fresh perspectives on important topics shaping patient care and practice. From clinical practice and public health to the food industry and beyond, each episode blends expert insight with real-world experience.  

  1. 4 days ago

    PMOS Explained: What the PCOS Name Change Really Means for Dietitians and Patients With Claire Pettitt

    A major shift in women’s health has recently been announced: PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) has been renamed PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome). In this episode, we unpack what’s behind the shift, whether it could help address the large number of people that go undiagnosed, and what it means for dietitians and those living with the condition — because when we change the name, the real question is: do we change care, or just the conversation?  Joining us on the podcast today is Claire Pettitt. A women’s health specialist dietitian with a passion for PMOS and infertility, Claire has nearly 20 years experience in healthcare, education, research, and clinical practice. Her expertise lies in nutrition and women's health, with a particular focus on Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) and fertility nutrition where she combines academic research with applied practice, ensuring her work aligns with evidence-based principles and delivers real-world impact. Claire’s passion is supporting women to holistically manage their health through diet and lifestyle whilst optimising their relationship with food and their body.    Claire has delivered specialist webinars and presentations on PCOS nutrition to many dietetic and nutrition organisations (e.g. MyNutriweb, NutritionGraduates, etc), and also lecturers on women’s health nutrition within dietetics programmes.  In addition to her dietetic and clinical contributions, Claire has recently authored a Dietetic textbook chapter on PCOS nutrition and was an invited speaker at the Fertility 2025 conference speaking on the theme of "Women's Health Nutrition: PCOS and Endometriosis,”.     Claire is a founding member of the British Dietetics Association’s Women’s Health and Fertility Nutrition Specialist Group, through which she has worked on many projects, including the publication of a nutrition screening tool identifying women who might benefit from dietetic support to optimise their fertility, and is currently leading a working group reviewing the evidence and writing guidelines for fertility nutrition. Show Notes  Claire’s LinkedIn: Dr Claire Pettitt PhD RD | LinkedIn  Claire's Instagram: @cp_nutritionrd  Claire's Website: www.clairepettitt.com  The Lancet Global Consensus Statement: Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process - The Lancet  PMOS – What's in a name? Everything https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/393/bmj-2026-079749.full.pdf  Resources for PMOS: https://mchri.org.au/guidelines-resources/community/pmos-resources-2/

    58 min
  2. 2 Jun

    Will Childhood Obesity Soon be a Thing of the Past? With Amelia Lake and Grace Allmark

    Childhood obesity in the UK is not declining. Rates among schoolchildren are now the highest outside the pandemic period, despite years of policy action. At the same time, growing research into GLP-1 therapies for young people is reshaping the conversation around treatment.  In this episode, we explore whether pharmacological innovation represents real progress for children with severe obesity, or whether it risks diverting attention from the environmental and commercial drivers at the heart of the issue. We examine the evidence, the ethics, and what a genuinely whole-systems approach could look like.  Joining me is Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist Amelia Lake and Paediatric Dietitian Grace Allmark, bringing clinical and prevention perspectives to one of the most pressing debates in child health today.  Amelia Lake is a Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist, and Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Teesside University where she is involved in the training of dietetic students. She is Deputy Director of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, and an executive of Nutrition North, a coalition of nutrition scientists and practitioners across the North of England. Amelia also sits on the British Nutrition Foundation Scientific Committee and serves on the editorial boards of Nutrition Bulletin and Cities & Health.  Alongside her work, Amelia runs The David Ashwell Foundation in memory of her eldest son David, and is a parent to two school-age children.  Grace Allmark is a Dietitian and Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Winchester. Alongside her academic role, she’s also mum to her two-year-old son. Grace has more than a decade of experience in dietetics, with nearly seven years specialising in paediatrics, including diabetes and neonatal care. She has published research in academic journals across both adult and paediatric nutrition and is also a contributor to a well-known nutrition magazine.  Show Notes  Amelia’s LinkedIn: Amelia A Lake | LinkedIn  Grace’s LinkedIn: Grace Allmark MSc, RD | LinkedIn  Department of Health and Social Care Survey: Applying the new NPM to advertising and promotions restrictions - GOV.UK

    47 min
  3. 28 May

    When Nutrition Becomes Legal Evidence With Rebecca McManamon

    Expert witness work sits at the intersection of clinical care and the legal system. When care is called into question, dietitians may play a key role in understanding what happened, why, and/or what support is needed moving forward.   In this episode, we explore the role of the expert witness dietitian, from reviewing complex cases to presenting clear, objective nutrition evidence to the court.  Joining Kate today is Rebecca McManamon, Consultant Dietitian and Expert Witness, who shares insights from her work across clinical negligence and personal injury cases, and offers practical reassurance for clinicians navigating this often misunderstood space.  Rebecca McManamon is an experienced dietitian with a background spanning NHS and private practice, across both community and inpatient settings. Her work has covered a broad range of specialities, including diabetes, oncology, weight management and nutrition support.  Since 2014, she has delivered private dietetic services specialising in neurological conditions, alongside her work as an editor, writer, and honorary lecturer on the University of Hull’s dietetics programme.  Rebecca is also an established dietetic expert witness, with over eight years’ experience producing multiple reports each month to the courts. She has completed expert witness training with Bond Solon which she is now using in preparation for accreditation from the University of Aberdeen.  Show Notes  Rebecca’s LinkedIn: Rebecca McManamon | LinkedIn  Medicolegal Dietetic Reports | MEWS Expert Witness Services

    52 min
  4. 20 May

    Feeding the Forces: Inside the Life of an Army Nutritionist With Dr. Shaun Chapman

    Nutrition in the Army is about making science practical in some of the most challenging conditions. Whether soldiers are training, on deployment, or operating far from everyday conveniences, dietitians and nutritionists help ensure they are fuelled, supported in recovery, and able to maintain health, performance, and resilience under pressure.  In this episode, we explore the role of an applied nutritionist in the British Army, from shaping menus and rations to advising on supplementation and translating nutrition science into practical guidance for soldiers.  Joining me today is Dr Shaun Chapman. Shaun is a Registered Nutritionist with the British Army, where he’s spent nearly a decade supporting the health and performance of military personnel. He  holds a PhD in Health and Exercise Nutrition and has published extensively in the field, including scientific papers and book chapters.  Alongside his applied work, Shaun lectures in sports nutrition across a number of UK universities. Before working with the Army, he built experience across the fitness industry, professional football, and the NHS, giving him a broad and practical perspective on nutrition in both performance and clinical settings. Show Notes  • Shaun’s LinkedIn: Dr Shaun Chapman PhD RNutr | LinkedIn  • Pre-sleep protein supplementation does not improve performance, body composition, and recovery in British Army recruits (part 1)  • Pre-sleep protein supplementation does not improve recovery from load carriage in British Army recruits (part 2)

    41 min
  5. 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
  6. 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

About

Welcome to The Dietitian Café, a podcast from Nualtra for dietitians, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals, bringing honest conversations and fresh perspectives on important topics shaping patient care and practice. From clinical practice and public health to the food industry and beyond, each episode blends expert insight with real-world experience.  

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