HOW TO ENSURE YOU GET THE BEST NUTRITIONAL ADVICE

Did you know that anyone can call themselves a Nutritional Therapist, even without any training? Also, the extent of training varies enormously. There are three key factors to look for to ensure you receive the best possible advice:

• Membership of BANT, which is the main professional body regulating Nutritional Therapy.
• Quality of practitioner training. Ann trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition(ION), which is probably one of the best nutrition training institutes in Britain, if not the best.
• Length of practise experience. Ann started practising in 1998.

WHY IS QUALITY IMPORTANT?

This decision could be lifechanging. Choosing a practitioner with a high standard of training and experience gives you the best possible chance of success in realising your health goals.

Getting on the right track from the start can save money. You are likely to be buying new foods and supplements which can be expensive if they are not what you need. Training and experience are important for getting you on the right track from the start.

WHAT DOES NUTRITIONAL THERAPY INVOLVE?

Initial Consultation
Before the first consultation you will be requested to complete a questionnaire. At the consultation you may be asked to expand on your answers. This information helps to identify what areas of your diet and lifestyle could be changed to inprove your health and wellbeing. Advice will be given on these areas and on supplements, if though necessary. This advice will be supported by handouts or a report during or shortly after the session

Telephone consultations follow the same process except these are by phone and a report or handouts are emailed or posted to you.

Follow-up sessions
Follow-ups can be important to progress the program when you are ready, provide support and help rectify problems if they arise. The number of follow-up sessions depends on your own individual requirements.

Post Consultation support
Two short post consultation queries on the program are included.

ARE NUTRITIONAL THERAPISTS, DIETICIANS AND NUTRITIONISTS THE SAME?

No. The training and approach are quite different. Only Nutritional Therapists and Dieticians are qualified to give individual health advice in a clinical context. A Nutritional Therapist tends to advise on diet, lifestyle and supplements. A dietician will mostly work within the NHS. A Nutrition Consultant could be either a Nutritional Therapist or a Dietician. A Nutritionist tends to work outside the clinical context; in the food industry, research and academia, the government etc.