Nutricoach - What is Nutritional Therapy?

Nutritional therapy is a science-based complementary approach (working with the medical profession) that uses diet, lifestyle and, if necessary, nutritional supplements to encourage the body's natural healing and immune processes, boost energy levels, improve mental well-being, and help achieve optimum health.

Nutritional therapy is not only a preventative tool, but can also be beneficial for many health problems including allergies, digestive and bowel disorders, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, depression or stress, auto-immune conditions, weight control and skin disorders.

There is often confusion about the differences between Nutritional Therapists, Dietitians, and Nutritionists:

Nutritional Therapists

Nutritional Therapists must meet the National Occupational Standards for Nutritional Therapy and are presently coming under regulation by the Nutritional Therapy Council and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council. Nutritional Therapy encompasses the use of carefully compiled individual prescriptions for diet and lifestyle in order to alleviate or prevent ailments and promote optimal health. These recommendations may include guidance on natural detoxification, procedures to promote colon health, methods to support digestion and absorption, the avoidance of ingestion or inhalation of toxins or allergens, and the appropriate use of supplementary nutrients.

Nutritional therapists often work with patients (many of whom have been referred by medical practitioners) who have chronic health problems that conventional medicine finds difficult to treat. Increasingly, parents with an overweight child and/or a child with learning and behaviour difficulties seek to support their child with nutritional therapy as opposed to prescription medications.

Generally, Nutritional Therapists work in private practice.

Dietitians

Dietitians work principally in the National Health Service and are regulated by the Health Professions Council. Their professional body is the British Dietetic Association. A dietitian uses the science of nutrition to devise eating plans for patients to treat medical conditions. They also work to promote good health by helping to facilitate a positive change in food choices amongst individuals, groups and communities.

NOTE: Only Dietitians and Nutritional Therapists are trained in clinical practice to give one-on-one personal health advice. Both groups must practise with full professional indemnity insurance.

Nutritionists

Nutritionists often work outside a clinical context: in the food industry, in research and academia, in government and other agencies. They are qualified to provide information to the public about food and healthy eating, but not about special therapeutic diets.

For other Frequently Asked Questions, click here.