Skip to main content

Dietetics · United Kingdom

Clinical nutrition + dietetics, by HCPC-registered dietitians.

Evidence-based, NICE-aligned dietary care for a specific medical condition - diabetes, IBS, IBD, CKD, cancer support, eating disorders - delivered by the only professionals legally protected to do it in the UK.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private dietetic care costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our HCPC-registered network. NHS dietetics are free with GP referral - waiting times vary by region and specialism.

In short

£120–£250, written plan within three days.

Service Indicative range
Initial dietetic assessment (60 min) £120–£250
Follow-up appointment (30 min) £75–£150
FODMAP-trained IBS dietitian package (3 visits) £450–£700
DiRECT-style VLED weight-loss programme £800–£1,800
Renal, oncology or paediatric specialist £180–£300
Eating-disorder dietitian (with MDT) £150–£280

Prices vary by dietitian, by specialism (renal, oncology, eating disorders and paediatrics command specialist rates) and by whether follow-ups are bundled.

The problem

The right specialist, the right evidence, the right plan.

“Nutrition” in the UK is a crowded, poorly regulated word. We separate what is legally protected clinical care from what is not, and match you to the right HCPC-registered specialist for your actual condition.

  • Dietitian, not nutritionist?

    Only “dietitian” is a legally protected UK title.

  • Right specialism?

    FODMAP-trained for IBS, renal-trained for CKD, MDT-embedded for eating disorders. Not one dietitian for every problem.

  • Sensibly coordinated?

    Shared care letters to your GP or consultant, medication doses reviewed with your prescriber, follow-up scheduled properly.

When it helps

When clinical nutrition is the right step.

The evidence-based indications we see most, plus the red flag that means an inpatient problem - not an outpatient clinic.

  • Type 2 diabetes (NICE NG28)

    Low-carb, Mediterranean or DASH-based plans; DiRECT-trial VLED for remission; alongside metformin or GLP-1 therapy such as Mounjaro.

  • Obesity + weight management

    Tier 2/3 dietitian-led programmes (NICE NG246). Behavioural, VLED and adjunct-to-GLP-1 or bariatric surgery pathways.

  • IBS + the low-FODMAP diet

    Specialist-led elimination, structured reintroduction and personalisation. About 70% of patients respond (Monash-derived; NICE CG61).

  • Coeliac + food allergy

    Lifelong gluten-free management, nutrient monitoring, safe reintroduction protocols and EpiPen training where indicated.

  • IBD (Crohn’s and UC)

    Exclusive enteral nutrition (Modulen) for Crohn’s induction, the CDED protocol, and nutritional support in flare and remission.

  • CKD, cancer + cardiovascular

    Protein, potassium, phosphate and sodium modification in renal disease; prehab and on-treatment support in cancer; Mediterranean and DASH for the heart.

  • Eating disorders, pregnancy + paeds

    MDT-embedded care (MARSIPAN in severe cases), gestational diabetes and HG, paediatric allergy, growth failure and tube-feeding transition.

  • Red flag: severe malnutrition

    Unintentional weight loss, BMI under 16, or long fasting risks refeeding syndrome - this is an inpatient problem, not a clinic booking. Call your GP or A&E.

Approaches

One diet does not fit every condition.

  • Behavioural (BDA-led)

    SMART goal-setting, structured food diaries, mindful eating and cognitive strategies - the foundation of every plan.

  • Mediterranean diet

    The best-evidenced pattern for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes prevention. Practical, sustainable, culturally flexible.

  • DASH diet

    Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension - evidence-based sodium, potassium and DASH-pattern eating for blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.

  • Low-carbohydrate approaches

    For type 2 diabetes and weight loss where appropriate. Individualised, monitored, and never blanket-recommended.

  • Very Low Energy Diet (VLED)

    Total dietary replacement at 800 kcal/day for 12–16 weeks (Optifast, Slimfast). DiRECT trial: 46% type 2 diabetes remission at 12 months.

  • Low-FODMAP for IBS

    Three-phase Monash protocol - strict elimination, structured reintroduction, personalisation. Delivered only by FODMAP-trained dietitians.

  • Enteral + parenteral nutrition

    Tube feeding (NG, PEG, RIG) and TPN where oral intake is unsafe or insufficient - with refeeding-syndrome prevention protocols.

  • Intermittent fasting (5:2, 16:8)

    Emerging evidence for weight and metabolic outcomes. Considered where appropriate - not for pregnancy, eating disorders or type 1 diabetes.

Safety and considerations

What to know before you change your diet - honestly.

Dietary change is safe and often powerful. Where it is not is when it is done unsupervised alongside medications, in eating disorders, in severe malnutrition, or with unregulated advice.

  • Dietitian, not nutritionist

    Only “dietitian” is a legally protected title in the UK, regulated by the HCPC. Everything on this page is delivered by an HCPC-registered dietitian - not a nutritional therapist.

  • Medications reviewed at every visit

    Insulin, sulphonylureas, warfarin and diuretics all interact with dietary change. Doses may need lowering before you start a VLED or low-carb plan - the dietitian coordinates with your prescriber.

  • Refeeding syndrome is real

    In severe malnutrition, refeeding too quickly causes dangerous shifts in phosphate, magnesium and potassium. It is prevented with slow initiation and biochemical monitoring - never DIY.

  • Eating disorders need an MDT

    A dietitian alone is not treatment. Care is joint with psychology and a medical clinician; the MARSIPAN framework governs the severely unwell.

  • Type 1 diabetes is different

    Low-carb and fasting protocols in type 1 diabetes need specialist input to manage insulin and hypoglycaemia risk - never trialled unsupervised.

  • FODMAP is time-limited

    Strict low-FODMAP is only the first phase. Staying on it long-term risks nutritional deficiency and gut microbiome disruption - structured reintroduction is essential.

  • Pregnancy and lactation

    Gestational diabetes, hyperemesis, PKU and HIV in pregnancy each need dietetic input; ordinary weight-loss plans do not belong here.

  • Supplements are prescribed, not sold

    Oral nutritional supplements (Fortisip, Ensure, Complan) and micronutrient replacement are recommended on clinical need, not commercial interest.

  • Red flags

    Rapid unintentional weight loss, fainting on a diet, dark urine on a VLED, or symptoms of hypoglycaemia are not normal - stop and contact the team the same day.

Reading your dietetic plan

Your dietetic plan in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever specialism the dietitian works in, the written plan they send you keeps to the same shape.

A UK dietitian writing a clinical nutrition plan with a food diary and blood-test results

A quiet reminder

Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the plan before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Diagnosis, medications and anthropometry

    Why you were seen - diabetes, IBS, CKD, cancer support - plus weight, height, BMI, MUAC where relevant, and every medication that matters.

  2. 02 Assessment

    Biochemistry, diet history and symptoms

    Recent bloods (HbA1c, lipids, U&Es, ferritin, vitamin D, B12), a full diet history, GI or condition-specific symptoms and functional status.

  3. 03 Plan

    The dietary plan itself

    Meal pattern, portions, foods to include and to avoid, oral nutrition supplements or enteral prescription, and any supplement doses.

  4. 04 Impression

    Follow-up, targets and shared care

    Read this first: the outcome measures agreed with you (HbA1c, weight, symptom score), when you will be reviewed, and what your GP or consultant is being asked to do.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for private dietetics varies by insurer and by indication - most cover it when a doctor refers for a specific medical condition, less often for general weight management.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about clinical nutrition.

Quick answers on dietitian vs nutritionist, cost, NHS access, FODMAP, DiRECT and GLP-1 combinations.

  • What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritional therapist?

    “Dietitian” is a legally protected UK title, regulated by the HCPC, standards set by the British Dietetic Association (BDA). Dietitians work in the NHS and treat medical conditions with evidence-based care. Nutritional therapists (BANT, CNHC) are not statutorily regulated, work in wellness and complementary settings, and cannot legally diagnose or treat disease. This page is about dietitians - see /treatments/nutritional-therapy for the other.

  • Can I get an NHS dietitian instead of paying privately?

    Yes - your GP or consultant can refer you. NHS dietetic waits vary widely by region and specialism; renal, oncology and eating-disorder services are usually quick, general community dietetics can be several months. Private appointments are typically £120–£250 initial and £75–£150 for follow-ups.

  • Does clinical nutrition work for type 2 diabetes?

    Yes - and it can achieve remission. The DiRECT trial (Lean et al., Lancet 2018) showed 46% remission at 12 months on a dietitian-led total dietary replacement programme (~800 kcal/day for 12–20 weeks, then structured reintroduction). Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate and DASH patterns all have strong evidence for glycaemic control.

  • How does the low-FODMAP diet for IBS work?

    It is a three-phase protocol developed at Monash University and endorsed by NICE CG61. Strict elimination for four to six weeks, structured reintroduction of each FODMAP group, then a personalised long-term diet. About 70% of IBS patients respond. Delivered only by FODMAP-trained dietitians - DIY versions risk nutritional deficiency and disordered eating.

  • Can a dietitian help me if I am on Mounjaro or Wegovy?

    Yes - dietitian input alongside a GLP-1 makes the weight loss safer, protects lean mass, prevents nutrient deficiency and builds sustainable habits before the medication is stopped. See /treatments/mounjaro for the drug side of this.

  • How much do private dietitian appointments cost?

    Initial assessment £120–£250, follow-ups £75–£150. A DiRECT-style VLED programme runs £800–£1,800 for 12–20 weeks.

  • Is a Very Low Energy Diet safe?

    For the right patient, yes - under supervision. A VLED (800 kcal/day) is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, eating disorders, active cancer, type 1 diabetes and severe cardiac disease. Medications (particularly insulin, sulphonylureas and antihypertensives) usually need lowering before you start.

  • Can a dietitian diagnose food allergies or intolerances?

    A dietitian does not diagnose allergy - that is medical work, using skin-prick or specific-IgE testing (see /tests/allergy-testing). What a dietitian does is manage the diet safely afterwards: elimination, safe reintroduction, nutritional adequacy and EpiPen training where prescribed. IgG food-intolerance tests are not evidence-based and we do not use them.

  • Do you help with eating disorders?

    Only as part of a multidisciplinary team with a psychologist and a medical clinician - a dietitian alone is not treatment. Severe cases are managed under the MARSIPAN framework.

  • When should I see a GP or A&E urgently?

    Rapid unintentional weight loss, fainting or chest pain on a restrictive diet, dark urine on a VLED, symptoms of hypoglycaemia (sweating, confusion, shakiness) in a diabetic, or persistent vomiting in pregnancy are all reasons for same-day medical review - not a dietitian appointment.

Related treatments

Looking for something else?