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Complementary health · UK-wide

Nutritional therapy in the UK, alongside your medical care.

A BANT or CNHC-registered nutritional therapist - with a plan that works around your GP, your medications and your life. Complementary, not a replacement.

See indicative pricing
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Indicative pricing

What private nutritional therapy costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our BANT and CNHC-registered practitioners.

In short

£75–£200, with a written plan within days.

Service Indicative range
Initial consultation (60–90 min) £75–£200
Follow-up session (30–45 min) £50–£120
Package (initial + 2 follow-ups) £200–£450
Functional blood panel £100–£450+
Comprehensive stool test £150–£350
Food sensitivity (IgG) testing £100–£300

Prices vary by practitioner, by whether functional testing is used, and by how many follow-ups you need.

The problem

The right practitioner, the right tests, the right expectations.

Nutritional therapy is one of the most confusing corners of private health - unregulated titles, expensive tests of variable evidence, and supplements sold hard. We fix all three before you commit.

  • Not sure who is qualified?

    BANT or CNHC-registered only - the voluntary standards bodies. If you actually need a dietitian, we say so.

  • Wary of pricey testing?

    We are honest about which functional tests have evidence and which do not - no test unless it changes the plan.

  • Worried about supplements?

    A short, specific list where indicated - checked against your medications, from reputable UK sources.

When it helps

When nutritional therapy is a sensible adjunct.

The situations we see most - and the one clear boundary we do not cross.

  • IBS and gut symptoms

    Bloating, irregular bowel habit and food-related discomfort - a common area for elimination and gut-supportive approaches.

  • Autoimmune conditions

    As an adjunct in Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis and similar - anti-inflammatory eating, not a replacement for medical treatment.

  • Perimenopause and menopause

    Support around energy, sleep, weight and mood - alongside a menopause clinic, not instead of one.

  • PCOS and endometriosis

    Blood-sugar balance, inflammation and weight support as an adjunct to gynaecology care.

  • Migraine, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS

    Chronic conditions where diet, sleep and nutrient status can influence symptoms - as one part of a broader plan.

  • Skin: acne, eczema, psoriasis

    Dietary and lifestyle work alongside dermatology treatment - not in place of topical or medical care.

  • Fertility and preconception

    Nutritional preparation for pregnancy for both partners - micronutrient status, weight and lifestyle.

  • Not for eating disorders

    Suspected anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder needs a specialist eating-disorders service, not nutritional therapy.

Common approaches

What a plan usually looks like.

The building blocks a nutritional therapist tends to work with - chosen and combined to fit you, not applied by default.

  • Personalised elimination diet

    A time-limited removal of suspected trigger foods (often dairy, gluten or specific FODMAPs), followed by careful reintroduction.

  • Mediterranean-based eating pattern

    A well-evidenced framework of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil - adapted to your preferences and health.

  • Anti-inflammatory approach

    A dietary pattern designed to reduce inflammatory triggers - used in autoimmune, skin and joint symptoms as an adjunct.

  • Targeted micronutrient support

    Vitamins and minerals recommended only where a deficiency is suggested by symptoms or blood work - not a shopping list.

  • Gut microbiome support

    Practical use of fibre, prebiotics, fermented foods and - where indicated - a specific probiotic strain.

  • Blood-sugar balance

    Meal timing, protein and fibre to steady energy, mood and cravings - useful for PCOS, weight and shift workers.

  • Detoxification pathway support

    Everyday food choices that support the body’s own liver and gut clearance - not a “detox” juice cleanse.

  • Consultation only

Safety and expectations

What to know before you book - honestly.

Nutritional therapy is generally safe when delivered by a registered practitioner alongside your medical care. The things worth planning are cost, testing choices, medication interactions and knowing when to step back to your GP.

  • Complementary, not a replacement

    Nutritional therapy sits alongside your medical care. Diagnosed conditions still need your GP or consultant - nothing here overrides them.

  • BANT and CNHC are voluntary

    Unlike dietetics (HCPC-regulated by law), nutritional therapy is not statutorily regulated. BANT and CNHC (accredited by the PSA) set the standards we insist on.

  • Serious symptoms need a GP

    Unintentional weight loss, rectal bleeding, persistent pain, severe fatigue or new lumps are for medical investigation first - never a diet plan.

  • Supplement–medication interactions

    St John’s wort, high-dose vitamin K, iron and many herbals interact with common medications. Your practitioner should check every prescription before recommending.

  • Functional testing has limits

    IgG “food sensitivity” panels in particular have weak evidence and produce false positives. Any test result should change the plan meaningfully or it is not worth the money.

  • Restrictive diets carry risk

    Long elimination diets can worsen anxiety around food and, in some people, tip into disordered eating. Reintroduction is a planned part of the process.

  • Supplement quality varies

    Buy from reputable UK sources, ideally practitioner-only brands with third-party testing - not the cheapest option online.

  • Not for eating disorders

    Anyone with an eating disorder - active or in recovery - should be seen by a specialist service, not by a nutritional therapist.

  • Red flags

    Symptoms getting worse, new bleeding, chest pain, fainting or rapid weight loss are not for your next follow-up - contact your GP or 111 the same day.

Reading your plan

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

Whichever practitioner you see, the plan they send after the initial consultation keeps to the same shape.

A nutritional therapist reviewing a client’s food diary and written plan

A quiet reminder

A good plan is short, specific and easy to actually follow.

If your plan reads like a long shopping list of supplements, ask why. If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Aims and current picture

    What you asked for help with, a summary of your current diet and lifestyle, and the conditions or medications in play.

  2. 02 Assessment

    Findings from history and any testing

    What the food diary, symptom pattern and any functional tests suggest - with an honest note on evidence limits.

  3. 03 Plan

    Dietary, lifestyle and supplement advice

    A short list of practical dietary changes, sleep and stress adjustments, and any supplements - with dose, brand class and duration.

  4. 04 Impression

    Review timing and GP communication

    Read this first: when your next session is, what to watch for, and what has been shared with your GP so nothing falls between the two.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for nutritional therapy varies by insurer and by policy - some wellbeing plans include it, most standard PMI does not.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about nutritional therapy.

Quick answers on cost, regulation, testing, supplements and the difference from an NHS dietitian.

  • What is nutritional therapy - and how is it different from a dietitian?

    Nutritional therapy is a complementary practice using food, lifestyle and targeted supplements to support health and specific chronic conditions. A dietitian is a HCPC-registered medical professional whose title is protected by law. Nutritional therapists register instead with BANT or CNHC (voluntary bodies), and cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions - they work alongside your GP.

  • Who is a nutritional therapist qualified to see?

    People wanting to optimise general health, and adults with chronic conditions such as IBS, PCOS, endometriosis, migraine, mild autoimmune conditions, perimenopause symptoms, acne and stress-related symptoms - as an adjunct to their medical care. It is not for eating disorders, severe illness or anything needing urgent medical management.

  • How much does nutritional therapy cost privately in the UK?

    Roughly £75–£200 for the initial 60–90 minute consultation and £50–£120 per follow-up. Packages of an initial plus two follow-ups run £200–£450. Functional tests are extra - bloods £100–£450+, stool tests £150–£350, food sensitivity panels £100–£300.

  • Are functional tests (stool, IgG, organic acids) actually evidence-based?

    The evidence is mixed and the tests are debated in mainstream medicine. Standard blood work and NHS testing has the strongest evidence. IgG food-sensitivity tests in particular have weak evidence and can produce false positives. A good practitioner is upfront about this and only recommends a test where the result will meaningfully change the plan.

  • Will my GP support seeing a nutritional therapist?

    Many will, especially for functional gut symptoms or lifestyle work. The safest approach is to tell your GP what you are doing, share the plan and any supplements, and keep them in the loop - nutritional therapy is meant to complement medical care, not sit apart from it.

  • Is nutritional therapy available on the NHS?

    No. NHS nutrition care is delivered by HCPC-registered dietitians. Nutritional therapy is private only.

  • How many sessions do I need before I see a difference?

    Most people notice changes within four to eight weeks of consistent work - often on energy, sleep, digestion or skin first. Chronic conditions typically need a three- to six-month arc, with follow-ups every four to eight weeks.

  • Are supplements safe with my prescription medications?

    Not always. Herbals like St John’s wort, high-dose vitamin K, iron and some botanicals interact with common prescriptions. Your practitioner should review every medication before recommending anything, and you should tell your GP or pharmacist about supplements you are taking.

  • What are the risks?

    The main risks are cost (functional testing adds up), delayed diagnosis if used instead of medical care, supplement–medication interactions, false positives on food sensitivity testing, and - with long elimination diets - an unhealthy focus on food. A registered practitioner works to avoid all four.

  • When should I stop and see a GP instead?

    Any new red-flag symptom: unintentional weight loss, rectal bleeding, persistent severe pain, difficulty swallowing, breathlessness, fainting or new neurological symptoms. Nutritional therapy is not the right first step for any of these.

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