Dietary advice
Trusting someone with advice on what you eat means knowing they are properly qualified and will treat you with care.
Dietary advice companies
133 companies
About Dietary advice
Dietary advice covers guidance on what to eat and drink to manage health, lose or gain weight, or live with a medical condition. It spans one-to-one consultations, group programmes, online coaching and meal planning services.
Providers range from registered dietitians working in the NHS and private practice to nutritionists, health coaches and commercial weight management businesses. Many now reach customers through video calls, apps and subscription packages rather than face to face in a clinic.
Only some titles in this field are legally protected, and the term dietitian is restricted to professionals registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. The British Dietetic Association represents registered dietitians, while the Association for Nutrition holds a separate register for nutritionists.
Questions about Dietary advice
How do I know if a dietary advice provider is properly qualified?
Check whether the practitioner is registered with the Association for Nutrition (AfN), which holds the Register of Nutritionists, and whether they hold a recognised qualification such as a degree or diploma accredited by the British Dietetic Association or a relevant professional body. The title dietitian is protected by law and only those registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) may use it, so a provider using that title should appear on the HCPC register.
What should I compare when choosing a dietary adviser?
Compare the adviser's qualifications, professional registration, and whether they have experience with your specific needs, such as weight management, allergies or a medical condition. Look at how the service is delivered, including whether consultations are face to face, online or by phone, and how many sessions are included before you commit to any payment.
Do I need a GP referral before seeing a dietitian on the NHS?
NHS dietetic services are accessed through a referral from a GP or another healthcare professional, and you can ask your GP to refer you to the local NHS dietetic team. Private dietitians can be booked directly without a referral, though a GP may still need to be told about any medical condition that affects your diet.
What terms should I read before signing up to a dietary plan?
Read the full terms and conditions to find the length of the contract, the total cost of the plan, how payments are taken, and whether any sessions or products are bundled in. Check whether the provider requires a minimum commitment period and what happens to unused sessions if you stop early.
How do I cancel a dietary advice subscription or contract?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, if you agreed to a contract online, by phone or away from business premises, you have a 14-day cancellation right from the day the contract was made. Follow the cancellation process set out in the provider's terms, put your decision in writing, and keep a copy, and note that a provider cannot refuse a valid cancellation request made within the statutory period.
Can I get a refund if I am unhappy with my dietary advice?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that services are carried out with reasonable care and skill, and if they are not, you can ask for a repeat service or a price reduction, or in some cases a refund. Keep records of your consultations, correspondence and any payments to support a claim if the service falls short of what was agreed.
What are my consumer rights when buying a dietary service online?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 apply to online purchases, requiring that the service matches its description and is provided with reasonable care and skill. Online sellers must give clear pre-contract information about the service, the price and your cancellation rights before you pay, and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces these rules alongside Trading Standards.
Who do I complain to about a dietary advice company in the UK?
Start by raising the complaint directly with the company in writing, giving them a reasonable opportunity to put things right, and keeping a record of all correspondence. If the matter is not resolved, contact Trading Standards at your local council or the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, and where the provider is a registered professional you can complain to the relevant regulator such as the HCPC or the Association for Nutrition.
Is there an ombudsman or alternative dispute resolution scheme for these services?
Some providers belong to an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme, and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations 2015 govern which schemes must be offered by traders in certain sectors. Check whether a provider displays membership of an ADR scheme on its website or in its terms, as this gives you a route to an independent decision if the company and you cannot agree.
Are dietary advice providers covered by the Financial Ombudsman or a compensation scheme?
The Financial Ombudsman Service covers financial products and does not cover dietary advice, so it cannot consider complaints about nutrition services. Where a provider's professional body runs its own complaints process, such as the Association for Nutrition's disciplinary procedure, that process is the appropriate route for concerns about a registered practitioner's conduct.
What should I look for in reviews of dietary advice companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences, such as the qualifications of the adviser, how the plan was adapted to the reviewer's needs and whether they achieved the outcome they were seeking. Be cautious of reviews that are all five stars with similar wording or that appear within a short period, and read a range of ratings to get a balanced picture of the service.
Should I ask my GP before starting a new diet plan?
Yes, you should speak to your GP before starting a new diet plan if you have a medical condition, take regular medication, are pregnant or are planning to change your diet significantly. A registered dietitian or a practitioner with an appropriate qualification can design a plan that takes your health history into account, and they will want to see your medical details before advising you.