The BDA is the professional association for dietitians

The Role of Dietitians and
How to Find One

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, NGOs and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals.

The title dietitian can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Professions Council and whose details are on the HPC web site.

Finding a Dietitian

Most people will be able to see a Registered Dietitian within the NHS after being referred by an NHS GP, doctor, health visitor or other medical staff. You can also self-refer. Consultations with dietitians within the NHS are free.

Alternatively if you wish to see a Registered Dietitian who practises privately, you can search on-line for a dietitian near you at Dietitians Unlimited, which is run by the BDA's Freelance Dietitian Group.

More than a third of children could face an unfit future

To help parents and teachers get young children’s health back on track, the CSP has teamed up with the British Dietetic Association to roll out a number of Healthy School Days at primary schools across the UK, marking the launch of its ‘Move for Health Kids’ campaign. The events will see teams of chartered physiotherapists and dietitians visiting schools to provide expert advice to parents and teachers on exercise and nutrition.

Read more...

BDA /DOM UK statement on Over The Counter Alli

The Dietitians in Obesity Management (DOM UK) specialist group of the British Dietetic Association believes that people using Alli, the new non-prescription weight loss aid, need comprehensive support to change their eating habits. This is to ensure they follow a healthy calorie-controlled, low fat eating plan to effectively and safely promote weight loss and to avoid any side effects of Alli.
                                
Dietitians recognise that obesity is the greatest public health problem of the 21st century. Around two-thirds of adults in the UK are now overweight and 1 in 4 is obese. People need appropriate support and treatment for this complex condition. Read more... 

Dietitians’ top tips to help keep flu at bay

Good nutrition is always important, but when a new health risk appears we often ask ourselves ‘what can I eat to help keep me healthy?’  The answer, according to the BDA is not new but worth reminding everyone of! 
Read more...

Folic Acid

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) welcomes the update on folic acid from the Food Standards Agency that new evidence does not change their previous recommendation for the introduction of mandatory fortification with folic acid acid controls on voluntary fortification and advice on appropriate supplement use.

Dietitian Jacqui Lowdon commented on the news: "Routine fortification of UK flour (with folic acid) would be simple way of supplementing the diet. In countries where fortification of flour is mandatory, the number of neural tube birth defects has decreased significantly. Higher levels of folic acid intake have also shown to reduce homocysteine levels, which is a blood protein found in high levels in populations with an increased rate of heart disease." 

For more information on folic acid have a look at the BDA food facts The Truth about Folic Acid.

Beat the winter blues with winter greens

With the leaves blowing off the trees and the temperatures dropping, you might feel tempted to hide under layers of clothes and eat away those winter blues; but by taking the lead from hibernating animals you could stave off the hunger pangs during the dark nights.

Take some tips from nature and fill up the store cupboard which will save time and help protect your health, as well as aiding you to rustle up some simple hearty treats that are delicious, nutritious and on the table quickly. Importantly it’ll also save money and avoid the temptation of ordering those high calorie, fat-ladened takeaways too often. Read more..

Latest Salt Warning

A new Food Standards Agency survey, published on 5th October to coincide with the launch of their new advertising campaign, is urging people to pay closer attention to the salt levels in the foods they are buying.

The survey reveals that over three quarters of people (77%) are not aware that bread and breakfast cereals are among the top salt-contributing foods in our diet Around 75% of the salt we eat comes from everyday foods. Foods that contribute the most salt to our diets are not necessarily the saltiest, but the ones we eat most often. The top three salt-contributing foods are bread, followed by meat products, then breakfast cereals.

The British Dietetic Association wholeheartedly supports the FSA efforts to reduce levels of salt intake in the UK population. Chairman Helen Davison said "The British Dietetic Association welcomes the continuing campaign by the FSA to reduce the amount of salt we eat and are delighted to lend our support. The foods which contribute most to our salt intake are those that already have salt in them: added during baking, manufacturing or processing.

"Dietitians have an important part to play in putting this information into context for consumers, relating it to people’s diet, health and lifestyle and showing how they can make practical, simple changes for a healthier, lower salt diet such as selecting lower-salt varieties of certain foods."

See our revised Salt Fact Sheet.

Change4Life campaign

We’ve signed up: have you?

Read more about the Change 4 Life initiative, and the range of BDA resources that can help if you are taking part in the campaign.

Dietitians Warn of the Dangers of Crash Diets

Dietitians at their 74th Annual Conference this week are warning the public of the danger of crash diets - just days after news of the death of a woman on a 500 calorie-a-day programme came to light.

The British Dietetic Association is urging people to seek medical advice before starting such programmes, so the slimming plan can be appropriately followed and monitored to pick up problems or abuse of the plan. They also warn that the success of crash diets is short-lived especially as they do not re-educate your eating habits to long-term healthy eating. In addition they cannot provide all the nutrients found in a healthy balanced diet and can be isolating both with family and socially.

The new Honorary Chairman of the British Dietetic Association, Helen Davidson said: “It is terribly unfortunate when you hear of people dying or becoming seriously ill as a result of undertaking extreme diets but we are seeing more and more of these incidents. Increasingly, as people look for quick fix solutions, some enthusiastic amateurs with little or no nutrition qualifications or training and some commercial operators may look to take advantage - so people must seek the right support.”

She continues “Long term weight loss is best achieved by reducing the amount of energy (calories) you take in to an appropriate and safe amount and increasing the amount of energy (calories) your body uses up by increased physical activity. It is important to learn how to manage food and drink intake and to re-educate yourself on healthy eating rather than relying on short-term fixes and substitutes.”

Read the press release...