Dietary advice
Looking after your health through food is personal, and you want guidance you can trust from someone who will listen and explain things clearly without judgement.
Dietary advice companies
133 companies
About Dietary advice
Dietary advice covers professional guidance on what to eat and drink to manage weight, support a medical condition, meet nutritional needs or change eating habits. It includes services delivered by registered dietitians, nutritionists, nutrition therapists and diet coaches, as well as structured programmes for food intolerances, allergies, diabetes, gut health and sports nutrition.
Providers reach customers through private clinics, NHS-referred pathways, online consultations, group programmes, meal planning apps and in-person workplace or community sessions. Many practitioners run their own practices alone, while larger companies employ teams of specialists and sell subscriptions or bundled plans.
The sector is shaped by the Health and Care Professions Council, which regulates the title dietitian in the UK, and the British Dietetic Association, which sets professional standards and maintains a register of members. The Association for Nutrition, which holds the Accredited Register for nutritionists, and the Advertising Standards Authority, which governs marketing claims, also shape how providers present their services.
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) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered dietitian. Registered nutritionists can be listed on the UK Register of Nutritionists, and the title dietitian is protected by law, so only HCPC-registered professionals may use it.
What should I compare before signing up for a dietitian or nutritionist?
Compare the professional registration held, the qualifications and years of practice, the cost per session and whether it is paid by the session or a package, and whether they are insured with professional indemnity cover. Also look at whether they explain clearly what they can and cannot advise on, particularly if you have a medical condition.
Does a dietary advice service have to tell me the full cost before I sign up?
Yes. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, a trader must give clear pre-contract information on the total price, including taxes and any extra charges, before you commit. Advertising that hides costs can be challenged under the Competition and Markets Authority guidance.
How do I cancel a subscription to a meal plan or nutrition programme?
If you bought the service online, by phone or by post, you have a 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 starting from the day you received the goods or the day the contract began for services. Send a written cancellation to the provider stating your decision, and keep proof of when you sent it. Check your contract for any notice period that applies to continuing subscriptions.
What happens if a meal delivery plan arrives late or damaged?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires goods to arrive on the agreed date, be as described and be of satisfactory quality. If they do not, you can ask for a repair, replacement or refund, and a late delivery where time is of the essence may justify rejecting the order. Report the problem to the provider in writing and keep photos of any damage.
What if a dietary advice provider gives me advice that makes me unwell?
Stop following the advice and seek medical attention from your GP or NHS 111 if you have symptoms. Write to the provider with the details, the dates and any costs, and ask for a formal response. If they fail to resolve it, you can complain to the registration body, such as the HCPC or AfN, which can investigate fitness to practise.
How do I make a formal complaint to a nutrition business?
Put your complaint in writing to the business, describing what happened, what you want done and a reasonable deadline for a response. Keep copies of all correspondence, invoices and contracts. If you are not satisfied with the final response, you can escalate to an alternative dispute resolution scheme or the small claims track of the County Court for amounts up to £10,000 in England and Wales.
Which regulator covers dietary advice businesses in the UK?
There is no single regulator for all dietary advice. The HCPC regulates registered dietitians and the title is protected by law, while the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) polices health claims in advertising and the Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer protection law. Trading Standards at your local council handles many unfair trading issues.
Can I get my money back if I paid for a dietary plan that did not help?
Your rights depend on what was promised. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be performed with reasonable care and skill, and if it is not, you can ask for a repair, a partial refund or a full refund in some cases. Misleading claims about results may also breach the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Is my payment protected when I pay a nutrition company by card?
Paying by credit card for purchases between £100 and £30,000 gives you protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, so your card provider can be liable alongside the business. Paying by debit card may allow you to raise a chargeback claim through your bank, which operates under card scheme rules.
What should I look for in reviews of dietary advice providers?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences, such as the consultation, the advice given, how follow-up was handled and whether the provider was registered. Be cautious of reviews that all share similar wording or appear within a short period, as these may not be genuine. Check whether the reviews mention the outcome or only the service.
Do I need to check a provider's terms before booking a dietary consultation?
Yes. Read the cancellation terms, the refund policy, how your personal and health information is stored and whether it is covered by UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Health data is special category data, so the provider should explain clearly how it is protected and who it is shared with.