The Dietitian Cafe

In today’s interview episode we’re exploring the topic of plant-based hospital menus and asking the question, are they the way forward? In America, a company called ‘Greener by Default’ is working to transform hospital food services by making plant-based meals the default option on the hospital menu. As they’re planning to bring their innovative approach to the UK, we’ll use today’s episode to find out more - We’ll hear about the pilot in New York’s public hospitals and discuss the potential benefits and barriers to adopting this plant based by default approach. We’re delighted to welcome Dr Shireen Kassam onto the podcast today who is passionate about this area – She’s the founder of a community interest company, Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, and she collaborates with Greener by Default.

Dr Shireen Kassam is a Consultant Haematologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College Hospital, London with a specialist interest in the treatment of lymphoma. She is also a Visiting-Professor at University of Winchester, Hampshire, where she has developed and facilitates the UK's first University-based course on plant-based nutrition. In 2023 she launched a course on lifestyle medicine for cancer.

Shireen is passionate about promoting plant-based nutrition for the prevention and reversal of chronic disease and for maintaining optimal health after treatment for cancer. In 2019 she became certified as a Lifestyle Medicine Physician and is also a CHIP facilitator.

Shireen founded Plant-Based Health Professionals UK in 2018, a non-profit, membership organisation whose mission is to provide evidence-based education on whole food plant-based nutrition.

Shireen qualified as a doctor in 2000. During her training, she completed a PhD, which investigated the role of selenium in sensitising cancer cells to chemotherapy. Shireen has published a number of peer-reviewed papers in the fields of lymphoma and nutrition. Her first book, Eating Plant-Based, Scientific Answers to Your Nutrition Questions, co-authored with her sister Zahra, was published in January 2022. She has also co-edited the textbook Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice, published in September 2022.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wholefoodplantbasednutrition/

IG https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedhealthprofessionals/

Twitter https://twitter.com/plantbasedhpuk

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/plant-based-health-professionals-uk/

Today, we're diving into the ever-evolving world of diet trends, focusing on what’s taking the spotlight in 2024. Each year brings a new wave of food and diet trends, but which ones are gaining traction this year? From the popular to the controversial, we’re here to unpack some of the biggest trends, explore their origins, and separate fact from fiction.

In this episode, we’ll cover everything from continuous glucose monitors to seed oils, and the resurgence of the carnivore diet. Are these trends driven by science? Is social media playing a bigger role than ever before? …We’ll discuss the pros and cons of some of these trends, look at how they’re influencing eating habits, and consider whether they truly promote health.

To help us dissect this topic, we’re thrilled to welcome today’s guest who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Juliette Kellow is a registered dietitian with a passion for food, nutrition, and health. A member of the British Dietetic Association, she’s worked within the NHS, the food industry, and as the former editor of Top Santé magazine. With over 20 years of experience working as a freelance nutrition consultant, Juliette provides bespoke, expert and evidence-based nutrition support to food brands, PR and marketing agencies, media outlets, health organisations, trade bodies, catering companies, and restaurants. She regularly writes for various magazines and newspapers, including Closer, the Daily Mirror, the Daily Express, and the Daily Telegraph online. Juliette is also co-author of anti-aging book Eat Better Live Longer and Simply Nutrition For Complete Beginners, both published by DK.

Show Notes:

Juliette’s website: https://www.juliettekellow.co.uk

Juliette’s Instagram: @juliettekellow

Juliette’s X: @juliettekellow

Today we’re delving into the world of nutricosmetics and collagen supplements. Nutricosmetics, which encompass products and ingredients that act as nutritional supplements to enhance the health of skin, nails, and hair, have surged in popularity recently. But what's driving this trend, and is there solid evidence to support the claims? In this episode, we’ll focus on collagen, a key player in the nutricosmetic scene. We’ll set the scene, looking at what collagen is, its role in the body, and where it’s found in our diet before examining collagen supplements, including the various types available and their effectiveness.

To help us navigate this topic, we’re excited to have two brilliant guests: Dr Alan Flanagan, a postdoctoral research fellow in chrono-nutrition at the University of Surrey, who uses his large social following to combat nutrition misinformation, and Dr Thivi Maruthappu, the UK's first and only dual-qualified dermatologist and nutritionist, known for her work that bridges the gap between diet and skin health which led to the publishing of her first book "Skinfood – Your 4-Step Solution To Healthy, Happy Skin”.

Show Notes:

Thivi’s Instagram: @drthivimaru

Thivi’s book: https://drthivi.com/skinfood-your-4-step-solution-healthy-happy-skin/

Alan’s Instagram: @thenutritionaladvocate

Studies mentioned by Alan in the episode:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10498764/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21480801/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17253720/

• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijd.15518?saml_referrer

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10180699/

Today we’re putting the spotlight on the food supply chain and specifically the nutritional implications of varying practices along a food's journey from farm to fork. We’ll chat to our expert guest about a variety of factors that might impact nutrition, from cultivation to consumption – everything from organic vs non-organic to soil quality and pollution! We’re looking forward to diving into this area to equip you for your own learning, but also to help you field questions that you might come across from your patients. To discuss all of this with us, I’m delighted to welcome Lucy Williamson.

Previously a Vet in the UK and Canada, Lucy is now an award-winning Nutritionist with a MSc in Nutrition from King's College London. With over 30 years of experience in health, food and farming, she’s part of a passionate community of health professionals and food producers, learning from natural ecosystems, to make better health a reality. Previously a lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, Lucy is also founder of The Gut Project, communicating on the power of real food and its provenance to restore health and wellbeing via our microbiome. Ambassador for The Real Food Campaign and Love British Food, Lucy lives on the edge of the Chiltern Hills with her RAF husband, two teenagers and Ruarie the border terrier.

Show Notes:

Lucy’s Website: https://lwnutrition.co.uk

Lucy’s Instagram: @lucywilliamsonnutrition

Lucy’s Gut Health Course: https://lwnutrition.co.uk/guthealthcourse23/guthealthcourseapproved24-25/

Reference:

1. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. National Statistics – Food Statistics in your pocket 2017 – Global and UK supply [Online] October 2018. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food- statistics-pocketbook-2017/food-statistics-in-your-pocket-2017-global-and-uk-supply Accessed on 31/06/24.

In today’s episode we’re looking at biohacking. Biohacking is defined as, ‘Attempts to improve the condition of your body and mind using technology, drugs or other chemical substances such as hormones’ - such techniques can include cold water swimming, meditation and a variety of supplements. With biohacking growing in popularity, we’re asking the question – is it essentially diet culture repackaged for men? We’ll also examine the origins of biohacking, the evidence behind various biohacking techniques and discuss advice for a dietitian whose clients are interested in this area. To explore this topic, we're delighted to be joined by Associate Registered Nutritionist Joshua Clamp who specialises in men’s health and behaviour change.

Since completing his BSc in Medical Physiology and MSc in Human Nutrition, Joshua has been working with Maximus UK (formerly BeeZee Bodies) as a Senior Nutritionist to lead their online men's weight management programme, as well as numerous adult and family weight management programmes. Joshua also runs a highly successful nutrition & performance consultancy, Sustainable Health, which collaborates with organisations, charities, and individuals to support evidence-based behaviour change.

Show Notes:

Joshua’s website: https://www.sustainable-health.co.uk

Joshua’s Instagram: @sustainablehealthguy

Joshua’s X: @clamp_josh

Resource mentioned in the episode: www.examine.com (large database of nutrition and supplement research)

In today’s episode, we’re putting the focus on British Dietetic Association (BDA) membership and specifically the benefits it has for its member dietitians. With over 80% of all HCPC registered dietitians being members of the BDA, you might be one of many dietitians who renew their membership year on year. But are you getting the most out of it? In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by returning guest, Caroline Bovey, who is the Chair of the British Dietetic Association. Listen in as we bring you a one stop shop recap of the resources available with your BDA membership.

As an HCPC registered Dietitian, who has been practicing for 20 years, Caroline has practice experience in acute hospital settings, community rehabilitation, and more latterly a Public Health role.

Caroline was appointed to the role of Chair of the British Dietetic Association in 2018 and is the outgoing chair of the Association having completed nearly 6 years in the role. Throughout this time Caroline has been instrumental in leading a Governance review and implementation phase for the Association. As a strong advocate for the benefits of Professional Association membership Caroline advocates for greater diversity within the profession, and for opportunities that support to advance the science and practice of dietetics, and challenges the Board regularly to work creatively within a strong governance framework to advance the Association and the profession. Throughout her time as Chair Caroline has sought to ensure that the governance framework supports the needs of the profession in all aspects of practice.

Caroline qualified as a Dietitian in Cardiff, Wales in 2004 and has Master’s Degree in Post Compulsory Education. In 2016 Caroline was awarded a BEM for Services to Equality in NHS Wales.

Show Notes:

Caroline’s Twitter: @CarolineBoveyRD

BDA’s Instagram: @bda_dietitians

BDA’s Twitter: @BDA_Dietitians

With cystic fibrosis awareness week being 17th-21st June 2024, in today’s episode we put the focus on CF. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting the CFTR protein and in recent years the use of CFTR modulators have changed the game for the management of this condition. In today’s podcast I’m delighted to be joined by two experts to discuss the nutritional implications of this change as well as the wider landscape of nutrition in the management of cystic fibrosis. Kerry-Lee Watson and Jacqueline Lowdon are both specialist CF dietitians - Kerry works with adults and Jacqui in paediatrics, and together they co-chair the British Dietetic Association’s CF specialist group.

Jacqueline is a clinical specialist paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) dietitian and has worked at Leeds children’s hospital for the last 6 ½ years. CF has always been a paediatric speciality that has held her interest since starting out in paediatric dietetics over 25 years ago. Jacqueline presently co-chairs the BDA CF dietitians specialist group and is a member of the CF Trust QI group. She has also contributed to the CF Toolkit developed by NHS England and has recently been involved in the UK CF Trust standards for the Clinical Care of Children and adults (to be published in June 2024). Her recent publications include: Evolution of nutritional management in children with CF – a narrative review. JHND Feb 2024 and Standards for the care of people with CF – recognising and addressing CF health issues. J of CF Nov 2023.

Kerry works as an adult cystic fibrosis dietitian and is the clinical lead for CF dietetics at King’s College Hospital in London. She has worked in CF for over 20 years and alongside her clinical work she has also co-authored guidelines and contributed to published research in this field, including the CF Trust Nutritional Management of CF consensus guidelines and the CF related diabetes chapter in the British Dietetic Guidelines for Diabetes. As Co-Chair of the BDA CF Specialist group, Kerry has worked with Jacqui and many colleagues contributing to the CF Toolkit and CF Trust Standards of Care due to be published in 2024, additionally they have supported Nutrition bite size events hosted by the CF Trust.

Show Notes:

Jacqueline’s twitter: @JacquelineLowd3

Studies:

• Impact of omega‐3 supplementation on children and adolescents patients with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized‐controlled trials. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2023;58:2219–2228. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ppul.26491

• Coffey MJ, Garg M, Homaira N, et al. A systematic cochrane review of probiotics for people with cystic fibrosis. Paediatr Respir Rev, 2021. 39: p. 61-64. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32917517/

Other resources:

• Cystic Fibrosis Trust: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk

• Cystic Fibrosis Trust Diet and Nutrition Leaflets: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/about-us/resources-for-cf-professionals/supporting-clinicians/resources-for-clinicians/nutrition-leaflets

• Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Group - British Dietetic Association (BDA): https://www.bda.uk.com/specialist-groups-and-branches/cystic-fibrosis-specialist-group.html

• BDA CF Specialist Group Twitter:@bda_cf

• European Cystic Fibrosis Website and Committee: https://www.ecfs.eu

• UK Cystic Fibrosis Registry: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/about-us/uk-cf-registry

Fasting has regained attention after Rishi Sunak endorsed a weekly 36-hour fast. So, in today’s episode, we’ll take an evidence-based look at why and when fasting could be helpful (and when it might not be), as well as discussing the evidence around some of the most popular fasting health claims. Our expert guests will share their practical experience, discussing whether they recommend fasting in their practices and offering tips for dietitians to debunk fasting myths.

Dr Michelle Harvie is a research dietitian at the Prevent Breast Cancer Unit, Manchester University Hospital Foundation NHS Trust has been a state registered dietitian since 1991 and a research dietitian since 2001. Her research involves developing and pioneering intermittent low calorie (5:2) diets. This has primarily focused on the prevention and management of breast cancer including cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This work has evolved and extended to the management of Type-2, Type - 1 and Gestational diabetes.

Dr Harvie has 97 peer review publications and has published 3 self-help guides for the public to follow intermittent diets; The 2-day diet (Ebury, Feb 2013); The 2-day diet cookbook (Ebury April 2013) and the quick and easy edition (Ebury, Feb 2014). All author proceeds go to the Prevent Breast Cancer www.preventbreastcancer.org.uk

Michael Titmus is an Advanced Practice Weight Management Dietitian at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

After graduating from the University of Plymouth, Michael worked as an Acute Dietitian at Weston General Hospital before moving to what was then Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. Initially specialising in both weight management and eating disorders. Michael’s role has developed to where he is now the AHP-Clinical Lead in the North Devon Specialist Weight Management Service.

Michael has an interest in time-restricted eating and its implications for dietetic practice, which he was able to pursue in his post-graduate studies through a critical appraisal of the evidence-base.

Show Notes:

Please be aware that this episode was recorded before the death of Michael Mosley so any references to him were understandably said in present tense.

Prevent Breast Cancer website: https://preventbreastcancer.org.uk

Prevent Breast Cancer Instagram: @preventbreastcancer

Prevent Breast Cancer Twitter: @wearepreventBC

Zoe Big IF study - https://zoe.com/learn/the-big-if-study-what-did-we-find

Weight loss injections have sparked considerable debate since the decision in March 2023 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to approve their use within the NHS for managing overweight or obesity. In today’s episode, we'll discuss the different types of injections and how they function as well as reviewing the evidence for their efficacy. We’ll also ask our guests about the unintended consequences of celebrity endorsements of these drugs and if the injections are perpetuating weight bias.

To help discuss this important topic, it is my pleasure to introduce two professionals with extensive experience in this field – Dr Werd Al-Najim a Registered Dietitian and Research Fellow at University College Dublin and Senior Metabolic Dietitian Aisling Morris.

Dr. Werd Al-Najim is a Registered Dietitian specialized in weight management. Her qualifications include a BSc in Nutrition Science from Kingston University, a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics from University College Dublin, and a PhD from Imperial College London.

During her doctoral studies, Dr. Al-Najim conducted research focusing on eating behaviour and food preferences after innovative obesity treatments. Since relocating to Dublin in 2016, she dedicated her time to the Metabolic Medicine Group, contributing significantly to establishing the Obesity Clinical Research Programme at the University College Dublin Diabetes Complications Research Centre.

Currently, Dr. Al-Najim efficiently manages the largest European obesity research project, IMI SOPHIA, at University College Dublin, while also overseeing her private practices, Prohealth365 Physiotherapy & Nutrition and BeyondBMI.

Aisling Morris graduated in 2015 and quickly developed a passion for the areas of chronic disease - Weight Management, Type 2 Diabetes, and Bariatrics, and chose to specialise her career in these areas for the past nine years.

Aisling has worked in specialist weight management and bariatric services in the UK, both in the NHS and privately, as well as in the public and private health sectors in Ireland.

As a dietitian, she is drawn to supporting people to lose weight and improve chronic health conditions.

Show Notes:

UK Government Press release for drugs to tackle obesity: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drugs-pilot-to-tackle-obesity-and-cut-nhs-waiting-lists

Novo Nordisk article: https://www.ft.com/content/591772df-0451-4348-9bad-f375ed4b7ede

Werd’s Instagram: @werd_al_najim

Werd’s X: @werdalnajim

Aisling’s website: https://www.aislingmorrisdietitian.com

You might have heard the title primary care or first contact dietitian banded about in recent years, but how much do you know about the role? In today’s episode, we’re talking all things primary care dietetics, looking at everything from what promoted the shift to include dietitians in primary care settings and the benefit of this change to what the day-to-day role entails. Whether you’re considering moving into the role or just want to clue yourself up on this important area of dietetics, this interview is not one to miss! I’m delighted to be joined by Nusrat Kausar for today’s episode.

Nusrat is a registered dietitian and serves as the Clinical Director of Primary Care Dietitians, overseeing the support for dietitians across Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in England.

Additionally, Nusrat is a director at Nutribytes, an organisation dedicated to reducing health disparities through education.

Nusrat is an advocate for the dietetics profession, serving on the British Dietetic Association (BDA) England Board and the BDA Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) Board. Recently, she assumed the role of Vice-Chair of the BDA Diabetes Specialist Group. Furthermore, Nusrat chairs the BDA sports and exercise diabetes sub-group and hosts the Type 1's Talk Sports podcast.

Nusrat is also involved in educating and mentoring the next generation of dietitians, working as a Special Visiting Lecturer at various dietetic universities across the United Kingdom.

Show Notes:

Primary Care Dietitians Website: www.primarycaredietitians.co.uk

Primary Care Dietitians X: @primarycareFCD

Nusrat’s Instagram: @nusratkrd

Nusrat’s X: @NusratkRD