Joanne Bolger - Registered Nutritional Therapist, DipNT CNM mBANT rCNHC

Eating the right food in the right way is only one part of Nutritional Therapy. The service I provide is rooted in the principles of Functional Medicine, where the individual is supported holistically taking into account physical, mental and emotional health of you as a whole person and not just a set of symptoms.  We’ll discuss your genetics, family medical history, mindset, and hormone health story to thoroughly assess your needs, facilitated by an in-depth questionnaire, and further testing if necessary. From there I design a diet and lifestyle plan based on our conversations, tailor-made to your concerns.

I don’t claim to offer any magic bullets or instant cures, but by working together I can guide you to better health using a bespoke mixture of diet, supplement and lifestyle advice. It’s a commitment, but in return I commit to helping you get to the root cause of what’s holding you back in your journey to optimal health. I use a 360 degree, holistic approach that balances nutrition needs alongside good lifestyle habits such as sleep, stress management and exercise.

I studied for three years at the prestigious College of Naturopathic Medicine in London and am a member of BANT - the governing body for Nutritional Therapists in the UK. I am also a member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council, an accredited nutrition register regulated by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). The PSA regulate the standards of practice in healthcare for the U.K. This means I am committed to post-graduate learning in order to maintain the highest standards in clinical practice and remain continuously updated on developments in the fast-evolving world of Functional Medicine.  

Nutritionist, Nutritional Therapist and Dietitian - what’s the difference? 

Is there a difference at all?

Yes, there is. Broadly speaking, a nutritionist is anyone who claims to be an expert in the field of nutrition. This can be misleading because some practitioners who fall under this category have not completed sufficient study, meaning they are not appropriately qualified and do not belong to a governing body. 

A dietitian is somebody who has a degree in Dietetics or Nutrition. Dietitians generally work within the NHS, or within a primary care environment such as a hospital.

A nutritional therapist is somebody who is appropriately qualified (i.e. has studied for 3 years +) and has a recognised qualification in Nutritional Therapy. Nutritional therapists like myself usually work in private practice offering bespoke health plans, using nutrition and lifestyle interventions to help support the individual towards maintaining health. While I am a qualified and registered nutritional therapist, I will sometimes refer to myself as a nutritionist because many people are not aware of what a nutritional therapist is qualified to do. 

When taking advice from a nutritional therapist please always check they are appropriately qualified, are registered and belong to a regulated governing body as it is not a protected title.