What Is a Nutritional Therapist? A Guide for Anyone Affected by Cancer

If you’re going through cancer treatment, living with a family history of cancer, or recovering after treatment, you may be wondering how food fits in. You’ve likely come across the terms nutritionist, dietitian, and nutritional therapist. But what’s the difference? And how can nutritional therapy support you during cancer? This post explains exactly what a nutritional therapist does and how personalised nutrition can help you feel stronger, make informed food choices and regain some control of your health at any stage of your cancer experience.

Nutritional therapy is a science-based approach that uses food & lifestyle to promote health. A nutritional therapist will consider your whole person, not just your diagnosis, to try and understand why symptoms are happening. For people with cancer, this might mean:

• Supporting energy and appetite during treatment
• Supporting the management of common treatment symptoms
• Managing digestive issues like constipation or nausea
• Rebuilding strength and gut health after chemotherapy
• Supporting long-term health and vitality

Nutritional therapy doesn’t replace medical care. It works alongside it — giving you personalised support during a time that often feels overwhelming.

In a nutshell here’s how the roles compare:

Nutritional therapists, trained in the UK, often study for 3+ years, covering biochemistry, nutritional science, clinical practice, and evidence-based nutritional interventions focused on long-term health. I trained with the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, graduating with a distinction.

We are registered with:

• BANT – British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine
• CNHC – Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council

Nutritional therapy is aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life, not treating or curing disease which is solely for medical professionals. Anyone, other than a doctor, making claims to ‘treat or cure’ should be avoided.

BANT holds a register of nutritional therapists who have undertaken enhanced training to work with clients with a cancer diagnosis. I am one of a small, but growing, number of practitioners on this list showing that I have gained a postgraduate, NTEC professional certification allowing me to offer nutritional and lifestyle support to my clients before, during and after cancer treatment.

What you eat is only one piece of the puzzle. We also explore:

• Symptoms (such as fatigue, gut issues, poor sleep, hot flushes, taste changes)
• Your current treatment plan and recovery stage
• Blood test results or medical history (if available)
• Your stress levels, energy, digestion, mood, and sleep
• Focus on realistic changes that fit your lifestyle, not rigid or restrictive diets

This gives us a fuller picture of what your body needs and where small changes might make a big difference.

Every person’s experience with cancer is different. That’s why your nutrition support should be, too.

I work with people at three key stages:

If you have a strong family history or simply want to protect your long-term health, I look at:

• Gut health
• Inflammation
• Blood sugar balance
• Hormone metabolism
• Nutrient gaps
• Sustainable changes to support a healthy weight

Treatment can bring big changes to appetite, digestion, and energy. I support my clients to:

• Maintain strength and prevent unintentional weight loss
• Support the management of symptoms like constipation, nausea, or fatigue
• Support immunity and gut health
• Feel confident about what to eat to nourish their body

Post-treatment, many people are told to “go back to normal.” But your body has been through a lot. Nutritional therapy can support:

• Healing and gut repair
• Hormonal balance
• Blood sugar and weight management
• Improve energy and vitality
• Longer-term health and well-being strategies

• A 30-minute discovery call to ask questions and see if it’s a good fit
• A detailed health questionnaire and food diary review
• A tailored nutrition and lifestyle plan, based on your needs and preferences
• Follow-up support to make changes feel achievable and sustainable

Nutritional therapy offers more than just a list of foods — it’s about emotional and practical support, clarity, and care. There’s no judgement, no extreme diets just evidence-informed support focused on you.

If you’ve been feeling unsure about what to eat, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or want a clear plan tailored to your body, nutritional therapy can help.

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