Liz Smith, BSc (Hons), Diabetes Nutritionist and Dietitian
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Specialist areas of Nutrition and Analysis – pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, weight loss and the use of weight loss injections.
Nutrition and Analysis is run by Liz Smith, who qualified as a registered dietitian and nutritionist in 2005 following 4 years of university studying towards a BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Having worked full time covering hospital wards and clinics, seeing most aspects of dietetics, especially chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and weight management, I now work part time in the NHS in the field I love – diabetes, as a specialist diabetes nutritionist and dietitian. I specialise in running Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes education programmes, advising on insulin dose adjustment, carbohydrate counting and diabetes remission for the past 18 years. On top of that I also work as a research dietitian running clinical trials in the NHS on weight loss injections with patients with or without diabetes which is a fascinating field.
Although I thoroughly enjoy my rewarding work within the NHS, it does have its limitations. To thoroughly support clients, research has repeatedly shown that regular and frequent contact is needed, something that is not always possible within the NHS. This is why I decided to set up my own clinic where I can support clients better, see greater results and have even greater job satisfaction.
Although qualified to advise on most aspects of dietetics I have chosen to specialise as a diabetes nutritionist and dietitian, my area of interest and expertise, so I can provide the highest level of service to my clients. My long standing interests are those conditions which tend to relate to insulin resistance, mainly pre diabetes, diabetes, fatty liver disease, PCOS and overweight, including weight loss on weight loss injections. My overall aim is always to work towards a client’s goal – whether that be to manage their condition through diet, avoiding ever increasing medication doses or to aim to reverse their condition.
Diabetes is an ever changing, fast paced field, full of research and exciting developments, but is unfortunately also an area plagued by myths and out dated advice. All too often I have heard from clients who even recently were advised by their healthcare professionals to avoid fruit due to its sugar content, which is far from the ideal – carbohydrate awareness and control is key, but not at the risk of health and enjoyment of the diet. I love working as a diabetes nutritionist and dietitian helping people see through all the complexities of their diabetes journey and support them to make changes to really turn back the clock and hopefully put diabetes into remission or manage it far better.
I look forward to working with you and empowering you to choose health through diet rather than medications.
Why see a diabetes ‘dietitian’ and not a nutritionist?
You will notice I call myself a diabetes nutritionist and dietitian throughout my website and this is due to my degree being in nutrition and dietetics as well as the fact that many clients do not know the term dietitian.
Essentially, ‘Dietitian’ is a legally protected title that can only be used by a suitably qualified professional.
Dietitians are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, the statutory body which regulates health professionals.
All dietitians are bound by registration with the HCPC to follow agreed standards of proficiency. Nutritionist, nutritional therapist etc on the other hand are not protected titles. Many are fantastic, but equally many claim to know about nutrition after a weekend long online course.