Personalised Dietary Advice From a Registered Dietitian
Nutrition is the fuel that drives your recovery, manages your health conditions, and sustains your long-term wellbeing. Whether you are managing a specific medical diagnosis or looking for evidence-based guidance to optimise your health, working with a Registered Dietitian ensures the advice you receive is safe, scientific, and personalised.
At The Physiotherapy Centre, our dietetic service is led by Joanne Tattersall, an HCPC-registered Dietitian. In the UK, ‘Dietitian’ is a protected title; unlike ‘nutritionist’ or ‘health coach,’ a Dietitian is a regulated health professional who has undergone rigorous clinical training.
By offering this service privately in Waterlooville, we provide patients from Portsmouth, Havant, and the wider Hampshire area with fast access to specialist dietary support that is often difficult to obtain quickly through traditional referral pathways.
Conditions We Help With
Our dietetic service covers a wide range of conditions, including:
Allergies and Intolerances
If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, Joanne can carry out a detailed dietary assessment, advise on appropriate elimination and reintroduction protocols, and help you manage your diet safely without unnecessary restriction. Self-diagnosing food intolerances — or following unregulated testing — can lead to nutritional deficiencies. A dietitian provides an evidence-based approach.
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Dietary management is central to diabetes control. Joanne works with you to develop a realistic eating plan that helps manage blood glucose levels, supports weight management where needed, and fits your lifestyle. For Type 2 diabetes, dietary changes can have a significant impact on HbA1c levels and may reduce the need for medication.
Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Dietary modification — targeting saturated fat, increasing soluble fibre, and incorporating specific cholesterol-lowering foods — can make a meaningful difference. Joanne will assess your current diet and provide practical, achievable changes.
Nutrition Support
For patients who are underweight, malnourished, or recovering from illness or surgery, dietetic input ensures adequate calorie and protein intake to support healing and maintain muscle mass. Particularly relevant for older adults and patients with chronic conditions.
Weight Management
Sustainable weight management is about realistic, long-term dietary changes—not crash diets. Joanne provides structured support that addresses your eating habits, portion sizes, and relationship with food, helping you achieve and maintain a healthy weight without unsustainable restriction.
Gastrointestinal Difficulties
Conditions such as IBS, IBD, coeliac disease, and functional gut disorders often require specific dietary management. Joanne can guide you through approaches such as the low FODMAP diet for IBS, gluten-free eating for coeliac disease, and other evidence-based dietary strategies.
How We Work: Our Approach
Changing how you eat is a significant transition. Our process is designed to be supportive, evidence-based, and, most importantly, practical for your real life.
Comprehensive Dietary Assessment
Your journey begins with a deep dive into your unique nutritional profile. This isn’t just a “food diary” review; it is a clinical evaluation. Joanne will analyze:
- Medical Context: Your clinical history, current medications, and any symptoms triggered by food.
- Nutritional Patterns: Your current eating habits, timing, and portion sizes.
- Lifestyle Logistics: Your cooking skills, work schedule, family dynamics, and food preferences. The goal of this assessment is to find the intersection between what your body needs and what your lifestyle allows.
Personalised Dietary Plan
Following your assessment, you will receive a plan that is uniquely yours. We move away from “one-size-fits-all” advice and focus on:
- Medical Specificity: Tailoring intake for conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, or Coeliac disease.
- Cultural & Personal Preferences: Ensuring the plan includes foods you actually enjoy and align with your background.
- Practicality: Setting achievable goals that do not require you to spend hours in the kitchen if you do not have the time.
Ongoing Support and Review
Sustainability is the hallmark of professional dietetics. Follow-up sessions are vital for:
- Troubleshooting: Identifying why certain changes might be difficult and adjusting the strategy.
- Specialist Protocols: Managing complex processes like the Low FODMAP diet for IBS, which requires a structured elimination and reintroduction phase under expert supervision.
- Education: Helping you understand food labels and nutritional science so you can eventually manage your diet with confidence and independence.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
To get the most out of your time with Joanne, it helps to arrive prepared. Your initial consultation is a deep dive into your health, lasting 60 minutes .
How to prepare:
- The Food Diary: If possible, keep a record of everything you eat and drink for three to five days before your appointment. This snapshot allows Joanne to identify patterns and opportunities for change immediately.
- Medical Records: Please bring any recent blood test results, GP letters, or consultant reports. These provide the clinical context necessary for safe dietary prescription.
- Your Goals: Think about what success looks like for you, is it better energy, weight management, or a reduction in digestive symptoms?
Flexible Appointment Options
- Face-to-Face: At our specialist clinic in Waterlooville.
- Virtually: Via a secure video link from the comfort of your own home.
What You’ll Walk Away With
You won’t leave with generic pamphlets. You will leave your first session with:
- A Clear Clinical Plan: A strategy tailored specifically to your medical needs.
- Practical Advice: Real world tips on shopping, cooking, and eating out that fit your lifestyle.
- Immediate Actions: Simple, effective changes you can start implementing the very same day.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Health
At The Physiotherapy Centre, we believe nutrition is the foundation of physical recovery. Joanne works closely with our physiotherapists and sports therapists to ensure your diet is supporting your physical rehabilitation. Whether you are building muscle in the gym, recovering from surgery, or managing a chronic condition, our team provides a joined-up approach to your total wellbeing.
Pricing and Appointments
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Initial Consultation £99 (60 minutes)
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Follow-Up Session £89 (30 minutes)
Conveniently Located in Waterlooville
- The Physiotherapy Centre 96 London Road, Widley, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 5AB
- Mon: 8.00–7.00 | Tue: 8.00–7.30 | Wed: 8.00–8.00 | Thu: 8.00–7.00 | Fri: 8.00–5.00 | Sat: 8.30–1.00
- We serve patients from Widley, Purbrook, Waterlooville, Cosham, Havant, Portsmouth, and Petersfield. The clinic is on the old A3 / London Road, just north of Portsdown Hill, near the Hampshire Rose pub. The No. 8 bus (Bushy Mead) stops just up the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
A dietitian is a legally protected title that requires an accredited university degree and registration with the HCPC. Dietitians are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and dietary advice for specific health conditions. The title “nutritionist” is not protected in the same way, meaning anyone can use it regardless of their training. If you need dietary advice for a medical condition, a dietitian is the appropriate professional.
Do I need a GP referral to see a dietitian?
No. You can self-refer directly by contacting the clinic. If your GP or consultant has recommended dietetic input, it is helpful to bring any relevant letters or blood test results.
Can a dietitian help with IBS?
Yes. Joanne can guide you through the low FODMAP diet, which is the most evidence-based dietary approach for IBS. This involves a structured elimination phase followed by systematic reintroduction of food groups to identify your specific triggers. It is important that this process is supervised by a dietitian to avoid unnecessary dietary restriction.
Will I be given a strict meal plan?
Not unless you want one. Most patients prefer practical advice that they can apply to their existing eating habits and food preferences. Joanne’s approach is to work with you, not to impose rigid rules. The goal is sustainable change.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your condition. A straightforward dietary review may require two to three sessions. Conditions that involve structured dietary protocols—such as the low FODMAP diet for IBS or carbohydrate counting for diabetes—typically require four to six sessions spread over several weeks or months.
Can dietary changes really make a difference to my cholesterol?
Yes. Dietary modification can reduce total cholesterol by 5–10% in many people, and specific dietary strategies such as increasing soluble fibre and plant sterols can have additional effects. For some patients, dietary changes are sufficient to avoid or delay statin therapy. Your GP can monitor your cholesterol levels to track the impact.
Is this service suitable for children or teenagers?
Joanne primarily works with adults. For paediatric dietetic needs, she can advise on appropriate onward referral. If a teenager has a specific condition such as diabetes or food allergies, contact the clinic to discuss whether an appointment would be appropriate.
Can I claim dietetic appointments on my health insurance?
Some insurance policies cover dietetic consultations, particularly when linked to a specific medical condition. Contact your insurer to check your policy.
Do I need to bring anything to my first appointment?
A food diary covering three to five days is very helpful. Also bring any recent blood test results (particularly for diabetes, cholesterol, or vitamin levels), GP letters, or consultant reports. If you take supplements or medications, bring a list of these too.
Can a dietitian help with weight loss after menopause?
Yes. Hormonal changes during menopause can affect metabolism, body composition, and appetite. Joanne can provide dietary advice that accounts for these changes and supports sustainable weight management. This service works well alongside our women’s health physiotherapy service for a comprehensive approach.
Team