Before we dive into today’s episode, some exciting news from our podcast family: The Dietitian Café has been shortlisted for Nutrition Resource of the Year at the 2025 CN Awards! If any of our episodes have ever left you feeling more confident, connected or inspired, we’d be so grateful if you could show your support by casting a vote. You can find the link in our show notes. 

Now onto today’s topic—one that is both urgent and deeply meaningful. In this episode, we’re exploring the vital role that dietitians play in supporting people experiencing food insecurity. We’ll unpack how nutrition and social justice are closely connected, and how we, as future healthcare professionals, can adopt a food insecurity-informed approach in practice. We’ll also hear tips for identifying signs of food insecurity during placements and hear how students can gain real-world experience by volunteering or engaging with grassroots projects and organisations.

Joining me is the brilliant Isabel Rice. Isabel is a Registered Dietitian and Campaign Coordinator at Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, where she leads the Food Poverty Campaign. She works closely with councils, food partnerships, and other local actors to influence policy and address the root causes of food insecurity, both at a national and local level. With a background in clinical and public health nutrition, research and working with marginalised communities, Isabel brings an inspiring and evidence-based perspective to today’s conversation. 

Show notes: 

LinkedIn: Isabel Rice 

London Food Poverty Campaign: https://www.sustainweb.org/foodpoverty/

Good Food Local: The London report: https://www.sustainweb.org/good-food-local/london/

Research paper on improving access to health and nutrition services for disabled children in Uganda: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.13642

Research paper the role of the dietitian in food insecurity: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.13407