£25
6 hours
Action on Sustainability in Nutrition and Dietetics
A NEW Frontier: from science to practice – achieving nutrition, health and Net Zero + targets together
Thursday 22 April 2026, 10:00 – 16:30 BST
6 hours
Action on Sustainability in Nutrition and Dietetics
A NEW Frontier: from science to practice – achieving nutrition, health and Net Zero + targets together
Thursday 22 April 2026, 10:00 – 16:30 BST
6 hours
£25
6 hours
OPEN TO ALL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, TUTORS AND STUDENTS
Sustainability in nutrition is now central to delivering high-quality healthcare – supporting population health while helping to tackle climate change and environmental degradation. From clinical care and community practice to hospital catering and supply chains, dietitians and nutrition professionals play a vital role in aligning nutrition, health, and Net Zero goals. However, there are limited opportunities for healthcare professionals to explore the latest science, practical strategies, policy developments, and access real-world case studies needed to confidently translate sustainability in nutrition into everyday practice.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
WATCH THIS SYMPOSIUM TO:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- The evidence linking food systems, dietary patterns, population health, and environmental sustainability
- The characteristics and evidence behind sustainable and plant-rich dietary patterns
- The policy landscape shaping sustainable healthcare – including Net Zero targets, NHS commitments, BDA policy and global food system initiatives
- Practical, achievable, and sustainable ways to embed environmental considerations into nutrition and dietetic practice
BE AWARE OF:
- Key nutritional considerations when implementing plant-rich and sustainable diets across the life course – including in the elderly and paediatric populations
- The purpose and importance of the NHS Green Teams
- The environmental impact of food systems, including carbon footprint, waste, plastics, and supply chains
- The balance between public health guidance and individual clinical needs
- The importance and future direction of sustainability training within the nutrition and dietetic profession
- Risks of misinformation, polarisation, and communication challenges around sustainable diets
- The practical and political challenges of delivering and discussing sustainability within healthcare settings
BE ABLE TO:
- Identify priority actions for dietitians, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals in achieving Net Zero and wider environmental targets
- Translate emerging evidence on sustainable and plant-rich diets into safe, evidence-informed practice
- Apply practical strategies to reduce waste, optimise menus, and improve sustainability in both hospital and community settings
- Communicate confidently about sustainable nutrition with patients, colleagues, and the wider public
CHAIRS:
• Tanya Haffner Registered Dietitian, CEO and founder of the MyNutriWeb food and nutrition education hub, Chair of the BDA Sustainable Diets Committee
• Professor Kevin Morgan Professor of Governance and Development, Cardiff University
Moderator’s introduction
Tanya Haffner
Registered Dietitian, CEO and founder of the MyNutriWeb food and nutrition education hub, Chair of the BDA Sustainable Diets Committee
Tanya Haffner's biography
Tanya is a registered dietitian, CEO, and founder of MyNutriWeb educational hub and Nutrilicious consultancy and marketing. With 30+ years of experience working across healthcare, food, education, marketing and media, she helps to empower professionals and organisations to lead on nutrition and sustainability for the benefit of health planet and the economy. She is current Chair of the British Dietetic Association’s Sustainable Diets Group, supporting members to embed sustainability across nutrition and dietetic practice.
Chair’s introduction
Professor Kevin Morgan
Professor of Governance and Development, Cardiff University
Professor Kevin Morgan's biography
Kevin Morgan has been researching public food systems in Europe, North America and Africa for more than 20 years. He has recently summarised the results of this work in a new book, Serving the Public: the good food revolution in schools, hospitals and prisons, published by Manchester University Press.
9:45-10:00
Community news, polls, sponsor promotion, welcome
Tanya Haffner
Registered Dietitian, CEO and founder of the MyNutriWeb food and nutrition education hub, Chair of the BDA Sustainable Diets Committee
10:10-10:35
The new frontier in dietetics: why is environmental sustainability becoming a core part of nutrition and dietetic practice?
Tanya Haffner
Registered Dietitian, CEO and founder of the MyNutriWeb food and nutrition education hub, Chair of the BDA Sustainable Diets Committee
Tanya Haffner’s biography
Tanya is a Registered Dietitian, CEO and founder of the MyNutriWeb food and nutrition education hub and Nutrilicious Communications, with 30+ years of experience working across healthcare, food, communications and policy. Through education, training, communications and behaviour change initiatives she is currently dedicated to creating a food and nutrition culture across healthcare and food service that models health for all. Tanya is also Chair of the BDA Sustainable Diets Committee.
Session outlines and learning objectives
This session will provide an introduction and high-level overview of sustainability in nutrition and dietetics, exploring how current food systems affect both planetary and population health, and how climate change is reshaping food production and access. Drawing on key reports such as EAT-Lancet Commission’s Report 2.0, it will place nutrition within a wider global context.
It will also highlight international efforts to transform food systems, outline current NHS developments including Green NHS initiatives and Net Zero targets, and emphasise the vital role dietitians and nutrition professionals play in driving sustainable change.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- How current food systems impact both planetary and population health
- The relationship between climate change and food production, access, and dietary patterns
- The global and UK policy landscape shaping sustainable food system transformation
- The role of healthcare – particularly nutrition and dietetics – in contributing to Net Zero targets
BE AWARE OF:
- Key reports and frameworks influencing sustainable nutrition practice (e.g., international commissions and UK assessments)
- Current NHS sustainability initiatives, including Green NHS teams and Net Zero commitments
- The practical and political challenges involved in delivering sustainable healthcare
BE ABLE TO:
- Articulate why sustainability is central to modern dietetic practice
- Identify where dietitians and nutrition professionals can influence environmental outcomes
- Engage confidently in conversations about sustainable food systems within healthcare settings
10:35-10:50
What is a healthy sustainable diet?
Defining sustainable eating and its impact on health, equity, and the environment
Rosie Martin
Employee Health & Wellness Dietitian at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Freelance Plant-Based Specialist Dietitian at Rosemary Nutrition & Dietetics and Vice-Chair of the BDA Sustainable Diets Specialist Group
Rosie Martin’s biography
Rosie is a UK Registered Dietitian and former zoologist. With a decade of NHS experience in both acute and community care, specialising in gastroenterology, oncology and weight management, she now champions evidence-based, plant-forward nutrition for health, sustainability, justice and animal welfare.
Session outlines and learning objectives
This session will introduce the concept of sustainable diets and what this means in practice, drawing on key frameworks such as the EAT-Lancet report. It will explore how sustainable diets connect human health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. The session will also address common myths and misconceptions around plant-rich diets, including concerns about protein quality and key nutrients such as iron, zinc, and calcium.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- What is meant by a sustainable diet and the key frameworks that inform this concept
- The key components of a healthy sustainable plant-rich diet
- The links between sustainable diets, human health, environmental sustainability, and social justice
BE AWARE OF:
- Common myths and misconceptions related to plant-rich and sustainable dietary patterns
- Concerns around nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, and calcium
BE ABLE TO:
- Describe sustainable dietary patterns using recognised definitions and frameworks
- Confidently discuss sustainable diets within a health and environmental context
- Address common misconceptions about plant-rich diets using evidence-based information
11:10-11:25
Sustainability training of dietitians and nutritionists: Where are we now and where are we heading?
Dr Clare Pettinger
Associate Professor Public Health Dietetics & active food systems researcher at School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
Dr Clare Pettinger’s biography
Clare is an award-winning Registered Dietitian, Public Health Nutritionist and experienced educator, actively engaged in community-focussed research around food systems, poverty and social justice.
She is a passionate sustainability advocate and believes that radical creative approaches are essential to tackle local/global health, (in)equality and social well-being challenges.
Session outlines and learning objectives
As pressures mount to achieve sustainability agenda goals, new evidence appraisal and educational input are essential to support nutrition professionals to be fit for their future practice. Yet current training is inconsistent and often inadequate. Many scholars, therefore, are calling for more systematic, robust curricular frameworks that can be used by educators to champion this agenda.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- The (tertiary) education setting and its role in preparing nutrition professionals that are fit for the future
- The need for consistent education (sustainable food systems/diets) for nutrition professionals
- Current action research successfully being delivered to inform this agenda
BE AWARE OF:
-
Education and pedagogy (how people learn)
-
Frameworks and how they are used in education
-
Relevant action research methods used to support education for sustainability
BE ABLE TO:
- Critique relevant literature
- Discuss relevant concepts
- Support future dialogues on this topic
11:25-11:40
Turning Policy into Practice: NHS Green Teams and the new BDA Policy
Emily Latoy
Senior Specialist PCN Dietitian at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Emily Latoy’s biography
Session outlines and learning objectives
The talk will outline the call to action of the latest update of the BDA sustainability policy and give an overview of what is expected from dietitians. It will also outline the benefit and role of departmental green teams and talk through the new Guy’s and St. Thomas’ ‘Practical Sustainability Guidelines for the Dietetic Workforce Document’ produced by the double AHPP award winning Green Team. Attendees should come away with actions and resources to embed in their own teams and departments.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
-
The updated BDA Sustainability Policy and Position Statement
-
The pioneering practical guidance document for the clinical dietetic workforce produced by Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
-
Why Green Teams are crucial as trailblazers for achieving Net Zero
BE AWARE OF:
-
Key enablers and barriers to change leading up to 2030
-
Priority workflows for clinical practice
-
Key contacts for support setting up a Green Team
BE ABLE TO:
-
Meet the requirements laid out in the BDA Long-Term Plan and Sustainability Policy Document.
-
Produce impactful documentation to lay the groundwork for future sustainability projects
-
Use ‘Systems-Thinking’ to navigate complexities of sustainable practice in large organisations.
1:25-2:10
Sustainable by default – moving towards sustainable hospital menus. The New Plants First Healthcare Coalition – what does this mean for dietetics? Myth busting, key priorities and stories of progress
Low-carbon menus in practice
Amy Roach
Registered Dietitian, UK Healthcare Manager at Greener By Default
Amy Roach ’s biography
Session outlines and learning objectives
This session will provide an overview of the latest Plants First Healthcare Coalition and look at practical ways to bring low-carbon menus into everyday practice, including using choice architecture, simple nudges, and tasty, appealing menu names to encourage more sustainable choices. It will explore two case studies and discuss common challenges to implementing low carbon menus and share realistic solutions to help overcome them. The session will also highlight the positive impact low-carbon menus can have on people’s health, planetary health, and cost-effectiveness. Attendees will leave feeling inspired and equipped with practical ideas to support change in their own settings.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- The role and support offered by the Plants First Healthcare Coalition (PFHC)
- How low-carbon menus can be implemented in practice using choice architecture, nudges, and menu design
- The role of menu planning and behavioural strategies in supporting sustainable food choices
BE AWARE OF:
- Who can support you and your Trust, and how to access that support through the Plants First Healthcare Coalition (PFHC)
- Common barriers to introducing low-carbon menus in real-world settings
- The importance of maintaining nutritional quality, acceptability, and patient choice
BE ABLE TO:
- Apply practical strategies such as nudging and positive menu naming to support sustainable menu selection
- Identify ways to address challenges when implementing low carbon menus
- Use simple, actionable ideas to encourage more sustainable food provision in practice
Low Carbon Menus in the NHS
Saachi Avis
Head of Dietetics, Compass UK&I
BDA Food Service Specialist Group Chair
Saachi Avis ’s biography
Saachi Avis leads the Compass UK & I Healthcare Dietetics Team, driving safe, evidence-based nutrition across healthcare. With over 15 years’ dietetic experience, including 12 in food service and roles spanning NHS and healthcare catering, she champions improved standards and dining experiences. Saachi chairs the BDA Food Service Specialist Group and contributes to key BDA publications, including the Nutrition and Hydration Digest.
Session outlines and learning objectives
This session will explore what low carbon menus are, outline what these menus look like in both patient and retail settings, highlight key considerations for implementing them, explain the role of the dietitian in guiding this work, and provide an overview of the Nutrition and Hydration Digest Standards, and where they sit within the wider healthy sustainable diets agenda.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- What low carbon menus are, including a clear definition
- How low carbon principles apply differently across patient/catering and retail/visitor food services
- Where the Nutrition and Hydration Digest and other standards fit within the wider context of sustainable food services in the NHS
BE AWARE OF:
- The role of the dietitian in shaping and implementing low carbon menu strategies across healthcare settings
- Key environmental, nutritional, operational and cultural considerations when developing lower-carbon dishes.
- The practical challenges and opportunities in aligning standards without compromising patient safety or experience
BE ABLE TO:
- Identify practical ways to adapt menus to lower carbon impact while maintaining choice, nutritional quality, and patient acceptability.
- Communicate the benefits and rationale of low carbon menus to multidisciplinary teams, catering partners, and stakeholders.
- Apply elements of the Nutrition and Hydration Digest to support decision making in sustainable menu design
Idrees Anwar
Lead Dietitian NHS Supply Chain
Idrees Anwar ’s biography
Idrees Anwar is an award-winning food service dietitian, who over the last 3 years of his career has been transforming the hospital food environment. His work has involved training over 200 hospital chefs, adapting multiple hospital menus and helping nourish staff and patients.
Session outlines and learning objectives
Sustainability is an important part of our daily lives, both for planetary health and public health. We need to increase our understanding in order to promote healthy and sustainable practices related to food, whether it is during consultations or through system change.
This session will explore how low-carbon menus can be implemented in practice, with a particular focus on the role of procurement, sourcing, and the wider supply chain in supporting sustainable food provision. It will discuss how healthcare organisations can work effectively with suppliers to promote more sustainable products and menu options. The session will also highlight the role of the catering dietitian in supporting menu design, waste reduction, and implementation, emphasising the importance of collaboration across teams.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- How procurement in hospitals work
- What we can do as dietitians to promote change
- What can be done to protect
BE AWARE OF:
- What supply is available in hospitals
- The responsibility of dietitians
- Methods to improving sustainability parameters
BE ABLE TO:
- Pioneer change
- Promote sustainable practices with current healthy eating guidance
- Feel empowered and informed to promote sustainability
2:25-3:10
Nourishing patients: is there a role for a healthy sustainable diet?
Session outlines and learning objectives
It will unpack key misconceptions around protein quality and nutritional adequacy in healthcare settings. Drawing on practical experience from implementing more sustainable menus in elderly care, the session will highlight real-world challenges and how they were addressed. Attendees will gain practical insights and solutions to support more sustainable menu changes in practice.
Session outlines and learning objectives
This session will explore how sustainable, plant-rich dietary approaches can be successfully adapted for vulnerable populations, including older adults, renal patients, and children. In their presentations, experts will highlight key nutritional considerations that help ensure these dietary patterns continue to support optimal health and clinical outcomes. Through practical case studies, speakers will share real-world examples of how sustainable diets are being implemented across different care settings. Participants will gain clear, practical insights to help support environmentally sustainable eating while meeting the specific nutritional needs of these groups.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- How plant-rich diets can support the nutritional needs of patients across the life course
- Key nutritional considerations for groups such as paediatric, elderly, and renal patients
- The role of plant-rich diets in supporting nourishment, recovery, and overall health
BE AWARE OF:
- Common concerns and misconceptions around plant-rich diets in clinical populations
- Potential barriers to implementing plant-rich approaches in healthcare settings
- The importance of tailoring nutrition advice to different patient groups
BE ABLE TO:
- Identify practical ways to incorporate plant-rich foods into patient care
- Discuss plant-rich dietary approaches with confidence in a range of clinical contexts
- Support patients and families in meeting nutritional needs while promoting sustainable eating patterns
Tina Beermann
Nutrition Specialist at Vegetarian Society of Denmark
Tina Beermann ’s biography
Tina works as a registered dietitian – she has a master’s degree in clinical nutrition and worked at Aalborg University Hospital as a chief dietitian for ten years. She holds a strong interest in sustainability and currently works as a Nutrition Specialist at the Vegetarian Society of Denmark.
Angeline Taylor
Lead Renal Dietitian at Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust, Chair BDA Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group
Angeline Taylor ’s biography
Angeline is a renal dietitian based at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and the Chair of the BDA Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group with a strong interest in plant-based nutrition and its role in supporting kidney health. She also works with Kidney Care UK as the dietitian for Kidney Kitchen, helping develop practical nutrition resources and recipes to support people living with kidney disease.
Paula Hallam
Specialist Paediatric Dietitian and the founder of Plant Based Kids
Paula Hallam ’s biography
Paula is a highly experienced paediatric dietitian who has worked across leading children’s hospitals and research settings, including Great Ormond Street and King’s College London. Passionate about plant-based nutrition, she supports families with practical guidance, inspiring confidence through her book Plant Powered Little People and her dedicated programmes for raising healthy plant-based children.
3:35-3:50
Where does the misinformation around healthy sustainable diets come from, and how can we tackle it?
Robbie Lockie
Co-Founder & CEO, foodfacts.org
Robbie Lockie ’s biography
Robbie Lockie is the Founder and CEO of foodfacts.org, leading efforts to tackle misinformation and promote transparency in the global food system through foodfacts.org. As a Food Systems Futurist and former co-founder of Plant Based News, Robbie specialises in safeguarding information ecosystems and advancing science-backed narratives around food.
Session outlines and learning objectives
Nutritional misinformation is one of the most serious public health challenges of our time – and healthcare professionals are not immune to it. This session will explore how misleading content spreads online, who is amplifying it, and why plant-rich and sustainable diets are disproportionately targeted by industry-funded campaigns and social media influencers promoting carnivore, paleo, or other restrictive diets. Drawing on evidence from foodfacts.org, Robbie will unpack the psychological and algorithmic forces that make misinformation so persuasive – and equip HCPs with practical tools to identify, challenge, and counter it in their own practice. In an era where patients and clinicians alike are bombarded with conflicting dietary messaging, this talk offers a science-backed framework for cutting through the noise.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- The main sources and mechanisms through which nutritional misinformation about sustainable and plant-rich diets spreads online and within healthcare settings
- The role of social media influencers, industry-funded content, and algorithmic amplification in promoting restrictive diets (e.g. carnivore, paleo) at the expense of evidence-based sustainable eating guidance
- How the 2026 US Dietary Guidelines have been misrepresented in mainstream and social media, and what the evidence actually says
BE AWARE OF:
- Common myths and misconceptions about healthy sustainable diets that are circulating within healthcare professional communities, not just among the general public
- The financial and ideological interests behind anti-plant-based campaigns, including those from the animal agriculture industry
- The specific risks to patient outcomes when HCPs encounter and internalise misinformation about sustainable diets
BE ABLE TO:
- Identify the hallmarks of nutritional misinformation and apply a critical evaluation framework to online dietary content
- Confidently communicate evidence-based guidance on healthy sustainable diets to patients and colleagues, addressing common objections rooted in misinformation
- Direct patients and colleagues to trustworthy, science-backed resources (such as foodfacts.org) to support informed food decision-making
3:50-4:15
Sustainability in nutrition and dietetics: how to have difficult conversations and how to face system challenges? Panel Discussion
Session outlines and learning objectives
This session will explore how today’s more polarised climate can make conversations about nutrition and sustainability more challenging. It will help participants spot situations where difficulties may arise and feel more prepared to respond confidently. The session will also share practical ways healthcare professionals can discuss sustainable diets in clinical practice while maintaining clarity and confidence in their messaging. Finally, it will highlight how thoughtful, positive language can help engage and inspire others when discussing nutrition and sustainability.
Watch this session to:
GAIN CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF:
- How polarisation and the current political climate can influence conversations about nutrition and sustainability
- What does polling tell us about how best to frame sustainable diets with different stakeholder groups?
- Why discussions about sustainable diets may sometimes be challenging in healthcare and public settings
- The importance of thoughtful framing and positive language when talking about sustainability
- The current major stumbling blocks to progress that require policy/regulatory intervention
BE AWARE OF:
- Situations where conversations about nutrition and sustainability may be met with resistance
- Potential barriers to discussing sustainable diets in clinical and professional practice
- The impact of language and communication style on engagement
- The key areas of policy, business and media concern when it comes to discussing healthy sustainable diets
BE ABLE TO:
- Apply practical approaches when discussing sustainability in clinical practice
- Respond confidently and professionally to challenging questions or perspectives
- Discuss how nature, cost saving and health evidence-based insights can be used to support bridge building narratives to support with difficult conversations
- Use positive, inclusive language to communicate nutrition and sustainability messages effectively
Shireen Kassam
Consultant Haematologist and Director of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK
Shireen Kassam’s biography
Philip Shelley
Senior Operational & Policy Manager at NHS England
Philip Shelley’s biography
Sarah Bentley
Director of Food & Culture at Plant-Based Health Professionals UK
Sarah Bentley’s biography
Rebecca Tobi
Head of Food Business Transformation at the Food Foundation
Rebecca Tobi’s biography
Mel Nolan
Specialist Community Diabetes Dietitian, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Mel Nolan’s biography
CPD CERTIFICATE & LEARNING MATERIALS
This symposium is awaiting approval for CPD by the AfN
You are welcome to attend individual sessions. CPD certificates will be issued based on length of total time attended.
Webinar slides and links to other key resources will be sent within a week of viewing the live webinar, along with a separate personalised CPD certificate to save for your files. Add hello@mynutriweb.com to your safe senders to ensure you receive them.
This webinar is being run in association with BDA Sustainable Diets Group, Plant-Based Health Professionals UK and foodfacts.org

About BDA Sustainable Diets Group
The BDA Sustainable Diets Specialist Group represents HCPC registered dietitians with a specialist role or interest in sustainable diets, planetary health and environmentally friendly nutrition.

About Plant-Based Health Professionals UK
Plant-Based Health Professionals UK is a community-interest company on a mission to transform UK healthcare into a healthier, fairer and more sustainable service by providing education, and leading initiatives, on the benefits of whole food plant-based nutrition and positive lifestyle approaches.
You can join our amazing membership community from as little as £15 a year, or sign up to our 21-day plant-based challenge for recipes, top-tips and advice from nutrition experts. Head to plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com to find out more.
foodfacts.org is a science-backed fact-checking platform run by The Freedom Food Alliance — a volunteer-led non-profit on a mission to demystify the food system, debunk diet myths, and fight nutritional misinformation. With an advisory board of over 60 independent experts spanning nutrition science, linguistics, sustainability, and medicine, foodfacts.org provides expert-reviewed, accessible content to help consumers and professionals cut through the noise and make informed food choices.
Please note, approval of each sponsor and activity is carefully assessed for suitability on a case by case basis. Sponsorship does not imply any endorsement of the brand by MyNutriWeb, its organisers, its moderators or any participating healthcare professional, or their association. Sponsorship funds are reinvested into the creation and promotion of professional development opportunities on MyNutriWeb.
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