The Dietitian Cafe Podcast has been shortlisted for Nutrition Resource of the Year at the 2025 CN Awards. If you’ve found value in the podcast, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. Just head to CN Magazine’s Nutrition2Me website to cast your vote. You’ll also find the link in the show notes. 

Today, we’re talking about how dietitians and other healthcare professionals can feel more confident and capable when having inclusive, person-centred conversations with LGBTQ+ individuals. 

While awareness of diversity and inclusion has grown in recent years, many professionals still feel unsure about the language to use, how to avoid saying the wrong thing, or how to create a truly welcoming environment. This episode is all about supporting those professionals to move past fear and uncertainty and towards more open, respectful, and informed conversations. 

We’ll explore why language matters, what inclusive communication looks like in practice, and how understanding concepts like gender identity, pronouns, and lived experience can help us meet people where they are. 

And we’ll look at the bigger picture, too: how education, structural barriers, and generational experiences shape the way people access and engage with healthcare today. 

Joining me for this conversation is Dr. Sarah Hillier, a Registered Nutritionist and Senior Lecturer in Nutrition at Bournemouth University. Sarah’s research explores the intersections of minority and 

underrepresented populations in nutrition, health, and higher education. Her work focuses on structural barriers to healthcare, nutrition, and education, with a particular emphasis on menopause, pregnancy, and reproductive health. 

Beyond her research, Sarah is a strong advocate for inclusivity, serving as Chair of the Bournemouth University PRIDE Network, where she works to promote LGBTQ+ visibility within academia. 

Show Notes 

Dr Sarah Hillier (she/her) 

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah Hillier 

Instagram: @DrSarahHillIer 

Bournemouth University 

Instagram: @NutritionBU / @bournemouthuni 

LinkedIn: Bournemouth University 

Facebook: @JoinBournemouthUni 

X: @bournemouthuni 

Stonewall 

• List of LGBTQ+ terms | Stonewall 
• LGBTQ+ facts and figures | Stonewall 
• Key dates for LGBTQ+ equality | Stonewall 
• Diversity Champions | Stonewall 

Bournemouth University 

• Dr Sarah Hillier - Bournemouth University Staff Profile Pages 
• Centre for Midwifery & Women's Health | Bournemouth University 
• Centre for Seldom Heard Voices | Bournemouth University 
• Celebrating our LGBTQ+ community | Bournemouth University 

Research Papers and Charity Links 

• Nutrition and Health in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Community: A Narrative Review 
• Palliative and end of life care for LGBTQ+ people | Marie Curie 
• Support for Transgender & Non-binary Parents | LaLecheLeague 
• Effective Communication About Pregnancy, Birth, Lactation, Breastfeeding and Newborn Care: The Importance of Sexed Language 
• Gender-inclusive language in midwifery and perinatal services: A guide and argument for justice 

Support Services 

• LGBT Foundation 
• Micro Rainbow 
• Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity 
• Good Law Project 

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