A consultant dietitian is a dietitian working independently rather than employed by a health service, also called a freelance dietitian. Consultants serve private clients, sports teams, care homes, food companies, and media, offering services from one-to-one counselling to menu development, product consultancy, and expert writing. The title signals senior experience and professional autonomy, with practitioners maintaining registration, insurance, and continuing professional development like their employed peers. For the public, choosing a registered consultant guarantees qualified, accountable advice, in contrast to unregulated nutrition advisers. The freelance model suits dietitians combining clinical work with business.