Meet Dr Aqsa Mukhtiar, PhD in Nutrition

• Course Author: plans each course, writes the lessons and designs the trackers, planners and checklists that go with them.
• Nutrition Content Reviewer: checks that food and nutrition advice matches current Irish guidance, that numbers such as Food Pyramid servings, standard drinks and supplement doses are quoted correctly, and that every claim is backed by a named source.

1. Start from official Irish sources, such as the Food Pyramid and Healthy Food for Life guidelines, HSE pages, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, safefood and the Every Move Counts guidelines.
2. Use Irish terms and numbers, for example Food Pyramid servings, standard drinks of 10g of alcohol, vitamin D from Halloween to St Patrick's Day and the public health nurse for baby and child checks.
3. Write in plain English, without promises of results or claims that food treats or cures anything.
4. Add a check first list for people who should speak to a health professional before making changes.
5. Add a when to get help section that points to the right Irish service, such as your GP, midwife, public health nurse, HSE Live or 112 or 999.
6. List the sources at the end of the course so you can read the original advice.

Some courses cover topics beyond nutrition, such as HRT, mood and anxiety, sleep problems, relationships and parenting. These courses are written as general education from HSE and other official information. They explain your options and help you prepare questions, and they tell you when to speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified professional. They are not clinical advice.

Her title comes from her doctorate in nutrition. She is not a medical doctor, and she does not see patients or give personal advice. Our courses never replace advice from your GP, midwife, public health nurse, pharmacist or another health professional who knows your situation.