Key Takeaways
- A plant-based dietitian specializes in nutrition counseling for people who prioritize eating plant-based foods, such as those following vegetarian or flexitarian diets.
- A plant-based dietitian can help if you’re new to a plant-based diet, need help navigating a health condition, or have a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
- Many plant-based dietitians accept insurance, but verifying this with your provider and insurance before your first visit is important.
Whether you’re just starting out on a plant-based diet or have been vegan for years, it can be valuable to work with a plant-based dietitian to optimize your diet.
When well-planned, a plant-based diet can have health benefits and may reduce your risk of several conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Continue reading to learn more about the services plant-based dietitians offer and find a list of the top plant-based dietitians to help you get started on your health journey.
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What is a Plant-Based Dietitian?
A plant-based dietitian is a nutrition expert who specializes in helping people follow a plant-based eating pattern.
These providers may have special training or education in vegan and vegetarian nutrition, and many follow a plant-based diet themselves.
It’s important to ensure your plant-based nutrition provider has the proper qualifications to provide evidence-based information.
Look for the “registered dietitian (RD)” or “registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)” credentials.
Not all dietitians are experts in plant-based nutrition. Before your first visit, check that your provider specializes in this area and can provide you with the care you’re looking for.
What Can a Plant-Based Dietitian Help Me With?
The term “plant-based” encompasses a wide range of eating patterns, including:
- Vegetarian.
- Vegan.
- Pescatarian.
- Flexitarian.
If you’re interested in adopting a plant-based diet, a registered dietitian can teach you how to balance your meals to meet your nutritional needs.
They’ll help you slowly make changes to reach your plant-based nutrition goals.
Even if you’ve been vegetarian for decades, a plant-based dietitian can help you optimize your diet and address any nutrition-related health conditions, like diabetes.
A plant-based dietitian can help with many nutrition concerns, such as:
- Vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
- Protein intake.
- Managing health conditions.
- Fueling an active lifestyle.
- Disordered eating.
- Digestive health.
When Should You See a Plant-Based Dietitian?
There are many situations where working with a plant-based dietitian can be valuable.
Anyone who’s new to a plant-based diet can benefit from nutrition counseling–this will ensure you feel your best and have a nutritionally balanced diet.
If you have a health condition, working with a dietitian can help you understand how to balance this with a plant-based diet.
For example, if you’re diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may need to modify some of your plant-based food choices to help manage your symptoms.
If you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, like iron or vitamin B12, your dietitian can help you correct this and prevent future deficiencies.
Additionally, you may want to see a plant-based dietitian during specific life stages or events.
This may look like seeking support on following a vegetarian diet during pregnancy or how to train for a marathon while vegan.
9 Best Plant-Based Dietitians
If you’re looking for support on following a plant-based diet, you can find a list of top plant-based dietitians covered by insurance.
1. Jessica Bennett
About
Jessica is a registered dietitian with over 16 years of experience. She has a doctorate degree in clinical nutrition.
She focuses her sessions on helping her clients set creative and realistic goals to get results.
Specialties
Jessica specializes in vegan and vegetarian nutrition and also works with people on weight management, intuitive eating, and heart health.
2. Amy Good
About
Amy is a registered dietitian who works with adolescents and adults. She believes “all foods fit” and doesn’t prescribe restrictive diets. Instead, she encourages her clients to make sustainable changes.
Specialties
Amy has a wide range of specialties, from plant-based nutrition to diabetes to gastrointestinal conditions. She also helps people with eating disorders and emotional eating.
3. Rachael Martin
About
Rachael has been working as a registered dietitian for over 30 years. She’s a certified eating disorder specialist and has a Master’s degree in dietetics.
She practices patient-centered nutrition counseling, which involves meeting her clients where they are.
Specialties
Rachael’s primary specialties are eating disorders and weight management, and she’s well-versed in plant-based nutrition and gut health.
4. Kendra Thoenes
About
Kendra is a registered dietitian with a Master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. She’s also a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor.
She takes a holistic approach and uses Health at Every Size (HAES) philosophies in her sessions.
Specialties
Kendra’s primary specialties are eating disorders, sports nutrition, and mental health nutrition. She offers counseling on vegan and vegetarian diets for her clients.
5. Catherine Brennan
About
Catherine is a registered dietitian who offers evidence-based care and incorporates intuitive and mindful eating principles into her nutrition counseling sessions.
She helps people nourish a healthy relationship with food and body image.
Specialties
Catherine has many specialties, from plant-based nutrition to eating disorders.
She can also help people with nutrition concerns regarding pregnancy and postpartum, heart health, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
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6. Olivia Bubri
About
Olivia is a dietitian with a Master’s degree in nutrition. She offers weight-neutral, non-diet nutrition counseling to help her clients move past restrictive dieting.
She incorporates intuitive eating principles to help people heal their relationship with food.
Specialties
Olivia specializes in vegan and vegetarian diets. She can also help with emotional eating, healthy aging, and general health concerns.
7. Tiffany Cooper
About
Tiffany is a registered dietitian with a Master’s degree in nutrition education. She worked as a chemist and then a health coach before becoming a dietitian.
Tiffany takes a non-diet approach to her counseling and believes that “all foods fit.”
Specialties
In addition to being an expert on plant-based nutrition, Tiffany specializes in eating disorders, kidney disease, IBS, and heart health.
8. Abigail Frech
About
Abigail is a dietitian with a Master’s degree in nutrition and physical performance. She’s also a certified personal trainer.
Abigail uses a collaborative care approach to provide specific and evidence-based plans for her clients.
Specialties
Abigail specializes in eating disorders and sports nutrition. She’s well-versed in plant-based nutrition as well as digestive conditions and diabetes.
9. Kathryn Spottswood
About
Kathryn has been a dietitian for 18 years, and she earned a Master’s degree in clinical nutrition.
She helps her clients improve their relationship with food, and she provides accountability for goals that have been set together.
Specialties
Kathryn specializes in vegetarian and vegan diets and can also help with nutrition concerns around weight management, diabetes, and bariatric surgery.
How Much Does a Plant-Based Dietitian Cost?
The cost of working with a plant-based dietitian can vary greatly depending on several factors, including:
- Location.
- Setting (health clinic or private practice).
- Other provider specialties.
- Appointment type (consultation or follow-up).
Without insurance coverage, you can expect to pay between $100-200 per session with a registered dietitian.
However, if your insurance covers the visit, your only out-of-pocket cost may be a co-pay.
Do Plant-Based Dietitians Accept Insurance?
It’s important to check with your dietitian before the first visit to make sure you understand their fees and whether they take your insurance.
Most plant-based dietitians accept insurance, but some providers have a cash-pay business model, meaning all payments are out-of-pocket. This is more common in private practice settings.
You’ll also want to check whether your insurance plan covers registered dietitian services.
Many insurance plans cover medical nutrition therapy (MNT) from a registered dietitian.
However, some plans limit their coverage based on diagnosis. For example, Medicare only covers dietitian services if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
Additionally, your insurance may only cover a limited number of appointments each calendar year.
How Can I Find a Plant-Based Dietitian that Accepts My Insurance?
Many insurance plans will offer an online portal where you can search for covered providers, including registered dietitians.
Some allow you to filter by specialty, like plant-based nutrition.
Alternatively, you can search online for a plant-based dietitian you’d like to work with, then contact your insurance to see if that provider is covered.
Nourish takes the guesswork out of finding a registered dietitian. Visits are covered by insurance, with most patients paying $0 out of pocket.
Choose from a wide variety of plant-based dietitians to get started on your health journey.
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Takeaway
Plant-based dietitians are the nutrition experts in helping people follow plant-based diets in a healthy way.
They can help you transition to a plant-based diet, optimize your meals to ensure adequate nutrition, manage nutrition-related health conditions, and more.
Many plant-based dietitians accept insurance, but there may be limitations based on your specific plan.
Talk with your provider before meeting with them to learn about any fees you may be responsible for.
How To Choose the Right Plant-Based Dietitian
It can feel overwhelming to find the right nutrition provider with all of the different options available.
Start by limiting the search to plant-based dietitians who accept your insurance.
From there, you can read more about each provider and other specialties they may have to find the best fit.
Find a plant-based dietitian who can help you balance your diet and feel your best.
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