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Knowing what to eat to nourish your body and boost your overall health can be challenging—especially when life gets busy. Not everyone has the time, patience, or desire to carefully plan every meal, which is why it can help to have someone else do the work for you.
An online nutrition coach can help you reach your goals and ensure optimal nutrition, whether you’re living with a chronic condition or looking to compete in a sport like triathlon. Your goals may also vary, from improving your overall health to nurturing a healthier relationship with food. But finding a qualified online nutritionist can feel like an overwhelming task because there are so many to choose from and they may not all align with your needs. Plus, research also shows weight bias is pervasive in the exercise and nutrition fields. So we’ve put together this list of the best online nutritionists to help you narrow down an option to fit your needs.
Best Online Nutritionists of 2023
- Best Overall: Tepper Nutrition
- Best Integrative Nutrition Service: FRESH Medicine
- Best for General Health: PlushCare
- Best for Chronic Conditions: Dieticians on Demand
- Best for Athletes: Forge Fitness
- Best for Children and Families: Lemond Nutrition
- Best for Pregnant People: Maven
- Best for Eating Disorder Recovery: Recovery Record
Best Overall : Tepper Nutrition
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Tepper Nutrition
- Locations Available: Clinics in Washington, DC, Leesburg, VA, and Old Town Alexandria, VA; and virtually in 11 states, plus Washington, DC
- Pricing: $220 for the initial appointment
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Virtual and in-person
Tepper offers convenient, personalized online nutrition coaching services focusing on overall wellness. A compassionate stance and thorough approach to virtual coaching make this company our top pick.
Focus on intuitive eating and wellness
Personalized one-on-one coaching
Sessions available virtually or in-person
Sliding scale payments
Doesn’t accept insurance
Limited in-person locations
Tepper Nutrition’s qualified team of registered dieticians provides one-on-one nutrition therapy and coaching services to a wide range of clientele, including people with food allergies, food intolerances, and other concerns like chronic conditions. Coaching is available online in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC—or in person in Virginia and DC.
The company’s clear, compassionate, and well-rounded approach to nutrition coaching is what stands out most, though we also particularly like that its coaching philosophy is to help people nurture a healthier relationship with food and their bodies, rather than weight loss.
The initial 15-minute phone consultation involves discussing specific goals and expectations. After this initial call, you’ll meet virtually or in person for an hour-long session to discuss your relationship with food and what you might need guidance with. With ongoing coaching, the goal is to work with you on anything impacting your overall health, whether nutrition or something else.
Tepper Nutrition doesn’t take insurance but does offer a sliding-scale payment option for people experiencing financial hardship. The service also provides paperwork you can submit to your provider for potential reimbursement. While only a handful of user reviews are available, they’re overwhelmingly positive, with customers citing a “judgment-free zone.”
Best Integrative Nutrition Service : FRESH Medicine
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FRESH Med
- Locations Available: NYC for in-person treatment, all 50 states and internationally for online classes
- Pricing: $50–$500 (online classes)
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Portal via web browser
We appreciate FRESH Medicine’s holistic approach to health that combines diagnostic testing, clinical nutrition practices, and complementary therapies.
Combines conventional medicine and complementary approaches
Offers informative virtual courses
Collaborative approach
Doesn’t take insurance
Only one clinic location
Treatment sessions are in-person only
FRESH Medicine’s holistic, patient-centric approach to care and library of online educational content makes it our pick for the best integrative online nutrition coaching. The small, NYC-based service located in Midtown East is helmed by chef Dr. Robert Graham, MD, MPH, and Julie Graham, a certified health coach, yoga instructor, and meditation and aromatherapy expert. Dr. Graham’s extensive experience with integrative and internal medicine makes him highly qualified to help people manage health problems using clinical nutrition and integrative medicine. FRESH Medicine also uses diagnostic testing to get to the bottom of any health woes you may be having.
Ultimately, the pair focuses on much more than what you eat. FRESH Medicine’s five pillars involve nutrition, sleep, happiness, relaxation, and exercise. The couple’s combined expertise makes them well-suited to addressing each of these pillars.
Once you sign up, you can opt to work directly with the couple or take their virtual classes. Before committing to counseling, you can also sign up for a free initial consultation call with Dr. Graham to determine if your goals mesh with FRESH Medicine’s philosophy.
While FRESH Medicine doesn’t take insurance, you can check with your provider to find out if they cover lab testing or other diagnostic services. And though in-person treatment is primarily for NYC residents, FRESH offers value for people outside the state with its comprehensive virtual learning resources. Reviewers who worked with Dr. Graham and Julie Graham consistently cite positive experiences and appreciate the couple’s integrative approach to health. One downside: From what we could tell, FRESH doesn’t espouse a weight-neutral approach to nutrition coaching.
Best for General Health : PlushCare
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PlushCare
- Locations Available: 50 states
- Pricing: $15/month + copay with insurance; self-pay $15/month + $129 for initial consultation ($69 for follow-up consultations)
- Accepts Insurance: Yes
- Platforms: Smartphone app for iOS and Android
PlushCare is a virtual provider that allows you to speak directly with a doctor about your health concerns, including nutrition. The service can also connect you to a mental health professional if you’re struggling with disordered eating or related concerns.
24/7 availability
Easy-to-use smartphone app
Can address general health concerns
Can access mental health professionals
Does not accept Medicare or Medicaid
No specific nutrition coaching option
Not weight-neutral
PlushCare is a great option for tackling health concerns from nutrition and beyond. Launched in 2014, the telehealth platform offers convenient online appointments for prescription renewals, general health concerns, mental health care, sexual health, and more. By making an appointment with a healthcare provider through PlushCare, you can get quick answers to nutrition-related concerns. You can also connect with a mental health professional if you’re dealing with body image issues or need help with an eating disorder.
You can book an appointment straight from your smartphone on the PlushCare app for iOS or Android. After you’ve connected with a doctor (all PlushCare providers are board-certified) and had a consultation, you can communicate with them via unlimited messaging, so you can ask whatever burning questions come to mind, including how your nutrition might impact your general health. And while appointment wait times vary, you likely won’t have to wait longer than a week to speak with someone.
PlushCare also accepts insurance and offers new users a generous 30-day free trial membership. User impressions regarding PlushCare are generally positive, calling the service convenient and easy to use. However, some people complain about customer service and billing issues. It's also worth noting that some of their blog content is pretty fatphobic, indicating that the company does not take a weight-neutral approach.
Best for Chronic Conditions : Dieticians on Demand
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Dieticians on Demand
- Locations Available: All states except DE, LA, MS, MO, RI, SD, and Washington D.C.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the provider; can use flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) funds.
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Website portal and Android and iOS app
Living with chronic illness can make getting optimal nutrition particularly difficult. Dieticians on Demand aims to help people with chronic conditions find solutions to nutrition challenges.
Handy online portal
Convenient smartphone app
Dieticians qualified to work with people with chronic conditions
Can use FSA/HSA funds
Doesn’t accept insurance
Pricing varies according to provider
Not available in 6 states and D.C.
Dieticians on Demand works specifically with people who live with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer. The online nutrition counseling service employs registered dieticians (RDs) who specialize in creating nutrition plans for people with unique needs.
Once you select your location, Dieticians on Demand will provide you with a list of qualified RDs in your area. You can browse the bios, find someone who fits your needs and book a package with them. After activating your account, you can continue completing intake forms using the brand’s smartphone app. Dieticians on Demand also recommends contacting your insurance provider to find out about potential coverage, since they don’t work directly with insurance companies. The service is also available in all states except Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Washington D.C.
An online portal gives you access to various tools, including a food diary and a spot to chat directly with your chosen dietician. Keep in mind that logging food may be helpful to some people, but triggering to others, especially folks that have a history of eating disorders.
While experiences may vary depending on the selected provider, reviews for the Dieticians on Demand service are very positive. People say they appreciate the insight and help they received from the RDs they worked with.
Best for Athletes : Forge Fitness
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Forge Fitness
- Locations Available: All 50 states
- Pricing: $125/month for the standard plan; $175/month for the complete plan; $225/month for the premium plan; $1,800 for the 90-day habit transformation program
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Website and smartphone app
Forge Fitness combines fitness and nutrition coaching to help athletes perform at their best.
RD provides personalized nutrition plan
Combines fitness and nutrition plans
Company doesn’t make outrageous claims
Doesn’t accept insurance
Not suitable for people with medical concerns
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an amateur athlete looking to compete at the top of your game, honing in on your nutrition can help you feel better and more easily reach your goals. Forge Fitness takes the concerns of athletes seriously. It aims to provide nutrition coaching services for those with performance in mind.
Each online fitness training plan comes with a custom meal plan designed specifically for you by an in-house Registered Dietician. And if the meals aren’t quite to your taste, there’s an expansive database of additional recipes and meal plans to choose from, also written by Forge’s RD.
Once you book a package through the Forge website, it takes about one to four days to receive your personalized program. If you’re still unsure about signing up after browsing the options, Forge offers a free program inquiry to those who want to learn more about the fitness and nutrition programs. An inquiry call involves a quick Zoom chat with the Forge founder.
Upon signing up, users receive access to a client portal they can access via the website or Forge Fitness and Nutritions smartphone app. Within the portal, you can communicate directly with your coach, though the frequency of communication depends on your plan. Forge also doesn’t make any lofty promises, and they make it clear that results can vary—even going so far as to avoid posting toxic before-and-after photos on their social media. But it should be noted that the brand isn’t explicitly weight-neutral or anti-diet culture.
Customers online seem to love Forge Fitness and recommend it highly to others, citing excellent customer service and genuinely caring coaches.
Best for Children and Families : Lemond Nutrition
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Lemond Nutrition
- Locations Available: AK, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, IN, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
- Pricing: $200 for initial 90-minute session, $135 for 45- to 60-minute follow-ups
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Website
Lemond Nutrition offers nutrition counseling geared specifically toward children and families. It aims to improve whole-family eating dynamics and pediatric nutrition.
Specifically for children and families
Weight-neutral approach
HIPAA-compliant portal
Can help verify insurance coverage
Not available in all states
Users must provide weight upon sign up
Lemond Nutrition is a Texas-based virtual nutrition counseling service targeting families dealing with nutrition concerns such as unhealthy thinking surrounding food. It may be a good option if you’re concerned about your child’s nutrition and want to improve your child and your family’s overall relationship with food, which involves education on disordered eating and a focus on general health.
And while Lemond requests weight, height, and growth charts for your child, it subscribes to a weight-neutral approach to health. Still, this may be triggering for some. Overall, though, compassion and individuality are essential pillars for Lemond Nutrition practitioners.
Services are available in-person and virtually in AK, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, IN, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.
The initial consultation with a registered dietician lasts around 60 to 90 minutes. Lemond uses a HIPAA-compliant portal to connect you with a provider. Your RD will create a tailored plan for your child or family and follow up with you to discuss progress and any concerns. Follow-up visits last anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes.
Reviews for Lemond Nutrition are overwhelmingly positive, with many mentioning how compassionate and helpful the providers are.
Best for Pregnant People : Maven
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Maven
- Locations Available: Virtual
- Pricing: Copay varies
- Accepts Insurance: Yes
- Platforms: Web and smartphone
Maven offers specialized pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum care with a variety of specialists, including OB-GYNs, prenatal nutritionists, and more.
Can connect you with many pregnancy-related experts
Vast resource library
On-demand advice from practitioners
Some features only for employer-sponsored plans
Doesn’t replace in-person care
Nutrition is a crucial part of prenatal care for you and your baby. Pregnancy takes a heavy toll on your body. Without proper nutrition, you can become deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.
You can video chat and message specialists through the Maven smartphone app and get on-demand access to providers who can answer your burning questions as you move through your pregnancy journey. In addition to 24/7 access to virtual care, Maven has an online resource center filled with helpful articles about pregnancy and more.
While Maven does work with some employers to offer insurance coverage, some features aren’t available unless you have an employer-sponsored Maven plan. Also, keep in mind that the platform isn’t designed to replace in-person care throughout pregnancy but rather serve as an added resource.
Best for Eating Disorder Recovery : Recovery Record
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RecoveryRecord
- Locations Available: Anywhere
- Pricing: Free
- Accepts Insurance: N/A
- Platforms: Smartphone app
Recovery Record allows healthcare providers to easily connect with patients as they navigate eating disorder recovery and work toward better overall health and well-being.
Free to use
Can connect directly with doctor during recovery
Research-backed self-monitoring program
Personalized feedback only if provider opts in
Lack of app personalization options
Aftercare is essential to eating disorder recovery and management, and Recovery Record makes it easy for healthcare professionals to monitor and support patients going through recovery.
Providers can choose to use the platform as they see fit. For example, clinicians can provide patients with meal plans, send private encouragement through secure messaging, and evaluate patient progress via questionnaires.
The app is free to download and use and is designed as an eating disorder recovery companion. You can use it for general eating concerns or connect with your treatment team. The app uses research-based techniques to help you on your path to recovery. It also allows you to jot down meal records with space to note your thoughts and feelings. Other features include:
- Personalized reminders and alarms
- Questionnaires to help you track your progress
- The ability to view feedback straight from your care team
Ratings for the app are incredibly positive, with people saying that it’s a useful tool for eating disorder recovery and healing a bad relationship with food.
Final Verdict
There’s no one online nutrition coaching service that will work for every person. But some providers offer hard-to-find specialized services. Maven, for example, offers pregnancy-related nutrition counseling, and Dieticians on Demand works with people with chronic conditions. Other companies, like Lemond Nutrition, stand out for their weight-neutral approach to nutrition coaching and expertise with kids and families.
But overall, the best online nutritionist is Tepper Nutrition. The company uses a thorough, personalized approach when it comes to its nutrition counseling services. We also love the company’s commitment to intuitive eating.
Compare the Best Online Nutrition Coaches
Company | Where Available | Pricing | Accepts Insurance | Platforms |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tepper Nutrition Best Overall | Anywhere virtually | $220 initial appointment | No | Virtual and in-person in some locations |
FRESH Medicine Best Integrative Nutrition Service | NYC for in-person, anywhere for virtual classes | $50–$500 online classes | No | Web-based for virtual classes |
PlushCare Best for General Health | Anywhere virtually | $15/month plus copay with insurance or $129 initial consult, $69 follow-ups self-pay | Yes | Smartphone app |
Dieticians on Demand Best for Chronic Conditions | All states except DE, LA, MS, MO, RI, SD, D.C. | Varies by state and provider | No | Website and smartphone app |
Forge Fitness Best for Athletes | Anywhere virtually | $125–$1,800 depending on plan | No | Website and smartphone app |
Lemond Nutrition Best for Children and Families | AK, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, IN, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | $200 initial session, $135 follow-ups | No | Website |
Maven Best for Pregnant People | Anywhere virtually | Depends on employer and insurance provider | Yes | Web and smartphone |
Recovery Record Best for Eating Disorder Recovery | Anywhere | Free to use | N/A | Smartphone app |
Guide for Choosing the Best Online Nutritionist
What Are the Benefits of Using an Online Nutritionist?
It can be overwhelming to try and optimize your nutrition without guidance, especially if you have a bad relationship with food or live with a chronic condition. An online nutritionist can help you meet your nutritional needs, maximize your energy, and reach your goals without ever requiring you to leave your home.
Other benefits of nutrition coaching include:
- Advice on improving eating habits and overall health
- One-on-one support to reach your goals
- Introduction to new foods and recipes to fit your lifestyle
Choosing the Best Online Nutritionist for You
Not every nutritionist will be able to meet your needs, and finding a service or provider you mesh with can take some time. Here’s what you might want to consider in your search:
- Pricing: This is crucial since many insurance plans may not cover nutrition coaching services. If you’re on a tight budget, consider a service that offers a sliding payment scale, like Tepper Nutrition.
- Personalization: Anyone can slap together a generic “healthy” meal plan and call it a day. A solid nutrition coaching provider will make sure to personalize your plan to meet your unique needs, whether you’re looking to mend your relationship with food or eat to support your health.
- Company reputation: User reviews can tell you a lot about what to expect from an online nutritionist. When making your decision, it’s a good idea to browse third-party review sites to get a sense of what others think about a particular service.
- Qualifications: Look for services that work with qualified professionals, preferably Registered Dietician Nutritionists (RDNs), and nationally-recognized experts in the field of nutrition. RDNs are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and have undergone rigorous training and accreditation to receive their credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Online Nutritionists Cost?
Fees depend on several factors, including your state and whether your insurance provider covers their services. Online nutritionist services may also vary depending on what’s included in your coaching or counseling package. Some nutritionists also offer a sliding payment scale to help people going through financial difficulties.
What Does an Online Nutritionist Do?
An online nutritionist will generally discuss your needs and goals and provide you with a customized meal plan, though this varies from provider to provider. They may also offer ongoing support and guidance through follow-ups or regular check-ins.
What Is the Difference Between a Dietician and a Nutritionist?
Often, people use these terms to mean the same thing, but they aren’t interchangeable.
Registered dietician nutritionists (RDNs) need certification from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. To become certified, they must meet various qualifications, including education requirements. RDNs are qualified to provide nutrition guidance to people with medical conditions.
While some nutritionists have extensive experience, schooling, and reputable accreditation, like the certified nutritional specialist (CNS) credential, there’s less oversight for nutritionists than RDNs. And some people may call themselves nutritionists without having any formal training. Thus, it’s a good idea to check someone’s credentials before signing up for their services.
What Does “Weight Neutral” Mean?
A weight-neutral approach aims to eliminate fat stigma by moving away from the idea that weight is a primary determinant of health.
Instead, weight-neutral nutritionists seek to heal harmful relationships with food, eliminate any morality surrounding food, teach people how to better honor their hunger and fullness cues, and focus on overall health.
Why Is There No “Best for Weight Loss” Category?
Emerging evidence suggests that exercise may be more important than weight loss for overall health. According to research, a weight-neutral approach to health has many benefits, including improved self-esteem and mental health and a lower risk of eating disorder symptoms.
Our goal in putting together this list was to highlight options that don’t make weight loss a main priority and focus instead on overall health. However, we can’t guarantee that you won’t even hear fat-stigmatizing language from these providers since we haven’t tested them ourselves.
Still, we hope that options like Tepper Nutrition or Lemond Nutrition show that health and wellness don't require making yourself smaller. We encourage you to ask questions and have an open, honest conversation with any nutritionist you’re considering. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or less-than, it’s time to hit the road and look for someone else.
Methodology
We evaluated 24 online nutrition, weight management, and telehealth companies that offer nutrition counseling as part of their services. To do this, we collected over 30+ data points on each one in order to more accurately compare each company and what they offered to users. In order to make our list, the company had to offer medically-sound nutrition support to all its users.
In addition, we looked for companies that are inclusive, non-judgmental, and conscious of possible triggers for people with histories of eating disorders. As a result, we favored companies that are more weight-neutral in their approach. We also looked for companies that accept insurance or offer sliding scales, making their services more inclusive to people who might otherwise be on limited budgets.
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