Best Nutritionists 2022
KW Nutrition
KW Nutrition is a wellness firm providing dietitian and nutrition services in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and the company specializes primarily in weight management and eating disorders. KW Nutrition founder, Karla Whitley has over thirty years of industry experience, and she provides in-person nutrition services as well as remote coaching via email or phone. The company offers a one-of-a-kind program, Dietitian In A Box®, and the eight-week program includes initial consultation, customized handbook, and powerful tools focused on overall nutritional health. The program cost is $345, and for clients who wish to continue with the program, an additional series of eight sessions cost $295. Whitley is certified in Adult Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is also a Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian.
Betty Murray, CN, IFMCP
Betty Murray, CN, IFMCP is a nutrition and health expert with over ten years of professional experience serving the Dallas area. Murray specializes in digestive disorders, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal imbalances, and she offers comprehensive information and evaluation of your digestive health and nutritional status. A variety of nutritional and functional testing such as Urinary Hormone Metabolites, Gastrointestinal Stool Testing, Genetic SNP Testing Analysis, and Food Sensitivity, Food and Environmental Allergies (IgE/IgG/IgA) are available at her clinic. After testing, each patient receives a Metabolic Blueprint™ Snapshot which contains all laboratory results, health history and a detailed report explaining the test results. Murray is also keynote wellness speaker, and she is the author of two books, Banish Body Fat! and Cleanse: Detox Your Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Lindsey Ray, MS, RD, LD
Lindsey Ray is a registered nutritionist based in Dallas. She has been providing guidance in personal wellness for over ten years. Lindsey is a mother that understands the difficulties of raising a family and maintaining self-care. She offers nutrition wellness services to clients looking for a lifestyle change that includes weight management and meal planning. Lindsey also provides sports nutrition services that include customized calorie targets, macro ratios specific to any sport, hydration protocols, and nutrition for recovery.
Summer Lamons Nutrition Consulting
Summer Lamons Nutrition Consulting is a health, wellness, and fitness company providing services to individuals, groups, and businesses in Dallas and surrounding suburbs. Owner, Summer Lamons is a registered and licensed dietitian who specializes in therapeutic and wellness nutrition counseling. Lamons offers customized, one-on-one counseling, and she helps individuals with health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Lamons also specializes in sports nutrition and wellness and also offers clients nutrition coaching, meal planning, and grocery store tours. Lamons is a seasoned public speaker lecturing to businesses and organizations, and she works with corporations in developing wellness programs. Lamons has a Master of Science in Dietetics with an emphasis in Health Promotion, from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and she previously worked for Baylor Health Care System and Medical Center of Plano.
DietGenics
DietGenics is a nutrition consulting firm with offices in Dallas and Carrollton. Founder, Araceli Vázquez has over 20 years of professional experience, and the company specializes in practical nutrition consulting with an emphasis on diabetes, weight management, coaching, and family nutrition. DietGenics also offers expert nutritional advice in healthy shopping, and Vázquez provides clients with in-home instruction on how to best prepare foods for maximum nutritional value. Vázquez is available for expert testimony and article writing, and she frequently lectures on nutrition. Araceli Vázquez has an MS in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University and a BS in Chemistry and Biology from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in México City. She is a registered dietitian and a licensed dietitian in Texas, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the practice of Dietetics from the Dallas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics in 2015.
Laura May-Roelse, CEDRD, MA RD/LD
Laura May-Roelse, CEDRD, MA RD/LD is a Dallas-based registered dietitian in private practice offering nutritional counseling for children, adolescents, and adults. Laura specializes in childhood feeding problems, eating disorders, vegetarian eating in childhood, prenatal and postnatal nutrition, and guidance in sports nutrition for teen athletes and semi-elite professionals, and counseling sessions take place in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. The practice believes in a comprehensive approach to healthcare, and Laura works in close collaboration with therapists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, occupational, and speech therapists. Laura is also a dynamic speaker and is available for lectures at schools and businesses, and she frequently talks about eating disorders at numerous colleges and universities. Laura has a Master of Arts degree in Professional Development in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University.
Rachael McBride, MCN, RD/LD
Rachael McBride, MCN, RD/LD is a Dallas-based licensed and registered dietitian, as well as a nutrition counselor. McBride holds a Master of Clinical Nutrition from UT Southwestern, and she has been in practice since 2012. She specializes in disordered eating and eating disorders, weight management, sports nutrition, and vegetarian and vegan regimes. McBride teaches clients to develop trusting relationships between food and body, find peace with food, and to stop being afraid to eat. Introductory, in-person assessments are 90 minutes, and the cost is $125, and 50-minute follow-up sessions are $125. Phone, Skype, or FaceTime appointments are also available after the initial meeting. McBride offers a series of discounted packages, and she provides a coded invoice for insurance company reimbursement. McBride writes a blog, Love & Groceries that offers solid advice to those who struggle with weight or have a challenging relationship with food.
Nutrition by Kara
Nutrition by Kara is a personal health coach and certified nutritionist serving the Dallas area for over six years. Founder, Kara Stout provides nutritional services for brides, wives, and girl bosses who want to achieve weight loss, increase energy, decrease stress, and aspire to live a clean, healthy lifestyle. She also provides workshops, cooking lessons, and food and lifestyle photography classes. Nutrition by Kara focuses on the bride-to-be and offers four essential packages that range in price from $150 to $1,870, and Stout will customize packages for women of all ages looking to live a healthier life. Stout has an M.Ed. in Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University, and she appears in many well-known publications such as Glamour, InStyle, and the Glitter Guide.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- Introduction
- What does a nutritionist do?
- What are the different types of nutritionists?
- Is a nutritionist a doctor?
- What degree does a nutritionist need?
- Do nutritionists have to be licensed?
- What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
- Should I see a dietitian or nutritionist to lose weight?
- Can a nutritionist give me a meal plan?
- How much does a nutritionist cost?
- Does Medicare cover nutritionists?
- Does insurance cover nutritionists?
- How do you become a nutritionist?
- How long does it take to become a nutritionist?
- How to become a certified nutritionist?
- How much do nutritionists make?
- How to become an animal nutritionist?
- Where do nutritionists work?
- Q: Introduction
- A: It's estimated that 95% of Americans don't meet their daily fiber intake. This is just one example of how the average person's diet may be lacking. A diet deficient in proper nutrients and vitamins can lead to low energy levels, difficulties with memory and problem-solving, as well as various short- or long-term health issues.
Luckily, a nutritionist can help identify whether a person is missing critical components in their diet and help them create a plan to address these deficiencies. A nutritionist can also help identify food allergies or intolerances, share healthy recipes, create an exercise plan, and monitor a person's progress toward a goal. There are many nutritionists out there, so you want to make sure you understand the different types of nutritionists and how they can help before hiring anyone. - Q: What does a nutritionist do?
- A: A nutritionist is a specialist in food, nutrition, and health. People can go to a nutritionist to get help with their health-related goals, including diet and exercise plans. The plans are customized to the individual and their unique problems or goals.
- Q: What are the different types of nutritionists?
- A:
- Clinical nutritionists typically work with people to help resolve health issues through a nutritious diet.
- Sports nutritionists works with athletes or active people who want to elevate their nutrition.
- Holistic nutritionists look to improve the person’s mind, body, and soul. They focus on using natural foods versus conventional medicine.
- Q: Is a nutritionist a doctor?
- A: A nutritionist doesn't have to be a doctor, but a doctor can be a nutritionist. A doctor is an individual with a Doctor of Medicine or a doctorate (Ph.D.) degree. A nutritionist can have just a license, although in some states, even that isn't required. Therefore, a doctor has above-and-beyond credentials to be a nutritionist, but a nutritionist isn't a doctor.
- Q: What degree does a nutritionist need?
- A: A registered nutritionist needs to have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Some of the most common majors for nutritionists are food science, nutrition, biochemistry, dietetics, biology, and chemistry.
Registered nutritionists can also go on to get their Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition. - Q: Do nutritionists have to be licensed?
- A: Not all states require nutritionists to be licensed or certified. However, many clients prefer to work with a licensed nutritionist for peace of mind that the person is qualified in their field. Additionally, most people prefer to work with a licensed nutritionist if they have insurance, so they can be reimbursed for costs.
- Q: What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
- A: A handful of states don't monitor use of the title "nutritionist." A person can opt to get a license or certification in these states, but it's not mandatory. In comparison, a dietitian has to earn their title with a national board certification. Additionally, 13 states require dietitians to be licensed.
- Q: Should I see a dietitian or nutritionist to lose weight?
- A: Either a dietitian or a nutritionist can help you lose weight. Clients work with these professionals to set realistic goals and make meal and exercise plans to achieve their goals. Both dietitians and nutritionists can teach individuals about nutrition so they can lose weight and maintain a healthy weight long-term.
- Q: Can a nutritionist give me a meal plan?
- A: A nutritionist can build a customized meal plan based on a person's goals and needs. The purpose of this meal plan is to reteach the client how to eat healthily. Eventually, as the individual adopts these new eating habits, they'll be able to continue on without a meal plan.
- Q: How much does a nutritionist cost?
- A: The average cost of a session with a nutritionist can range from $90 to $130. This price can vary depending on factors such as the state you’re in, the level of education of the nutritionist, the length of the session, and others. Some nutritionists will offer a discount on prepaid packages of sessions.
- Q: Does Medicare cover nutritionists?
- A: Medicare only covers medical nutritional therapy (MNT) for beneficiaries with certain conditions, such as have diabetes or kidney disease, or who've had a kidney transplant in the last three years. In some cases, Medicare Part B may pay for nutritional therapy. If nutritional therapy is covered, services must be provided by a licensed and certified nutritionist.
- Q: Does insurance cover nutritionists?
- A: Many insurance plans cover nutritionists, although some plans require referrals from a person's primary care doctor. Contact your insurance provider directly to find out if you have coverage, the claim limit per session, and the annual maximum for nutritional services. Additionally, ask if a nutritionist needs to meet specific requirements, such as being licensed or certified.
- Q: How do you become a nutritionist?
- A: In some states, anyone with an interest in nutrition can start practicing as a nutritionist. However, most individuals choose to become a registered nutritionist by:
- Earning a bachelor's degree in a relevant field
- Completing a Master’s degree in clinical nutrition
- Passing state or national licensing/certification exams, such as the Certified Nutrition Specialist exam
- Q: How long does it take to become a nutritionist?
- A: The time frame to become a nutritionist varies. In some states, you can start immediately without any specialized education or certifications. It can take four years and a few months to earn a bachelor’s degree and pass a national exam. Some pursue a Master’s degree, which takes an additional two years.
- Q: How to become a certified nutritionist?
- A: The steps to becoming a certified nutritionist are:
- Complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition or a master’s degree in human nutrition
- Complete a minimum 900-hour internship
- Obtain hands-on clinical experience
- Pass the national board exam
- Q: How much do nutritionists make?
- A: According to Salary.com, nutritionists in the United States have a median salary of $64,200. The salary range runs from $53,310 to $76,427. The salary a nutritionist earns depends on a number of factors, such as their education, license and certification status, years of experience in the field, and what state they work in, among others.
- Q: How to become an animal nutritionist?
- A: Animal nutritionists specialize in the dietary needs of different animal species. To become an animal nutritionist, individuals need to:
- Earn a bachelor's degree
- Possibly gain internship or apprenticeship experience
- Obtain certification through the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (optional)
- Obtain certification through the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians (optional)
- Q: Where do nutritionists work?
- A: Nutritionist can work for themselves or in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, community health centers, or spas and wellness centers. They can also work for educational institutions, government agencies or in the food service or pharmaceutical industries. Animal nutritionists can work in veterinary clinics or animal hospitals.