How culturally competent dietitians are transforming nutrition advice for good

A growing number of dietitians and nutritionists are prioritising cultural competency in their practice. These professionals challenge traditional norms by embracing inclusive approaches to health and nutrition. Their work centres on accessibility, empathy, and respect for cultural foods. Vanessa Rissetto, a registered dietitian, leads Culina Health, a virtual platform focused on making nutrition advice empathetic and accessible. Cesar Sauza, another RD, offers bilingual consultations at AltaMed Health Services, catering to both Spanish- and English-speaking clients.

Amanda Frothingham specialises in helping clients build healthy relationships with food, particularly those recovering from disordered eating. Dalina Soto, known as Your Latina Nutritionist, promotes diverse recipes and rejects the idea that cultural foods are inherently unhealthy. Lauren Bell, MPH, highlights how diet culture often unfairly stigmatises traditional foods, linking these biases to broader discrimination.

Maya Feller, RD, takes a holistic view, emphasising joy and environment as key aspects of well-being. For those seeking a culturally aware practitioner, experts suggest asking about their approach to cultural foods. Healthline’s FindCare tool can also assist in finding a suitable dietitian or nutritionist. These practitioners are reshaping nutrition advice by focusing on inclusivity and cultural understanding. Their methods aim to make health guidance more relevant and respectful of individual backgrounds. This shift helps clients receive support that aligns with their values and traditions.