If you are on the fence about seeing a vegan nutritionist, you have to read this!
Find out why they are important, who they actually help, and examples of some vegan Dietitians making waves online!
Disclaimer: This article provides information and the writers own opinions. It is not providing personal medical or dietary advice. Talk to your own doctor about health concerns. See our Disclaimers for more details.
A Note About the Word “Nutritionist”: I used this term in the title because, per my keyword research tool, it was a more commonly searched term than ‘dietitian.’
This article is not about seeing any nutritionist. Instead, it’s about the importance of seeing a credentialed expert known as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
5 Top Reasons You Should See a Vegan Nutritionist
Without further ado, here’s a quick summary of the top reasons vegans might want to see a vegan Registered Dietitian Nutritionist:
- Dietitians are credentialed nutrition experts.
- Many new and well seasoned vegans have a nutrition knowledge gap.
- You practice veganism and want extra nutrition guidance.
- Several practitioners are against vegan diets.
- You may be a vegan with more complex nutrition needs.
1. Dietitians are credentialed nutrition experts.
As a dietitian myself, I may be a little biased. But there’s a lot behind those RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) credentials!
In the US, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN’s) must obtain a degree from a accredited dietetics program, complete a supervised internship, and pass a national exam.
From 2024 and moving forward, a masters degree is required.
Some states have licensure, and all RDN’s need to complete a certain amount of continuing education to maintain the credentials(1).
In contrast, if you decide you want to call yourself a nutritionist, you don’t necessarily need to do anything (although, some states have rules about using the term) (2).
That’s why it’s wise to choose a nutritionist who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist!
If you are a vegan who needs extra help with the nutrition side of things, would you rather go to someone who has a background in the science of nutrition or someone who just read a book about nutrition one day?
I know my answer. 🙂
2. Many new and well seasoned vegans have a nutrition knowledge gap.
There’s a reason why you might automatically think of “meat” when you hear the word “protein.” Or: “dairy” when you hear someone mention calcium.
Nutrition education has centered animals as an important source of nutrients for a long time. So It’s no wonder that it will take some time to learn how to meet your nutrient needs without them!
You’re knowledge is going to be leveled up by learning from our vegan food & nutrition resource library. And, I’d definitely suggest starting with my vegan guide.🔽
But, if you want personal and individualized advice, see a a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who provides nutrition counseling (and expertise on a vegan diet is ideal!).
3. You practice veganism and want extra nutrition guidance
This one follows closely with the second reason!
Maybe you are someone who already identifies as vegan, and you need extra nutrition help.
In fact, I’m just going to take a wild guess!
If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you either are vegan or thinking about making the transition.
I’m not sure why you are interested in this philosophy and lifestyle, but I do know that it can be tricky to find solid vegan nutrition information.
That’s why Plant Powered You exists!
But, again, if you are looking for personalized advice, you should consider a one on one consult with a dietitian who understands vegan nutrition.
Maybe you want someone who ‘gets it’ when you don’t want to eat cereal with vitamin D from sheep’s wool.
And my next point is a (perhaps the) driving reason why you may want to look for a vegan identifying dietitian if you are vegan.
4. Several practitioners are against vegan diets.
True story: I told a doctor that I was vegan. They asked why.
I responded: to reduce my contribution to animal suffering.
Their response?: “You know, that’s not going to save animals.”
Unfortunately, that’s where the conversation stops for some vegans seeking healthcare.
Our values are not understood or accepted. Sometimes we are told that vegan diets aren’t healthy with no explanation.
While we don’t have to agree that vegan diets are the healthiest, we do know that many of us can eat healthfully on this eating pattern (3).
If a doctor has a specific reason why one cannot consume a vegan diet, we need to know why in order to make an informed decision. After all, you didn’t choose a vegan lifestyle because it was easy!
A dietitian who identifies as vegan might be more likely to understand these frustrations. He/she can give you references, and questions to ask your doctor.
And of course, it’s possible that your doctor doesn’t even know dietitians with vegan expertise exist!
Chances are, he/she will be more comfortable knowing you are getting expert nutrition advice from a credentialed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with experience in this area.
5. You may be a vegan with more complex nutrition needs
Here are some examples of more complex area’s that could benefit from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’s help (FYI: not a comprehensive list):
- medical conditions (examples include diabetes, chronic kidney disease, food allergies)
- very active occupations or activities (for example, body builders or those who train for marathons)
- pregnancy + postpartum
- picky eaters
And despite all the ‘diet programs’ out there, it’s ideal to see a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist if you have weight loss goals.
While dietitians learn about a variety of conditions, some further their knowledge by becoming board certified specialists in areas like renal and oncology nutrition.
If you are vegan and you have more complex nutrition needs, finding a RDN who is well versed in plant based nutrition can make a big difference.
How to Find a Vegan Nutritionist ( plus, 10 you should be following!)
Finding a vegan nutritionist can be as simple as a google search.
You could google “vegan Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in ____ (fill in the blank your area). I’d highly recommended looking for the RD or RDN credentials, and reaching out first to see if they can work with you.
And just for fun, I thought I’d share a few vegan identifying dietitians (some of whom I’ve met via the Plant Powered You Podcast! 😊 )
Transitioning to a Vegan Diet: Sapna Peruvemba, MS, RDN
Sapna helps new and well seasoned vegans level up their knowledge through nutrition coaching and programs.
Vegan Pregnancy Nutritionist: Maya Bach, MPH RDN
Having gone through two plant based pregnancies myself, I know the struggles and challenges that come with living in a meat centric country! (P.S. you can read more about my last pregnancy (including my birth story!) here).
Maya Bach, MPH, RDN is a dietitian, and vegan who knows how overwhelming it can be to try to figure out “veganized” prenatal nutrition. She offers group counseling for vegans who are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Vegan Kids Dietitian: Karla Moreno-Bryce MDA, RD, LD
Raising vegan kids can so feel isolating sometimes.
It seems like once you say your kids are plant based, everyone has an opinion about nutrition!
Learning from an expert is especially important when discussing nutrition for littles.
Karla Moreno-Bryce MDA, RD, LD (@Vegan.Kids.Nutrition on Instagram) is both a vegan mom and dietitian who offers a course all about vegan nutrition for kids ages 6 months to 8 years old. She’s even added a baby lead weaning course, as well as a cookbook!
I had the pleasure of speaking with Karla on the Plant Powered You Podcast! You can listen to our episode about picky eating here!
Intuitive Eating: Angela Wortley, RDN
Intuitive eating is a framework of 10 principles that can help you listen to your body cues for nourishment in a weight neutral way.
There are several dietitians who can help you understand how to use this frame work, but some might be unfamiliar with combining your values as a vegan with intuitive eating.
Angela Wortley, RDN is a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and vegan who helps individuals apply this frame work. As a vegan herself, she also knows that intuitive eating an veganism can coexist! She also works in a wide range of other areas from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) to eating disorders.
Sports Nutrition: Anna Titcomb, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN
Want to make gains in the gym, on the field, or recreationally? A dietitian specializing in sports nutrition can help!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Anna Titcomb, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN on the the Plant Powered You Podcast (You can check out the episode here!).
She helps active people who are interested in plant based nutrition, and just so happens to be a vegan herself, so you know you are working with someone who ‘gets it!’).
You can reach out to Anna on her Instagram @A.T_R.D or
Bariatric Nutrition: Ashley Krautkramer, RD, CSOWM, CD, CDCES
Ashley Krautkramer, RD, CSOWM, CD, CDCES helps individuals who want to be (or continue to stay) plant based after bariatric surgery!
She is worked with this population for more than 6 years, and has been vegan even longer!
Get to know Ashley a little better by listening to this podcast episode where we talk about communicating with your doctor about your values as a vegan.
Renal Nutrition: Kate Zalewski, RDN, CSR, LDN
Kate Zalewski, RDN CSR, LDN is a board certified specialist in renal nutrition, and she’s passionate about supporting clients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through a plant forward diet.
You can hear more about how she became vegan, thoughts about vegan diets and kidney disease, and Lizzo over on this podcast episode!
If you are ready to get some help with the nutrition for CKD, Kate has a variety of products and services, from custom meal plans to her signature program.
Vegan Moms (Postpartum): Leonila Campos MBA, RD
Leonila Campos MBA, RD is a vegan of over 2 decades!
She developed her passion for helping moms after working at a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. That passion grew even more after having her first son.
We had a really good conversation over on the podcast, so don’t miss that episode (you can read it or listen here)!
Vegan Runners: Amanda Wagner, M.E.d, RDN, LDN
Amanda is both a vegan competitive runner and a dietitian!
As certified running coach, she helps runners with their plant powered game plan.
Gut health: Dahlia Marin, RDN, LD, CGN
Along with her husband, James, Dahlia runs a practice called ‘Married to Health,’ that includes the first 100% plant -based SIBO/IBS nutrition program.
Dahlia had a diagnosis of IBS herself, knows the struggles that come with this condition. She has been plant based for 13 years, and serves a variety of gut conditions using a whole food plant based approach.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, share it with a friend!
If you enjoyed this article, you might want to check out these as well!:
–THE List of Plant Based Diet Book Picks from Dietitians
–How I Became A Fully Plant Based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
–Dietitian Recommendations for Whole Food Plant Based Diet Snacks
-Is the Future Vegan?
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