We’re proud to be your co-pilot on this journey, and are committed to making the process approachable and rewarding. Your dietitian will help you identify where you can make small, sustainable tweaks to your routine and support you in achieving your goals not just for a few months, but for a lifetime.
- Elizabeth Tallerico
Culina Health VP of Care Delivery and Research
Meet Our Team of Dietitians
Select a Specialty
- View All
- Autoimmune Inflammation Nutrition
- Cancer Care Nutrition
- Diabetes and Prediabetes
- Eating Disorders
- Endometriosis
- Exercise & Sports Nutrition
- Gastrointestinal Digestive Health
- General Healthy Eating Guidance
- Health Bariatrics
- Healthy Eating & Wellness
- Heart & Cardiovascular Health
- Hormone Health
- Malnutrition
- Pediatric & Family Nutrition
- Prediabetes, Diabetes & Gestational
- Pregnancy & Postpartum Nutrition
- Relationship with Food & Disordered Eating
- Sustainable Weight Loss Nutrition
- Other Specialties
Optional Sub-Specialty
- View All
Already scheduled your first RD meeting?
Visit our patient onboarding page for tips on how to prepare for your session.
Inclusive care is at the heart of our approach to virtual nutrition care. Culturally-affirming care providers acknowledge and respect the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and values that shape each individual's relationship with food—because we know that to achieve sustainable, lasting well-being, your care must fit into your life (and not the other way around).
Our RDs understand that cultural influences play a crucial role in dietary habits, and we embrace and integrate these unique aspects into your personalized care plan. We take the time to learn about your cultural background, food preferences, and traditions, ensuring that our recommendations align seamlessly with your lifestyle and what matters most to you.
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Our commitment to culturally-affirming care
We're proud of our diverse backgrounds
“How has your cultural culinary heritage shaped your approach to nutrition?”
I was raised in a Pakistani household and experienced a vibrant array of flavors, spices, and culinary techniques that emphasized fresh ingredients and balanced meals. In Pakistani culture, meals are typically enjoyed as a communal experience, and there’s an emphasis on portion control and mindful eating. I encourage my patients to adopt similar practices to foster a positive relationship with food. Honoring cultural practices is an essential piece of my nutritional counseling.
Thai cuisine focuses on multiple flavor profiles, including sweet, sour, salty, savory, and spicy in each dish. It also emphasizes the pairing of meats and seafood with various herbs and spices to be shared with friends and family over rice and vegetables. We encourage more than one way to enjoy a meal, depending on what is being served. Within my practice, I strive to teach my patients multiple approaches to their eating habits and patterns.
My parents are from west and east Africa and this shaped how I approach practices that may be seen as “strange” or “incorrect” in the western world.
Growing up in a Colombian household meant that meals often included arepas, buñuelos, and empanadas. I intentionally learn about my patients’ cultures and how they’ve informed their eating habits. I help them to incorporate traditional foods into a mindful diet, rather than removing it, so they can find joy in building new habits while honoring their cultural traditions.
“What’s your favorite cultural dish or comfort food?”
Panamanian style arroz con pollo (chicken with rice)
Eggplant ravaiya – a spicy, dish of stuffed baby eggplants
Bánh xèo, a crispy Vietnamese crepe filled with meat/seafood
Spanakopita
16 Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, French, Italian, Greek, Thai, Mandarin, Cantonese, Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Hebrew, Urdu, Swedish
At Culina Health, we believe that all people deserve access to clinical nutrition support regardless of age, income level, cultural background, gender identity, or ability.
To ensure that our registered dietitians are equipped to provide affirming care to all patients, we partner with Violet, a platform focused on training healthcare professionals in health equity.
Through Violet, our registered dietitians are trained and empowered to deliver culturally competent, highly personalized care to BIPOC, LGBQ, and TGNC communities.
Training modules include Cultural Competence, Health Equity, Implicit Bias, and a variety of nutrition specific courses focused on equipping our providers with the tools to approach care with curiosity and humility.
Trained providers ensure culturally-sensitive care
Diversity matters.
Studies show that racial and ethnic minorities receive inferior care from healthcare providers compared to white people — even when their insurance status, income, age, and health conditions are the same. Research also shows that every 10% increase in Black provider representation can extend Black people’s lives by nearly 31 days.
That’s why we’ve built a team of RDs that mirrors the diversity of our patient population. By providing inclusive, culturally affirming care to patients of all identities and backgrounds, we can improve quality of life, eliminate healthcare disparities, and reduce the total cost of care.
Advice From Our RDs
Diabetes Care Through the Lens of an RD
The top five ways a registered dietitian can support diabetes management, according to Melissa Alazraki, MS, RDN, CDCES
Food as Fuel
The guidelines Anne Caroll, MS, RDN, recommends for getting the most out of your workout
How to Improve Heart Health
A Q&A with Nahyeli Perpiñá, MS, RDN, CNSC, on heart-healthy eating patterns and lifestyle choices
Sports Nutrition in Action
Jasmine El Nabli, MS, RDN presents on the unique nutritional needs of NFL athletes, recovery, and more
Healthy Snacking on the Fly
See how Alex Balbontin, BS, RDN, recommends keeping nutrition in check while traveling
Portion Control Is in Your Hands
Danielle Daee, RDN, offers a simple solution for portion management
Sports Nutrition in Action
Jasmine El Nabli, MS, RDN presents on the unique nutritional needs of NFL athletes, recovery, and more
Healthy Snacking on the Fly
See how Alex Balbontin, BS, RDN, recommends keeping nutrition in check while traveling
Portion Control Is in Your Hands
Danielle Daee, RDN, offers a simple solution for portion management
Conditions We Treat
Our registered dietitian nutritionists meet with patients virtually to support their nutrition care for a variety of health diagnoses and conditions, including patients with chronic diseases and presenting with multiple conditions. We always take into account patient lifestyle, culture, environment, schedule, and other preferences in our care plans.
Sustainable Weight Loss
Stop counting calories and going on restrictive diets.
Gastrointestinal and Gut Health
Gain control of your gastrointestinal and digestive symptoms.
Heart and Cardiovascular Health
Reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Diabetes and Prediabetes
Hormone Health
General Healthy Eating and Wellness
Autoimmune and Inflammation
Pregnancy and Postpartum Nutrition
Eating Disorders
Exercise and Sports Nutrition
Pediatric and Family Nutrition
Cancer Care Nutrition
“When I first met my dietitian, I was struggling and making bad decisions despite my best intentions. She was able to create a program that matched my goals, and, more importantly, she was able to integrate good nutrition into my existing lifestyle rather than changing it completely.”
Suzanne H.
“Seeing my dietitian has honestly changed my life. She made it easy as it was not about overhauling my life, but about implementing subtle changes until I developed better, healthier habits.”
Jackie U.
“I came across Culina Health on Instagram and decided to give it a try. I had no idea my insurance would cover 100% of my sessions! I thought working with a dietitian was a luxury for the financially wealthy — I'm glad I now know better!”
Etoyia H.
FAQs
What is a registered dietitian?
Registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are nationally-recognized food and nutrition healthcare professionals who are uniquely qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT). RDs complete extensive nutrition education and 1,000+ hours of clinical training. They must pass national board exams for licensure, and stay up-to-date on current evidence-based guidelines with mandatory continuing education credits.
How do I get matched to a registered dietitian?
Our care team considers a variety of factors when pairing patients with dietitians, including your location, health goals, and preferred medical nutrition therapy approach in addition to any referring physicians or chronic conditions that might have brought you to us. Many of our dietitians have areas of specialization that particularly qualify them to assist patients with certain health concerns.
How much does it cost?
93% of our patients receive insurance coverage for their visits. If you have health insurance, your sessions will most likely be covered under your plan. See our insurance page for how to verify your coverage with your insurance company.
If you’re not covered by insurance, we're still committed to helping you fit registered dietitian sessions into your budget. Check out our affordable memberships or reach out to our support team at info@culinahealth.com or 917-647-1665.
Will I have to follow a specific diet?
Short answer: no. Because our care is personalized, we don't subscribe to any single diet or eating trend; instead, we work with you in 1:1 sessions to develop sustainable plans tailored to your individual background, preferences, and needs. (And if the plan isn’t working for any reason — we change it!)
Once you schedule your first session, you’ll gain access to the Culina Health app. This will be your home for meal tracking, recipes, and other healthy eating tips week to week (plus you can chat with your registered dietitian in real time).
What happens during a typical session?
The process is slightly different for everyone, but generally your sessions will include discussions of your eating habits and goals, troubleshooting for any struggles you may be having, and planning for the week ahead.
All of our registered dietitians are trained to deliver culturally competent, identity-centered care. Your conversations will be judgment-free, and your dietitian will take care to respect your individual background.
What if I have to change my appointment time?
You can cancel and reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours before with no penalty!
What if I don’t click with my registered dietitian?
We want you to have the best support possible. If it’s not the right fit, we'll help you rematch.
What We Treat
Resources
Who We Are
Locations
Sustainable Weight Loss
Gastrointestinal and Digestive Health
Heart and Cardiovascular Health
Diabetes and Prediabetes
Hormone Health
General Healthy Eating and Wellness
Autoimmune and Inflammation
Pregnancy and Postpartum Nutrition
Eating Disorders
Exercise and Sports Nutrition
Pediatric and Family Nutrition
Cancer Care Nutrition
New Patients
New Patients
Current Patients
Current Patients
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