How much does a nutritionist cost?

Average nutritionist costs and pricing models

You can seek nutrition counseling from various sources, including dietitians and nutritionists. Both provide specialized services based on their experience and certifications. Services may include sports nutrition, chronic disease management and meal planning.

• Dietitians are medical professionals who work in doctor’s offices or hospitals. They can treat illnesses related to nutrition. For example, your doctor may recommend a consultation with a dietitian if you are newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

  Dietitians have higher education requirements than nutritionists and health coaches. In fact, there are strict guidelines for nutrition professionals using the dietitian distinction. They must have a master’s degree from an accredited program, pass a national exam to obtain licensure and complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice. Dietitian fees for patients are typically higher than other professions in the field – you can expect to pay between $100 and $250 for an initial consultation with a dietitian.

• Nutritionists, on the other hand, may not have the same education requirements for licensure, depending on the state. Also, in certain states (like Arizona and South Carolina), a license is not required to provide nutrition counseling to clients. However, health insurance may not cover services from an unlicensed nutritionist.

While nutritionists who aren’t registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) cannot technically provide medical nutritional therapy to patients with chronic diseases, they can still help you accomplish personal health goals. A nutritionist can make lifestyle recommendations and develop meal plans for you, whether those include losing weight, eating healthier foods or both.

Nutritionists typically charge an hourly rate, which can vary depending on where you live. For example, according to data compiled between 2017 and 2019 by Sidecar Health, an American health insurance company based in California, average costs were higher in Alaska than in other states, ranging from $99 to $147. On the other hand, fees were lowest in Iowa, ranging from $69 to $103.

Nutritionists may also require an initial consultation, generally lasting between 45 to 60 minutes, which can cost more than follow-up visits. You can expect to pay around $150 for an initial consultation with a nutritionist, according to cost data gathered by Sidecar Health.

Follow-up visits can cost $100 or more. The ConsumerAffairs Research Team looked at three different nutrition counseling providers nationwide — they offered initial consultations ranging from $175 to $250, compared with follow-up visits ranging from $80 to $150.

Nutrition counseling providers may also offer packages that bundle several visits for one price and include extra perks like meal plans. Purchasing packages upfront can significantly lower the hourly cost of a visit.

Factors influencing nutritionist fees

There are several factors that influence nutritionist’s fees, including education, experience, specialization and geographic location. For example, nutritionists with a graduate degree or doctorate generally charge higher fees than those with only a bachelor’s degree. In addition, professionals with many years of experience may charge more than those just starting out.

Services a nutritionist may offer:

• General nutrition education and counseling: These services address how your diet affects your overall health and what modifications you can make to better nourish your body.
• Specialized plans: These plans can be for weight loss or lifestyle changes and may be based on exercise and/or nutrition (e.g., meal plans for those training for a marathon).
• Body composition analysis: The results of this analysis give insight into your current fat and lean muscle mass percentages. They also show changes in body fat percentage over time. Nutritionists may offer this service as an alternative to measuring weight loss.

Where you live can also affect how much you’ll pay for a nutritionist. According to cost data from Sidecar Health, residents in Midwestern and Southern states paid lower fees on average than those in Northern and Western states. Here’s more detail on how nutritionist fees varied by location between 2017 and 2019:

• Midwest: $69 to $138
• North: $74 to $132
• South: $72 to $129
• West: $73 to $147
• Washington, D.C.: $84 to $125

Generally speaking, nutritionists charge a similar hourly rate for in-person and virtual visits. Additional support via email or phone may also cost you hourly, depending on the provider. In the initial consultation with the nutritionist, ask how follow-up questions can be addressed.

Insurance coverage and nutritionist services

Many insurance plans cover nutritionist services; however, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider for details on coverage. For example, some insurance plans will only cover visits with a registered dietitian if you’ve been diagnosed with a health condition (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc.). If you’re covered, the insurance company may provide a list of in-network nutritionists from which to choose.

Out-of-pocket costs can also vary. If insurance doesn’t cover services 100%, you could have a small copay, typically between $10 and $40 or 10% to 20% of the total visit cost.

If you have Medicare Part B, 100% of the costs may be covered if you have kidney disease or diabetes. Individuals with a recent kidney transplant may also qualify. Medicaid may also cover visits with a nutritionist, depending on your state. However, you may need to obtain a referral from a health care professional. If you have a preferred nutritionist you wish to see, you may contact them to see if they accept Medicaid.

Cost-effective nutrition counseling options

Nutrition counseling can be an investment in your health, but some options may not be budget-friendly for everyone. Here are some tips to consider when looking into cost-effective options:

• Know your health goals ahead of time. Coming in with goals can help you decide what type of assistance will work best in your situation (e.g., one-on-one visits, group coaching or self-guided programs).
• Contact your health insurance company to see if nutrition counseling is covered under your plan.
• Look into package deals that may bring down the per-visit costs.
• Ask for a free discovery call or trial session before committing to a provider. You’ll want to ensure that this individual understands your goals and can develop a collaborative plan to help you achieve them. Also, make sure the nutritionist is transparent about pricing upfront.
• Compare program or visit costs with multiple providers. You can try negotiating for discounted services based on costs other nutritionists are charging.
• Consider meeting with a board-certified health or wellness coach who addresses issues holistically.  Health coaches can help with various health conditions and may charge lower hourly rates than nutritionists, typically ranging from $50 to $200.

Bottom line

A nutritionist can help you understand how your diet impacts your health, which can be a worthwhile investment of time and money. However, make sure you do your research before deciding on one particular provider. You may find other more cost-effective options (such as a health coach) to suit your needs.