Positive Innovation: Culina Health

Understanding the challenges associated with accessing nutritional care, registered dietitians Vanessa Rissetto and Tamar Samuels recognized significant barriers like financial limitations and the scarcity of local professionals. In response to these issues, they established Culina Health—a virtual nutrition counseling service dedicated to providing expert dietary support to a wider audience.

Evidence-Based Nutritional Guidance

When initiating Culina, Rissetto and Samuels aimed to offer accessible, tailored, and science-driven nutrition support. Rissetto explains, “Our objective was to create a platform where patients can connect with registered dietitians who are knowledgeable about both scientific principles and the practicalities of daily life.”

Despite millions of Americans living with nutrition-related chronic health issues, a mere 0.2 percent have consulted with a registered dietitian.

Universal Access to Dietary Counseling

Since its launch in 2020, Culina has reached over 10,000 patients, many who felt abandoned after receiving vague advice following a diagnosis. The platform’s team of registered dietitians provides support for various health issues, including weight management, autoimmune disorders, digestive problems, hormonal health, eating disorders, diabetes, and nutrition for athletes.

Rissetto emphasizes that the goal of dietary adjustments is to foster a sense of empowerment rather than helplessness. “Culina aims to equip individuals with the knowledge, assurance, and support they need to implement lasting changes,” she states.

Another vital aspect of Culina’s approach is inclusivity. The platform acknowledges and encourages the relationship between cultural heritage and diet. Rissetto notes, “By fostering conversations about food that are approachable, inclusive, and culturally relevant, Culina works to redefine how nutritional care is viewed and accessed.”

Affordable Nutritional Expertise

Culina’s commitment to accessibility is reflected in its partnerships with a wide range of insurance plans. Currently, 93 percent of Culina’s clients are able to obtain insurance coverage for their services. Rissetto aims to make nutritional care a fundamental aspect of healthcare, rather than an overlooked component.

For those without insurance or lacking sufficient coverage, Culina offers flexible out-of-pocket membership options tailored to individual needs, including personalized counseling and intake services at reduced rates.

Fostering a Promising Future

As Culina continues to evolve, Rissetto identifies three key areas for growth: leveraging technology to personalize and enhance the efficiency of care, expanding the Culina Health Method which emphasizes evidence-based nutrition coaching and fostering a trusting dietitian-patient relationship, and enhancing referral partnerships with healthcare providers to connect patients with dietitians at the point of need.

Moreover, Culina seeks to amplify its national and global presence by providing evidence-based nutritional content through various platforms, including social media and podcasts.

While rapidly expanding, Culina remains dedicated to addressing the unique needs of every individual, with Rissetto succinctly stating, “Nutrition is an intimate matter—it intertwines with culture, family, and identity as much as it does with health.”

This article appeared originally in the January-February 2026 edition of Daitrl magazine (US version).