What is nutrition counseling?
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Nutrition counseling is a supportive process that helps you set goals, implement sustainable changes, and foster self-care. All sessions are conducted using medical nutrition therapy, a clinical approach to treating health conditions with nutritious food.
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Managing chronic health conditions
with diet
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Nutrition counseling isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation — I take the time to review and understand your health status, current diet and eating habits. Based on what is learned during the initial counseling stages, we'll construct a a diet, which may include dairy free, plant-based, gluten free, anti-inflammatory diet or other combinations based on you as an individual and your personal experience with chronic illness. We'll also view lab results and explain how nutrients affect your health, working with you to create an eating plan designed to help you effectively manage your condition.
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Nutrition counseling helps a variety
of conditions
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Diabetes/ Pre-Diabetes Cardiovascular Health Hypertension High Cholesterol
Obesity Digestive Disorders Kidney Disease PCOS Autoimmune Diseases
Food Addiction Emotional Eating Issues Food Allergies General Health
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The benefits of nutrition counseling​
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Helps prevent, slow and reverse specific disease states, such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and obesity.
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Reduces risk of developing future ailments and extends lifespan.
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Helps develop sustainable eating habits.
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Optimizes digestive processes and helps manage digestive issues.
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Increases your daily energy and activity levels.
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Reduces your health care cost.
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Improves your relationship with food.
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How it works:
What to expect in the first session:
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In the first session we start with an initial nutrition assessment, during which we discuss your medical history, nutrition goals and expectations. I want to learn about you as a person. What are your typical meal patterns, lifestyle habits, and favorite foods? A lot of our time will be spent learning about your relationship with food and how it has shaped your daily habits. Together, we’ll develop a plan to get you started, at your own pace.
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What happens after the first session:
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We’ll set up a time to meet weekly or every other week to follow-up on your goals, discuss your experience and implement behavioral change techniques. Because many small changes are easier to make than one massive lifestyle change, meeting on a regular basis helps keep you on track and accountable to your goals. Nutrition counseling can be a short term or longer term undertaking depending on the support you need.
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Is nutrition counseling covered by health insurance?
Nutrition counseling is likely covered by your health insurance if it is part of a doctor-prescribed treatment for a medical condition, such as:
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Diabetes
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Obesity
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High blood pressure
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Kidney disease
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Coronary heart disease
Wellness visits may also be covered. Keep in mind that your health insurance plan may require a referral from your PCP. Please use the contact form below to request further instruction.
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If you live in New York State:
Iraina accepts most health insurance plans in New York State. Please fill out the contact form below for more information.
Depending on your health insurance plan, out of network benefits may cover nutrition counseling. Please contact your health insurance plan for more information.
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If you don’t live in New York State:
Depending on which state you live in nutrition counseling may be covered by your out of network benefits. This means that the cost of the session with be collected at the time of the visit and your health insurance plan will issue you a reimbursement.
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Paying out of pocket:
If your health insurance does not cover nutrition counseling, you will be able to pay out of pocket for this service. Nutrition sessions are booked in packages of 3 or more. Affordable cash-pay rates are available. Please use the contact form below for more information.