Registered dietitians Vanessa Rissetto and Tamar Samuels recognize the challenges that many face regarding dietary care and access to expert guidance. Factors such as financial limitations and the scarcity of local professionals can make it tough to find a reliable dietitian. Aiming to alleviate these issues, Rissetto and Samuels launched Culina Health—a virtual nutrition counseling platform dedicated to making expert nutritional support available to all.
Research-supported Nutrition Guidance
When Rissetto and Samuels established Culina, they aimed to provide affordable and tailored evidence-based nutrition solutions. “Our vision was to create a platform connecting patients with registered dietitians who both understand scientific principles and appreciate the realities of daily life,” Rissetto notes.
Despite millions of Americans living with chronic health issues related to nutrition, only 0.2 percent have ever sought help from a registered dietitian.
Accessible Dietary Counseling for All
Since its launch in 2020, Culina has assisted over 10,000 patients, many of whom felt abandoned after receiving a diagnosis or vague recommendations. The array of registered dietitians at Culina offers specialized nutritional support for various conditions, such as weight management, autoimmune disorders, digestive health, hormonal balance, eating disorders, diabetes, and sports nutrition.
The aim during dietary transitions is to empower rather than deter patients. “Culina’s mission is to equip individuals with the knowledge, confidence, and support to achieve lasting changes,” says Rissetto.
Inclusivity in care is another key facet of Culina’s vision, encouraging a dialogue about the relationship between cultural heritage and food. “By fostering an accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant discussion surrounding nutrition, Culina is changing how nutrition care is viewed and accessed,” Rissetto remarks.
Nutrition Expertise at Low (or No) Cost
Recognizing that accessibility is a foundational principle of Culina, it is no surprise that the platform collaborates with and accepts most insurance plans. This commitment has led to a success rate where 93 percent of Culina’s clients obtain insurance coverage. Rissetto envisions a future where nutrition care is seamlessly integrated into overall healthcare, rather than being overlooked.
For those without insurance or lacking coverage, Culina also provides out-of-pocket membership options tailored to individual needs, which include personalized counseling with a registered dietitian at a reduced price.
Fostering a Robust Future
As Culina expands its services, Rissetto identifies three primary growth areas. Firstly, through innovative technology, Culina intends to “leverage advancements in AI to enhance personalized care and efficiency for both dietitians and patients.”
Additionally, the company is bolstering its programs, including The Culina Health Method, grounded in evidence-based nutrition coaching, personalized approaches, strong dietitian-patient relationships, and a proactive partnership that builds patient confidence in making nutritional choices.
Culina is continuously exploring new methods to extend its reach through enhanced insurance partnerships. Locally, this includes “establishing referral collaborations with physicians, health systems, and employers to ensure patients connect with dietitians when they need them,” Rissetto explains.
On a national—as well as a global—scale, Culina disseminates evidence-based nutritional information via social media, podcasts, and other expert-driven platforms.
Even as Culina experiences rapid growth, prioritizing the individual needs and contexts of each client remains central to its mission. Rissetto summarizes this philosophy: “Nutrition is profoundly personal; it intertwines with culture, family, and identity as much as it does with health.”
This article first appeared in the January-February 2026 issue of Intomodel magazine (US edition).
