Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Would you use online nutrition services from a Registered Dietitian? I'm trying to figure out what I want to be "when I grow up". Well, I know what, and that's a Registered Dietitian, but how would I offer my services? I super-duper love the idea of starting my own practice, including an online counseling service. I want to specialize (or preferably be exclusive) in veganism/vegetarianism so I figured this is a good place to ask! The service would include all aspects of diet: weight loss, gain, pregnancy, disease states, going vegan, staying vegan, etc. I am also curious to know if there is a demand for nutrition counseling at all among vegans.
Counseling means anything from advice, tips, coaching and support, diet plans, diet analysis, and whatever else you'd expect from a nutrition expert! This is basically what you would get if you visited a Registered Dietitian for a consult at an office, but it would be exclusively online via email and/or phone.
I'd love your feedback on this idea as well.

I was throwing around the idea of getting nutrition counseling. I'm coming up on my first veganiversay and I want to make that I'm doing everything correctly. Or at the very least in a way that won't impact my future health.
I'm personally planning on going to the doctor and getting blood tests (yikes!) to see what may be out of balance and then working from there. My school is amazingly vegan friendly, so I'm hoping that the doctor I'll go to will be supportive. If not, I'll be trying to hunt down a nutritionist in the area who is!
I'm personally not a fan of online/phone, but that's because I'm super awkward. I need the in-person connection for me to really trust someone.

I've worked with two nutritional counselors - both made physical appointments with me (neither in an office - 1 in my home and 1 in hers) that were really helpful, because I get distracted easily and needed to focus on what they were doing with me. One of my friends used the same counselor (on my recommendation) but didn't have time for inperson meetings so they did it over the phone. She liked the meetings and loved the convenience, but didn't end up following the recommendations.

I think there are pros and cons to in-person versus online or phone sessions, but I am a bit flakey where it comes to listening to people and following instructions that involve me not eating what I want to eat.

Thanks for the input!

I voted no, but that's only because I'm studying to do something similar.

I went to school briefly for nutrition and I met an RD named Manuel Villacorta who has a really successful practice in SF. He also does phone consultations and is working on having it all online too. Maybe you could look into doing something like that? It's totally possible!

I would do an online consultation, but there would have to be extenuating circumstances. Someone who came highly recommended or a specialist that I couldn't find elsewhere.

I would do an online consultation if my needs for a nutrition counselor were not eating disorder related. For those concerns stuff can be difficult to deal with, especially on the phone, because that is awkward more than conversations in real life anyway. If I was just looking for a nutritionist to help me ensure I was getting a balanced diet, or to help me plan how to get more of something, or reduce my chances of disease, I would be good with an online doctor.

Good point, thanks.