Starting Your Journey

Everything you need to know to get started with virtual nutrition counseling

How do I schedule my first appointment?

You can schedule directly through our secure Healthie platform by clicking "Schedule Your First Session" on any page of this website. You'll create a free Healthie account, choose your appointment time, and complete a brief health questionnaire before we meet.

If you have insurance coverage in California or Texas, we'll verify your benefits before your first appointment. For private pay clients, payment is due at time of booking.

Schedule Now

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

For insurance coverage: Some plans require a referral or prescription for medical nutrition therapy—we'll help you determine this when verifying your benefits.

For private pay clients: No referral is needed. You can schedule directly and get started right away.

What happens during the first appointment?

Your initial consultation is 50 minutes and includes:

Comprehensive review of your health history, symptoms, and goals
Discussion of current eating habits, lifestyle, and challenges
Review of any labs or medical reports you'd like to share
Goal-setting based on what matters most to you
Personalized initial recommendations to start making progress

You'll leave with clear action steps and a plan for moving forward together.

What should I prepare before my first session?

Before your initial consultation, it's helpful to:

Complete the health questionnaire in Healthie (required)
Gather any recent lab results you'd like reviewed
Think about your primary goals and concerns
Consider any specific questions you want to ask
Have a pen and paper ready for notes (or use digital notes)

You don't need to track your food or make any changes before we meet—just come as you are!

How long does it take to see results?

This varies by person and goal, but here's what's typical:

Energy improvements: 1-2 weeks

Digestive symptoms: 2-4 weeks

Blood sugar stabilization: 2-4 weeks

Weight changes: 4-8 weeks

Hormonal improvements: 1-3 months

Lab marker improvements: 3-6 months

Sustainable results build over time. We focus on progress, not perfection.

Coverage and Costs

Understanding insurance coverage and payment options for nutrition counseling

What insurance plans do you accept?

I accept the following insurance plans in California and Texas:

Currently Accepted

• Medicare
• Blue Shield of California
• Blue Shield Medicare Advantage
• Aetna
• Aetna Medicare Advantage
• UnitedHealthcare Commercial/Optum
• UnitedHealthcare Medicare

Credentialing in Progress

• Anthem Blue Cross (coming soon)
• Molina Healthcare (coming soon)

Note: Medi-Cal and Medicaid are not accepted at this time.

How do I verify my insurance coverage?

Once you schedule your initial appointment, we'll verify your benefits and let you know:

Whether nutrition counseling is covered by your plan
Your copay or coinsurance amount (if any)
How many sessions are covered per year
Whether a referral is required

Many clients have nutrition counseling fully covered or with a small copay ($0-50).

What if I don't have insurance or live outside CA/TX?

No problem! I offer private pay packages for clients nationwide:

Monthly Packages

Standard Monthly Support: $350/month

(1 initial + 2 follow-ups)

Premium Intensive Care: $475/month

(1 initial + 4 weekly check-ins + 1 monthly session)

3-Month Commitment

Standard 3-Month: $975

(save $75)

Premium 3-Month: $1,350

(save $75)

Single Sessions

Initial Consultation (50 min): $150

Follow-Up Session (30 min): $125

Do you offer payment plans?

Payment plans are not currently available. Payment is due at time of service.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

Yes! Nutrition counseling with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) typically qualifies as an eligible expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

Check with your plan administrator to confirm.

What's your cancellation policy?

Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours) or no-shows may be charged the full session fee.

Life happens! If you have an emergency, please reach out and we'll work something out.

Virtual Appointments

Everything you need to know about telehealth nutrition counseling

How do virtual appointments work?

All sessions are conducted via secure video through the Healthie platform. You'll receive a link to join your appointment—simply click it at your scheduled time from any device with internet access.

You can join from:

Computer or laptop

(recommended for initial sessions)

Tablet or iPad

Great for portability

Smartphone

(larger screen is easier)

What technology do I need?

You'll need:

A device with camera and microphone (computer, tablet, or smartphone)
Stable internet connection
Healthie account (free to create)
Quiet, private space for your appointment

No special software downloads required—Healthie works right in your web browser or mobile app.

Is telehealth as effective as in-person counseling?

Yes! Research shows that telehealth nutrition counseling is just as effective as in-person sessions for most conditions.

Many clients actually prefer virtual appointments because:

No travel time or commuting
Meet from the comfort of your home
More flexible scheduling

Can be done from anywhere
Easy access to digital resources

Which states can you see clients in?

Insurance Clients

California and Texas only

Private Pay Clients

Any U.S. state via telehealth

What if I have technical difficulties?

No worries! If you experience technical issues:

Try refreshing your browser or restarting the app
Make sure your camera/microphone permissions are enabled
Try switching to a different browser or device
Contact me via phone or email and we can troubleshoot together

We can always switch to a phone call if video isn't working.

What to Expect

Understanding my approach and services for optimal health outcomes

What conditions do you specialize in?

Women's Health

• PCOS
• Menopause
• Hormonal imbalances
• Fertility

Gut Health

• IBS
• Bloating
• Digestive issues
• Food sensitivities

Weight Management

• Sustainable approaches
• Non-restrictive methods

Diabetes

• Pre-diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Blood sugar management

Brain Health

• Focus & concentration
• Mood support
• Energy optimization

General Wellness

• Foundational nutrition
• Family nutrition
• Preventive health

Do you provide meal plans?

Yes! I create custom meal plans based on:

Your specific health condition and goals
Food preferences and cultural traditions
Dietary restrictions or allergies

Cooking skills and time availability
Budget considerations
Family needs

You'll also receive recipe suggestions, shopping lists, and practical meal prep strategies.

Will you tell me exactly what to eat?

I provide personalized recommendations and meal plans, but I also teach you why certain foods work for your body so you can make confident decisions on your own.

My goal is to empower you to become your own nutrition expert—not to create dependence on meal plans forever.

Do you prescribe supplements?

As an RDN, I can recommend supplements when appropriate, but I always prioritize food first. If supplements are needed, I'll:

Explain why they might help
Recommend specific types and dosages
Consider interactions with medications
Reassess as your nutrition improves

I never sell supplements—my recommendations are unbiased and based solely on your needs.

Can you review my lab work?

Yes! I can review and interpret nutrition-related labs including:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides)
Hemoglobin A1C (blood sugar)

Thyroid panels
Vitamin D, B12, iron levels
Hormone panels (PCOS, menopause)

I'll explain what your results mean for your nutrition plan and coordinate with your doctor when needed.

Do you work with my doctor or other healthcare providers?

Absolutely! I encourage collaboration with your healthcare team.

With your permission, I can:

Communicate with your doctor about your nutrition plan
Coordinate care for complex conditions
Review lab results together
Provide updates on your progress

Teamwork creates the best outcomes!

What's your approach to weight loss?

I focus on sustainable, non-restrictive approaches to weight management. This means:

No extreme calorie restriction or fad diets
Focus on nourishing your body, not depriving it
Addressing root causes (hormones, blood sugar, stress, sleep)
Building habits that last years, not just weeks

Celebrating non-scale victories (energy, sleep, confidence)
Healing your relationship with food

Weight loss may be a goal, but it's not the only measure of success.

Do you support intuitive eating or Health at Every Size?

I respect and incorporate principles from both intuitive eating and a weight-inclusive approach. My philosophy is:

Honor your hunger and fullness cues
No foods are "good" or "bad"
Reject diet culture and all-or-nothing thinking
Focus on how you feel, not just how you look
Address medical conditions through nutrition while respecting body diversity

I meet you where you are with your goals and values.

Practical Details

Logistics and practical information about working together

What languages do you provide counseling in?

I provide nutrition counseling in:

English

Urdu

Hindi

Feel free to communicate in whichever language you're most comfortable with!

How often will we meet?

This depends on your needs and goals:

Typical Schedule

Initial consultation followed by bi-weekly or monthly follow-ups

Intensive Support

Weekly 15-minute check-ins for close monitoring

Maintenance

Monthly sessions once you're stable

We'll determine the best frequency together based on your condition and progress.

Can I message you between sessions?

Yes! All packages include messaging support through the secure Healthie portal.

Standard Response

I typically respond within 24-48 hours on business days

Premium Packages

Include unlimited messaging for more responsive support

Do you work with children or teens?

My current practice focuses on adults (ages 18+). If you're looking for pediatric nutrition support, I'm happy to provide referrals to dietitians who specialize in children and adolescents.

Do you accept new clients?

Yes! I'm currently accepting new clients for both insurance and private pay.

Availability may vary, so I recommend scheduling as soon as you're ready to get started.

Schedule Your First Session

What if I need to take a break from sessions?

Life happens! If you need to pause sessions, just let me know. You can:

Take a break and return when you're ready
Switch to less frequent sessions temporarily
Transition to maintenance support

There's no pressure to continue if timing isn't right—I'm here when you need support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Working with Diet Stylist