By Kailey Lewis, Vanderbilt University Dietetic Intern and Master’s Candidate, Class of 2025
The wellness industry is more competitive than ever, which is why building trust with consumers is critical. Partnering with individuals is a go-to strategy for authentic promotion. But did you know that only 28% of consumers say they trust social media influencers? Meanwhile, 66% of consumers trust registered dietitians and healthcare professionals. Consumers are looking for substance, science, and results, not just the enticing claims. If your brand is focused on promoting health and building trust, aligning your brand with registered dietitians is no longer optional. It is ESSENTIAL!
Understanding how wellness brands can partner with registered dietitians opens the door to enhanced credibility, deeper customer education, and stronger brand loyalty. 71% of consumers are confused about nutrition. RDs bring evidence-based insight and professional authority that today’s wellness consumers demand, and partnering with them could be the smartest move your brand makes this year.
Why Your Brand Should Be Partnering With a Registered Dietitian
As a wellness company, your audience expects more than inspiration. Consumers now want information they can trust. Registered dietitians are trained in:
- Nutrition Communications: Translate complex nutrition science into clear, consumer-friendly messaging
- Consumer Advice and Recommendations: Provide ethical, evidenced-based advice to consumers
- Health and Wellness Credibility: Use clinical credibility to build trust with consumers
- Nutrition Strategy: Blend science with strategy to elevate brand integrity in marketing efforts
When your brand partners with an RD, you’re not just adding a health expert to your team, you’re amplifying your authority in the space. Benefits of working with an RD include:
- Expertise and credibility: RDs are the experts in nutrition, making them credible partners
- Trust and engagement: RDs are trusted when offering nutrition and health advice
- Shared target audience: RDs work in a variety of settings and can speak directly to your ideal consumer. They know your audience on a deeper level because they work with them everyday.
To learn more about the ROI of dietitian partnerships, check out our free mini training here!
How Wellness Brands Can Partner With Registered Dietitians: Collaboration Opportunities
When you understand how wellness brands can partner with registered dietitians, it becomes clear how strategic and multifaceted these partnerships can be. Here are some of the best ways to collaborate:
1. Product Seeding
For a registered dietitian to authentically recommend your product, they need to believe in it, and that starts with firsthand experience. Offering complimentary samples gets your product out there, and gets you valuable feedback from dietitians who know what clients are looking for.
Bonus tip: Provide extra samples or digital coupons they can share with clients. This not only expands your reach but also positions your brand as a trusted solution in real-life nutrition counseling settings.
2. Brand Ambassador & Affiliate Programs
Registered Dietitians are the ideal long-term brand partner! With an RD ambassador program, RDs can authentically integrate your products into their content, events and educational platform. Having an affiliate program allows RDs to earn commission based on sales they make through product recommendation. Through these programs RDs help:
- Strengthen consumer trust
- Position your brand as a reliable and expert-backed solution
- Highlight product use
- Generate product sales
3. Content Creation / Education Material
Tap into an RD’s expertise to develop science-backed messaging that increases engagement and builds lasting trust. Examples include:
- Co-branded content: partner with an RD for a Q&A section on your newsletter
- Social media content: this could be a reel showing how they incorporate your product into their daily life
- Recipe creation: have RDs create recipes using your products and share on your blog or their’s
- Blog content: RDs can write content for your blog, or mention your products in their blog
- Educational material creation: have RDs create infographics for shareable content and resources
4. Media & Sponsorships
Registered dietitians know how to share messages that are trustworthy, engaging, and backed by science. Working with an RD is a great way to get your product or message in front of the right audience. Opportunities include:
- Representing your brand on tv or social media
- Sponsoring a podcast episode, workshop, speaking engagement, or event
- Media interviews
5. Research and Development & Consulting
Registered Dietitians have deep expertise in nutrition science and consumer behavior, and can help ensure your brand’s messaging is evidence-based, credible, and resonates with your target audience. Partnership ideas include:
- Nutrition analysis
- Product development
- Product feedback
- Marketing message insight
- Support with health and nutrition claims
- Reviewing for accuracy
Ready to reach RDs? Learn more about creating an effective RD outreach campaign here.
How To Get Started Working With RDs
- Find the Right Fit: It’s important to find RDs who reach your desired ideal customer in a way that aligns with your marketing efforts
- Send Samples: Starting with samples is a great way to extend an olive branch and start working with dietitians
- Build Relationships: Start with small collabs and work with them by providing value and asking them for ideas
What Makes an RD a Good Fit
- Aligns with target audience
- Shared values and mission
- Transparency and mutual respect
How to Find the Right RD For Your Brand
RDs bring a wide range of specialties and outreach to the table. It’s important to find a partner who speaks to your target customer.
Instead of scrolling for hours trying to vet professionals, use The RD Link’s system to discover thousands of qualified, pre-vetted dietitians who are ready to collaborate. Filter by:
- Specialty
- Industry
- Location
- Personal Characteristics
It’s the most efficient way to explore how wellness brands can partner with registered dietitians and start building a relationship that delivers.
With only 31% of consumers saying they trust food companies, having a registered dietitian on your team is a valuable asset that will help your brand stand out to consumers as trustworthy and as an authority in the wellness industry.
About the Author:
Kailey Lewis is a Dietetic Intern at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a Master’s candidate at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She is passionate about PCOS and women’s health nutrition, as well as brand partnerships and media work. This fall, Kailey will launch her virtual private practice, where she’ll help women manage their symptoms and feel empowered in their bodies. Outside of her professional work, Kailey enjoys baking in her kitchen, going on long walks, and painting. She’s excited for all that lies ahead in her journey as a future RD. Connect with her on Instagram @yourpcosnutritionist.