How do you run a telehealth nutrition consultation?
In short: Prepare for a remote nutrition consultation by confirming that telehealth is appropriate for the client's needs, explaining the process and obtaining informed consent. Check identity, current location and privacy at the start of the appointment, and agree what to do if the connection fails. Adapt nutritional assessment to the information available remotely, document any limitations and arrange in-person assessment or referral when necessary.
1 min 21 s videoCaptions onUpdated 12 October 2026
Does telehealth work for nutrition?
Telehealth can be an effective way to deliver many nutrition services, including dietary assessment, education, goal setting, meal planning and behaviour change support. However, its suitability depends on the client's clinical needs, access to technology, communication preferences and whether an adequate assessment can be completed remotely.
A systematic review and meta-analysis by Kelly and colleagues included 25 randomised controlled trials involving 7,384 adults with chronic disease. Telehealth dietary interventions improved diet quality, fruit and vegetable intake and sodium intake, alongside modest improvements in some clinical outcomes, including systolic blood pressure and waist circumference. The review did not demonstrate improvements in every dietary outcome, and its findings should not be interpreted as evidence that remote consultations are suitable for every client.
Some assessments require physical examination, testing or additional clinical input. Identify these needs before deciding whether a remote consultation is appropriate.
Before the call
- Consent. Explain how the remote consultation will work, its potential limitations, how personal information will be handled and whether recording or transcription is proposed. Obtain and document informed consent. Any recording or transcription should follow applicable data protection requirements and organisational policies.
- Intake. Send relevant intake forms or dietary assessment materials in advance where appropriate, without assuming that every client needs to complete a food diary. There is a checklist in what to include in a nutrition intake form.
- Measurements. Where weight, waist circumference or other measurements are clinically relevant, discuss whether the client can collect them safely and accurately using suitable equipment and clear instructions. Avoid requesting measurements that are unnecessary or inappropriate for the client's circumstances.
- Tech. Send the appointment link, confirm the correct time zone and provide simple joining instructions. Ask whether the client needs accessibility adjustments or technical support, rather than assuming this based on age.
- Your space. Use a private setting, prevent conversations from being overheard and ensure that only the relevant client's records are visible. Use appropriate security measures for the consultation platform and clinical records.
The first two minutes
- Confirm identity. Verify the client's identity using an appropriate method, particularly at the first appointment. Do not rely solely on recognising their face during subsequent consultations.
- Check location where relevant. Confirm the client's current location when needed for clinical safety, emergency planning or cross-border professional requirements. For clients receiving care from another country or region, check that you are permitted and appropriately insured to provide the service.
- Confirm privacy. Check whether the client is somewhere they can speak comfortably and confidentially. If another person is present, establish whether the client wishes them to participate and whether this is appropriate.
- Agree a back-up. Confirm a suitable telephone number or alternative communication method in case the video connection fails.
What you can and can't assess remotely
| Generally suitable for remote assessment | May require adaptations or additional information | May require in-person assessment or another professional |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary history, food recalls and dietary pattern assessment | Weight, waist circumference and other client-reported measurements | Detailed nutrition-focused physical examination where direct assessment is necessary |
| Nutrition goals, barriers and behaviour change support | Portion estimation using food records, photographs or household measures | Grip strength or body composition assessments requiring specialist equipment |
| Food label education and meal planning | Appetite changes, gastrointestinal symptoms and possible disordered eating | Suspected swallowing difficulties requiring appropriate clinical assessment or referral |
| Review of dietary intake and progress | Home blood pressure readings or results from other healthcare providers | Blood sampling, physical examination or other investigations that cannot be performed remotely |
Document whether measurements and observations were self-reported, obtained using home equipment or provided by another healthcare professional. Consider equipment quality, measurement technique and consistency when interpreting results. Repeated measurements using the same equipment and a standardised method can be useful for monitoring trends, but they do not eliminate measurement error.
Clients with suspected malnutrition, frailty, significant swallowing difficulties or risk of refeeding syndrome may require additional assessment, monitoring or multidisciplinary care. Telehealth should not delay urgent investigation, referral or treatment. Whether remote follow-up is appropriate depends on the individual's clinical risk and the availability of suitable in-person support.
After the call
Provide a concise written summary of the agreed recommendations, goals and next steps, using a secure communication method. Arrange appropriate follow-up and document the consultation promptly, including any limitations of the remote assessment, relevant consent discussions, referrals and safety concerns. Use SOAP or ADIME as you would for an in-person consultation.
How to do it in Foodzilla
Foodzilla has built-in video calls, called Foodzilla Meet, with a join link on every booking and a waiting room, so you need no other software. You can also use Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. Bookings is on the Professional plan and above.
- 1Go to Forms & Bookings, open the Bookings tab, then Integrations. Foodzilla Meet is included with no set-up. To use Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams instead, press Connect next to it. Google Meet connects your Google Calendar and Microsoft Teams your Outlook Calendar.
- 2Open Booking types and create or edit a type. On Event setup, choose the Location: Foodzilla Meet, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, In person or Phone call. With Foodzilla Meet you can also switch Smart summary on or off.
- 3On Booking questions, press Add question for what you need before the call, such as a phone number to call if the video drops, and turn on Required. You'll see the answers under View responses in the booking's menu.
- 4Copy your Page link from Booking page and share it. Clients get reminder emails 24 hours and 2 hours before, each with a Confirm attendance button.
- 5At the time of the call, press Join on the booking in Overview. The call opens in a new tab, where you press Join as host. The client waits in the lobby until you press Admit.
- 6Press Notes during the call to keep private notes. After it, use the quick links on the booking to open the client's Goals, Meal plan or Dashboard.
Good to know
- Test the booking experienceBook a test appointment through your own booking page and join from a phone or another device. Check the confirmation emails, joining instructions and waiting-room experience so you can identify potential problems before clients encounter them.
- Use AI-assisted notes where appropriateWith Smart summary enabled, Foodzilla can generate draft summaries, session notes and follow-up actions from a consultation transcript. Explain the use of transcription and AI processing to the client, follow applicable consent and data protection requirements, and review and correct all AI-generated notes before adding them to the clinical record. See AI scribes for nutrition notes for more on consent and reviewing AI-generated documentation.