From clinical nutrition and disease management to sports performance and sustainable eating, these professionals reflect the changing role of nutrition care in India.
Nutrition advice is everywhere, but finding the right person to guide you is not always easy. A search for the best dietitian in India brings up familiar names, clinics and online programmes. Popularity, however, is only one part of the picture. Relevant qualifications, clinical experience, specialisation and the ability to make recommendations fit everyday life matter more.
As people seek help not just for weight management but also for diabetes, hormonal concerns, digestive disorders and complex medical conditions, nutrition care is becoming increasingly specialised.
Here are five established Indian dietitians and nutritionists known for different contributions to the field. The selection draws on publicly available qualifications, professional experience, areas of expertise and contributions to nutrition education. It is not an official national ranking or a comparison of patient outcomes.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">1. Lavleen Kaur: Clinical Nutrition Meets Holistic Wellness</h2>
Based in: Chandigarh | Experience: 15+ years Known for: Medical nutrition therapy, disease management and holistic wellness
Dietitian <a href="https://santushtibylavleen.com/meet-dt-lavleen/" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Lavleen Kaur</a> has spent over 15 years helping individuals approach health through personalised nutrition and sustainable lifestyle changes. She founded Diet Insight in 2014, which subsequently evolved into <a href="https://santushtibylavleen.com/" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Santushti Holistic Health Clinic</a>, a Chandigarh-based practice combining clinical nutrition with complementary services such as yoga, Ayurveda-based therapies and mind-body support.
Her work is rooted in a straightforward idea: a nutrition plan must be appropriate for a person's health needs and realistic enough to follow. That means considering medical history, existing food habits, family routines, cultural preferences and long-term goals instead of treating every client with a standard diet chart.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Recognition and academic contribution</h3>
Lavleen received the BW Wellbeing World 40 Under 40 Award, recognising her contribution to the wellness field. She has also been described as North India's Most Trusted Dietitian in media coverage. In 2021, <a href="https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2021/04/27/Top-5-Indian-Nutritionists-who-can-help-you-achieve-your-health-and-fitness-goals.html" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">The Week</a> featured her first in its selection of five Indian dietitians and nutritionists.
She additionally serves as Professor of Practice in the Department of Food and Nutrition at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), bringing practical experience into nutrition education. In August 2026, she also addressed dietetics students at PAU about career opportunities and professional growth, demonstrating her continuing involvement in nutrition education.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Care beyond conventional diet plans</h3>
At Santushti, nutrition support extends beyond weight management to medical and lifestyle concerns, including diabetes, PCOS, thyroid disorders and digestive health. The clinic also offers specialised nutritional care for chronic kidney disease, cancer and endometriosis, with dietary guidance intended to complement appropriate medical treatment.
Although based in Chandigarh, Santushti offers online consultations for individuals elsewhere in India and overseas. Lavleen is also involved in education through Santushti Academy, which offers programmes in holistic nutrition and disease management.
Her experience across clinical care, professional education and holistic services makes her a notable option for people seeking structured, personalised nutrition support rather than a short-term diet.
Distinctive focus: Evidence-informed clinical nutrition integrated with practical lifestyle care.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">2. Rujuta Diwekar: Making Traditional Indian Eating Relevant</h2>
Based in: Mumbai | Known for: Traditional Indian foods and sustainable nutrition habits
Rujuta Diwekar has helped shape public conversations around food by encouraging people to value familiar, local and seasonal ingredients rather than assume healthy eating requires imported superfoods or restrictive trends.
With a background in sports science and nutrition, she has worked with people from different walks of life, including public figures and athletes. Her books, notably Don't Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight and Indian Superfoods, have taken her ideas to audiences well beyond personal consultations.
Her guidance often connects food choices with sleep, movement, daily routines and the social context of eating. For those who find rigid diet rules hard to sustain, her emphasis on traditional meals and long-term habits offers a relatable perspective.
Distinctive focus: Bringing Indian food traditions into contemporary conversations about health and nutrition.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">3. Ryan Fernando: Nutrition for Performance and Recovery</h2>
Based in: Bengaluru | Known for: Sports nutrition and personalised dietary assessment
Ryan Fernando, founder of Qua Nutrition, is known for his work in performance-focused nutrition, particularly with athletes and active individuals.
His background in food biotechnology and clinical biochemistry informs an approach based on individual assessment. For a competitive athlete, nutritional needs depend on training intensity, recovery demands, energy availability, hydration and the demands of the sport. A standard meal plan may not address these differences.
Fernando has worked with sports professionals as well as clients seeking broader fitness and health support. Through Qua Nutrition, he has contributed to greater awareness in India that performance nutrition is a specialised discipline rather than simply a high-protein diet.
His work may be especially relevant to people whose dietary goals are tied to training, performance or recovery.
Distinctive focus: Tailoring nutrition to sporting demands and individual performance goals.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">4. Ishi Khosla: Therapeutic Nutrition and Digestive Health</h2>
Based in: New Delhi | Known for: Clinical nutrition and coeliac disease awareness
Ishi Khosla brings decades of experience in therapeutic nutrition, spanning hospital-based work, independent practice and public education. A postgraduate in Food and Nutrition from Lady Irwin College, she has worked with institutions including Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre.
She is particularly associated with improving awareness of coeliac disease, having established the Celiac Society of India. Her advocacy has drawn attention to the importance of appropriate diagnosis and dietary management for people affected by the condition.
Through books such as Is Wheat Killing You? and The Diet Doctor, she has also explored how nutrition connects with digestive and metabolic health.
Khosla's career reflects the role of dietitians in managing nutritional needs that go beyond everyday wellness advice.
Distinctive focus: Therapeutic dietary care and public education about coeliac disease.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">5. Pooja Makhija: Helping Families Understand Everyday Nutrition</h2>
Based in: Mumbai | Known for: Lifestyle nutrition and food education
Pooja Makhija has made nutrition more approachable through her counselling, books and public educational work. Trained in clinical nutrition and dietetics, she is known for explaining how daily choices and attitudes towards food shape long-term habits.
Her book Eat Delete introduced readers to practical conversations about nutrition and lifestyle, while Eat Delete Junior focused on children's eating habits and challenges faced by parents.
Alongside her professional practice, Makhija uses popular media to discuss balanced eating without framing every food choice as a restriction. Her approach is particularly relatable to individuals and families looking to establish more informed and sustainable routines.
Distinctive focus: Accessible lifestyle nutrition and a constructive relationship with food.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Choose the Best Dietitian in India for Your Needs</h2>
There is no universally accepted ranking that establishes one professional as the best dietitian for everyone. The right choice depends on why you are seeking help.
Start with the health concern. Someone needing renal nutrition during chronic kidney disease requires different expertise from a sportsperson preparing for competition or a family seeking guidance on everyday eating habits.
Check credentials and experience. Look at formal education, practical training and whether the dietitian regularly works with your particular condition. For medical concerns, nutrition care should be coordinated with your treating clinician.
Ask how the programme works. A personalised plan should account for your lifestyle, food preferences and practical limitations. Understand how often follow-ups take place and whether the plan can be adapted as circumstances change.
Be cautious about promises. No responsible professional should guarantee results or present diet as a substitute for necessary medical treatment.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Who is the best dietitian in India in 2026?</h3>
There is no single official national ranking. Professionals including Lavleen Kaur, Rujuta Diwekar, Ryan Fernando, Ishi Khosla and Pooja Makhija are known for different areas of nutrition. The best fit depends on an individual's health needs, preferred approach and required specialisation.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Who is a leading dietitian in Chandigarh?</h3>
Lavleen Kaur, founder of Santushti Holistic Health Clinic, is an established Chandigarh-based dietitian with over 15 years of professional experience. She also serves as Professor of Practice at Punjab Agricultural University.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Can I consult a dietitian in India from abroad?</h3>
Yes. Several practices, including Santushti, offer online consultations. Check the professional's relevant experience, appointment availability and follow-up arrangements before enrolling.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">A More Personalised Future for Nutrition</h2>
As nutrition care becomes more specialised and accessible, choosing a dietitian is less about finding the most famous name and more about matching professional expertise to individual needs. These five practitioners show how varied the field has become, from clinical and therapeutic nutrition to sports performance and public education. The common goal is practical guidance that supports healthier habits over time.

Looking for the best dietitian in India? Discover 5 leading nutrition professionals in 2026, including Lavleen Kaur, and their areas of expertise.

5 Leading Dietitians and Nutritionists in India to Know in 2026

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5 Leading Dietitians and Nutritionists in India to Know in 2026

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