Most dietitians feel prepared to help transgender and gender diverse patients, with 79% reporting high comfort levels and 74% having actual experience in this area, according to a 2026 study of 78 dietitians across seven countries. However, Gram Research analysis reveals that many dietitians express frustration that their profession lacks adequate training guidelines and support systems for this population, suggesting that while willingness exists, systemic improvements are needed to ensure quality care.
A new study asked dietitians around the world about their experiences helping transgender and gender diverse people with nutrition and health. Researchers surveyed 78 dietitians from seven countries and interviewed 23 of them in depth. Most dietitians said they felt comfortable and prepared to work with transgender patients, but some expressed frustration with their profession’s lack of training and guidelines in this area. The findings suggest that while many dietitians want to provide good care, the nutrition field needs better education and support systems to serve transgender and gender diverse people effectively.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 78 dietitians across seven countries found that 79% reported high or very high comfort levels working with transgender and gender diverse patients, with 74% reporting actual experience in this area.
In interviews with 23 of the surveyed dietitians, many expressed disappointment in their profession’s lack of guidelines and training for transgender health, despite their personal willingness to provide supportive care.
The 2026 research identified that dietitians themselves represent diverse identities including varied gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and neurodivergence, which shapes their approaches to transgender patient care.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How prepared dietitians feel to care for transgender and gender diverse patients, what challenges they face, and what changes they think the profession needs to make.
- Who participated: Seventy-eight dietitians from seven countries completed a survey, and 23 of them participated in follow-up interviews. The dietitians themselves had diverse backgrounds, including different genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, and neurodivergence.
- Key finding: According to Gram Research analysis, 79% of surveyed dietitians reported high or very high comfort levels working with transgender and gender diverse people, and 74% had actual experience doing so. However, many expressed disappointment that their profession lacks proper training and guidelines in this area.
- What it means for you: If you’re transgender or gender diverse seeking nutrition care, most dietitians are willing to help you. However, the nutrition field still needs better education and support to ensure all patients receive high-quality, informed care. It’s reasonable to ask potential dietitians about their experience and training with transgender health.
The Research Details
Researchers used a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to understand dietitians’ experiences. They recruited 78 dietitians globally who completed an online survey asking about their knowledge, comfort level, and experiences working with transgender and gender diverse patients. From this group, 23 dietitians agreed to participate in deeper one-on-one interviews or focus groups where they could share detailed stories and perspectives.
The researchers analyzed the survey responses using basic statistics to show patterns (like the percentage who felt comfortable). For the interview responses, they used a careful team-based approach called thematic analysis, where multiple researchers read through the interviews together to identify common themes and important ideas that emerged from what dietitians shared.
This approach allowed researchers to get both numbers (how many dietitians felt prepared) and rich, detailed stories (why some felt frustrated or what specific barriers they encountered).
This research approach matters because it captures both the big picture and the details. Numbers alone can’t explain why dietitians feel frustrated or what specific barriers exist. By combining surveys with interviews, researchers could see that most dietitians feel prepared while also learning that many want major changes in how their profession approaches transgender health. This combination gives a complete picture of the current state of dietetic care for transgender people.
The study’s strengths include recruiting dietitians from seven different countries, ensuring diverse perspectives, and including the researchers’ own diverse backgrounds (different genders, sexualities, disabilities), which helps them understand the topic deeply. The study involved careful team-based analysis where multiple researchers reviewed the data together, reducing bias. However, the study relied on dietitians who volunteered to participate, which may mean those with stronger feelings about the topic were more likely to respond. The study doesn’t tell us how many dietitians were invited but declined to participate, which could affect how representative the findings are.
What the Results Show
Most dietitians surveyed reported feeling prepared and comfortable working with transgender and gender diverse patients. Specifically, 79% said their comfort level was high or very high, and 74% reported having actual experience working with this population. This suggests that many dietitians recognize the importance of this work and are willing to engage with transgender patients.
However, the interviews revealed a more complex picture. While dietitians expressed willingness to help, many expressed significant disappointment in their profession. They felt that dietetics as a field lacks adequate training, guidelines, and support for working with transgender and gender diverse people. Some dietitians worried that current practices might actually harm transgender patients by not addressing their specific health needs.
The research identified six major themes in what dietitians shared: (1) recognition that dietitians themselves are diverse in gender, sexuality, and other ways; (2) frustration with gaps in the profession; (3) desire to create safe and supportive care environments; (4) commitment to inclusive practices; (5) strong motivation to improve the field; and (6) awareness of tensions and conflicts within the profession about how to approach transgender health.
The study found that dietitians’ own diverse identities, including their gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities, and neurodivergence, shaped their perspectives and approaches to care. This diversity among dietitians themselves is important because it means some have personal experience with marginalization and may bring that understanding to their work with transgender patients. The research also revealed that some dietitians feel isolated or unsupported by their profession when trying to provide affirming care, and they expressed a desire for systemic change in how dietetics education and practice guidelines address transgender health.
This study fills an important gap in nutrition research. Very little previous research has examined how dietitians approach transgender health or what barriers they face. The findings align with broader healthcare research showing that many health professions lack adequate training in transgender health, but this study is unique in specifically examining dietitians’ perspectives. The high comfort level reported by most dietitians is encouraging, but the frustration many expressed about their profession’s lack of guidelines suggests that comfort alone isn’t enough, structured support and education are needed.
The study recruited dietitians who volunteered to participate, which may mean people with stronger feelings about transgender health (either positive or negative) were more likely to respond. This could make the results not fully representative of all dietitians. The study also doesn’t tell us how many dietitians were invited but chose not to participate. Additionally, the study captures dietitians’ perspectives and experiences but doesn’t directly measure patient outcomes or satisfaction, so we don’t know how well these good intentions translate into actual patient care quality. Finally, the study was conducted in 2026, and the field may continue to evolve.
The Bottom Line
If you’re transgender or gender diverse seeking nutrition care: (1) Most dietitians are willing and motivated to help you, 79% report high comfort levels. (2) It’s appropriate to ask potential dietitians about their specific training and experience with transgender health. (3) If a dietitian doesn’t feel like a good fit, seeking another provider is reasonable, as the field is still developing its standards. For healthcare systems and dietetics organizations: Develop clear guidelines, training programs, and support systems for dietitians working with transgender and gender diverse patients. These recommendations have moderate-to-strong support based on what dietitians themselves identified as needed.
Transgender and gender diverse people seeking nutrition care should care about these findings because they show most dietitians are prepared to help, but also reveal gaps in professional support. Healthcare organizations and dietetics schools should care because the research identifies specific areas needing improvement. Dietitians themselves should care because many expressed desire for better training and guidelines. Family members and advocates for transgender people should care because this research highlights both progress and remaining challenges in healthcare access.
Changes in dietetic practice and education typically take time. If you’re seeking care now, you may find supportive dietitians, but systemic improvements in training and guidelines may take 2-5 years to fully implement across the profession. Individual dietitians can begin incorporating more inclusive practices immediately, while broader professional changes require coordination among education programs, professional organizations, and healthcare systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dietitians trained to work with transgender patients?
Most dietitians (79%) report feeling comfortable working with transgender patients, and 74% have actual experience doing so. However, research shows many feel their profession lacks adequate formal training and guidelines in this area, suggesting willingness exists but structured education needs improvement.
How can I find a dietitian who understands transgender health?
Ask potential dietitians about their specific training and experience with transgender patients. The research shows most are willing to help, but comfort levels vary. Don’t hesitate to interview multiple providers to find one whose approach feels supportive and knowledgeable about your specific needs.
What gaps exist in nutrition care for transgender people?
According to a 2026 study, dietitians identified major gaps including lack of professional guidelines, insufficient training in their education programs, and limited institutional support for providing affirming care. Many dietitians want to improve these systems but feel unsupported by their profession.
Do dietitians want to improve care for transgender patients?
Yes. The 2026 research found that most surveyed dietitians expressed strong desire for change and improvement in how their profession approaches transgender health. Many expressed frustration with current gaps and commitment to creating more inclusive, safe, and respectful nutrition care.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If using a nutrition app, track how comfortable and supported you feel during nutrition consultations. Rate your experience with each dietitian on a scale of 1-10 for inclusivity, knowledge of your specific health needs, and respect for your identity. This helps you identify providers who work well for you and provides feedback on the quality of care you’re receiving.
- Use the app to set nutrition goals that feel personally meaningful to you, rather than adopting generic recommendations. If working with a dietitian, use the app to share your specific health concerns and identity-related needs upfront, helping your provider understand your full context. Document which approaches and providers feel most supportive so you can replicate that experience.
- Track not just nutrition metrics (calories, nutrients) but also how supported and understood you feel in your nutrition care. Monitor whether your dietitian asks about your specific health needs related to your identity and whether they adjust recommendations accordingly. Over 3-6 months, assess whether your nutrition care feels increasingly personalized and affirming.
This research examines dietitians’ perspectives and experiences rather than direct patient outcomes. While the findings are encouraging regarding dietitians’ willingness to provide care, they do not constitute medical advice. If you are transgender or gender diverse seeking nutrition care, consult with qualified healthcare providers who have specific training in your health needs. This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional guidance. Always discuss your individual health situation with qualified healthcare professionals.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
