In an increasingly diverse nation, nutrition professionals must understand more than nutrients; they must understand people. This session explores how cultural identity, lived experience, and systemic bias shape nutritional care for communities whose cultural needs are often overlooked in U.S. healthcare settings.

These cultural groups may be underserved due to limited culturally tailored nutrition resources, a lack of provider familiarity with traditional foods and health beliefs, and communication approaches that do not fully reflect cultural norms or lived experiences. Three registered dietitians representing Latin American cultures, the Philippines, and the Middle East will share insights from their cultural lenses, highlighting how historical context, food traditions, and sociocultural values influence patient engagement and health outcomes.

Through real-life case examples and an engaging panel discussion, the session will explore how implicit bias and Western-centric frameworks can unintentionally influence assessment, communication, counseling, and health outcomes. The session will provide attendees with practical tools to deliver care that accounts for cultural nuances and challenges, enabling more equitable and culturally responsive nutrition practice.

Participants will walk away equipped with strategies to build trust, adapt recommendations with cultural fluency, advocate for equitable care, and provide high-quality care to clients across diverse cultural communities.