Holly Larson, MS, RD – Registered Dietitian

Have you ever dreamed of combining your passion for nutrition with your love of travel? Having returned from sunny Mexico with my family, I am here to share my thoughts about The Nutrition Travel Exchange, a unique program that offers something truly special for dietitians: the chance to enjoy discounted, all-inclusive luxury vacations in exchange for sharing your nutrition expertise.

This unique program offers a pretty sweet opportunity for registered dietitians to experience tropical getaways at a fraction of the typical cost. Instead of paying thousands for a luxury resort stay, you’ll lead engaging, weight-inclusive nutrition workshops in exchange for deeply discounted rates on premium accommodations. Sign me up, right?

If you’re new around here – welcome! I’m Holly Larson, an Ohio-based private practice registered dietitian and nutrition copywriter. I love to travel and was excited to give this program a try with my partner, Shawn, and our 3.5-year-old son, Henry.

My goal here is to offer you a comprehensive guide to help you decide if the Nutrition Travel Exchange is a good fit for you, your goals, and your lifestyle. If you read this and have questions, please drop a comment below and I’ll reply!

What is the Nutrition Travel Exchange?

The Nutrition Travel Exchange (NTE) stands as the first-ever travel program designed exclusively for dietitians, by Meaghan Ormsby, a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. The NTE allows registered dietitians to deliver non-diet, weight-inclusive nutrition workshops or activities in exchange for significantly reduced rates on luxury vacation packages.

The program currently partners with premium resorts, including ​Hyatt Ziva Riviera Maya, where I went, as well as The Hyatt Zilara Cancun and Viva V Samana, with additional exciting destinations being added soon – I’m refreshing my inbox in anticipation of the announcements! 

While at the resort, you’re agreeing to provide approximately two hours per day of structured nutrition programming while enjoying full access to resort amenities and experiences.

Trip Prep

Meaghan has the trip details well fleshed out – you just need to participate! The schedule will be shared with you via a Google Doc, and you’ll be able to refer to it from your phone each day during your stay. You’ll also be in contact with Meaghan each day via WhatsApp, a free messaging service that works internationally. 

Some of the activities are more playful and casual, such as a ring toss game that uses inflatable flamingo hats in the pool, and others take place in the resort lobby, such as a nutrition bingo activity or a trivia dice rolling game. Nothing is too serious, but it is nice to connect with folks, let them know that you’re a dietitian, and then answer what questions they have. I had a nice conversation with one family about the pros and cons of regular vs. diet soda, for example. 

The Amazing Benefits of Joining

1. Deeply Discounted Luxury Vacations

The financial benefits alone make this program compelling for many dietitians. When I looked up how much it would cost for my partner and me to stay at this resort, it was to the tune of $6,000 or so – not currently in my budget, eh? But, because of this program, I paid the resort $600 for our accommodation, plus minimal additional costs.

FYI – with this program, you’re allowed to bring one companion, meaning you can bring a partner or friend along to share the experience without doubling your costs. We also brought our 3.5-year-old cutie pie son, Henry. We were supposed to be charged $45/day for Henry, but no one asked me to pay that, and so I didn’t bring it up either. 

2. All-Inclusive Premium Experience

Participating dietitians enjoy the same top-tier amenities as regular resort guests. This means access to gourmet restaurants, premium beverages, spa facilities (this is extra, BTW), recreational activities, and beautiful pool-facing accommodations. 

Can words even describe the pleasure of not having to cook a single thing or wash any dishes for a whole week? Heaven. 

3. Unique Professional Fulfillment

I did find it satisfying to share my nutrition expertise in this unique setting. You’ll have the opportunity to share evidence-based nutrition knowledge with diverse audiences while connecting with fellow dietitians from different backgrounds and specialties.

Important Considerations Before You Apply

Is this program for you? Let’s talk through some pros and cons. 

1. Less Traditional Relaxation Time

While the program offers incredible value, it’s important to understand that this isn’t a completely hands-off vacation. Your two-hour daily commitment to nutrition programming means you’ll need to be “on” professionally for part of each day.

Some participants find this energizing and enjoy the structure it provides. Others prefer completely unscheduled vacation time. Consider your personal preferences and current stress levels when deciding if this balance works for you.

Also, the exact schedule for activities varies from one resort to another. For the family-friendly resort that we went to, the activities are spread throughout the day, whereas at some of the adults-only resorts, the nutrition activities are finished in the morning, leaving the rest of the day to be off the professional clock. 

2. Scheduling Flexibility Challenges

The spread-out schedule of activities can make it more challenging to plan additional excursions or day trips away from the resort. If exploring local attractions and cultural sites is a priority for your travel experience, you’ll need to work around your teaching commitments. 

My partner was able to sneak away to book a fishing excursion, which he loved, and all three of us enjoyed the fish dinner that one of the resort chefs created with the freshly caught fish.

Understanding the True Costs

I believe in transparency! I did find The Dietitian Money Conference, after all. I believe that transparency about expenses helps you make informed and empowered decisions about participating. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

The main program fee ranges from $400-$600, depending on which resort you’re going to and the dates. You’ll also need to budget $80-$150 for prizes and materials for your nutrition activities.

Flight costs vary significantly based on your location and travel dates, so research these early in your planning process. If you have your LLC, you can open up a business credit card (I got a Delta one) so that I can accumulate some additional points to book trips in the future. 

Next, you’ll need to factor in airport-to-resort transfers, which aren’t included in program fees. (BTW – I used the transfer service that Meaghan recommended and had a great experience both to and from the airport – this was about $100 total.)

While not required, I did bring some cash, in US dollars, for tips. We chose to give small cash tips to thank our cleaning staff who tidied our rooms daily, the servers at mealtimes, as well as the staff who checked on us while we were swimming in the many pools. They work hard in very hot weather! For us, this was about $100 total. 

Lastly, some resorts may also charge an environmental fee of $4-$10 per day, depending on the destination’s local requirements.

Even with these additional costs, the total expense typically remains dramatically lower than standard luxury resort rates, especially when you factor in the inclusion of one companion in your discounted rate.

Packing Tips for Success

Preparing appropriately ensures you’re comfortable and confident throughout your experience. Focus on lightweight, breathable clothing suitable for both professional sessions and tropical relaxation.

So much sunscreen! Pack plenty of high-SPF sunscreen, as you’ll likely spend more time outdoors than usual. On our first night, we witnessed many guests headed to dinner with terribly burnt skin – they looked so uncomfortable! Don’t underestimate how much sun exposure you’ll get during resort activities in the blazing sun. Reapply liberally and often; the sun is STRONG! Buying more sunscreen at the resort is quite expensive…so just be sure to pack a lot. 

Sandals! Comfortable sandals are essential, particularly for activities like cornhole, where hot concrete surfaces can seem to burn the very skin off the bottom of your bare feet. Don’t do what I did and walk barefoot to the pool for the first class. Instead, pack comfy, water-proof sandals or flip flops that look nice enough and keep those tootsies safe.

Floaties. We packed a puddle jumper for our son, but I wish we’d also packed some tubes for my partner and me to float in, as well as to ride down the water slides in. 

Skip the makeup. Consider packing minimal makeup and hair styling products. The warm, humid climate and active schedule make even simple beauty routines impractical (i.e., it is literally just going to melt down your face – don’t bother).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the appropriate dress code for teaching sessions? 

Aim for casual professional attire suitable for warm weather. Think sundresses, nice shorts, or comfortable pants with your branded t-shirt or top (Meaghan will mail you a decal that you’ll iron onto the shirt you pick. I got this breathable top off Amazon and thought it was great).

Q: Can I bring my family? 

The program fee includes you and one companion. 

Q: What if I’ve never taught nutrition workshops before? 

The program provides pre-designed activities and materials. While teaching experience is helpful, enthusiasm for sharing nutrition knowledge matters more than extensive presentation experience.

Q: How’s the food? 

It was yummy – lots of options and food is available around the clock. With them offering so many different options, I wouldn’t say that every single thing was top tier, but all three of us found food we liked. 

Q: Are the electric plugs the same?

In Mexico – yes! You don’t need to bring any adapters – your regular phone/iPad charger cords will plug right in at the resort. 

Traveling with Kids

This was my first experience traveling with my son for this big of an adventure. If you’re thinking about traveling with your kiddo(s), this section is for you – otherwise, just skip. 

It was really helpful that someone once told me that traveling with young kids is not a vacation; it is parenting in a new location. So true. I loved exploring with Henry, people watching, and trying new foods…but it was not a relaxing experience 24/7 like in vacations in the past.

It was helpful to have activities for Henry both on the planes and at the resort, for when we needed to decompress a bit. Paperback books (to save weight), a beach ball, the iPad, headphones, crayons, paper, stickers, and such. The dollar store was great for some inexpensive, lightweight games and activities to keep him occupied.

On the plane, gummy fruit snacks seemed to keep Henry’s ears comfy during takeoff and landing with those big changes in pressure. 

Beware of the tile floors: if even a single drop of water got on the tile floors, it was like my son was a cartoon and the floors were covered with banana peels. So. Dang. Slippery. I spent a fair amount of time standing on a towel on the floor, carefully mopping up each water drop after we returned to our room from swimming or after each shower. 

Ready to Combine Passion with Paradise?

The Nutrition Travel Exchange represents a unique opportunity for dietitians to use their professional skills in an extraordinary setting while enjoying luxury travel at accessible prices. 

Consider whether the balance of professional commitment and personal relaxation aligns with your current needs and travel goals. For many dietitians, the opportunity to share their expertise while exploring beautiful destinations creates the perfect blend of purpose and pleasure.

The program continues expanding to new destinations, creating more opportunities for dietitians at all career stages to participate. If you’re excited about the possibility of teaching nutrition in paradise, now might be the perfect time to explore this innovative program.

Think this program could be your next big adventure? Visit the Nutrition Travel Exchange website today to learn more about current opportunities and submit your application.  If you apply, please tell Meaghan that I sent you. Your dream destination might be just two hours of meaningful work away.

P.S. Do you have any follow-up questions after reading this post? Comment below and I’ll be sure to answer!