A WhatsApp AI agent for nutritionists, dietitians and wellness coaches: answer programme and pricing questions, book consultations, handle client logistics, and leave the nutrition advice to you
A nutritionist's inbox mixes three things: prospects asking which programme fits them and what it costs, clients asking logistical questions (where is my plan, can I move Thursday), and people asking for free advice. An agent can handle the first two completely and must decline the third politely.
Quick answer
Give a WhatsApp AI agent your programmes and packages with prices and durations, what a first consultation involves, your availability, intake form link, cancellation policy and FAQ, and it answers prospects, books consultations into real slots with reminders, handles client logistics, and sends your intake form before the first session. Instruct it never to give dietary, supplement or medical advice, and to hand over any question about a specific person's health. ReplyKit runs this from $29 a month.
The advice boundary
In one line of the instructions: "You never recommend foods, diets, supplements or calorie targets, and never comment on a person's symptoms, weight or medical condition; those are for the consultation. If asked, say so warmly and offer to book." The agent will then answer "is your programme suitable for someone with diabetes" with "The nutritionist assesses that in the first consultation; shall I book one?" rather than a guess. Regulated-practice scoping is the same as for the financial planners guide: information yes, advice no. If your country regulates dietetic advice, state your registration in the knowledge base so the agent can cite it.
Prospects: programmes, prices, booking
- Programmes as one line each: name, who it is for, duration, number of sessions, price, what is included (plans, check-ins, app access).
- A paragraph on what the first consultation involves and how long it takes.
- Online or in person, time zones if you work internationally; the agent converts times if you tell it your zone, as in multiple time zones.
- The agent asks the prospect's goal in general terms (weight, sport, a condition they name) only to point them to the right programme description, then books the consultation.
- On the Growth plan it nudges once if they go quiet, which matters for a decision people put off.
Existing clients: logistics and check-ins
- Sends the intake form link before the first session and reminds the day before.
- Answers "when is my next session" and "can I move it" from the calendar, and reschedules into real slots.
- Explains how meal plans are delivered and when to expect them, from your note.
- Collects weekly check-in messages (weight, adherence, questions) into the conversation for you to review, without commenting on them.
- Hands over any question about a specific food, symptom or result to you.
Check-ins are where the boundary is tested most: a client asking "is it okay that I had pizza" gets "I'll pass that to {name} for your next check-in" rather than an opinion. The hand-over mechanics are in AI-to-human handover.
Why it is worth it for a solo practice
Most prospects enquire in the evening and most consultations are booked within a day of the first message or not at all. The agent answers in seconds, books while the motivation is there, and takes the reschedules and form-chasing off your plate. The time arithmetic is in how much time an agent saves.
One honest note before the setup. ReplyKit connects to your number by QR pairing, the same linked-device mechanism as WhatsApp Web. It is live in minutes and needs no Meta approval, but Meta does not sanction automation this way, so a number can be restricted. We enforce limits of 30 replies an hour and 200 a day per number with a warm-up ramp for new numbers, reply to inbound messages only, and recommend a dedicated number rather than your main line. The full picture is in our ban guide.
Starter at $29 a month covers one number, one agent, one website assistant and 1,000 AI replies; Growth at $49 adds two more numbers, five agents and follow-up nudges; the 7-day free trial needs no card. Replies you receive and messages you send yourself are free; only the agent's own messages count. Pricing is in USD and the service works in any country where WhatsApp does. What it costs in practice.
Frequently asked questions
Will the agent give nutrition advice?
No. It is instructed never to recommend foods, diets or supplements, or to comment on a person's health. It explains programmes and books the consultation.
Can it book consultations?
Yes, into real slots, with a reminder the day before and your intake form link sent in advance.
Can clients send check-ins through it?
Yes. The messages are collected in the conversation for you to review; the agent does not comment on them.
Does it work for online practices across countries?
Yes. It replies in the client's language and can state times in your time zone and theirs.
Can it handle meal plan delivery questions?
From your note on how and when plans are delivered. It cannot send the plan itself unless you attach it to the knowledge base, which most practitioners do not.
Consultations booked, logistics handled, advice left to you
Programmes, prices, bookings and check-ins with a firm boundary. 7-day free trial, no card.
Sources and further reading
- Harvard Business Review, The Short Life of Online Sales Leads (Oldroyd, McElheran, Elkington, 2011) · firms that responded within an hour were about seven times more likely to qualify the lead
- WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy · opt-in, opt-out and prohibited-use rules every business must follow
- ReplyKit, Will WhatsApp ban my number for automation? · our own account of the risk and the limits we enforce
ReplyKit is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. This article is general guidance for practice administration, not medical, dietary or regulatory advice.