Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharina Kronsteiner.
Hi Katharina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved food, even since I was a baby. I always savored it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was born in Austria, and there are photos of me when I was around one year old. My mom took me to Italy for the first time to go to the beach and, of course, eat pasta, and I apparently fell in love. I ate those noodles with such gusto, sauce all over my face and arms. Although I don’t remember that trip directly, every time I look at those photos, I realize I still experience food in much the same way today. I think that was the beginning of a true love story.
I was raised by a parent who grew up on a farm, so that really shapes the way you think about food. It builds a deeper connection to where it comes from, what it looks like, and what it tastes like. Although I didn’t grow up on the farm myself, I spent most of my childhood summers there, so I developed a deep appreciation for the growing season. That meant more vegetables than we could eat, preserving food for the colder months so nothing went to waste, harvesting everything at peak ripeness, and, of course, cooking. My favorite activity was always cooking lunch with my aunt. She would tell me exactly what to pick from the garden, and then we’d make something together while she taught me along the way. Those experiences shaped me more than I realized at the time.
I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and then moved away for college. I honestly never thought I’d end up back here, but life has a funny way of bringing you full circle. Being back has been incredibly rewarding because so much of my support system is here, like my family, lifelong friends, mentors, and old connections. Building my practice in a community that already feels like home has been really special.
After college, I moved to NYC, and like many newly graduated, broke, inexperienced, barely-adults, I got a job in a restaurant. This was where I started learning about different cuisines in real time. I had always been an avid Food Network watcher, but now I had to taste, learn, talk about, sell, and even prep the food myself. I worked both front and back of house, eventually moving into management because I had a knack for bridging the gap between the kitchen and the dining room.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I lost my job, and it forced me to stop and think about where I wanted my life to go. I considered taking the chef route, but given the uncertainty of the restaurant industry, I wasn’t sure it was the right path. I think it was my mom who suggested I look into nutrition programs, and everything started to click.
I knew I wanted to do something that would help people and make a difference. I grew up learning about food, growing food, and treating food as nourishment and medicine. I wanted to help people simplify nutrition and realize that eating well doesn’t have to mean giving up the foods you love. My goal has always been to help people feel better, have more energy, and build a healthier relationship with food.
I enrolled in the master’s program in Human Nutrition at the University of Bridgeport. While I completed my degree, I continued bartending and working in restaurant kitchens, and I also spent some time working as a private chef. Looking back, every job I had somehow revolved around food.
I started Kronsteiner Nutrition in August of last year, and there has been a steep learning curve ever since. Building a business has challenged me in ways I never expected, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. Every day I’m learning, not just as a nutritionist, but as an entrepreneur, and I’m excited to continue growing and expanding the ways I can support my community.
Right now, my focus is on personalized nutrition counseling, but I’d love to expand into more personal chef work, cooking classes, and community education. One of my favorite parts of this work is getting people excited about food again by sharing recipes, teaching simple cooking skills, and showing them that healthy eating can be both nourishing and genuinely enjoyable.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of my biggest challenges has actually been becoming an entrepreneur. Starting a business from scratch with a very small budget means wearing every hat yourself. One day I’m seeing clients, the next I’m building a website, designing marketing materials, networking, bookkeeping, or trying to figure out social media, which is definitely not one of my strengths.
Marketing has probably been the hardest part. It takes a lot of consistency, creativity, and confidence, and that’s something I’m still learning. I’ve had to push myself outside of my comfort zone by saying yes to opportunities that scare me, whether that’s giving community talks, introducing myself to potential referral partners, or simply talking about my business with people I meet.
Running a business has taught me that growth happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable. I’m constantly learning new skills, and I’ve had to remind myself to give myself grace. I don’t have to be great at everything right away. Every conversation, event, and new opportunity teaches me something, and that’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of Kronsteiner Nutrition. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I provide personalized one-on-one nutrition counseling, working with clients anywhere from a few weeks to several years, depending on their goals. Whether someone is looking to improve their energy, support digestion, balance blood sugar, manage chronic conditions, or simply build healthier habits, my goal is always the same: meet people where they are and create realistic, sustainable changes that fit their lives.
I take an integrative, root-cause approach to nutrition. Rather than focusing only on food, I also look at sleep, stress, movement, environment, social connection, behavior, and daily routines because all of these influence our health. I want to understand the whole person, not just the symptoms they’re experiencing.
Everyone has different goals, health histories, schedules, budgets, cultures, preferences, and relationships with food. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s what makes this work so interesting. I often feel like part nutritionist, part detective, and part coach. I spend a lot of time listening, looking for patterns, and trying to understand the root causes of what’s going on rather than just treating symptoms. Sometimes I’m helping someone understand nutrition, and other times I’m helping them work through the barriers that have kept them stuck for years.
One of my biggest philosophies is addition rather than restriction. Most people don’t need more rules; they need more nourishment. I want people to feel excited about food, not afraid of it. Whether I’m sharing recipes, introducing someone to a new ingredient, or helping them build confidence in the kitchen, I love showing people that healthy eating can be both delicious and enjoyable. My background in both nutrition and professional kitchens allows me to bridge the gap between knowing what’s healthy and actually wanting to eat it.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Nutrition is never a solo effort. My work is built on collaboration with my clients, with other healthcare providers, and within the community. My clients are the experts on their own lives, so every recommendation we make is a partnership. We work together to create plans that fit their routines, preferences, and goals rather than trying to force a perfect plan that isn’t realistic.
I also enjoy collaborating with physicians, therapists, acupuncturists, and other healthcare professionals to provide better care for shared clients. Building relationships within this community is an important part of my practice, as it allows us to develop mutual trust and refer people to one another when someone could benefit from additional support.
Beyond healthcare, I love building relationships within the community through partnerships with local gyms, farmers markets, health food stores, and community organizations. I enjoy connecting with people through community talks, presentations, workshops, cooking demonstrations, and wellness events. My goal is to make nutrition education more accessible and show people that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated
Pricing:
- Clarity/Discovery Call (15-min): FREE
- Initial Consultation (90-min): $125
- Follow-up Session (45-min): $75
- Foundations Package (2-3 months): $325
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kronsteinernutrition.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kronsteinernutrition
