Eating Free’s Manuel Villacorta was recently appointed as the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) national media spokesperson.

The ADA is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, which is committed to improving the nation’s health and to advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education, and advocacy.  The ADA’s vision is to “optimize the nation’s health through food and nutrition.”
The ADA’s nationwide volunteer spokesperson network consists of 30 registered dietitians who annually conduct thousands of print, TV, radio, and online interviews about nutrition and healthful eating on behalf of the …

The wait is finally over!  After months of hard work and careful consideration, the Nutrition For You website will transform into the new and improved Eating Free website on June 22nd.
For those of you currently using the earlier version of the website, be rest assured.  Your transition will be more than gentle.  You’ll still be able to enjoy all the wonderful features you’ve grown accustomed to, such as our unique and invaluable coaching, but in a friendlier format.  Plus, you’ll love all the additions and improvements, such as your freeQ …

Richard recently joined Nutrition for You as a nutrition coach. He is a Registered Dietitian with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science. He strives to be a well-rounded dietitian but his particular areas of interest are weight loss and sports nutrition. He has practiced nutrition in various settings such as hospitals, collegiate athletics, and community wellness and recreation centers. He takes pride in connecting with people and helping them achieve their nutrition goals.
His approach to coaching involves being honest, open-minded and empathetic at all times. He believes …

Shannon has been part of the Nutrition for You team as a nutrition coach since 2007. Before joining Nutrition for You, Shannon worked with Manuel Villacorta as a dietetic intern at MV Nutrition, his private practice in San Francisco.
Shannon received a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics from San Francisco State University in 2008. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health with an emphasis in Nutrition in preparation to become a Registered Dietitian. Her graduate research focuses on dietary intervention to reduce metabolic syndrome risk factors and improve the …

As a teenager, Narissa tried many various “fad diets” in an attempt to lose weight.  However, as many others have, she became a yo-yo dieter and realized that diets never worked long-term.  When she discovered that being a Dietitian was a career choice, she knew she could now learn how to control her weight through solid nutrition science and healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes and in turn, be able to help others who have followed the same path.
Her personal journey has led to many positive changes in both her life …

Kate is a Bay Area native who has been very passionate about food and health all her life. Growing up, she dealt with difficult weight and eating issues that have become the foundation of her life’s work. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz where she specialized in eating disorders and she is currently studying Nutrition/Dietetics at the San Francisco State University in preparation to become a Registered Dietitian.
Kate joined MV Nutrition in 2006 where she collaborated with Manuel Villacorta in …

Sharon’s interest in nutrition started when she was overweight in her early teens. She wanted to lose weight but did it the unhealthy way by eating too little and exercising too much. She later realized that moderation is key to a successful and safe weight loss. Her experience with being overweight and losing the weight prompted her to major in Dietetics at the San Francisco State University so that she can learn more about nutrition.
As a dietitian, she aspires to educate people on nutrition and guide them to living a …

Many Americans struggle with finding the right source for help about nutrition and weight loss. A lot of people rely on weight loss celebrities, personal trainers or health and fitness magazines and websites. But the most accurate and science-based information can only come from registered dietitians or RDs.
Anyone can call himself or herself a nutritionist but RDs are the nutrition professionals with the right credentials. RDs are licensed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association. They can legally practice medical nutrition therapy and are highly trained …

by Dennis Allio
Okay, of course not.  But today when I was finishing up my morning workout at my athletic club I noticed something.  I looked over into the lounge area and there was a huge tray of donuts there for the taking.  Free of charge.  Congratulations on a good workout it said!  I couldn’t believe it.
Wow. I’ve talked about mixed messages before and how detrimental it is to your nutritional well-being.  This is just one glaring example of how it can get out of hand. There are two things that …

by Manuel Villacorta
The sad news is most doctors know nothing about nutrition.  I don’t blame them.  While in their long and tedious 8 to 15 years of training some of them only get one class in basic nutrition.  As a registered dietitian with a master of science in nutrition I have studied and completed 9 years of schooling in nutrition.
On many occasions I have heard my patients telling me that their doctors don’t have any faith in them about lowering their cholesterol or blood pressure through diet and exercise.  My …