Cheryl Forberg, RD. Biggest Loser Nutritionist

As a member of the show's Medical Expert Team (comprised of physicians, myself, a psychologist, a sports medic and other health professionals), my job has many facets. I first meet with prospective contestants for a comprehensive nutrition consult during their pre-show physicals (which last several days) each season. Once the cast has been selected, I introduce contestants to their respective calorie budgets and to the BL eating plan, which I co-wrote with Dr. Dansinger and Dr Robert Huizenga. The BL eating plan does not include supplements other than a multiple vitamin without iron (unless the MD believes iron is needed).  Some of the  contestants are asked by the Medical Expert Team to supplement calcium and Vitamin D if their calcium/dairy intake is too low.

Every single day, every contestant completes and submits food journals to me. I analyze these and share the results with The Medical Expert Team, the trainers and the producers. I participate in weekly conference calls with contestants to provide nutrition support. They all have my contact info and are able to connect with me as needed throughout the season. I have been spending more time on the Ranch with each season, to provide nutrition lectures, grocery store tours, cooking lessons, etc.

Though the show does not have a dedicated chef, we have had visiting chefs on the show such as Rocco Dispirito and Curtis Stone. Because I am also a professional chef as well as a dietitian, I am able to consult with the  guest chefs  to tweak their recipes and provide nutritional analysis  for them. I also help create many of the nutrition messages that are delivered  on camera by guests chefs and the trainers.

I have received hundreds of letters from dietitians, health professionals and viewers, asking me why my RD role is so low profile and why am I not  on camera? I have conveyed these queries to the show, and over time, nutrition has gained more recognition, even though it’s a bit less and a bit slower than I would like. That is why I am trying to maintain this weekly blog to answer such questions and share info that is not included each week on the show. I am hopeful, to increase my content in the very near future. I will not answer questions re: exercise physiology or sports nutrition as I do not have that expertise nor the credentials that come with it.

I will try to answer as many cooking and nutrition questions as possible, but I am simply not able to answer all of them

Thank so much for your support and your interest.  I promise to blog more frequently in the near future!

And for those of you who may not know, RD stands for Registered Dietitian.  An RD completes a bachelors or masters degree nutrition program followed by an internship in an approved clinical or academic setting.  The internship duration is usually six months to a year.  This coursework concludes with a national board exam to receive the RD credential.   An RD takes continuing education courses every year thereafter (as physicians do) to maintain their credential. Some registered dietitians choose to call themselves "nutritionists" as many more consumers understand what this term means.  In most states, there are no legal standards or qualifications required to use the title "nutritionist".  If you are seeking professional help for weight loss or for a clinical reason, please be sure to inquire about a "nutritionist's" education and credentials.  They may not have an RD. (And, if you are seeking expert nutrition advice from someone in your area, please visit the national website for the American Dietetic Association.  They are the governing body for Registered Dietitians and their website can help you find a qualified nutrition expert in your area)

Thanks for stopping by
Cheryl