Nutrition — and nutritionists — have been making headlines the world over, as of late. Many have even achieved the status of celebrity. Although the term (and the profession itself) are currently in vogue, the vocation has been around for years, and while trends always tend to die down after a few years, it seems as if that isn’t going to stop the celebrity power of these 12 popular nutritionists and their star power.
1. Dr. Mehmet Oz
Mehmet Cengiz Öz, better known as Dr. Oz, received his start in the field of nutrition while earning a MD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He has been a faculty member at Columbia University’s Department of Surgery since 2001. However, most people are not familiar with Dr. Oz’s academic credentials. They know him from his multiple recurring appearances on Oprah and Larry King Live. Since 2009, Dr. Oz has hosted his own wildly popular television show, The Dr. Oz Show, which addresses matters of nutrition to a popular audience.
2. Christine Avanti
Christine Avanti is largely known for her best selling book Skinny Chicks Don’t Eat Salad, a practical guide to eating healthy foods without sacrificing nutrients that many carb-heavy meals provide. She was also co-host of Food Network’s 2012 television offering, Fat Chef.
3. Ian Marber
Taking an interest in nutrition after being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 1993, Ian Marber become a household name in the UK as The Food Doctor. 1999 saw Marber publish his best selling book The Food Doctor: Healing Foods For the Mind and Body, which has since sold over 500,000 copies and has been translated into six languages. Marber has appeared on numerous television shows, including the BBC’s Richard and Judy and his own program with the Discovery Channel’s The A-List Diet.
4. Dr. Andrew Weil
In 1968, Andrew Weil earned his M.D. from Harvard University and made a decision that would forever change his life — and the way that the general public views their own nutrition — by moving to San Francisco. There, Weil learned about alternative medicines and attempted to integrate them into more conventional Western manners of healing. On popular shows like Larry King Live and Oprah, Weil has supported a diet that includes organic fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh fish.
5. Kim Snyder
This young gun is considered nutritionist to the stars. After graduating from Georgetown University, Kim Snyder spent a considerable amount of time abroad, learning nutrition techniques from various non-Western cultures. She is now a best-selling author and regular guest on The Dr. Oz Show and Good Morning America.
6. Dr. Arthur Agatston
One of the most well-known, but most controversial name, in the industry of nutrition, Dr. Arthur Agatston is famous (and notorious) as the creator of the South Beach Diet. After earning an M.D. from New York University in 1973, Agatston went on to publish his most popular piece in 2003, inciting thousands across the globe to take on a high fiber diet and perhaps even more to describe his findings as a fad.
7. Joy Bauer
Although she holds an academic pedigree that includes a degree in nutrition from New York University and a position at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, Joy Bauer will forever be remembered by the public as The Today Show’s resident nutritionist. She also is a best selling author, publishing books on nutrition such as Joy’s LIFE Diet and Food Cures.
8. Cynthia Pasquella
This nutritionist actually grew up in extreme poverty. In fact, her family was so destitute that they could not afford in-door plumbing. Although now she is referred to as the “Hungry Hottie”, during her time spent as an impoverished youth, Cynthia developed poor eating habits, during which time she became overweight. Cynthia eventually developed a sustainable diet, which she has passed onto others through outlets such as The Today Show and Dr. Phil.
9. Susan Powter
Although mainly recognized for her signature platinum blonde buzzcut and catchphrase, “Stop the insanity!”, Susan Powter was an early celebrity success in the world of fitness. In the 1990s, this Australian ex-pat was the host of her own television show, a best-selling author and very popular on the motivational speaker circuit.
10. Lisa DeFazio
Hollywood born and raised, this nutritionist got her start working for Madonna as a script writer. Soon thereafter, she became interested in all matters of health, especially nutrition, and earned a Master’s in Nutritional Science from California State University. You may recognize Ms. DeFazio as a special correspondent on Perez Hilton’s website, as well as regular columns in magazines such as Vogue.
11. Mike Dolce
For Ultimate Fighting Championship fans, Mike Dolce is a name that will be entirely familiar. Dolce is a top notch fighter in top notch shape. That’s why he has developed a method to lose a great deal of body fat and still have plenty of energy to spare. As a nutritionist, Dolce has taken the blogosphere by storm, with his methods making the rounds via forwarded emails and blog comments galore.
12. Dr. Mark Hyman
Not only is Dr. Mark Hyman a practicing physician and 8 time New York Times best-selling author, he’s also a bonafide celebrity. Dr. Hyman’s matter-of-fact nutritional tips and lifestyle hints have been wildly popular since he started appearing on Dr. Oz’s television show. His everyman demeanor and happy-go-lucky attitude have charmed people into a life of healthy nutrition!
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