Hispanic Nutrition

Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger, RD, MS, LD, CPT

A registered dietitian and certified personal trainer providing health and nutrition education for Hispanics.

Sylvia E. Melendez-Klinger founded Hispanic Food Communications, Inc. in 2000. For over seven years, she has been consulting with some of the world’s largest food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies. Sylvia helps companies and organizations reach the 35 million Hispanics in the US – as well as companies in Mexico and Latin America. Her expertise as a dietitian and experience as a media spokesperson have made her one of the most sought-after voices in marketing to Hispanics today. Sylvia Melendez-Klinger is a registered dietitian of the American Dietetic Association and a licensed dietitian in the state of Illinois. The
Chicago Dietetic Association honored her as “Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year” in 1994. She is an active member of the following professional groups:

• American Dietetic Association
• Illinois Dietetic Association
• Dietitians in Business and Communications practice group
• Food and Culinary Professionals practice group
• Latino and Hispanic American Dietetic Association (LAHADA) networking group
• Grain Foods Foundation Medical Advisory Board
• GSK Multicultural Council on Weight Control

Sylvia began her career as an Administrative Dietitian at New England Memorial Hospital in Boston, MA. She earned her bachelor degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA, her Masters of Science in Public Administration from DePaul University in Chicago and her certification for personal trainer from the National Council of Strength and Fitness. Sylvia has also worked for the WIC Program (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children sponsored by the USDA) as a supervising nutritionist and for the University of California Irvine Medical Center as a clinical and research dietitian. She worked for Northwestern University Preventive Medicine as a research dietitian and for the Quaker Oats Company for almost ten years as a Senior Culinary Development Specialist. Sylvia still finds time to train for marathons in her spare time. She lives in suburban Chicago, IL, with her husband and two children.