Our Management Team

Sylvia Meléndez Klinger, DBA, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT
President

Award-winning author and global nutrition entrepreneur Dr. Sylvia Klinger is founder of Hispanic Food Communications, a nutrition communications and culinary consulting company.

It’s her Hispanic background that has fueled her passion for nutrition, which has led her to empower and encourage those in her community through the foods(recipes) they make in their kitchens.

Understanding that everyone’s needs are different, Sylvia seeks to individualize nutrition, so that it can be a highly beneficial experience to us all during the unique journey we are here to live.

It has been through the study of nutrition and her experiences growing up in a Hispanic home, that Sylvia has realized the power nutrition has; the power to glue people together, no matter who they are or where they come from.

She is relentlessly passionate about helping people fall in love with the process of creating and enjoying delicious but most importantly, nutritious foods.

EXPERIENCE

A Hispanic native, Sylvia is a leading expert in cross-cultural Hispanic nutrition and health issues. Sylvia has an impressive record and knowledge of Hispanic foods and culture, enhanced by continued education in current nutritional research and frequent immersion in Hispanic communities.  She uses her in-depth culinary and cultural expertise to introduce new strategies for wellness to an increasingly health-conscious population.

As a result of her endless efforts and constant relation with the community, Sylvia has been a sought after consultant for global diversity issues, food, beverage, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and non-profit health organizations.

Due to her regular contribution to radio and television programs, Sylvia is a primary resource for news media. She is a timely expert commentary on nutrition research and has appeared on numerous local, national and international television and radio stations. She contributes her expertise with several publications, including Latina Magazine, Siempre Mujer, Vanidades, Bakery and Snack Magazine, and Convenience Store Decisions to name a few. She is a regular contributor to many blogs, including Fox News Latino, Huffington Post, and Mamas Latinas. Sylvia also frequently posts nutrition news, tips and recipes on her website, www.hispanicnutrition.com, and on Twitter at @sklingerrd.

PUBLICATIONS

Her most recent publication in 2018 is the “Little Book of Simple Eating” in both English and Spanish. She co-authored the award-winning publication, the Hispanic Family Nutrition Counseling Kit, which was published by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in December 2015. Other publications include “The Role of Breakfast in Health: Definition and Criteria for a Quality Breakfast”, published by the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in December 2014, and “A Systematic Review of the Relationship between Acculturation and Diet among Latinos in the United States: Implications for Future Research”, published by the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in August 2008.  Sylvia also co-authored “The alli Cookbook: More than 200 ALL-NEW Recipes and Meal Plans” (Meredith Books) in 2007.

PROFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Sylvia serves on several boards, including the Grain Foods Foundation Advisory Board and the FAMA Center for Family Caregivers Board. Additionally, Dr. Klinger has been a visiting adjunct professor at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures in Romania, teaching nutrition communications and leading nutrition practicum labs.

Her professional affiliations include active membership in the National Strength and Fitness Council, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Illinois Dietetic Association and past chair of the Latino Hispanic Dietetic Association network group (LAHIDAN), Nutrition Entrepreneurs and Food and Culinary Professionals Practice Groups. Currently, she serves as secretary of Dietitians in Business and Communications and member chair of the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAAND).

Sylvia was awarded Outstanding Dietitian of 2009 by the Illinois Dietetic Association – West Suburban Chapter. In 2012, she received The Distinguished Alumna 2012 from Loma Linda School of Allied Health Professions – Nutrition and Dietetics, and the 2012 Rincon Family Services Care Award. Most recently, Sylvia received the 2013 Prominent Business Woman of the Year Award from La Raza newspaper in Chicago.

Sylvia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition from Loma Linda University (1984) in Loma Linda, California, her Master of Science in public administration from DePaul University in Chicago (1993) and her Doctorate in Business Administration in global Leadership from California Intercontinental university 2016.