About the Author

I was destined to become a registered dietitian. I was always concerned about my own body weight, and as a child, tended to be a bit round and plump through adolescence. Though I was always very active, and played sports and did a lot of physical activity, I ate too much and did not always choose the most healthful foods which is why I was overweight most of my life.Even before I went away to college, I knew I would someday work with people who had eating issues. I decided to pursue a degree in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and along the way, took two nutrition classes that inspired and excited me. As I embarked on a graduate degree in psychology at New York University, I decided after one semester that nutrition was really my passion. I was able to make the switch to a different department and after countless science courses, I received my masters degree in clinical nutrition and became a registered dietitian and New York State certified dietitian/nutritionist. I then worked at a hospital and eventually pursued my dream of having a private nutrition consulting practice. In my practice (and for more than a decade), I worked extensively with families and individuals to help them manage their weight, prevent disease, and manage myriad health conditions.As my family grew (I now have two boys, aged 12 and 9), I decided to spend more time writing which would allow me more flexibility in my schedule and afford me the opportunity to do work I am passionate about. I have always loved writing and have been fortunate enough to write for Parents, Woman's Day, Redbook, Seventeen, Weight Watchers, and Parents. I am a regular contributor for MSNBC.com, and Galtime.com, an online women's magazine. I'm also a blogger and write The Zied Guide (http://theziedguide.wordpress.com/) and put out a weekly newsletter called The Zied Guide (sign up free at elisazied.com).Thus far, I've written three very useful, real-world nutrition books. The latest is Nutrition At Your Fingertips. I coauthored Feed Your Family Right! and So What Can I Eat?! with Ruth Winter. All three books were a true labor of love, and I hope reading them will help you change your life for the better.I am a past spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, and have been fortunate to work with a variety of media outlets. I've appeared on programs including Good Morning America, The Early Show, and The Today Show. Each time I do a live or taped piece, I am challenged to make nutritional science more accessible and practical for people to help them make changes in their food and fitness habits.I am fortunate to do work that I love and am able to share my enthusiasm for life, good food, and fitness with family, friends, colleagues and consumers. I have also sustained a weight loss of more than 30 pounds since my high weight in high school which gives me another perspective, especially as I help others achieve and maintain a healthier body weight. I hope that th

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