Meet Toby

Toby Smithson, MS, RDN, CDE is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) who has successfully managed her own diabetes for more than 50 years. Toby really knows what effectively managing diabetes means for your health and to your normal life, and her combination of professional knowledge and personal experience can help you make small decisions that can make big differences in your future health.

• Since she’s a Former National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and a recognized diabetes lifestyle expert, you may find Toby sharing information or advice in articles and interviews anywhere. You can find them all right here.
• Read Toby’s personal views in her blogs published here at DiabetesEveryDay.com, or on other credible health and wellness resources.
• Toby is the co-author of Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies, which explains the connection between food and diabetes, and simplifies the challenges of healthy eating step by step.
• Toby’s professional and personal experience with diabetes makes her the prefect spokesperson for your product or service, and gives her a broad range of subject options to share with your conference attendees, worksite programs or support groups. Talk to Toby and your product or service, or schedule Toby as a speaker for your group.

Meet Our Talented Contributors

These contributors keep you moving, interview fascinating guests, and create fabulous recipes that are both delicious and healthy.

Lindsey Singleton

Lindsey Singleton develops fabulous recipes for DiabetesEveryDay. Lindsey’s hometown is Phoenix, and she earned her B.S. degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona in May 2010. In March 2011 she completed a certificate program in Culinary Arts at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Chicago. Lindsey has a passion for food and nutrition and hopes to inspire others to cook healthy and delicious meals with the help of the Diabetes Everyday recipes.

Marlene Koch

Marlene Koch is a registered dietitian, is a nationally recognized nutritionist, popular TV personality and  New York Times best-selling author who delivers good health with great taste! She has taught chefs across the nation the principles of healthy cooking and eating for the American Culinary Federation, and sold more than one million cookbooks.  Marlene is a regular guest on QVC and her books and recipes have appeared on television programs including The Today Show, Fox & Friends, and The Food Network, as well as in countless magazines and newspapers including Cooking Light, Woman’s World, Men’s Fitness, Diabetes Health, the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. Her newest book, Eat More of What You Love: Over 200 Brand New Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat, and Calories, is the sequel to her book Eat What You Love.

Gita Patel

Gita Patel is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and certified LEAP (Lifestyle Eating and Performance) therapist specializing in diabetes, women’s health, heart disease, vegetarian nutrition, healthy aging, migraines, IBS, IBD, Celiac disease, food allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerances, and multiple sclerosis. Her vegetarian cookbook, Blending Science with Spices: Tasty Recipes & Nutrition Tips for Healthy Living, is the culmination of her traditional Indian background, the varied foods she grew up eating, and her extensive training in modern nutritional science.  For more information about Gita, visit her website.

Janet Bond Brill

Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., RD, LDN is a nationally recognized nutrition, health and fitness expert and published author.  Dr. Janet Brill has kindly contributed recipes to DiabetesEveryDay. Dr. Janet is the director of nutrition for Fitness Together, the world’s largest organization of personal trainers, and the nutrition guest expert for the nationally televised program, The Balancing Act (Lifetime). Dr. Janet has authored two books; the most recent is Prevent a Second Heart Attack (Three Rivers Press, Feb 2011.) This book translates complex scientific research on heart disease prevention and reversal into a user-friendly and deliciously palatable lifestyle that everyone can benefit from. Prevent a Second Heart Attack follows the bestselling book, Cholesterol Down (Crown, 2006). For more information on Dr. Janet or her books, please visit www.DrJanet.com.

Connie Gutterson

Connie Guttersen, R.D., Ph.D., is a leading nutritional and dietary expert. She has spent her career focusing on developing flavorful and nutritious approaches to healthy eating and weight reduction. A registered dietitian and nutrition instructor at the world-famous Culinary Institute of America, Dr. Guttersen developed the Standards of Care for the Obesity Treatment Center in Bellevue, Washington, as well as served as a nutritional and dietary consultant for a broad range of corporations and Fortune 500 companies.  She also is the author of The New Sonoma Cookbook:  Simple Recipes for a Healthy, More Delicious Way to Live.  Learn more about Connie’s approach to diet at her website.

Brenda Poinchtera

Brenda J. Ponichtera is a registered dietitian and award-winning author with extensive experience in nutrition and diabetes counseling who has contributed recipes to DiabetesEveryDay. An editorial advisor for Today’s Diet and Nutrition, Brenda is also an active member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association. Her cookbooks Quick & Healthy Recipes and Ideas, 3rd Edition and Quick & Healthy Volume II— both Benjamin Franklin Award winners — are designed to prove that healthful eating doesn’t have to take a lot of time in the kitchen. Her books have been recommended in publications such as “O” The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Miami Herald, Shape magazine, and USA Today, as well as by health care professionals, and busy cooks across the country.  Visit Brenda at her website to learn more.

Heidi Reichenberger McIndoo

Heidi Reichenberger McIndoo, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. is a Registered Dietitian, nutrition consultant, spokesperson, author and freelance writer.  She is the author of When to Eat What and has written for several magazines including, All You, Today’s Diet & Nutrition, Parents, Family Circle, Self, Prevention, Fitness, Shape and Woman’s Day.  Heidi loves helping people realize that eating nutritiously doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor and pleasure. Heidi has provided recipes from When to Eat What to DiabetesEveryDay.  Learn more at Heidi’s website.

Maggie Davis

Maggie Davis is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, founder of Live Nutrition, and author of Good Food for Life, from which she has offered delicious recipes. Her nutrition consulting practice is located on Cape Cod, and Maggie is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops as well as a gourmet cook and avid gardener.

Mary Lynn Farivari

Mary Lynn Farivari is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about showing people that eating nutritious foods doesn’t mean giving up taste and variety.  With 20+ years of experience, a love of good food, and talent in the kitchen, she is the author of Healthy Palate, Delicious and Simple Recipes to Enhance Meals with Fruits and Vegetables.  Mary Lynn earned a bachelor’s degree in Human-Environment Sciences with a major in Dietetics from the University of Alabama and is certified by the American Dietetic Association in Adult Weight Management.  Learn more at Mary Lynn’s website.

Meri Raffetto

Meri Raffetto is a registered dietitian and recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She is the founder of Real Living Nutrition Services and develops custom online corporate wellness programs for small to large companies. She is the author of The Glycemic Index Diet for Dummies® and the co-author of The Glycemic Index Cookbook for Dummies®, The Calorie Counter for Dummies® and The Calorie Counter Journal for Dummies®, and the Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Dummies®.

Roseanne Rust

Roseanne Rust is a registered and licensed dietitian with a master’s degree in clinical dietetics from the University of Pittsburgh. She is an author, teacher, spokesperson, and provides virtual weight-loss coaching for Real Living Nutrition Services and online nutrition instruction for Penn State World Campus. Roseanne co-authored The Glycemic Index Cookbook for Dummies®, The Calorie Counter for Dummies®, and Hypertension Cookbook for Dummies®.  Visit her website, Rust Nutrition Services.

Cindy Kleckner

Cindy Kleckner a Registered Dietitian with more than 30 years of experience working in the fields of culinary nutrition, weight management, cardiovascular health, and general wellness. She received a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and dietetics from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and interned at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Cindy leads monthly culinary demonstrations and nutrition programs at Cooper Fitness Center at Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. She co-authored Hypertension Cookbook for Dummies and What’s Cooking at the Cooper Clinic and contributed to several of Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper’s books including Overcoming Hypertension.  Visit Cindy’s web page at the Cooper Institute.

Wendy Jo Peterson

Wendy Jo Peterson, MS is a Registered Dietitian, a sports dietitian, nutritionist, chef, and author. She divides her practice between working with artists and musicians in Texas (Fuelin’ Roadie,) and working with other patients, including Olympic Athletes, in San Diego, California (Edible Nutrition). She has more than 10 years of experience working with clients, is a nutritional speaker and member of the prestigious National Speakers Association, hosts her own radio show about nutrition on Cuttin’ Up Radio, and is a co-author of  The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Dummies®.

Sharon Palmer

Sharon Palmer, RD has created a career based on combining her two great loves: food and writing. As a registered dietitian with 16 years of health care experience, she focuses on writing features covering health, wellness, nutrition, cooking, wine, restaurant reviews, and entertainment. In her newly released book, The Plant-Powered Diet: The Lifelong Eating Plan for Achieving Optimal Health, Beginning Today, Sharon marshals the most up-to-date findings in nutrition to explain both why you should eat more plant-based fare and exactly how to do so.  Visit Sharon’s website.

Jill Weisenberger

Jill Weisenberger is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, speaker, writer, and health “coach, cheerleader and strategist” for individual clients and groups. Her new book Diabetes Weight Loss; Week by Week takes readers on a one year “no fad and no tricks” journey to weight control for a lifetime while managing blood sugar, cholesterol levels and more. Jill lives and works in the Yorktown/ Newport News, Virginia area.