ABOUT
Melissa Joy Dobbins MS, RDN, CDE
Melissa and her family after receiving the Media Excellence Award
from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Melissa is The Guilt-Free RD® – “because food shouldn’t make you feel bad!” She is the CEO of Sound Bites® Inc., and promotes sound science, smart nutrition and good food. Melissa is best known for her Sound Bites Podcast and her Media Training workshops for dietitians and other health professionals.
Through her podcast interviews, social media outreach, and TV segments, Melissa helps people digest food and nutrition information so they can make their own, well-informed decisions based on facts, not fear. As a certified diabetes educator for 20 years and a former supermarket dietitian, Melissa shares evidence-based information and realistic solutions to help people enjoy their food with health in mind.
Melissa has extensive media experience as a spokesperson for the food, grocery and healthcare industries, and received the 2016 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Media Excellence Award. She specializes in training other health professionals on media, social media and presentation skills. Her trainings have a particular emphasis on creating and delivering compelling science-based messages that engage and empower audiences.
As the host of the Sound Bites Podcast, Melissa explores the science, psychology and strategies behind good food and nutrition in conversations with her guests who are experts on a variety of topics ranging from farming to fad diets. The show was named one of “11 Podcasts You Need” by Cosmopolitan Magazine, one of the “Best RD-run Podcasts” by Today’s Dietitian Magazine, and one of “8 Podcasts Worth Listening To” by Diabetes Forecast Magazine.
Melissa lives in Chicago with her husband and son, and her daughter is a sophomore in college. Melissa is an “accidental” triathlete and enjoys all kinds of dancing from ballet to ballroom. She has recently been learning the art of storytelling and can be seen at story slams in and around Chicago.
Melissa’s BACKGROUND
Raised in northern and central Illinois, Melissa first became interested in nutrition when she was studying ballet at the National Academy of Arts high school in Champaign-Urbana. It was there that she saw firsthand how unhealthy habits could be detrimental to health and how susceptible we can be to fad diets and misinformation.
Melissa went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Melissa’s background includes:
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nearly a decade of hospital-based counseling and community programs
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more than 15 years of extensive media experience
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launching the first consumer nutrition education program and serving as the retail dietitian for a major supermarket chain
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eight years as communications manager for the dairy council
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being published in the “Journal of Nutrition Education” and “The ADA Manual of Clinical Dietetics”
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writing patient and consumer educational materials, internet articles, book reviews, radio scripts, blogs and more
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health professional outreach, education and training
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teaching undergraduate and graduate level nutrition courses
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nutrition research
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mentoring dietitians
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volunteering in local and national nutrition organizations
Professional AFFILIATIONS & AWARDS
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2016 Media Excellence Award by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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2014 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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2011 Outstanding Diabetes Educator of the Year by the Chicago chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators
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2004 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the Illinois Dietetic Association
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Former National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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National Media Spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators
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Current Communications & Marketing Chair for Diabetes Care and Education DPG
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Past Public Relations Chair for the Chicago chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators 2003-2016
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Past Media Co-Chair for the Illinois Dietetic Association 2010-2012
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Past Board member for the Chicago Food & Nutrition Network 2005-2013
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Past Speakers & Media Specialty Chair for Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG 2013-2017
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Member: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Illinois Dietetic Association, Chicago Dietetic Association, West & North Suburban Dietetic Associations, Chicago Food & Nutrition Network, and Dietetic Practice Groups: Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Dietitians in Business and Communications, Diabetes Care and Education, Food and Culinary Professionals, Weight Management, Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition
Contact Melissa
Degrees & Certifications
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Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
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Licensed in Illinois
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Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition
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Master's degree in Nutrition Education
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Certified Diabetes Educator
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Completed CDR Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management
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Completed CDR Certificate of Training in Child & Adolescent Weight Management