SYLVIA MELÉNDEZ KLINGER
DBA, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT
PRESIDENT
Dr. Sylvia Meléndez Klinger, a global nutrition communicator, award-winning author, and nutrition and culinary consultant, is the founder of Hispanic & Multicultural Nutrition Communications. Her international recognition as a nutrition expert is a testament to her unwavering dedication to helping people, especially those in underserved communities, discover the joy of creating and savoring delicious and nutritious foods. Her recent project in Africa, aimed at developing a sustainable community nutrition program for malnourished children, is a clear manifestation of her commitment. In 2022, Loma Linda University acknowledged her dedication by awarding her Women of the Year and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics awarded Sylvia the prestigious Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion in 2025.
It’s Dr. Klinger’s 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, she 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 was through the study of nutrition and her experiences growing up in a Hispanic home that Sylvia 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, Dr. Klinger is a leading expert in cross-cultural Hispanic nutrition and health issues. She 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, Dr. Klinger 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, she 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, Everyday Health, Siempre Mujer, Vanidades, Bakery and Snack Magazine, and Convenience Store Decisions to name a few. She is a regular contributor to many blogs and webinars, including Fox News Latino, Huffington Post, MSGDish.com, Asbestos.com, and Mamas Latinas. Sylvia also frequently posts nutrition news, tips and recipes on her website and on her social media channels.
CREDENTIALS & AWARDS
Sylvia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California, in 1984, her Master of Science in Public Service Administration from DePaul University in Chicago in 1993, and her doctorate in Business Administration in Global Leadership from California Intercontinental University in 2016. She is a registered dietitian of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a licensed dietitian in Illinois.
In 1994, the Chicago Dietetic Association presented her with the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award. Sylvia received the Outstanding Dietitian of the Year award in January 2009 from the Illinois Dietetic Association. The Distinguished Alumna 2012 from Loma Linda School of Allied Health Professions – Nutrition and Dietetics, and the 2012 Rincon Family Services Care Award.
In 2013 Sylvia received the Prominent Businesswomen of the Year Award from La Raza Newspaper in Chicago. Sylvia received the 2019 LAHIDAN Distinguished TRINKO Service award for 30 years of educating low-income communities. In 2022, Loma Linda University awarded her the Adventist Women of the Year award for her compassionate work with underserved communities. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics selected Sylvia for their 2025 Medallion Award for her dedication to the high standards of the profession.
PUBLICATIONS
Dr. Klinger’s “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 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. See Featured Work.
