Q&A with Biggest Loser nutritionist Cheryl Forberg, RD

January 16, 12:25 PMWeight Loss ExaminerGail Gedan Spencer

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It just isn't Bob and Jillian setting the Biggest Loser contestants on the road to wellville. Cheryl Forberg, a professional chef, registered dietitian and award-winning recipe developer, is the show's nutritionist, and her goal is to get the contestants to lose weight while healthfully fueling those grueling workouts. I did a quick Q&A with her after she found my Examiner.com column:

Q. How did you get involved with The Biggest Loser?
A. I was working on a project at UCLA with an RD colleague there who knew one of the physicians from the show. She consulted to BL during the first/pilot season. When the show took off, they needed an RD to join the Medical Expert Team. My colleague introduced me to Dr Huizenga (the sports doc) and that was 6 seasons ago.

Q. What needs the most changing with the contestants' old way of eating?
A. Not just one thing! here are the common denominators I've learned from my work with the show I found that most of our contestants:

1. Had absolutely no idea how many calories their body really needs (and how many more they are actually taking in)
2. Skipped breakfast and often, many other meals
3. Didn't eat enough fruit or vegetables
4. Didn't eat enough protein (lean protein)
5. Didn't eat enough whole grains
6. Ate too much white stuff: white flour; white pasta, white sugar, white rice, simple carbs
7. Didn't feel they had time to plan ahead -- they found themselves grabbing something quick for a meal -- often consumed in the car or at their desk.
8. Often had enough calories in beverages alone to meet their daily caloric needs, but didn't drink enough water
9. Didn't exercise enough (if at all)
10. Prioritized their spouse, partner, children and/or their jobs over their own health and well-being

Q. What would be the most important tip you could give someone about making weight loss successful?
A. I [recently] blogged about this:

• Set realistic goals.
• Review/revise them regularly.
• Keep it interesting (both your exercise and your menus)
• Change it up or you'll get bored, lose interest, and lose motivation.
• Reward yourself for success (but not with food) Treat yourself to new work out gear, massage, manicure or something pampering.