NBC.com

Cheryl Forberg RD is a James Beard award-winning chef, a New York Times bestselling author and the nutritionist for NBC's "The Biggest Loser." Her role is to help overweight contestants transform their bodies, health and, ultimately, their lives. A culinary expert and registered dietitian, she has shared cooking and nutrition tips with the contestants for 12 seasons.

Cheryl received her culinary education at the California Culinary Academy (CCA) in San Francisco. After graduating from the CCA, she embarked on a European apprenticeship journey, which culminated in stints at top French restaurants from Champagne to Strasbourg. Upon return to the United States, Ms. Forberg was chosen for the opening team of Postrio, Wolfgang Puck's first venture in northern California.

Cheryl's passionate interest in healthy cooking led to an exodus from restaurant kitchens and an entree to some of the most prestigious households in America. During this period she held the coveted position of Private Chef for Lucasfilm, Ltd. in northern California. She went on to earn a degree in Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics and an RD (registered dietitian) credential from the University of California at Berkeley. As a former research dietitian at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, she had the opportunity to integrate her scientific background into recipe creation for a variety of dietary protocols. This distinctive skill set enabled her to extend her culinary expertise beyond celebrated restaurant kitchens and into the creation of inspired recipes that are also healthful. She has developed a clear and concise recipe format, easily understood by novice students.

Cheryl is a food and nutrition spokesperson as well as a journalist. Her writing and recipes have appeared in mainstream culinary and health publications, including Sunset, Health and Prevention magazines as well as the Washington Post. She is on the advisory board for Prevention magazine and a Huffington Post blogger.

Cheryl co-wrote the eating plan for "The Biggest Loser." She has written or contributed to 11 books, including "The Biggest Loser: The Weight Loss Program," "The Biggest Loser Complete Calorie Counter," "The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start," "Positively Ageless: A 28-Day Plan for a Younger, Slimmer, Sexier You" and "The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps." Her newest book is "Flavor First" (Rodale 2011). In addition to her weekly contribution to NBC.com, Cheryl writes a weekly blog of cooking and nutrition tips at www.cherylforberg.com/blog/. She lives in Napa, California.