Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD
This week (May 14th – 20th) is National Women’s Health Week! To help celebrate, I interviewed some of my favorite, most badass, brilliant, female minds in the health and wellness industry to feature.
Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and the founder / CEO of F-Factor, a weight loss brand headquartered out of her private practice in Manhattan. Through her F-Factor brand, Tanya has released 2 bestselling books and recently launched a new line of high fiber, high protein products which includes bars and 20/20 Fiber and Protein Powder Shakes.
I met Tanya well over 10 years ago. I must say seeing Tanya in action as a mother, wife and boss amazes me. She is extremely passionate about helping others achieve their personal goals, while educating about why it’s so important to do so. One of Tanya’s most recognizable traits is her ability to remain spiritual and balanced. Without a doubt, this woman has dedicated her whole being to create what has become one of the most nationally recognized fiber programs on the market today. Tanya is one woman that will certainly inspire you to do more!
Shannon: How did you get started in the industry?
Tanya: While I’m more recognized for my success in the weight loss space, I never set out to be a diet guru. When I began my private practice I was focused on treating clinical patients through dietary intervention, specifically patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. My job was to create meal plans that would lower their cholesterol or, in the case of the diabetics, help to manage their sugars. Both patient populations received versions of a high fiber diets because of fiber’s ability to lower cholesterol and manage blood sugar levels. Patients were getting healthier: cholesterol improved, sugars were better managed, and an unexpected benefit was that all of these patients were losing weight across the board. The clients also were living their lives normally, enjoying at their favorite restaurants, drinking alcohol.
What I had not anticipated was that by prescribing so much fiber for the clinical benefits, these patients were simply feeling fuller throughout the day on fewer calories, which led to weight loss without hunger. Friends and colleagues of theirs noticed too and began to call in, requesting diets for themselves, but for the weight loss benefits, not to manage their sugars or cholesterol. This was the birth of the F-Factor Diet and the practice continued to grow from there.
How long have you been in the industry?
I’ve been in private practice for over 20 years.
What does it mean to be a woman in health & wellness?
Being a woman in health and wellness is both a privilege and a responsibility. I feel privileged that I have a career that allows me to touch so many people’s lives and that I am in a position to increase the chances for someone’s longevity. With that, I have a responsibility to them, to inspire them to look and feel their best, and to do so in a way that honors their health and best interests.
What about health is SEXY to you?
When people lose weight, their self-esteem increases, they feel better about themselves and even report feeling sexier, more productive and confident. Figuratively and literally, they lighten up. The confidence that comes when someone makes these positive changes and adopts healthier habits is incredibly sexy.
How do you feel empowered in your line of work?
I’m able to empower my clients to never settle for mediocrity and to work to look and feel their best. Knowledge is power. Working with my clients, the transfer of knowledge that goes on so that they are empowered to continue on the path of success themselves is empowering.
