Biography

Tara Gidus is a nationally recognized expert on nutrition, fitness, and health promotion. As a National Media Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Tara is quoted in a variety of media including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and websites. She currently appears biweekly as the “Diet Diva” on the national morning television show, The Daily Buzz. Tara is currently the team dietitian for the Orlando Magic NBA team.

Tara owns Tara Gidus Nutrition Consulting in Orlando, FL. A dynamic speaker, she motivates groups large and small on various topics such as achieving a healthy weight, preventing disease, maximizing energy, aging well, enhancing sports performance, and creating a positive body image. As a consultant, she has worked with numerous companies including Walt Disney World, Human Performance Institute, Tupperware, Canyon Ranch Spa, Rosen Hotels, United Behavioral Healthcare, and others. Tara is also the nutrition advisor to Golf Fitness Magazine. Tara has previous experience improving the diets of senior executives through her work with an executive health assessment at Florida Hospital Celebration Health. She has also overseen numerous weight loss research projects.

Tara graduated from Purdue University earning a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major of Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness, and Health. She continued on at Purdue, earning a Master of Science Degree (MS) in Health Promotion, specializing in health behavior and worksite wellness programs. She is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LD/N) in the state of Florida. Tara is one of very few dietitians in the country who holds a Board Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).

Volunteering is something important to Tara as evidenced by her continued commitment to the Restoration Ministries for Women. For the past five years, Tara has been giving a lecture biweekly to a group of women who are on a six month rehabilitation program after their release from prison. She teaches them how to eat right and exercise in order to feel their best to beat their addictions and get their lives on the right track. Tara served as the Co-Chair of the Silent Auction for the American Cancer Society’s Orlando Chapter in 2006. She is a Past President of the Dietetic Association in Orlando and served as the Awards Chair for the Florida Dietetic Association. She has received numerous awards including the esteemed Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year from the Florida Dietetic Association in 2004.

Tara appears frequently as a medical expert on various television shows and has been quoted in over 750 magazines, newspapers, and websites. Tara is an avid runner and has completed seven marathons including the prestigious Boston Marathon. Tara is married to husband Stephen and has one son, Basil.