Lead Dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet

Tara Schmidt, M.Ed., RDN, LD is a registered dietitian and an instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. As the lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, she provides guidance rooted in evidence-based principles, helping individuals develop sustainable and realistic strategies for long-term health. She also hosts Mayo Clinic On Nutrition, a podcast that dives into current nutrition research and practical weight management tips, and she lends her expertise as the Medical Editor of the Nutrition & Fitness channel. In addition, Tara co-authored The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight Loss Medications Edition, highlighting her commitment to thoroughly researched and medically sound advice.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Tara is devoted to reducing weight bias and ensuring that everyone, regardless of size or background, has access to accurate, empathetic dietary information. She balances her busy career with family life, staying active with her husband, two children, and a golden retriever who—just like the rest of the family—enjoys a healthy serving of vegetables.

Credentials and experience

• M.Ed. (Master of Education) with a focus on health communication and adult learning from the American College of Education
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Minnesota
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) & Licensed Dietitian (LD)
• Lead Dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet
• Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Press Nutrition & Fitness channel
• Co-author of The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight Loss Medications Edition

Associated works

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Additional contributions and media

• Collaborations
• Podcasts
• Videos