Zonya Foco

Zonya Foco: Profile

As America’s Nutrition Leader, Zonya is a master of inspiration, motivation and visual humor, providing hard-facts information and simple solutions that help everyday people improve health, create balance and maximize energy. She is the only Registered Dietitian (RD) and Certified Health and Fitness Instructor (CHFI) in the country to have earned the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.

If you’re expecting a lecture-style presentation from this “energizer health bunny” – DON’T! Zonya pulls out all the stops in her live presentations, video seminars and TV show—delivering equal parts entertainment and education all the way. Zonya helps people laugh at their bad habits and discover the joy in adopting new, healthier habits.

In fact, she has identified eight core habits that create the acronym DIET FREE, published in her co-authored DIET FREE novel, Water with Lemon. In 2010, Zonya launched her complete DIET FREE video seminar lifestyle program for individuals and leader-facilitated programs, and produced the two-hour DIET FREE with Zonya Foco, RD TV program aired on national public television. Zonya has also hosted a weekly television series, Zonya’s Health Bites, on national public television.

She has partnered with Health Alliance Plan (HAP) of Michigan since 2004 to develop and present its award-winning Weight Wise member programs based on her DIET FREE habits. Zonya has also worked with Bob Greene as a guest presenter for “Oprah & Bob’s Best Life Challenge,” providing entertaining and educational cooking presentations.

Zonya received her bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1987 and then worked for eight years as a clinical nutritionist for the Michigan Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. It is from these clients that she discovered the need for a "countertop coach" cookbook and in 1998 wrote Lickety Split Meals for Health Conscious People on the Go, filled with easy recipes and healthy tips for everyday families. In 2008, Zonya reworked the recipes and tips and created Lickety-Split Diabetic Meals (published by American Diabetes Association) to help those with diabetes in their quest for a healthier, happier life.

In addition to spreading the word through speaking platform, books and TV show, Zonya has appeared on local newscasts across the country, nationally syndicated daytime talk shows and QVC. She has been published in the popular magazines Prevention, Today's Dietitian, Total Health, and Fast and Healthy Cooking.