Registered Dietitian.Educator.Author.Speaker.Entrepreneur
What brought Manuel Villacorta to create Eating Free is his love for food! Through his years of experience he has witnessed suffering, deprivation and the demonizing of food. He hopes to put an end to that with Eating Free. He wants you to love and celebrate food!
Manuel Villacorta is the author and creator of Eating Free. He is a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics with more than 16 years of experience. He is one of the leading weight loss and nutrition experts in the United States, acting as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a health blog contributor for Huffington Post, an on-air contributor for the Univision television network, and a health and lifestyle contributor for Fox News Latino. Manuel is the owner of San Francisco-based private practice, MV Nutrition, the recipient of three consecutive "Best Bay Area Nutritionist" awards (2008, 2009 and 2010) from the San Francisco Chronicle and Citysearch.
His warm, approachable style and his bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish have made him an in-demand health and nutrition expert on local and national television and radio channels, as well as in articles appearing in print publications and online.
Manuel is a compelling, charismatic communicator. As a speaker, he is often praised for making audiences feel heard, motivated and engaged. He is often invited to speak at annual state and national conventions for organizations, associations and corporations as part of their wellness strategy. Known to educate team members about the truth surrounding food, Manuel empowers his audiences to make the right choices and motivates them to take charge on their own health. According to many clients, Manuel's enthusiasm and encouragement has changed their lives.
Manuel has acted as a media representative for food companies such as Foster Farms (one of the largest chicken producers on the West Coast) as well as for such California statewide health campaigns as the "California Latino 5-A-Day Program" and "Got Milk."
Manuel earned his bachelor of science in nutrition and physiology metabolism from the University of California, Berkeley, and his master of science in nutrition and food science from San Jose State University. He has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his research and contributions to the field of dietetics.
Research Abstracts
- Effects of Breastfeeding on Blood Glucose Regulation in Obese Latino Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes
MF Villacorta, MS, RD; C.B. Hollenbeck, PhD; YM, Gutierrez, PhD, RD; L. McProud, PhD, RD. San Jose State University, San Jose & Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA - Effects of Breastfeeding on Dietary Intake and Weight Regulation in Obese Latino Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes
MF Villacorta, MS, RD; C.B. Hollenbeck, PhD; YM, Gutierrez, PhD, RD; L. McProud, PhD, RD. San Jose State University, San Jose & Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Awards
- 2004 Outstanding Thesis Award by the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San Jose State University
- 2004 Outstanding Researcher Award by Graduate Studies and Research at San Jose State University
- 2004 First Place Award Winner in the category of Health, Nutrition and Clinical Science at the 18th annual state wide student research competition among the California State Universities
- 2003 For supporting the enhancement of equity and diversity by the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San Jose State University
- 2003 Dean’s Award/ Small Research Grants by the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San Jose State University
- 2003 Circle of Friends Research Assistance Award by the Nutrition and Food Science Department at San Jose State University
- 2003 The Josephine and Frank Morris Scholarship in honor and recognition of fine performance and dietetic internship placement by the Nutrition and Food Science Department at San Jose State University
- 2002 For Scholarly Achievement by the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San Jose State University
- 2001 Certificate of Achievement for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to San Mateo County Public Health
- 2000 For significant contribution to diversity and equity in the community by San Jose State University