Cynthia Sass is a three-time New York Times best-selling author with master’s degrees in both nutrition science and public health. She is currently the nutrition consultant to the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays, and consulted for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2007–2009. She has appeared on numerous television programs including The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, Nightline, and many others. A SHAPE contributing editor and blogger forShape.com, Sass maintains a bicoastal private practice. Her latest New York Times best-selling book is S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches. Her website iswww.CynthiaSass.com.


Health E-Insights: What’s it like being a nutrition consultant for professional sports teams?
 
Ms. Sass: It’s rewarding, especially because the effects can be so immediate in how a player feels and performs both physically and mentally, and even in his level of pain and ability to sleep. My favorite part of working in sports nutrition is explaining why a particular food or meal will optimize performance and support recovery.
 
Health E-Insights: Are you vegetarian or vegan?
 
Ms. Sass: I try to eat vegan as often as possible.  
 
Health E-Insights: Do you think there will ever be a cure for obesity?
 
Ms. Sass: Perhaps, but I don’t know that it will happen in my life time.
 
Health E-Insights: What things do you do outside of work to help you be better at your job?
 
Ms. Sass: Traveling definitely enhances my work. Experiencing first-hand how different cultures eat and how they relate to food, visiting farms, food markets and meeting artisan food markers, trying new food combinations and unique seasonings fuels my passion for food and nutrition.  
 
Health E-Insights: As an author, who is your favorite author?
 
Ms. Sass: I admire the writing of many of my colleagues but my favorite authors write fiction books I can get lost in; books that tell stories that make me think, feel and leave an impression on me in ways that impact how I navigate the world. I particularly love the work of Wally Lamb, Ann Patchett and Alice Hoffman.
 
Health E-Insights: What motivates you?
 
Ms. Sass: Discovery. I feel like a work in progress and I love to learn something new that excites me, or visit a place I’ve never been to before. I also love communicating things I’ve learned that can help others live healthier lives. I like to think of it as telling the story of how food works, or how your body works in relation to food. Health-wise I’m personally motivated by quality of life. I want to not only live longer, but live better – stay mentally sharp and active and enjoy the freedom to keep exploring.   
 
Sheldon Baker is well-known for creating nutraceutical brand marketing and public relations campaigns. For Health E-Insights interview consideration, contact him at [email protected]. And follow him on Twitter @NutraInk.