CYNTHIA’S FULL BIOGRAPHY

Television

For years, Cynthia has been a go-to resource for the media. She has appeared on:

• The Today Show

• Good Morning America

• The Early Show & CBS This Morning

• The Rachael Ray Show

• The Biggest Loser

• The Doctors

• The Dr. Oz Show

• The Revolution

• The Nate Berkus Show

She has also made appearances on local television news programs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Seattle, Miami, Cleveland, San Diego, Nashville and Austin.

For over eight months, before its cancellation, Cynthia was a weekly guest on the nationally syndicated Morning Show with Mike & Juliet. She was also an ABC News contributor in New York from 2009-2011, until she began splitting her time between New York City and Los Angeles. 

Online & Print Publications

Cynthia has conducted well over 4,000 media interviews as an expert. She has been quoted in numerous publications, including:

She has also been featured in many other national and international publications. Cynthia has also been a guest on several national radio networks, including Health Radio Network, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, and National Public Radio (NPR).

Cynthia graduated with highest honors from Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor's degree in dietetics (BS) and a master's degree in nutrition science with a concentration in counseling (MA). She completed a second master's degree in public health (MPH) with a concentration in community and family health education at the University of South Florida, a CEPH nationally accredited college of public health.

Cynthia is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), and has been a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) since 2006. Both credentials are granted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association). She also completed a personal training certification at the well known Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas, and formal culinary training at the Institute for Culinary Awakening in Portland, Oregon and the Rouxbe culinary school. She is a certified Plant Based Professional Cook and has also studied mindfulness meditation through UCLA's Mindfulness Awareness Research Center (MARC).

One of the first registered dietitians to become a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), Cynthia consulted for the New York Yankees for five seasons (2015-2019). Check out the New York Times article featuring Cynthia, and her role with the Yankees here. Sass currently consults for the New Orleans Pelicans (2023-2024). She previously consulted for the Brooklyn Nets (2017-2019) and the New York Rangers (2010-2015). Cynthia also served as the nutrition consultant to the Tampa Bay Rays from 2007-2014, and worked with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2007-2009. She proudly rooted for both the Rays and the Phillies (she was a consultant for both teams at the time) as they faced each other in the 2008 World Series. Through her private practice Cynthia has counseled professional athletes one-on-one in numerous sports, including professional soccer, tennis, golf, and more, as well as competitive runners, cyclists, drivers, e-sports and extreme sports athletes, and others.

Cynthia joined HEALTH magazine as the contributing nutrition editor in January 2013. She was a contributing editor at SHAPE magazine from 2008-2012, and previously served as the full time nutrition director at Prevention magazine. Prior to Prevention, she served on Fitness magazine's advisory board. Cynthia was also the contributing editor, columnist, and sole sports nutritionist for Athletes Quarterly, a publication for and about professional and elite athletes. She is on the Medical Review Board of TheHealthy.com, and frequently writes for and creates plant based recipes for the site. 

As a freelance food and health writer, Cynthia's articles and recipes have been published in Good Housekeeping, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Readers Digest, Ladies' Home Journal, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Prevention, Fitness, Shape, Self, More, Women's Health, Cooking Light, Eating Well, Vegetarian Times, Elle Girl, All You, Parade and other publications.

Cynthia's newest book, Slim Down Now: Shed Pounds and Inches With Pulses - The New Superfood - The New Superfood, was released by Harper Collins on March 10th, 2015. Cynthia's previous book S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches (Harper Collins, formerly published under a different title) was released January 1, 2011. It soared to #1 in all books on amazon.com by January 5th and debuted at #3 on the January 23rd New York Times best sellers list. Previously Cynthia co-wrote the #1 New York Times best selling book Flat Belly Diet! and she is the creator of its deliciously slimming eating plan. She also co-authored the Flat Belly Diet! Cookbook, another a New York Times bestseller. Additionally Sass is the co-author of the unique personalized food journal entitled The Ultimate Diet Log, as well as the relationship book Your Diet is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life, which received a glowing review in the New York Times (7/27/04) and was a finalist in the relationship category of the 2004 Books for a Better Life Awards. Cynthia also contributed to Peter Greenberg's book The Traveler's Diet: Eating Right and Staying Fit on the Road (Villard, 2006).

Cynthia was named one of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Recognized Young Dietitians of the Year in 2005 and Tampa Dietetic Association's Distinguished Dietitian in 2006.

Cynthia was an adjunct faculty member in the School of Physical Education & Exercise Science at the University of South Florida (the 2nd largest university in the southeast with over 40,000 students) from 2000-2007. She taught undergraduate courses including Personal Wellness and Nutrition for Fitness & Sport. Previously, she was an adjunct at Syracuse University.

Cynthia has spoken at several national conferences including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo, the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Summit & Expo, the national Medical Fitness Association Conference, the national Athletic Business conference, the American Occupational Health Conference and others. In addition, she frequently provides nutrition and wellness presentations to corporations, professional associations, community organizations and sports/athletic teams around the country.

Cynthia served as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) from 2001 -2007. Cynthia was also active in the Tampa Dietetic Association while living in Tampa, Florida. She served as president, webmaster, and media rep for the organization from 2006-2007 and previously served as corresponding secretary. Cynthia was also president of the Delta Kappa chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the National Professional Health Education Honorary at the University of South Florida College of Public Health from 2002-2003. Cynthia is a member of several Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics practice groups including: Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists; Vegetarian Nutrition; Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine; and Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. Cynthia is also an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine.