Meet Dori
Hi, I’m Dori — a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant specializing in real-life eating and practical wellness. I help clients feel confident navigating restaurants, grocery stores, social events, and everyday food decisions — without anxiety, restriction, or confusion.
My approach blends mindful eating, clinical expertise, and personalized guidance to support digestive health, metabolic balance, and sustainable habits. Whether you’re looking to improve energy, reduce gut symptoms, learn how to order at restaurants, or build a more peaceful relationship with food — I’m here to help you feel at home in your body and empowered in your choices.
Who I Work With
I work with men and women of all ages who want to feel better in their bodies and build confidence in how they eat—at home, at restaurants, while traveling, and in everyday life. My clients care about their health and are looking for grounded, trustworthy nutrition guidance that supports both physical and mental wellbeing.
The people I support often come to me seeking help with:
- GERD or digestive discomfort
- Hormone or energy imbalance
- Gut sensitivity or inconsistent digestion
- Feeling overwhelmed by nutrition information
- Diet confusion or “what should I actually eat?” fatigue
- Navigating dining out or social eating with confidence
- Transitioning toward a plant-forward or cleaner style of eating
I work with individuals who want practical strategies, real-world support, and a personalized approach that fits their lifestyle—without extremes, guilt, or rigidity.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need curiosity, willingness, and a desire to feel better in your daily life.
BALANCE Philosophy
My BALANCE framework shapes how I structure client care:
- Balanced nutrition for a strong body & steady mind
- Aligned with your taste & lifestyle
- Learned — through grounded education
- Achievable & realistic
- Nutrient-dense and satisfying
- Custom to your needs & patterns
- Evaluated over time to support lasting change
This is not a quick-fix method — it’s a skill-building model.
About Dori
Dori Zerlin, MS, RDN, is a Los Angeles–based registered dietitian and nutrition consultant who specializes in real-world eating — helping clients build confidence with food in the environments they actually live in: at restaurants, grocery stores, travel situations, work functions, family meals, and everyday life.
Dori earned her B.S. in Health Promotion & Disease Prevention from USC, followed by her Master’s degree in Nutrition from Cal State LA, and completed her dietetic training through clinical rotations at UCLA Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and various specialized health settings. Since 2012, she has worked with Kaiser Permanente in both Behavioral Health and The Center for Healthy Living, and has supported clients across a wide spectrum of nutrition needs — from metabolic health to digestive sensitivity to mindful eating and long-term habit change.
What sets Dori apart is her ability to merge science-based nutrition with intuitive, practical living. She doesn’t believe in micromanaging, moralizing food, or chasing perfection. Instead, she helps clients reconnect with hunger cues, develop confidence in their food decisions, and learn to nourish their bodies in ways that support energy, gut comfort, and emotional well-being.
Her approach includes:
- menu strategy for dining out
- personalized grocery guidance
- plant-forward eating that’s flexible and realistic
- mindful & intuitive eating foundations
- metabolic and digestive support
- long-term habit and lifestyle sustainability
Dori firmly believes that food should be enjoyable, satisfying, and freeing — not stressful or complicated. She works collaboratively, listening deeply to each client’s goals, preferences, history, and lifestyle. Her coaching style is compassionate and grounded, empowering clients to build a steady, trusting relationship with their bodies and with the process of change.
Whether guiding someone through a grocery store, helping them build a plate at a hot food bar, analyzing restaurant menus, or simplifying daily eating patterns — Dori supports people in living well, eating well, and feeling well. Her mission is simple:
to make nutrition understandable, doable, and genuinely life-enhancing.
Embark on a transformative culinary journey with Dori, your guide through the maze of nutritional choices. If you've ever found yourself pondering the questions of "What to eat?" "When to eat?" "Where to eat?" or even the existential "Why eat?" Dori is here to turn your uncertainty into a delightful adventure.
Dori's expertise lies in unraveling the mysteries of these questions, helping you understand the optimal fuel for your unique body. Bid farewell to the days of a perplexing palate; instead, Dori empowers you to make informed choices, preparing foods that seamlessly align with your body and lifestyle. The result? Lasting energy, profound satisfaction, and a newfound appreciation for the art of nourishment.
Say goodbye to starvation and deprivation. Dori's approach centers around a simple yet transformative concept: respect and listen to what your body craves. Through personalized guidance, you'll discover the joy of embracing your body's signals, cultivating a harmonious relationship with food.
Dori's ideal client is someone ready to embark on a holistic journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life. If you're tired of fad diets and seek sustainable change, Dori is the ally you've been searching for. Whether you're a busy professional, a fitness enthusiast, or someone navigating dietary restrictions, Dori tailors her approach to suit your individual needs.
Dori thrives on establishing a deep connection with her clients. Through one-on-one consultations, she delves into your lifestyle, preferences, and goals, crafting a personalized roadmap to nutritional well-being. Her approach is not just about telling you what to eat but empowering you to understand why and how certain foods contribute to your overall health and vitality.
Dori uses a holistic approach that transcends traditional dietary advice. Beyond meal plans, she helps you decipher the intricate language of your body, guiding you to build a sustainable relationship with food. Dori combines nutritional expertise with a genuine passion for fostering positive and lasting changes, making her an invaluable partner in your journey towards a healthier, more vibrant you.
Success Stories
"Dori Zerlin is an expert in her craft. I have worked with Dori for years and she knows exactly how to create a healthier lifestyle for her many clients. She is familiar with all different types of diets and can create a regimen that is hand crafted to fit your needs. She is always my first call. I highly recommend her services"
- Dave
"Dori is the best Dietitian I have worked with, and actually helped me make changes to my habits. With a personalized program, I felt that it was accomplishable and I got the personal attention I needed."
— Robert P
"Dori was tireless in helping me make lifestyle changes and meet my health goals within 6 months! I was feeling pretty helpless due to a mixture of stress and PCOS, and nothing I did on my own seemed to help me get rid of the extra weight my doctor recommended I lose. Her positive attitude and constant tips helped me make better choices at the grocery store, stay on track even when I ordered out, and find ways to make habits stick. I'll be incorporating the skills Dori taught me for the rest of my life!
- Connie K
"Dori uses the most updated scientific research to tailor optimized nutrition plans to her client’s individual needs. She helped me to modify my diet in order to maximize energy, feel great, and stay in shape. The modifications she gave me were practical and easy to implement. I am grateful to Dori for all of the guidance that she has given me—these tools will last a lifetime!"
— Azriela Jankovic
"I have had a weight problem my whole life and have subsequently been to many nutritionists and Dori is the most knowledgeable nutritionist I have ever met. She understands the need for calorie limitations but also emphasizes good nutrition."
— Jennifer P
"I was a relatively lean and healthy man in pretty good shape. I have been studying and keeping up with fitness and nutrition for over 10 years now, so I am pretty knowledgeable about nutrition. However, I wanted to take my health to a new level as I transitioned from being a young man in my twenties into my thirties because I felt that my diet over the next several years would have a big impact on my health and performance for the rest of my life.
So after researching several nutritionists, I decided to get nutrition advice from Dori. During my consultations with Dori, I found her to be well-prepared and extremely knowledgeable about nutrition. She was able to provide very helpful answers to the difficult questions I asked her and gave very good recommendations on what I should eat and how much (also what I shouldn’t eat). After only 2 months of following Dori’s recommendations, my body feels as good as ever and I lost over 10lbs!"
— Daniel Beck
"Dori Zerlin is my registered dietitian/nutritionist and she is excellent. Why do I or anyone need such expert advice? Well, four out of seven causes of death – heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes – are caused in large part by poor eating and exercise habits. Changes in diet and exercise can slow the progression of disease and even obviate the need for medication. In my case I have osteopenia and diet and exercise, both of which Dori knows all about for my condition as well as many others, are critical. Dori’s skill, among others, is she keeps current on the latest research. While I see a doctor and read health magazines, Dori provides me with something nether of those sources can – the most up-to-date scientifically accurate advice. She also provides me with a personalized approach to my overall eating, exercise and general health goals that is well beyond any general plan I might find on-line or in a book. She’s even gone with me to shop for the food items she is recommending. I am lucky to have Dori as my health coach and I think you would be too. Votre Sante"
— Christine Vento
"I’ve had some sessions with Dori and I’m very glad for it. She’s opened my eyes to the health benefits of whole groups of foods that I was omitting from my diet. I’ve now incorporated them into my daily food intakes and I’m much happier for it. I like the way she went through the details of my entire daily routines and was able to point out different ways of improving the things that I do. I consider myself a very healthy eater so it was nice to find ways to improve it even more."
— Mendy Losh
