Funny story: I didn’t even know I was in the running.
I was actually on San Diego Magazine’s website to vote for my gym (because I love it to death and wanted to support them), casually scrolling through the categories to see who else I could champion. That’s when I saw my name under “Best Nutritionist/Dietitian in San Diego.”
My first thought? That’s my name!
My second thought? Wait…who nominated me?
Turns out, you did. San Diego readers voted, and somehow, after 20+ years of working with clients across La Jolla, Little Italy, Downtown, Bankers Hill, North Park, and Carmel Valley, you chose me.
I’m honored. Genuinely. And I want to take a moment to tell you what this award actually means – not just for me, but for you.
What a People’s Choice Award Actually Says
Here’s the thing about reader-voted awards: they’re not decided by an editorial board or a PR agency. They’re decided by real people who’ve actually worked with practitioners, received care, and felt the difference.
This award isn’t about me having the biggest practice (though I’ve been doing this for over two decades). It’s about the fact that somewhere in San Diego:
- Someone felt seen in my office.
- Someone finally understood why they couldn’t stick to other plans.
- Someone stopped blaming themselves for “lacking willpower” and realized they’d just been using incomplete solutions.
And then they told someone else. And that person told someone else. And eventually, enough of you voted to make this happen.
So a cheesey at it sounds, that’s the part that means the most.
Who Is San Diego’s Best Nutritionist? (And What Does “Best” Even Mean?)
If you’re Googling “best nutritionist in San Diego” right now, you’re probably asking the real question underneath: Who can actually help me figure this out?
You’ve tried things. Probably ALL of the things. Macros, Keto, Whole30, WW, meal delivery services, intuitive eating. Some worked temporarily. Maybe some worked when you were younger (same – I see you!). Most left you right back where you started – exhausted, confused, and wondering if something is fundamentally wrong with you.
Let me be very clear: You’re not broken. You’ve just been using solutions that only address one piece of the puzzle.
Most nutritionists focus only on what to eat. Diets/meal delivery/shakes focus only on how (as long as you’re eating their stuff). Therapists work only on mindset. But none of them address all three pillars that actually create lasting results:
- Nutrition Science (What to eat for your unique body)
- Eating Behavior (How to actually do it in real life)
- Mindset & Emotional Eating (How to stay consistent)
That’s what makes my practice different. And based on this award, it’s what San Diego clients have been looking for.
What San Diego Clients Say About Why They Choose Me
I’ve worked with over 2,000 San Diegans in the past 20 years. High-achievers who are successful in literally every other area of life but feel like they’re grasping when it comes to nutrition.
Here’s what they tell me when they book their first consultation:
“I know what to do – I just don’t do it.”
“I feel like I should have this figured out by now.”
“What worked before doesn’t work anymore!”
And here’s what I tell them: You’re working incredibly hard. You’re just working in the wrong direction.
The women I work with aren’t lazy. They’re not lacking discipline. They’re effort-rich and strategy-poor – which means once we redirect that energy toward what actually moves the needle, results happen fast.
One client described it this way:
“Tara has a unique way of identifying the real problem holding you back. She doesn’t give generic advice – she sees YOU. And suddenly, everything clicks.”
Another said:
“I finally feel like I can exhale. I’m not white-knuckling my way through every social event anymore.”
That’s the shift I’m after. Not short term. Not chasing after fads. Consistent execution with ease and confidence.
Why In-Person Availability in San Diego Matters (And Why It’s Rare)
Here’s something you might not realize: Most nutrition services you see advertised online are virtual-only.
And virtual works! I offer it myself – for clients across San Diego and nationwide.
But if you’ve been searching for “nutritionist near me” or “best nutritionist in San Diego,” you’re probably noticing something: everyone’s on Zoom.
I’m one of the few practitioners in San Diego who still offers in-person consultations. You can actually sit across from me in my office, feel seen and held accountable, and walk out with a clear plan that fits your actual life.
For some people, that face-to-face connection matters. For others, virtual is perfect. I offer both because my goal isn’t to fit you into my system – it’s to meet you where you are.
Serving: La Jolla, Little Italy, Downtown, Bankers Hill, North Park, Carmel Valley, and surrounding San Diego areas. Virtual sessions available nationwide.
My Approach
Over the last 20 years I have found that there are three critical nutrition skills. When you have all three skills, you can balance with ease. Food enhances and supports your life. When you feel shaky and overwhelmed by food, typically you have been focusing on two of the three. Like a two-legged stool, this can give the illusion of stability but even the softest breeze can cause you to tumble.
My Framework is built on three skills that work together:
Skill 1: Nutrition Science (What to Eat)
You don’t need more information. You need the right information for your body.
We cut through the noise and focus on what actually moves the needle. You’ll finally understand your hunger, your cravings, and how to fuel yourself properly – not based on what worked for your friend or that influencer on Instagram, but what works for you.
The goal: Clarity and confidence about what your body actually needs.
Skill 2: Eating Behavior (How to Do It)
This is where most people fall apart. You know what to eat – but you can’t figure out how to consistently do it in real life.
We build proactive systems that work with your actual schedule, your family’s needs, your social life, and your travel. We tackle decision fatigue, inconsistency, and reactive eating.
The goal: Make nutrition a support system – not the main event of your life.
Skill 3: Emotional Eating & Mindset (What to Do When Things Go Sideways)
This is what knocks you off track. Cravings. Black-and-white thinking. Perfectionism. The belief that one bad meal ruins everything.
We address the patterns keeping you stuck – not with judgment, but with practical strategies for staying consistent even when things aren’t perfect. In other words, what to focus on and what you can finally let go of.
The goal: Learn how to prevent one bad day from becoming a complete spiral.
Together, these three skills give you:
✅ What to eat (so you can reach your goals)
✅ How to realistically do it (so you’re not always getting back on track)
✅ How to stay consistent long-term (so results last)
This is nutrition as a skill you master – not a diet you follow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With Me
Do you take insurance?
I don’t accept insurance directly, but I can provide you with a superbill you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Many of my clients use HSA/FSA funds for sessions.
Do I have to come to your office, or can we do virtual sessions?
Both! I offer in-person consultations in my San Diego office (a rarity in this industry) and virtual sessions for clients across California and nationwide. We’ll figure out what works best for you.
How is this different from other programs I’ve tried?
Most programs focus on what to eat and stop there. Or the tell you how to do iOr they focus only on mindset. My framework addresses all three pieces—nutrition science, eating behavior, and emotional patterns – so you have a system that supports your unique body and life rather than weighing you down.
Also, I’m not here to gatekeep. If there’s another practitioner who’d be a better fit for you, I’ll send you their way in a heartbeat. My end game is your success – whether that’s with me or someone else.
What if I just need to know if I’m on the right track?
Then that’s what we’ll do. Sometimes my greatest role is assuring people that they are going in the right direction. When you care as much as you do, sometimes you just need another set of eyes to validate that you’re doing it right. Sometimes my greatest impact is saying, “Keep going. You’re doing enough.” Or just switch up this one thing and you’re perfect!
What Makes a Nutritionist “The Best”? (Spoiler: It’s Not Them)
Here’s what I believe: The best nutritionist isn’t the one with the most accolades or the biggest following. It’s the one who sees you as a whole person – not a problem to fix.
It’s the one who understands that your struggle with food isn’t about willpower. It’s about systems, behavior, and a lifetime of being told you’re doing it wrong.
It’s the one who knows that one bad meal doesn’t erase 20 good ones. That progress isn’t linear. That you’re not broken – you’ve just been using incomplete solutions.
And it’s the one who genuinely cares whether you succeed – even if that means referring you to someone else.
I’ve built my practice on that philosophy for over 20 years. I am regularly featured on CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, Forbes, ESPN, and Runner’s World. I’ve worked with San Diego’s top doctors and concierge medicine practices. I am the Clinical Nutritionist at Golden Door, one of the most respected wellness destinations in the world.
But honestly? The credential I’m most proud of is this one: San Diego readers voted me Best Nutritionist/Dietitian in 2025.
Because that means somewhere, someone felt seen. And they told someone else. And that’s the work I actually care about.
Ready to Stop Spinning Your Wheels?
You don’t need another diet. You don’t need to try harder or have more willpower.
You need a complete solution that addresses nutrition science, eating behavior, and mindset – so you can finally stop cycling and start executing.
Book your consultation today. We’ll figure out exactly what’s been missing—and build a plan that actually fits your life.
📍 In-person sessions available in San Diego (La Jolla, Little Italy, Downtown, Bankers Hill, North Park, Carmel Valley) 💻 Virtual sessions available nationwide
About Tara Coleman, San Diego’s Best Nutritionist
Tara Coleman is a Clinical Nutritionist with over 20 years of experience helping high-achieving women master nutrition as a skill – not follow it as a diet. Starting her career as an analystical scientist and then returning to school to become a clinical nutritionst she has a holistic approach that blends nutrition science, behavior change and emotional eating. Tara has worked with over 2,000 San Diegans and clients nationwide.
She speaks weekly at Golden Door and has been featured on CBS, NBC, Fox, Forbes, ESPN, and Runner’s World. In 2025, San Diego Magazine readers voted her Best Nutritionist/Dietitian in San Diego.
Proudly serving San Diego for 20+ years.
