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With over 25 years of experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist, Natalie is a well-seasoned practitioner. A board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition, Natalie is the founder of Natalie Ledesma Integrative & Functional Nutrition Consulting, the clinical nutrition specialist at Smith Integrative Oncology in San Francisco, and the founding dietitian for the nutrition program at the University of California, San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Natalie serves as a consultant and speaker for Digestive Care, Inc. and Kate Farms. As a member of the Lilly Lecture Bureau Faculty, Natalie regularly presents to health care practitioners on Nutritional Counseling in Oncology Care. She is a certified LEAP therapist who helps manage adverse food reactions with an emphasis on food sensitivities. Natalie provides nutrition counseling and frequently presents nationally on various cancer and integrative health focused nutrition topics. She has taught college courses and cooking classes, and has been extensively involved in community outreach involvement.

Natalie is highly regarded in her industry and is often sought out for her expert opinion. She has been interviewed by The New York Times, NBC, Fortune magazine, Cure magazine, MAMM magazine, Runner’s World, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Recent publications include Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice (co-editor and author), Health & Wellness: Living with Prostate Cancer for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and nutrition chapters in Clinical Nutrition for Oncology Patients, Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy, Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Survivorship, Nutritional Issues in Cancer Care, and Supportive Cancer Care: The Complete Guide for Patients and their Families.

Natalie attended the University of California, San Diego, graduating on the provost honors list with a B.A. degree in Psychology. She then pursued a M.S. degree in Nutritional Sciences from San Diego State University and was awarded Outstanding Graduate Student in the Exercise and Nutritional Sciences Department. 

Testimonials

“Thank you so very much for your insight, support, and tenacity these last 9 months. I’ve had more success with you than any other practitioner of late. I appreciate you sticking with me. Looking forward to future discoveries and fixes…my hero! “ - Eden

“In my whole life, I always yo-yoed. Since 2010, as a pretty much vegetarian and avid exerciser and tea-totaler, my weight has been stable with only one pound up or down. I have changed my belief about myself. You are powerful indeed!” - Vicki

“She has offered invaluable solutions for my complex condition (cancer + chronic fatigue). Her insight, ideas and action plan got me going in the right direction. Her constant research on cancer and nutrition keeps her/us informed. Her talks at UCSF are great too!!” - Suzy

"You are terrific. I was pretty close to a complete meltdown, and there you were, professional, caring and compassionate…THANK YOU  Natalie!!! for letting me fall apart non stop ..and for giving me many healing and beneficial specifics … I am grateful!!” - David

"Natalie I want to send you my heartfelt thanks for not only your incredible responsiveness but your awesome knowledge! During this frightening and heartbreaking journey we have been on and of all the many, and oh there have been many, we have met with, you are the smartest and most intuitive.”   - Debi