Chefs know resisting favorite foods and sticking to resolutions is hard. But Hungry Bee owner Kimberly McCune Gibson and Fahrenheit chef-owner Rocco Whalen have been sharpening their hypothetical weight-cutting knives for Food Network's Fat Chef, premiering Jan. 26. To celebrate, McCune Gibson and her trainer Nate Miracle have designed a supplement and meal delivery program that comes with membership to Miracle's Fitness Revolution. And this month, Whalen will launch a Fahren-lite menu with two appetizers, two entrees and a dessert. As they finished filming, McCune Gibson and Whalen served their best advice for eating healthy.
Be vocal: Speak up about diet restrictions. "There are so many chefs in Cleveland that are willing to accommodate their guests," McCune Gibson says. Ask for brown rice instead of white, no oil or light oil on veggies, sweet potatoes over others. Whalen adds to be wary of extra sauces and words like "crispy" and "flash-fried."
Keep eating: "You have to keep your metabolism up," says McCune Gibson. Don't skip breakfast (try Greek yogurt with teaspoons each of cinnamon and peanut butter), and plan ahead with containers of healthy snacks such as carrots. Whalen adds, "If it wasn't here 1,000 years ago, you probably don't want to eat it." So nix the Doritos.
But don't pick!: "You can do a lot of damage calorically in a matter of 30 seconds," say Whalen. Don't snack while cooking. The chefs stay honest by tracking what they eat with the Lose It iPhone app.
Go green (and white): Moderate portion sizes with 5 to 7 ounces of white proteins (chicken, turkey, lean pork and fish), says Whalen, and enjoy with green foods. Add flavor with dry spices, herbs and citrus.
Lighten must-haves: Put a healthier twist on your favorite dishes, says McCune Gibson. For example, Whalen suggests opting for wheat crust on pizza. "White flour just isn't very good for you," he says, "and it makes your body sluggish."
