It’s often assumed that a good chef is also a plump chef, right? It makes sense. How else can a chef test their masterpiece meals without sampling everything? This Sunday, PARADE Magazine will highlight tops chefs who have managed to break the rules and stay trim in the face of endless temptation.
Three of the big names being featured on Sunday are Curtis Stone, Cat Cora, and Art Smith. These culinary wizards, along with their colleagues, will divulge their secrets for staying fit and healthy in their industry.
Curtis Stone is a 36-year-old Australian known for his appearances on The Celebrity Apprentice and Top Chef Masters. He’s never had an issue with weight, but admits he has to make regular exercise mandatory in his schedule. Due to his love of food and his frequent TV appearances, Stone has reasons to hit the gym. And we can’t blame him for those reasons as exercise enables him to enjoy more food while staying TV-trim.
Stone shared a few tips about staying trim, the first being drinking plenty of water. He also implements some food rules, two of which being not eating fried foods, and not eating processed carbs after 3 p.m.
All of the chefs gave plenty of healthy eating tips for children as well. Stone recommended getting kids involved in a garden. “They’re excited to eat it because they’ve been a part of it,” he explains. And we couldn’t agree more.
Cat Cora is the lone female chef on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America. She’s also plays co-host to Stone on the new show Around the World in 80 Plates.
Cora has successfully dropped 25 pounds after giving birth to her son three years ago. She believes in exercise as 50 percent of the weight management battle, admitting it just makes her feel better. Cora also advises people to cut out sugary sodas and fast food. Her healthy eat tips for children include making meals a family decision. Ask you children questions like, “Do we want chicken or salmon?” ” Do we want broccoli or edamame?” Like Stone, Cora believes kids like being a part of the process if we allow them to. “The more invested they are in the meal,” she explains, “the more likely they are to eat it.”
Art Smith, 52, is a professional chef who used to cook exclusively for Oprah Winfrey, and is also a partner in five major restaurants. When Smith was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2024, he changed his habits and lost an astounding 120 pounds. Simply stated, Smith’s health advice is ‘a wonderful, big leafy green salad will change your life, every day.’
Smith echoes the ideas of Stone and Cora when it comes to children, saying they need to be engaged in the meal process. He also suggests not ‘dumbing it down’ and treating the kids like adults. He also sees the importance of serving fresh foods, organics, sushi, curries, and other healthy, more adventurous meals.
Be sure to catch this Sunday’s PARADE Magazine for more on how these, and other top chefs, stay healthy despite their tempting occupations.
Also Read:
Biggest Loser Watch Party Recipes from Curtis Stone
How Mario Batali is Losing Weight