I'm a food slut--my life is food. Whether it's in the kitchen with our experts at Behind the Burner, sampling a tasty new dish or dining out for meetings, I am constantly eating. I love what I do, but I certainly don't love the calories that come with it. In order to keep up with my culinary career and hold onto my figure, I rely on a few tricks to help me maintain the balance between smart eating and eating what I want.
When I eat out, I skip the bread basket and immediately start off with an order of steamed veggies. Not only am I getting my essential nutrients, I'm also filling myself up before the main course shows up. If I'm ravenous going into a meal, all bets are off and I'm going to eat way more than I need. Drinking water and eating slowly throughout a meal also helps your stomach feel more satisfied and lets you enjoy what you're putting in your mouth. Taking the time to savor each bite also gives your belly time to know what's hitting it. Remember, you don't feel full until 15-20 minutes after you've eaten so take a breather before considering the dessert menu. Dining in? Try an easy steamed asparagus side --especially right now as asparagus is in season.
Many of us don't factor in beverages to our caloric intake but drinking is always a diet danger. Tip: 5 ounces of wine is about 100 calories--and I guarantee we're not always pouring 5 ounces. Dr. Stephen Gullo, renowned food psychologist and author of The Thin Commandments, told me that white wine actually activates hunger while more filling beer will keep us for ordering a late-night basket of fries at the bar. Trick: Stick with a couple of beers (preferably light) when you're out and you'll fight both cravings and calories. Don't know what to drink? Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver knows just the pour.
Fitness is essential. I know, I know. Listen, I hear you: there's not always time and it's not always fun to work out. But it's absolutely crucial to get your body moving when you consume a lot. And you don't need a gym to exercise! Drop and give me twenty...well, anywhere! Tip: Take a brisk walk or do pushups at home and around the office to get your heart rate up and build muscle. Whenever I'm on the phone, I'm also doing leg lifts under the desk. Working my gams keeps me engaged and keeps me on my mental A-game. Research shows that exercise creates physiological changes in your brain to make you better, clearer thinker. Here's to beauty and brains!