How 8 Top Chefs Stay Healthy, Happy And Drink Way More Green Juice Than You
With it being Healthy Living Week here at Food Republic we decided to reach out to some of our friends in the chef world to find out about their eating and fitness routines.
Jamie Oliver is an international chef and media personality. His Big Rig Teaching Kitchen Tour makes stops in California through May.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
I always start with a cup of tea to ease me in and wake me up. Then, if I am home, I'll make breakfast for everyone while Jools gets the kids ready for school. Just something nice, simple and filling like scrambled eggs on toast goes down well in my house.
What's your fitness routine?
I have a trainer now two times a week. It's hard making it work sometimes when you are busy and have a family, but I know how important it is — especially now that I am getting older! It's a real priority for me this year.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
I think mine are probably the same as most men my age. I want to spend more time with my family and get fit and healthy!
Have you ever done a fad diet?
Never. I don't think they are the way to go.
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
I never drink fizzy drinks!
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
Yeah, I have noticed in the last five years that I have to work harder. I never had to worry when I was younger. I have to be careful, as its difficult when you are a chef. I always have food in my hand or mouth or all around me!
Do you juice?
I have never juiced, but it seems every female in my office is on some sort of juice diet at the moment!
Daniel Holzman is executive chef and co-owner of the Meatball Shop in New York City.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
A fiber shake.
What's your fitness routine?
I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 3-6 times per week at Renzo Gracie Academy.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
Yes, but unfortunately I broke them, along with all the other ones.
Have you ever done a fad diet?
I did the juice diet as a joke, but I ended up losing weight, feeling amazing and having more energy then I've ever had!
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
I don't eat a ton of meat. I eat mostly fish and veggies. Besides water I never drink non-alcoholic bottled beverages
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
It's a constant issue, half joke/half life threatening disability.
Do you juice?
YES! I often drink juice in the early afternoon instead of lunch. I started with a "juice cleanse" that changed my life!
Duff Goldman is a television personality and executive chef of the Baltimore-based Charm City Cakes.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
First thing in the morning, I drink (chug) 16 ounces of water and have either a protein shake or a green juice.
What's your fitness routine?
I'm in the gym five days a week. Every day I do an hour of cardio (usually the bike), one hour of weightlifting and two to three days a week I box for a half hour.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
I'm trying to become a better eater when I travel. I've noticed that when I'm at home, eating and going to the gym is automatic, no sweat. But when I travel, room service and airports are sometimes too tempting.
Have you ever done a fad diet?
Well, I don't know if it's a fad, but I have a badass Breville juicer and I make fresh juice all the time.
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
I don't drink alcohol. I love beer, like a lot, but I quit drinking my freshman year in college.
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
Yeah, I was an athlete from like 2nd grade all the way through college where I played ice hockey and lacrosse, but I gained a lot of weight when I became a cook full time and wasn't doing strenuous sports. I've been getting way back in shape since moving to California. I've had to adjust my schedule a lot and make room during my day to make sure I get to the gym every day. It's hard, but if you don't do it, you won't change.
Do you, or have you juiced, and if so how much do you do?
As in steroids? No, I lift a lot, and I'm naturally built like a brick shithouse (I just maxed on squats at 720 and benched 315 6 times), but I don't juice. I like my balls, I kinda want to keep them.
John Besh is a New Orleans chef, restaurateur and TV personality and winner of multiple James Beard Awards.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
I have an Americano coffee with either illy or Tazza d'oro beans. If I eat anything it's a bowl of oatmeal. However, my normal routine is that of a short order cook for my four boys. After making a big southern breakfast for them, I'm generally not very hungry.
What's your fitness routine?
When possible I bike for an hour or two. If not, I try to fit a 45-minute workout on an elliptical machine.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
My New Year's resolution is to try to eat more responsibly. You know, the normal moderation stuff. It is really hard to stick to it with NOLA Mardi Gras on the heels of the new year! Every year I swear it'll be the year of moderation, yet I all seem to keep in moderation is moderation!
Have you ever done a fad diet?
Oh, hell no!
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
As often as I can, I try to avoid fried foods, but you know as a chef.... I don't eat many sweets, but my weaknesses are starches and of course alcohol.
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
Back in my Marine days I was a badass, crazy fit. I could run all day. I can't say the same about myself now. So I guess it's finally hitting me that I need to take my diet/exercise routine seriously.
Do you juice?
That sounds painful....wish they had a whiskey diet, now I'd excel at that!
David Myers is a Los Angeles-based chef behind restaurants Hinoki & The Bird and Comme Ça.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
I make hard-boiled eggs from Apricot Lane and a smoothie of raw oatmeal, Greek yogurt, blueberries and chia seeds.
What's your fitness routine?
I run five miles every day plus three days a week doing Crossfit. In between, I'll squeeze in something fun like surfing.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
Eat more veggies.
Have you ever done a fad diet?
If avoiding crappy food is a fad diet then yes. Otherwise, no.
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
I'm pretty much game for everything except for fast food. I'll limit that to an In-N-Out burger every now and then.
Do you juice?
Yes, I have a green juice every day and I love it.
Leah Cohen is chef-owner of Pig & Khao in New York City.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
The first thing I drink in the morning is coffee, followed by a cold pressed green juice.
What's your fitness routine?
I am addicted to Soul Cycle! It is an expensive addiction, but I feel amazing after a class. I also do Pilates to work the core.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
I don't believe in resolutions...I consciously make an effort to eat healthy all the time (unless I'm out to dinner then all bets are off). I like to eat a lot of veggies and, although I have a meat-heavy restaurant, I try to watch my meat intake as well.
Have you ever done a fad diet?
I tried the no carbs diet; that didn't work out very well for me. I love rice, white rice, and have to eat it at least four times a week!
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
I try not to eat a lot of dairy. Having a Southeast Asian restaurant helps...there is not much dairy in that cuisines diet.
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
Every day is a struggle with my weight because I am surrounded with food. I was unfortunate to inherit my father's slow metabolism as well. Plus, I love drinking lol!
Do you juice?
I am a juice head! I drink one juice a day to help keep me regular lol. My favorite place to get juice is Juice Press. It's expensive, but their product is far superior to other juice places and believe me I've tried a lot of different places. At one point I made the juices myself but that just got annoying for me.
Michael Schwartz is the James Beard Award-winning chef/owner of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, The Cypress Room and Harry's Pizzeria in Miami's Design District.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
Glass of water then a double espresso
What's your fitness routine?
First thing after the espresso is a work out, then a smoothie with almond milk, kefir, almond butter, coconut oil, flax seed, chia seed, cherry juice, spirulina, banana, blueberry whey protein powder, vanilla and a pinch of salt
Have you ever done a fad diet?
No, fad diets don't work
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
Sugary drinks and sugary food. Sugar is ok, starch is ok, but everything in small quantities, lots of smaller meals and smaller portions. Over-eating is the real problem.
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
Yeah
Do you juice?
Yes I've done an 11 day juice fast. Everything in moderation.
Marc Murphy is a New York City chef, restaurateur and judge on competition cooking show Chopped.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
I always start my day with a hot cup of tea and a banana.
What's your fitness routine?
I try to fit in the gym when I can, but that can be hard with my schedule. So I always try to take the stairs, and I'm constantly walking in New York.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
I'd like to spend more time with my friends and family this year.
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
Soda.
Have you ever struggled with your weight?
Not really. I think everyone has days where you feel better than others, but I've always managed to stay in the same range.
Do you juice?
I haven't done one of those cleanses where you replace meals but we do have delicious juices from Liquiteria at my newest restaurant, Kingside, and I've enjoyed some of those.
Mark Hix is a London-based chef and restaurateur whose newest restaurant is Hixter.
What's the first thing you eat/drink in the morning?
I usually like to have fresh grapefruit and an espresso. I don't usually have a big breakfast, as I eat in the restaurants throughout the day tasting the dishes.
What's your fitness routine if any?
I like to go swimming in the mornings and also enjoy Pilates. Golf is a sport I love too, which I play as much as I can when I get any free time.
Any New Year's eating resolutions?
No, I never make New Year's resolutions. If I decide to change something, I will do it at any time of the year. No time like the present!
Have you ever done a fad diet?
No, I don't think fad diets are a good thing. I think you should eat a healthy balanced diet, with the odd naughty treat thrown in from time to time.
Any foods or drinks you actively avoid?
I have high cholesterol, so I try to avoid butter and use benecol instead. I always ask the restaurants to use rapeseed oil instead of butter when I am having ingredients that are usually cooked in butter on the menu.
Do you juice?
I do like to make fresh juice. You can't beat a fresh orange juice and I have a juicer at home. We also have a lot of fresh juices in the restaurants such as carrot, apple and ginger, and use many of them in our cocktails.