The Accidental Chef

DEAR ACCIDENTAL CHEF: It’s that time again—the beginning of a new year, and I’ve got a good 7 extra pounds on me from the holidays. I really want to drop the pounds, but I just can’t do diets. Is there any way to lose this weight without having to go on some kind of diet or starve myself?—Still Hungry in 2009

DEAR HUNGRY: First off, it’s a good thing that you can’t do diets, because more often than not, they don’t work, at least in the long run. And I’m speaking from experience.

I’ve done the zero-carb thing, eating nothing but bacon and boiled eggs, which did drop the pounds quickly. However, the first second I nibbled a cracker, the pounds returned, so the effects were short-lived.

And don’t even get me started on the low-fat, high-carb diets of the 1980s. All I will say is that a diet consisting of nothing but jumbo-sized bagels smothered in low-fat cream cheese does not a thin girl make.

The bottom line is there are few quick fixes when it comes to getting healthy, so instead of thinking in terms of weight loss or diet, think lifestyle change.

Get moving: Clearly, this advice is far from novel as I find out every Jan. 2 waiting in line for the stair climber at the gym. We’re all doing the right thing here, too, because the fact is, the more you move, the more calories you burn. Couple this with a healthy reduction in food quantity and harmful fats (i.e. those evil trans fats), and you’ve got a pretty good recipe for a balanced lifestyle.

Cook more at home: I enjoy a greasy burger on the run as much as the next guy (as referenced multiple times in this column). Fast food and take-out are quick, cheap and taste yummy, making them an easy choice over laboring in the kitchen. However, there is one important factor to remember—when you cook at home, you tend to eat healthier.

For starters, as the chef, you have control over what goes into the food. When searing a piece of fish, you can use two tablespoons of butter or half a tablespoon of olive oil, a much healthier choice. Same goes for salt and sugar, which often are found en masse (and in unexpected places) in restaurant-prepared foods. And who wants to go to all the trouble of deep-frying french fries when a baked potato will suffice?

Enjoy the seasons: The local farmers markets are your friend. Visit them often. A great way to include more fruits and veggies into your diet is to follow the seasons and eat accordingly. When those strawberries are in season, gobble them up, and when the rockfish are running, hit your local fishmonger for the freshest catch. In the off season, check the local organic grocery and see what they’re offering.

Lastly, allow yourself: Allow yourself that piece of chocolate or that small bag of chips. Eating well doesn’t mean that you don’t get to sample any of the good stuff; just don’t go overboard. Having one splurge a week is a good rule of thumb. Just don’t make that splurge an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Changing your diet and eating well shouldn’t be painful. Over time you might find that these healthier foods taste better than junk foods. Another byproduct is that eating well and exercising make you feel better, which gives you even more energy to more burn calories. That’s an excellent combination for a healthy lifestyle.
Kendra Bailey Morris is a Richmond-based food writer, culinary instructor and author of “White Trash Gatherings: From-Scratch Cooking for Down-Home Entertaining” (Ten Speed Press). Send ideas, tips or culinary questions to or visit http://www.theaccidentalchef.net.