Photo courtesy of Lisa Hechesky
Celebrity chef Alton Brown’s amazing weight loss grabbing fan attention
People who watch The Food Network aren’t usually conscientious of the relationship between diet and health because quite frankly most of the recipes shared by the “stars” on there each and every day are loaded with way too much excessive sugar and carbohydrates that will simply pack on the pounds. The producers have tried in the past to highlight the benefits of eating well on a healthy low-carb nutritional approach when the great George Stella (whose recipes are now being featured on the home shopping channel QVC) was a regular with his “Low-Carb & Lovin’ It” show back in the heyday of livin’ la vida low-carb in the middle of the last decade. But with the low-carb “fad” allegedly passing in 2004 and now that nobody seems to be interested in healthy cooking on The Food Network anymore (although I think they’re missing a golden opportunity to hit an under-served market of viewers!), the producers completely ditched the idea of promoting a health-related cooking show.
But what will they do now that one of their network’s biggest stars has lost a total of 50 pounds by consuming what could easily be described as a low-carb diet? That’s exactly the dilemma they find themselves in with all the Internet buzz surrounding “Iron Chef America” host Alton Brown (see the photos for yourself!). Check out this promo for the new season of that show that aired in October 2009 leaving people’s mouths to drop seeing Alton Brown’s new slimmed-down body for the first time at the end of the clip when he exclaims “Let’s cook!”:
You could REALLY see Alton’s incredible 50-pound weight loss since March 2009 during his appearance on ABC’s The View to promote his new book Good Eats: The Early Years in October 2009:
He looks fantastic and a lot of low-carbers found it rather eye-opening to hear how he did it — “scientific applications of nutritional principles…I ate a lot of sardines instead of cake…and the pounds melt right off!” Hmmmm. Sounds a whole heckuva lot like livin’ la vida low-carb if you ask me. Plus, you gotta love that “zero carbs” pasta alternative he created out of the eggplant for the recipe on The View. Alton says he may even write a book about it which would be quite intriguing. I’m currently working with his people on getting a podcast interview to discuss his amazing weight loss success. Stay tuned!
Some of Brown’s most ardent fans were worried about him wondering if he was sick and rumors have been running wild about whether he was concealing some mysterious illness or even cancer to produce this kind of weight loss. Why do people do that when someone loses weight. I can recall people saying I’d lost “too much” weight because I looked so radically different than my 400+ pound self. Uh, yeah. I’m not supposed to look like that guy anymore! Alton has done a sensational job and I’m sure he’s much healthier now than he was before.
Google Trends for “Alton Brown” have shown a HUGE spike as of late which tells me people are still very keenly interested in healthy eating even if the powers-that-be atThe Food Network ditched George Stella proclaiming otherwise. Will there be a new Alton Brown healthy cooking show coming soon? Who knows. I think it’s fantastic how they have let him talk about it on his “Good Eats” program, including letting him share “how eating from 4 basic food groups helped him lose 50 lbs without going on a diet.” Interesting choice of words to describe his diet, don’t ya think? The segment called “Live and Let Diet” will air on The Food Network on January 14, 2010 at 11PM ET and January 15, 2010 at 2AM ET. Set your DVRs to check it out.
So what did Alton Brown do to lose the weight? According to this fan blog, he had a “major change in his diet” where he decided it was best to start “eliminating most carbs and increasing fats,” primarily the omega-3 fats found in fish. Sweet! Another blognoted hearing Brown describe his weight loss method as “eating a low carb, high protein, high fat diet.” Excellent, although I’m sure the protein is more moderate than “high.” This Commercial Appeal blog interview with Brown reveals him saying “I quit eating sweets completely” and “I don’t intend to ever eat them again.” He also limits himself to just one alcoholic beverage weekly and believes that “portion-control, lean protein” is the way to go for him!
I got a list of foods he consumes from this Alton Brown fan blog and there are some peculiar as well as familiar things he’s putting in his mouth:
Daily
- Fruits
- Whole Grains
- Leafy Greens
- Nuts
- Carrots
- Green Tea
3 times a week
- Oily Fish
- Yogurt
- Broccoli
- Sweet Potato
- Avocado
Once a week
- Red meat
- Pasta
- Dessert
- Alcohol
NEVER!
- Fast Food
- Soda
- Processed meals/frozen dinners
- Canned soup
- “Diet” anything
PLUS: Eat breakfast every day, no exceptions.
This isn’t too shabby, although limiting your red meat to just once a week is unnecessary and there’s certainly no need to consume whole grains everyday. And the fruit he consumes should be qualified as the low-sugar ones like berries and melons rather than bananas and oranges which are great big sugar bombs. But I love what he’s set up for himself here. It’s a plan that HE can work with, implement, and do for the rest of his diet. You gotta admire anybody who can write it all out and then do it.
Congratulations Alton Brown! You are looking marvelous these days and I wish you well in your continued sorta low-carb diet journey. KEEP IT UP!
Comments
Congrats to Alton as well...he does look marvelous! Sure do miss George Stella though....he is such a positive person and had a wonderful, inspiring show. I did my best on Atkins when he was on....kept me going and cheat free for a long time! Wish they could reincarnate that show! I am sure millions would appreciate it!
Great post! Thanks!
Thanks for mentioning the my blog in your article.
It is ironic, however, I tried to get a writing position with The Examiner but I was told I wasn't good enough. :(
But thanks for the mention anyway! :)
It sounds more like clean healthy eating. I was womderinf if he was ok myself.
I know you'd like to claim Alton as one of your own :) but his diet appears to be more of a "clean eating" plan that balances carbs, protein and healthy fats.
And there is a healthy cooking show on Food Network -- Healthy Appetite with the fabulous Elllie Krieger.
Loved his show discussing his weight loss. I am just disappointed that he doesn't really have a book out. I love watching Food Channel, but I admit that I would like it even better with healthy eating - good tasting meals. Most of the time I think WOW that would taste great, but oh the calories...
Anne, Alton says he's working on that book even now.
Gail, call what he's doing whatever you want, but it's very controlled-carb, higher in fat, and healthy whole foods. That's livin' la vida low-carb! :D
Heavyj, he's VERY healthy and looks fantastic.
Lisa, THANK YOU for all your amazing firsthand accounts of the Alton Brown weight loss story. I have given you attribution for your photos of him in his "after" look and I appreciate your work. E-mail me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net and I'll see if I can help get you "in" as an Examiner writer.
Jules, George Stella is still around, he's just on QVC now. I'd love to see him on The Food Network, but they decided to move on. Their BIG loss!
I don't know I got to see the "Live and Let Diet" episode of Good Eats early, but I caught it a couple of weeks ago. Note that Alton does not focus on low-carb, but rather nutrient-rich eating, which is certainly without sugar and processed foods. He does include fruit, (even "sugar bombs" like bananas, which he adds to smoothies for breakfast).
I appreciate that he is looking at nutrient-rich foods, because I've always felt that low-carb advocates cutting out TOO many fruits (but always choose whole fruit over juice -- always).
If you're looking for a low-carb cooking show, check out Blaine's Low Carb Kitchen on FitTV.
I've lost 50 pounds doing low-carb. My biggest enemy is sugar and most baked goodies, including bread. However, despite the success I've had (lowered triglycerides, cholesterol) with low-carb, I've never felt comfortable eating so much meat. I am very interested in Alton's approach -- he cuts out the sweets and processed food, AND very importantly, "diet" fo
THANKS Heidi! Most low-carbers would say our diet is very nutrient-dense and Alton's diet is very close to what a lot of people who are livin' la vida low-carb are doing. Sadly, Blaine Jelus was dropped by FitTV and hasn't made any new shows in many years.
It sounds like Alton got a hold of the book "Eat To Live". These are typical diets that correlate with the book. Although the book isn't about dieting, but rather changing your life, I'd like to point out his (diet) is what we are supposed to be eating, not a low-carb diet. I am sure he still eats any kind of fruit he wants, because whether or not a fuit is high in sugar has nothing to do with its nutrients. He probably still eats bread in some form daily. Hes just learned that meat (white,red,ect...), dairy, sugar,... well are bad for you. If he chooses to eat it, its limited to once a week. I could go on with scientific notes, but I will hope anyone who reads this will read "Eat To Live". It is actually written by a DR who has actually written in several medical journals, ect. He is a legit source, unlike, Dr. Atkins, who is wrong and has furthered heart disease in America. Im not trying to be negative, just read it, and have your mind blown, for the first time in your life.
Hey Anthony, I have read Dr. Joel Furhman's EAT TO LIVE and it's nothing more than a low-fat, vegetarian diet scheme. Why exactly is the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins not legitimate? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what makes this respected cardiologist who marketing the healthy high-fat, low-carbohydrate nutritional approach to the world is anything but the genius he was.
I saw that Alton swears by 1 drink a week max. Ordinarily I'd swear by that too, but I just started trying to drink more red wine - many studies suggest 1 glass of red per day is good for the heart. Thats a lot more than 1 per week. I wonder what Alton - or all of you - might say about the benefits of red wine.
It sounds like Alton got a hold of the book "Eat To Live". These are typical diets that correlate with the book. Although the book isn't about dieting, but rather changing your life, I'd like to point out his (diet) is what we are supposed to be eating, not a low-carb diet. I am sure he still eats any kind of fruit he wants, because whether or not a fuit is high in sugar has nothing to do with its nutrients. He probably still eats bread in some form daily. Hes just learned that meat (white,red,ect...), dairy, sugar,... well are bad for you. If he chooses to eat it, its limited to once a week. I could go on with scientific notes, but I will hope anyone who reads this will read "Eat To Live". It is actually written by a DR who has actually written in several medical journals, ect. He is a legit source, unlike, Dr. Atkins, who is wrong and has furthered heart disease in America. Im not trying to be negative, just read it, and have your mind blown, for the first time in your life.
have we all forgotten the food pyramid? 6 "breads" 2 fruit 3 vegies 2 meat 3 dairy and 8 cups of water a day (even though I disagree with the amount of dairy)...
Seems like he took the food pyramid into account and made things work. now maybe one week you eat 4 sweet potatoes or 2 pasta dishes its really not going to change much, its just a simple fact of self control, proportion control and HEALTHY EATING. As great tasting as cheese cake is, its all the sweeter when I only have it for my Birthday... Your body knows what it needs when it needs it its why we crave things, most the time we crave food when we are thirsty, the brain doesnt differentiate, so in drinking water all day and grazing, as Alton put it, we will be fine. Ever stop to think when we are craving sugar we really need fruit? Simple sugars in fruit are easily burned off and broken down vs complex and processed sugars... Im just saying.
Happy eating, eat smart, stay active and good luck to you all
Anthony, I have read ETL and my mind was not "blown" at all. It was just more drivel from a radical vegan. There's no evidence that saturated fat plays ANY role in heart disease and PLENTY of support for carbohydrates playing a negative role. And Starskipper, the Food Pyramid is no friend of people trying to live healthy. They ignore the studies supporting healthy fat consumption and reductions in sugars/starches. We'll never seen the weight and health of America improve until the blatant ignorance of the so-called health "experts" is corrected.
Alton Brown is my favorite on the Food Network. However, many people cannot afford his "diet"/lifestyle plan. I wonder how, or even if, he considered, those who cannot shop at the local Fresh Market/Whole Foods/Wegmans? What about those who are stuck with the regular, run of the mill grocers lacking a decent produce section? Can most people who **need** a lifestyle change afford a Vita-Mix?
Oh, yeah...yogurt is one of the most disgusting food items known to me - next to mayonnaise. So what do I put in my smoothie?
wait a second, limiting red meat intake is "unnecessary"? In whose twisted version of healthful eating? Yes, eating whole grains daily is Exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Animal fat and protein is, and always will be, bad for you. The only exception is fish.
The idea that your diet centers around meat is outdated, and nutritionally wrong.
Stacey is right- that is ridiculous. More than one serving of red meat per week is absolutely more than necessary and you SHOULD be eating whole grains every day! What crazy world do you live in??
Just read through some of your comments, and you have absolutely no proof that cramming in meat doesn't affect your health. First of all, too high protein harms your liver-and just because you don't like the fact, doesn't mean that it doesn't affect your arteries and heart. Lots of people think the "lemonade fast" and swishing their mouths with oil works-and those people are full of it, too.
I know the party line is that he looks great, but I disagree. He looks like he is dying. He was too big before, but now he is gaunt. I thought he was ill and did a google search and found out that he did this on purpose. I'd recommend putting on 10 pounds healthfully.
I definitely don't like the way he looks - he definitely looks ill and doesn't represent the food network well.
I agree with Patricia Straub, he looks ill and older.
I also agree. I Googled "Alton Brown sick" because I thought he had a terminal illness. I'm glad he doesn't but he needs to put on 10 to 15 lbs. He looks older and drawn.
I think Alton looks awesome, personally ... I don't know that he is doing "low-carb" as much as "lower-carb" ... LOL ... cutting out all of the fast food and junk food makes way for the good carbs, like the whole grains and bananas ... the show that absolutely kills me is that "Naughty Chef" show ... do you know if that one is off the air, yet? Seriously, with the U.S. population in the shape it is in, that has to be one of the most irresponsible shows I've ever seen ....
When I found out that Alton was not sick, but had applied his science and knowledge of cooking to lose weight, I was hooked! I can eat this way for almost ever. I've lost 12 pounds so far; I have the 50 pound goal, too. Having Alton Brown as my inspiration gets me through the 'circling the Dunkin' Donut' block without giving in to evil! Thanks, Alton, for doing the smart thing! I owe ya!
Alton has also said in interviews that he runs 4 miles several times a week. This would explain why he's as thin as he is. He's burning muscle when runs for that long rather than doing sprints.
I think he's done a great thing for himself. It's obviodly low-carb (not even very much grains - lots of nutrient-dense vegs and some fruit), moderate animal protein, and very minimal sugars. He's managed to create a simple to follow and well rounded DIET (see his definition).
You should have him on for an interview, Jimmy!
I've asked for a podcast interview, but no response so far.
I have to admit when I first saw Alton on his Anniversary show I thought he looked ill.Glad to know he is not. As far as diets, I tried everything with my Doctor's help and finally after reading so many reports that you lost the most on Atkins I decided to try it,with my Doctor's okay for a month only as I had high cholesterol and a fatty liver. Well i lost 13 pounds the first week, and 17 pounds in a month at which time my Doctor repeated all my blood work. My cholesterol was the best it had been in years and my liver was fine. I have so far lost 21 pounds and am still fine. No one can convince me that Carbs and not fats is the real evil. Thank you Dr.Atkins
Glad to hear that Alton is not sick. I, myself, like the "in between" Alton... somewhere between now and "... Asphalt". Just my opinion as a viewer.
The 4 food group diet is not a low carb diet and includes a good dose of everyday carb. Therefore it should certainly not be depicted as low carb. I am not surprised that low carb dieters our trying to credit his weight loss to low carb, as low carb dieting tends to make you lose fat quickly and it seems simply by the magick of television that his weight loss was instant!
No-carb as well as low-carb diets do make you lose fat quickly
therefore you stand to regain it all the faster when you re-introduce them on a regular basis. Your body will stock carbs much longer than usual by fear of being starved from carbs again!
Doing low carb should include a healthy dose of carbs, choose them wisely, fibre is your friend! If you do choose a healthy 4 food group diet you stand a greater chance of keeping the weight off and being healthy. I also think that the food Network strongly encourages healthy eating, contrary to the comment in the article It promotes well rounded cooking not fads.
I thought Alton was ill. My comments to my husband were "Oh wow look at him, he must be really sick. He just looks AWFUL!" Look, there are fat people that get thinner in a healthy way and look healthy at the end of their weight loss. And then there are people that do it the wrong way, and absolutely always look like crap. Alton looks like he is dying. I truly hope he just didnt lose weight the wrong way and he isnt really ill. He surely does look it though.
Low-carb would be misleading, though, since he starts the day with a smoothie. That doesn't have any wheat or other grain but the carbohydrates would be beyond negligible. I think. The emphasis I got from his Good Eats episode on the topic was low-processed diet. Fresh fresh and more fresh.
If you look at diet books or women's magazines they all proclaim to have the only diet you will ever need. The fact is the only way to lose weight is to eat in moderation and get exercise. Also it has to be a life long thing. Fad diets, such as Atkins, do work in the short term but eventually you are going to eat some carbs and they will stick like glue. I know because it happened to me. Alton Brown does look sick and about 10 years older than he did prior to his diet. However, if his doctor says he's healthy he should be okay.
"although limiting your red meat to just once a week is unnecessary and there’s certainly no need to consume whole grains everyday"
Most retarded thing I've seen written in a long time.
No Soda! What about root beer that is non-carbonated?
the only thing we need to remember is that food = fuel, I came up with a caveman style of eating and even though I am not sure how much weight I lost, I went from a size 7 - 9 to a size 3 in say...6 months. I excersise and eat only when needed, fresh vegies and fruit little meat and some seeds; no industrial food, ut works, i think that is the food our body is designed to consume.
B166er says: although limiting your red meat to just once a week is unnecessary and there’s certainly no need to consume whole grains everyday"
Most retarded thing I've seen written in a long time.
I agree with Jimmy!! There IS no need for grains of any kind, and meat is good for you, red or not!! Red meat is, IMHO, the best of the best!!
Whoa! Alton is my favorite too. Maybe you need to watch the show again Frannie- He talks about buying frozen everything and leaving it in the fridge overnight to thaw partway. He buys bananas on the bargain shelf and peels and freezes them himself. Last I checked frozen fruit was pretty easy to find- Costco even has a bag of mixed frozen fruits that are great for a smoothie. Oh- and someone else was worried about using yogurt? Alton used soy milk- which is great too- you don't get that sour yogurt taste. :) I think Alton looks great- congrats on the weight loss- hopefully a lot of us are right behind you!
I think 40 pounds would have been enough for him to lose and he wouldn't look so gaunt. I don't see his diet as low carb, I see it as healthy choices including carbs and meats. I think his diet plan sound doable, especially when combined with a healthy exercise regimen. He still has lots of food choices the way he now eats and that makes a diet easier to follow. Plus he allows himself the indlugence of an alcoholic drink and a dessert once a week. Personally I don't have a problem eating lean red meat more than once a week but I don't think it should be an every day thing. I'd like to incorporate his ideas into my life and see how well it works for me.
I completely agree with you Stacey E. I thought the exact same thoughts as I was reading it.
Despite what the article above says, he does eat bananas, not just "low sugar" fruits -- if you watch the "Live and Let Diet" episode his smoothie recipe has one frozen banana in it.
Anyways, he really does look like he is dying. When my husband and I saw his new "thin" look on TV for the first time we immediately said "Oh, is he sick? Does he have cancer?". But I think it's just beacuse 1: he is now older, giving his cheeks the sunken look and 2: we're just not used to seeing him thin. I mean, for 13 years, he's been either a little doughy or just flat out fat. However, he also had an episode of heart trouble not too long ago, and that is what most likely inspired his diet reversal. The big thing I disagree with in his methods is the fact that he ONLY talks about the food part. Nowhere does he mention the amount of exercise he gets -- he goes walking/jogging quite a bit. Cover all your bases, Alton!
I agree with Shiela, Alton looks awful. He may be anorexic.
Being that gaunt is not healthy. He is scary skinny!
He has made a very good living selling all kinds of food.
Alton looks healthy! That's what healthy looks like! Too bad some of you would rather weigh in with your own discouraging comments saying you think he looks sick. Sounds like sour grapes and jealousy. I admire his self-discipline and healthy example. It's got to be hard to live in a fishbowl world and have everyone picking apart every little thing he does. Be happy for him, for God's sake! He's happy. And I'm happy for him. Good Health, and Good Eats, Alton! You've earned it - the hard way.
I have only recently discovered Alton Brown through his "Good Eats" show, so I have no recollection of the heavy side of AB. This evening, I watched the "Live and Let Diet" episode and want more! I am also a person who has struggled with diets for years and at one point lost 125 pounds and weighed 175. I heard the same comments as I have read here (you look sick, are you OK?,...). I felt great, but such comments made me begin to question being so thin (the smallest I was since the 6th grade!). And, back came the weight. AB, I love the reciepes, but are now my hero! I never want to have to say the dreaded four letter word 'diet' again!
This man is amazing!!!!
He lost too much weight; he looks like he's ill...but anyway, yes, this diet works. I was on a low-carb diet in 2008 and lost 25 lbs. in two months.
I do want to point out that Alton's diet is not completely low carb, though, as he does eat fruits and whole grains.
I'm sure he keeps his portions low, though. If you're not diabetic, then it's fine to eat those things in moderation.
I think the word you meant in your first paragraph is "conscious", not "conscientious". However, "aware" would be a better word choice.
AB looks amazing. I will say, though, that the author of this article says that it's unnecessary for Alton to limit his red meat to once a week. Just FYI for you folks that aren't hardcore AB followers-- he did go to the hospital a few years back with a possible heart condition, and he said then that his Doc recommended that he cut down on the red meat, so it's probably more related to that than it is to his "low-carb" diet. Also, he does eat a banana every day, not just melons and berries. :)
I wonder what the author considers "low carb" with regard to AB and his weight loss. In the book for my culinary school nutrition class (for NRA certification) it states that adults should get 130 grams of carbs per day. Is the author espousing lower than RDA amounts? As for eliminating red meat, it cuts down on the bad fats, thereby contributing to lower serum cholesterol, so I don't understand the bit about it being "unnecessary". The whole grains contain complex carbs, not the simple ones, so they too are more beneficial. Healthy eating is in, Atkins is for sheeple.
I have admired Alton Brown since the moment I first heard him speak...he is an inspiration to all the culinary connoisseurs abound. The fact of the matter is that if Alton made a decision to better himself through a regiment of eating better than more power to him. It must be difficult at times to have a job where food plays such an intricate role in his career, your self-discipline should be admired Alton. My only suggestion...incorporate some exercise and weight training into your life for a more well rounded lifestyle. Good Luck Alton.
You folks who think Alton looks ill have a frame of reference of late 20th-early 21st century America.
What I mean is, if you ever saw a farmer, a rancher, or pioneer from the 1800s or even a normal American from 1900-1970, you would see much leaner, healthier people with a body compositon similar to rock, not the goo that is "normal" today. They weren't starving back then, they were eating REAL food. Since about 1973 when corn and simple carbs were started to be hidden or replaced in virtually EVERY KIND OF PROCESSED FOOD, we have a developed a mindset among the masses that really doesn't even know what healthy looks like anymore, we just don't see it much. Alton looks healthy. He looks great. Every American if they were healthy would look kind of like that.
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