How eating more healthy fats helped Gordon Ramsay drop 50lbs
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay made small diet and lifestyle changes to see big and lasting results
As a famous chef, Gordon Ramsey spends a lot of time surrounded by extravagant food, lovingly cooked in salty butter and drizzled with caramalised, sugary sauces. This, combined with always being in front of the camera, would take a toll on anyone’s waistline. That's why Ramsay took it upon himself to drop 50lbs and start living a healthier lifestyle.
There isn’t any celeb dietician or personal trainer behind this weight loss journey. Ramsey just focused on two things: how to eat healthily and exercising regularly. Ramsay began training for gruelling long-distance Iron Man races – but if that sounds like too much hard work, the best exercises for weight loss such as burpees and skipping can all be done in your back yard or a local park.
You can see in his Instagram post below that this healthier lifestyle is more than just a diet or training plan and more of a hobby for the chef.
A post shared by Gordon Ramsay (@gordongram)
A photo posted by on
The main diet change that Ramsay made was ensuring that he was eating enough healthy fats.
Talking to Eat This Not That, Ramsay said, “I just ate more efficiently and healthier. I ate more fatty acids like salmon."
It’s pretty hard to avoid unhealthy fats such as butter and cheese when you are a TV chef and owner of 35 restaurants, but if Gordon Ramsay can manage it so can you. And it isn't that hard when it is possible to eat fats and still lose weight.
The Institute of Medicine says that you should get 20 to 35 per cent of your daily calories from fat. Fats that are good for us contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and you will find these in the likes of fish, olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds. Of course, if you don't get enough of these in your day-to-day diet, a convenient solution is to take advantage of the best fish oil supplements.
Get the Fit&Well Newsletter
Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.
Our bodies digest fat slower than other nutrients and why it isn’t a good idea to deprive your body of fat altogether. You will end up feeling hungry more often than if you are to eat meals with healthy fats, such as Ramsay’s choice of salmon.
Aside from his diet adjustment, Ramsay also enjoys exercising as much as he can. He told Eat This Not That he enjoys working out in the morning. He said, “I just try to work out on shoot days or when I'm in the kitchen early in the morning so I'm energised throughout the day.”
A recent study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Medicine found that the fitter you are the more efficiently your body can burn fat.
If you find that you struggle to experience lasting weight loss, then making time for regular exercise, even in short bursts, can help. Ramsey noted that he likes to get outside for a big bike ride in his downtime – so why not make a short bike ride a regular habit to help increase your overall fitness and make burning fat easier for your body? It could be outside, or even on a stationary bike at home or in the gym. If you're looking for an all-weather, indoor home solution, our best exercise bike guide can help.
Jessica is an experienced fitness writer with a passion for running. Her career in journalism began in local news and she holds a Masters in journalism. Jessica has previously written for Runners World, penning news and features on fitness, sportswear and nutrition.
When she isn't writing up news and features for Fit&Well covering topics ranging from muscle building, to yoga, to female health and so on, she will be outdoors somewhere, testing out the latest fitness equipment and accessories to help others find top products for their own fitness journeys. Her testing pairs up nicely with her love for running. She recently branched out to running 10Ks and is trying to improve her time before moving on to larger races. Jessica also enjoys building on her strength in the gym and is a believer in health and wellness beginning in the kitchen. She shares all of this on her running Instagram account @jessrunshere which she uses for accountability and for connecting with like-minded fitness lovers.
-
Skip the plank—I’m a personal trainer and these three core moves are what I’m loving right now
Workout You need to try my new go-to alternatives
By Yanar Alkayat Published
-
A yoga instructor says these four moves can get rid of shoulder knots—I put them to the test
Flexibility I'm a desk-job worker with very tight shoulders, but this short routine provided immediate relief
By Alice Porter Published