Don’t get weighed down by fear of fat
With a client list that includes supermodel Molly Sims, journalist Megyn Kelly and candy entrepreneur Dylan Lauren (Ralph’s daughter), Tanya Zuckerbrot is one of the highest-paid dieticians in the country. The author of “The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss” and “The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear — with Fiber!,” Zuckerbrot, 44, knows that people panic about getting fit for the summer. She says the key to staying fit is eating well, even when you’re traveling.
“You don’t have to give up carbs to lose weight,” says Zuckerbrot, 44. “I try to impart on my clients that fresh, unprocessed food and smaller portion sizes have a huge impact on healthy weight management.” An edited version of our conversation follows.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Capri, Italy. We try to go every summer. It is the perfect mix of Italian culture, food, style and weather.
Q: To someone who was going there for the first time, what would you recommend that they do during their visit?
A: A trip to Capri is not complete without a day spent at the Fontelina Beach Club. Order their Peach Sangria and Pasta Vongole. Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: The Golden Door Spa in Escondido, Calif. It’s a fully immersive experience designed to help people disconnect from their hectic lives.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it, or not so much?
A: My first big trip as a child was to visit family in Cali, Colombia. My mother’s family is of Colombian descent. I felt very connected to the people, the culture and the food.
Q: Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?
A: I visit Italy often. Italians on average are healthier and less overweight than we are in the States, and yet they often eat pasta and drink wine daily. Two factors are that the ingredients are fresh and the portions are considerably smaller.
Q: Where is the most romantic destination?
A: Bora Bora — the water is turquoise. There’s nowhere like it!
Q: What are your four favorite cities?
A: Florence, London, Miami and NYC.
Q: Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A: London. It’s a bustling epicenter of culture, business and history.
Q: What would be your dream/fantasy trip?
A: African safari with my extended family. My kids and their cousins would love it.
Q: What are your favorite restaurants?
A: For lunch: Freds at Barney’s and Amaranth. For dinners: Elios, Cipriani, Sushi of Gari.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Beef jerky. It’s pure protein, no carbs, doesn’t need to be refrigerated, so you can bring it anywhere and it’s available at any airport or convenience store along the road. For more from the reporter, visit www.jaehakim.com.