Slim Summer Survival Guide

by Mary Kearl (Subscribe to Mary Kearl's posts)
May 21st 2009 2:00PM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Christine Avanti, author of "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads"

That's Fit: It's nearly summer and that means BBQs, picnics, family gatherings and more. What are some surefire safe bets to eat?

Avanti: Grilled chicken burgers are always the best choice! If you can throw on a non-fat American cheese slice [and place it on a] whole wheat bun, with all the toppings and a corn cob on the side, you've got a meal that is as healthy, balanced and wholesome as it gets. Grilled food is great -- not only healthy, but delicious. My grill would have not only chicken breasts, but turkey burgers and lean meats (loin cuts, such as pork loin or beef tenderloin). I also love to do skewers loaded with veggies such as pearl onions, red and yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes. Just chop, spray with extra virgin olive oil and drizzle with Kosher salt, grill and enjoy!

That's Fit: Why did you write "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads"?

Avanti: When I was 29, someone very close to me passed away. It was devastating. I medicated myself with food -- cakes, cookies and ice cream to be exact. Once I ate a whole German chocolate cake in one sitting. I gained 30 pounds -- devastating for a fitness model and fitness instructor. I thought it would be easy to lose the weight but years and many diets later, I was stuck. Then I met a nutritionist who explained the concepts of eating to stabilize blood sugar. That was the "eureka" moment and I soon lost the weight. In order to stabilize blood sugar levels you must eat a meal that contains proteins and carbohydrates. I call this a "PC Combo." In my book "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads," I spend three chapters explaining the subject of blood sugar stabilization and hormone stabilization, which is truly the real key to weight loss. The most exciting piece of the weight-loss puzzle for me personally was through my research when I learned that carbs are good for us rather then the enemy -- thus, it is no longer necessary to dedicate one's self to a life of salad eating diets. Rather, salads are a wonderful side dish to any "PC Combo" meal. I vowed to share this with the world and I made the decision that day to become a nutritionist ... that led to writing the book. My goal is to share this fantastic message with everybody and "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads" is how I am doing it.

That's Fit: Can you explain how alcoholic drinks may be responsible for a slower metabolism?

Avanti: Ethyl alcohol [or alcohol] is broken down in the liver before any other nutrient. Thus, if one has eaten a meal, the nutrients from that meal will not be broken down in the liver normally. Instead, the body breaks down the alcohol first, but it takes the body approximately one hour to break down [just] half an ounce. Unfortunately, the body will not begin breaking down the nutrients from food until all of the alcohol is completely broken down, this process in essence teaches the body that it's OK to avoid immediately breaking down food and thus metabolism is slowed.

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