 | Samantha F. Grant is a Hollywood Nutritionist known for her VIP clientele and her famous 14-day detox where clients are known to drop weight, burn fat and boost energy. Her program also includes daily eating habits. We spoke with the guru about dining out, chocolate, wine and more! BU: What is the best way if you have a busy schedule and you eat out, what is the best way to lose weight and still be healthy? SG: Skip the breads, bagels, chips and other carb traps. Choose a burrito in a bowl for example rather than a burger or sandwich. Peruse the menu and mix and match dishes. Instead of salmon with rice and veggies, skip the rice and order double veggies or ask for a side salad in place of the rice or potato.
SG: Cleansing the liver is an important tool for fat loss. When the liver is detoxed, fats are broken down more efficiently and hormones are metabolized optimally. Eliminating inflammatory foods is a great way to shed some extra weight, improve your skin tone and increase your energy. BU: Us women love our chocolate and our wine. If we’re going to indulge in this, what is the best ways to do it? Wine or vodka? Milk chocolate or Dark? You get the idea. SG: For alcohol indulgence, Pinot Noir has the most antioxidant benefit. It is high in resveratrol which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and support your skin. Dark Chocolate too is full of antioxidants and has less sugar than milk chocolate. Look for brands that are dairy free and soy free like Vita or Lindt. The higher the percentage, the less sugar it contains. Aim for 70% or above. BU: Samantha, are carbs the enemy? What is your best advice on what to avoid as much as we can as we age? SG: Carbs in the form of grains are our enemy. Gluten grains in particular- Barley, Rye, Oats, Wheat and Spelt. These foods increase production of a protein known as zonulin. Zonulin attacks the lining of the GI tract causing inflammation. The better choice for carbs come from vegetables, fruits and yummy starchy veggies like sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash (a great sub for noodles) and butternut squash. To find out more about her 14 day detox click here. |
BU: Samantha, talk to about detoxing. We know you have a 14-day detox that’s proving to be hugely popular in Hollywood.
This is a believe-it-or-not story, but why should I lie? I’m sharing a diet miracle with you. After surgery, I was on a leave from my job as a teacher and pretty much bed-ridden. I gained weight, not happily, as I’ve always been swelt, despite the fact that I ate lightly and healthily (fruits, veggies, lean chicken and fish). When I returned to teaching, it was to another school. The building is huge, with plenty of stairs to get anywhere, and it is incredibly hot (no A/C during warm months and very dry heating in the winter). I had no choice but to run the stairs to be on time for classes. I found myself downing two or three bottles of water before homeroom (I simply kept the containers and refilled from my Brita pitcher at home). By the end of the day, I had drunk about ten to twelve. I changed NOTHING in my diet, and my husband and I continued our Friday and Saturday night “dates” out, indulging in whatever we wished. In three months, my clothes were hanging on me. In six months, I had lost several jean sizes and looked like I was a willowy teenager again. My diet mantra: Movement, movement, movement and as much water as you can imbibe (at least half as many ounces as the number of pounds you weigh, according to experts).
Excuse me, that was to have read “svelte.” Is my face red!