Sexy and Satisfied
A Chat with Web Guru Divya Gugnani
Love food but hate the guilt? Then you have to check out Divya Gugnani’s fab new book, Sexy Women Eat.
You may know Divya from her amazing foodie website BehindTheBurner, which features tips, tricks, and techniques from expert chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs. Now the web guru is tackling the literary world with her great new book packed with recipes, easy workouts, and secrets to getting the most out of your food.
We love the title of your new book, Sexy Women Eat. Can you tell us a little about it?
My motto for the book is “screw dieting and start eating!” Readers can expect to learn why food is simply fun, and should never be limited. I’ve created a pretty comical personal narrative of how food fuels my career, weaving in some of my best (and worst) foodie moments growing up. Essentially, it’s a fitness survival guide for the working woman.
What’s your favorite trick to eating well while staying slim?
I eat when I’m hungry, not when I’m bored or when my mind craves a cheesecake after a 3-course meal while my stomach screams NO!
How do you juggle a fast-paced career with finding the time to eat healthy?
I usually dedicate a day of the weekend to cook for the rest of the week. Not only is cooking relaxing, but it enhances your creativity. To save time, I freeze leftover chicken stock in ice cube trays and add them to my sauces for the week. I also include eggs in more than just breakfast. I put eggs in salads or poach an egg in a main course, packing my dish with protein and amino acids.
Many women are always on a diet and yet struggle with their weight. Why do you think that is?
A diet at its most basic level is the food we consume on a daily basis. But if we Google the word diet, you’ll find a laundry list of weight loss programs from Weight Watchers to South Beach. The reality is that these programs don’t work—you can’t expect fast results to last. They screw up your metabolic rate, which is not a long-term solution to keeping the pounds off. We need a lifestyle filled with eating right, not one measured by points and frozen foods and meal bars. Fad diets are for short-term gain and long-term pain!
Do you cook for yourself a lot? What is your go-to after work dish and why? What’s your favorite ‘let’s impress’ dish?
Aside from my office desk and bed, the kitchen is the closest thing to my heart (if not the way to my heart)!
My go-to dish is Salmon—it’s packed with omega 3’s and has tons of flavor, so I find it the easiest and most nutritious meal to make after a long day.
My all-time “let’s impress someone” dish is definitely my Crown Roast of Lamb. The presentation is beautiful, but the actual creation is quite simple.
With all of the oversized portions and calorie-laden dishes, dining out can be tough. Any tips on eating out and still staying fit?
It’s all about portion control. Just because a meal may be pricey, does not mean you need to eat the entire dish. Leftovers are always the way to go. I always avoid the breadbasket, but if you must, dip with olive oil instead of butter. And always save room for dessert! Just share it to save on the calories. For most people, dining out is usually a luxury, so don’t limit yourself too much. I always recommend trying the fish over a meat dish and choosing pastas with tomato sauces over the cream ones.
Does exercise play a role?
Yes! However, I am not a firm believer that the gym cures all. It’s movement that does. I list multiple ways to burn 150 calories with simple house chores in my book. Park your car further from your office if you drive, and save a good spot for dumbbells in your office! Those ten minutes we take to sip a cup of coffee or watch reality show drama scenes can instead be used to do 50 crunches, 15 arm lifts, and 30 jumping jacks.
Visit the Sexy Women Eat website here!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
