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.Rocco DiSpirito
About Rocco DiSpirito
Chances are, you might be familiar with celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito—maybe
you’ve seen him on QVC promoting his line of Rocco Cookware. Or perhaps you’ve
perused one of his 13 books. He’s appeared on the hit show “The Biggest Loser,” and
he runs a clinic, creating nutrition plans, preparing foods and having those foods
delivered to his clients. Over the course of his career, DiSpirito worked as a host of
a food-oriented talk show in New York and opened and ran restaurants, as well.
DiSpirito is a James Beard award-winning chef and, in 2002, earned People
Magazine’s “Sexiest Chef Alive” award.Influences
DiSpirito’s love of food and cooking began when he was young, spending time
cooking with his mother. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America and Boston
University, and then with chefs all over the world.
DiSpirito wasn’t always focused on health, however. The turning point for him
was when he was asked to be on “The Biggest Loser” to teach the contestants
how to prepare healthy foods that tasted good. His doctor informed DiSpirito that
he had high blood pressure, high lipids and inflammation and was on the way to
developing metabolic syndrome and heart disease. Eschewing medication, DiSpirito
started to work out with a trainer and eventually began to do triathlons. He revamped
his recipes to make them healthier (but still tasty). After a year, DiSpirito had lost
45 pounds and gone were the high blood pressure, high lipids and inflammation.On health and diabetes
DiSpirito’s own journey with getting his health back on track has inspired him to
help others. He’s used his expertise as a chef for the greater good, reversing people’s
diabetes and getting them off of high blood pressure medications. In addition, he’s
created his own line of powders, bars and shakes that are high in protein and fiber,
low in fat, carbs and sugar and made from natural, organic and vegan ingredients
(visit his website, rocco.shop, to learn more).
On a personal level, DiSpirito focuses on whole foods that are sugar free and
gluten free. All of his recipes have been gluten free since 2014. His mission? To reverse
obesity in America, “evangelizing for a healthy lifestyle,” as he puts it. He wisely
proclaims, “If you make incremental changes, over time you will see big results.”
Catch DiSpirito on television’s “Now Eat This! With Rocco DiSpirito” on Ion Life.ITALY
For more international cuisine from Rocco DiSpirito,
visit DiabetesSelfManagement.com/recipes
48 September/October 2019