--- title: Health Tips From a Top Chef Judge description: Gail Simmons shares her secrets canonical: https://time.com/4288988/health-tips-top-chef-judge/ author: TIME article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-04-14T16:31:56.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:55:54.776Z article:section: Health og:title: 4 Helpful Health Tips from a 'Top Chef' Judge og:description: Gail Simmons shares her secrets og:url: https://time.com/4288988/health-tips-top-chef-judge/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf0a2fdd346cff381/69888e95196cf47ea103b1ec/gail-simmons-health-advice.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: gail-simmons-health-advice og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 4 Helpful Health Tips from a 'Top Chef' Judge twitter:description: Gail Simmons shares her secrets twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf0a2fdd346cff381/69888e95196cf47ea103b1ec/gail-simmons-health-advice.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 4 Helpful Health Tips from a _Top Chef_ Judge ## Video: Know Right Now: 92% of Restaurant Meals Have Too Many Calories [Watch (HLS stream): Know Right Now: 92% of Restaurant Meals Have Too Many Calories](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/EtKrVRDJ.m3u8) (1:01)  _Published 2016-01-22_ by [Kristine Thomason / Health.com](https://time.com/author/health-com/) ## Kristine Thomason / Health.com Contributor Apr 14, 2016 4:31 PM UTC  Writer Gail Simmons attends FOOD & WINE 2016 Best New Chefs event on April 5, 2016 in New York City. Writer Gail Simmons attends FOOD & WINE 2016 Best New Chefs event on April 5, 2016 in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images by [Kristine Thomason / Health.com](https://time.com/author/health-com/) ## Kristine Thomason / Health.com Contributor Apr 14, 2016 4:31 PM UTC To a foodie (or anyone, really), Gail Simmons is living the dream. As a trained culinary expert, critic, cookbook author, and judge on Bravo’s _Top Chef_, it’s literally her job to eat delectable food on the daily. But let’s face it: Plenty of that food isn’t the healthiest. So how in the world does she stay fit? We caught up with Simmons at the [_Food & Wine_ ](http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-new-chefs-2016)[Best New Chefs](http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-new-chefs-2016) event to find out her secrets. **Don’t clean your plate** Yes, it’s Simmons’ job to eat, but that doesn’t mean she’s devouring every last morsel of every meal. “You don’t need to finish everything on your plate,” said Simmons. “On _Top Chef_, it’s all about tasting, not eating the whole dish—I mean, you couldn’t possibly!” she said, laughing. When you [dine out](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20899492,00.html), she recommends dividing your meal in two, and either sharing half of it with a friend, or boxing it up for tasty leftovers. When it comes to super decadent food (we’re looking at you, chocolate lava cake), Simmons suggests taking a bite or two for the taste, to avoid going overboard. **_Health.com:_**[_12 Weight-Loss Secrets From Celebrity Chefs_](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20931109,00.html?xid=time) **Never stop moving** “I feel like if part of my job is to eat, then the other part is to stay healthy,” Simmons said. “I consider it part of my job to exercise.” So she [fits in movement whenever possible](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20534367,00.html), by walking to work, for example, or choosing to take the stairs. She’s also serious about prioritizing her gym time. “If it’s not on my schedule to work out, things will come up and I’ll never get a chance.” **_Health.com:_**[_I Took Gwyneth Paltrow’s Healthy Living Advice for a Week_](http://news.health.com/2016/04/05/i-took-gwyneth-paltrows-healthy-living-advice-for-a-week/?xid=time) **Stock a smart pantry** Although she’s bombarded by rich food during the day, Simmons knows super healthy food awaits her at home. “You can’t always control what you’re inundated with by the world every day,” she said. “But you _can_ make a [choice about what’s in your fridge and your pantry](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20817450,00.html).” Simmons and her family “don’t bring anything bad into the house”—meaning they keep sugary and processed foods out of sight and out of mind. “Because, if they’re there, we’ll eat them,” she explained. “You don’t want to be too tempted.” **_Health.com:_**[_9 Tips From Celebrity Chefs for Heart-Healthy Cooking_](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20507809,00.html?xid=time) **Make your healthy meals flavorful** Food doesn’t need to be fussy in order to taste good, Gail explained. When she cooks for her family, she always uses simple, healthy ingredients like grilled vegetables, lean protein, quinoa, and faro. Her key to making those meals delicious and satisfying? Tons of seasoning! Think fresh herbs and spices, lemon juice and vinegar, and _plenty_ of hot sauce. “You want to add things that will up the flavor, but still keep your food healthy,” she said. 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