Damaris Phillips is a famous American chef. And like many other chefs, she struggles with her weight. After deciding that cooking is her biggest passion, Damaris had to combat the challenge of eating and trying everything you cook. Eventually, she decided it was enough. And after seeing her new body, fans wanted to know more about Damaris Phillips’s weight loss journey.
Many have been inspired by Damaris and her journey. After she won a title in a cooking show, Damaris became a household name in the American restaurant business. She has also published a cooking book, namely one about vegetarian food.
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Get To Know Damaris
American chef Damaris Phillips was born in December 1980. She is known as a renowned chef, but also as a cookbook author and television personality. Damaris rose to popularity through appearances on food-related TV shows.
As a young child, she grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. During her childhood, she watched her mother cook and experiment with recipes in the kitchen. She would go on to attend Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville, Kentucky. There, she studied culinary arts and continued at the University of Louisville, where she got a Bachelor of Arts in communication.
Following her graduation, Damaris began her career, initially as a pastry chef. She worked in some notable restaurants in her hometown, including The Brown Hotel, Lynn’s Paradise Cafe, and The Bakery at Sullivan University.
Eventually, she moved to New York City for bigger things. She wanted to continue her culinary career and worked in restaurants like The Brooklyn Star and The Farm on Adderley.
In 2011, her career took off after winning the ninth season of the Food Network reality cooking TV show, Food Network Star.
After her win, Damaris hosted her own show, called Southern at Heart. It premiered on the Food Network in 2012, featuring Damaris preparing classic Southern dishes.
Since then, she has appeared on other shows, including Guy’s Grocery Games, The Kitchen, Chopped, and more. So far, she has authored two cookbooks, Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy and The Southern Living Party Cookbook.
Nowadays, people recognize her as a celebrity chef and television personality. Damaris is an expert in Southern cuisine. Fans love her fun, yet down-to-earth personality.
Why Did She Lose Weight?
As we said before, Damaris rose to fame after winning season 9 of the Food Network Star television show. She was known for her bubbly personality and Southern charm. And we have to admit, she had a fuller figure at the time.
Yet, over the years, she has managed to shed some weight. As of July 2023, she is virtually unrecognizable compared to her older self and early days on television. If you look at Damaris Phillips’s before and after pictures, you will notice a huge difference. The celebrity chef now has a slimmer and toned physique.
Damaris Phillips’s weight loss journey changed her personal and professional life. The American chef says she feels more confident and comfortable in her own skin. But more importantly, she has more energy and vitality. This allowed Phillips to take on new projects and opportunities.
And fans and followers have noticed. They are inspired by her journey and used her story as motivation. How did she do it? Let’s go and read how Damaris became a role model for those trying to make positive changes in their lives.
How Did She Lose Weight?
Damaris is one of five children in the family. Growing up, she watched her mother cook and experiment with recipes. That allowed Damaris to master the art of cooking from a young age. But cooking and trying your own food resulted in a struggle with weight gain and body image.
We know that being a Chef, it is difficult to resist the temptation of trying all the delicious foods you prepare. That was one of the big reasons for her overweight appearance.
Recently, Damaris shared some slimmed-down videos on social media. But at the same time, she hasn’t revealed much about her weight loss journey.
According to some reports, the celebrity chef has slimmed down between 15 and 25 pounds. Fans who follow her social media handles have clearly noticed the process of slimming down. It has taken place between 1 and 2 years.
Some believe that she managed to shed pounds by turning to a vegetarian diet. Is she a vegetarian? More on that later on. But generally speaking, the chef has hinted that she avoids processed foods, especially those packed with sugars and artificial. And in most cases, it is enough to slim down.
In some interviews, Damaris has hinted that people have the wrong concept that chefs gain weight because they taste and try the food. She does it too but limits herself to only a spoonful. This way, she doesn’t have to worry about calories.
Damaris Phillips Weight Loss Workout Routine
According to Damaris, food intake and physical activities are deeply related. The celebrity chef does some exercise on a regular basis. She doesn’t do some heavy training, but regular exercise helps her get the energy she needs and remain fit.
Damaris has also said that working out helps her remain confident about her body and consumption. This way, she doesn’t have to worry about overeating.
Did She Have Weight Loss Surgery?
Fans have speculated that Damaris lost a lot of weight thanks to weight loss surgery. But there is no confirmation about such a procedure.
Instead, Damaris has shed weight gradually over a period of one to two years. Yes, she does look different now. But the drastic difference is suspicious only to those who do not follow her social media.
Those who follow Damaris on Instagram, know that the weight loss happened gradually.
Is She A Vegetarian?
One of the interesting questions about Damaris is whether she is a vegetarian. The celebrity chef is not vegetarian and loves meat dishes. But she married a strict vegetarian husband in 2015. Damaris and Darrick Wood chose together to forego meat completely and focus on alternative foods such as hummus sandwiches, salads, and more.
In 2017, she published her book Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy, talking specifically about how she changed from a meat-heavy diet to something close to a vegetarian diet.
In her words, it has been a challenge and a test to her cooking to produce vegetarian meals for her spouse. In one interview, she said, “They do not teach you to cook these dishes in culinary school”.
Her spouse Darrick Wood is an ethical vegetarian, which changed her culinary technique. In her book, she published 100 dishes perfect for individuals who want a vegetarian diet. Many of them are versions of her childhood favorites, available with or without meat. For example, Chicken Fried Steak becomes Chicken Fried Seitan Steak. Or the conventional Crab Cakes become the ultimate Crab-less Cakes.
Speaking about vegetarian cooking, she says people should utilize store-bought plant-based protein. The chef claims it will change your life 1,000 times simpler.
How To Lose Weight Like Damaris?
Now let’s take a look at some tips and how you can copy Damaris Phillips’s weight loss experience. As a culinary instructor, she had to taste the recipes made by her students and her own recipes. This is why she incorporated some diet and eating methods that help her keep a healthy body.
- Practice mindful eating, focusing on eating and savoring the taste. This will help you reduce the amount of food you consume
- There is no bad or good food. She claims that sorting food is a time-consuming process. You can eat everything but to a controlled amount
- Eat regular meals throughout the day to prevent you from reaching a crazy-hungry point
- Avoid deep-fried stuff, use methods such as pan searing and oven cooking instead
- Try to incorporate healthy ingredients in your meals rather than avoiding your favorite delicacies
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