Bryan Voltaggio knows chefs don’t exactly have a reputation for being the healthiest bunch. Long hours and late nights in the kitchen don’t really sync with a regular workout routine.
A few years back, the celebrity chef—a former Top Chef contestant and owner of multiple Mid-Atlantic restaurants—realized he was starting to fit that “unhealthy chef” stereotype.
So, he decided to do something that would benefit more than just his own personal health. He bought a bike, logged a few hundred miles, and took part in the first-ever Chefs Cycle. a 300-mile, three-day ride benefiting No Kid Hungry. Voltaggio and his fellow cycling chefs have already raised several million dollars to fight childhood hunger via the California event.
Before he clipped in for the long ride, we asked him to share how he fuels up and more about the Nutritious Life he now lives—both in the kitchen and on the bike.
How Does Bryan Voltaggio Live a Nutritious Life?
Nutritious Life: What’s your go-to breakfast?
Bryan Voltaggio: Hard-boiled eggs, avocado, whole grain toast, coffee and more coffee!
RELATED: 10 Healthy Breakfasts You Can Make in 10 Minutes or Less
NL: Your go-to workday lunch?
BV: Green salad with kale, herbs like parsley, basil, chervil, chives, blanched peas, broccoli and sometimes some quinoa or brown rice with grilled salmon. I add a light vinaigrette with citrus and extra virgin olive oil.
NL: Your go-to workday dinner?
BV: I like simple, grilled, lean meats like chicken, fish and a good steak. Typically with a side of sautéed spinach, and a good carb like rice or smashed fingerling potatoes with olive oil and rosemary.
NL: The one food you'd never buy?
BV: Cheetos; I’ve been a hater since I was a child!
NL: The snack you always have with you when traveling?
BV: Jerky—there are a lot of brands out now with interesting flavors, but I like to make my own. Also, smoked and salted almonds.
RELATED: Healthy Beef Jerky? This Former Junk Food is a High-Protein Snack
NL: Other than water, what do you sip regularly?
BV: Coffee, lol! Cold brew specifically.
NL: How do you stay active outside the gym?
BV: On my bike.
NL: What’s your go-to tool for managing stress?
BV: A good, long ride. I also have a little farm-ette, so it’s nice to be active and do projects and chores around the house—it keeps the stress down.
NL: How do you pamper yourself when you need it?
BV: Massage and a good dinner out with my wife, Jennifer.
NL: Do you have a favorite health gadget?
BV: My SRM PowerMeter on my bike. It measures a lot more factors than just distance and speed. It tracks information so my coach can use it to set workouts and improve my fitness.
RELATED: 5 Indoor Cycling Tips
NL: How do you express and spread love?
BV: I love being with my wife and children, and spending time together on whatever makes them happy. I work a lot, so our family time is sacred.
NL: What does it mean to you to “live consciously”?
BV: To live your life with an appreciation of what you have. And to realize that your actions in life and the choices you make affect others as well as yourself, so always make the most of it.
Nl: Which healthy habit do you wish you had more time for?
BV: I wish I had more time to dedicate to a workout routine that was more than cycling. I have a lot of friends who balance their training with weight programs, yoga and other activities. I just cannot fit that into my schedule between work and family.
Lightning Round
Meditation or massage? Massage.
A hot shower or a soothing bath? Hot shower.
Almond butter or peanut butter? Almond butter.
Coffee or tea?Coffee.
A long run outside or a dark spin class? Dark spin class.
(Images: Bryan Voltaggio)