I am going to be honest with you. I have tried just about every kind of diet around. I have always had trouble with my weight. Over the years, I have learned that “you are what you eat,” as the saying goes. If I kept dieting and returning to the foods I loved once I lost the weight, I was beating a dead horse—undermining my efforts. My weight always inched back up. My approach to eating clearly had to change.
When I first moved to Chicago to launch The Steve Harvey Show, I needed to get in shape for the television cameras and for my own well-being. I wanted to look fit and to radiate health and energy. I was so determined that I decided to hire a personal chef, along with a nutritionist and trainer to help me change my eating habits, enjoy flavorful, healthy foods, and get me in the best shape. I had heard about Chef Judson Todd Allen, a creative and innovative young chef, who was well-known in Chicago and around the country after his success on Food Network Star season 8. The inspirational story of how he cut his weight in half impressed me. He had a degree in food science, which was fascinating. I’d never met a food scientist and was curious how he used science in his cooking. And I heard his food was great!
Chef Judson did not disappoint. His enthusiasm really rubbed off. He prepared three meals a day for me, as well as snacks, and they just kept getting better and better. I don’t think he ever served the same dish twice in the first season of my show. In fact, I lost ten pounds in three weeks without ever feeling like I was dieting. I went on to lose more than thirty pounds. Losing the weight was not a struggle. The food was so delicious, I never felt I was missing out on anything. He helped me to transform the way I thought about food.
I learned so much from him. Being able to make a lifetime commitment to healthy eating depended on getting to the root of my issues with food. He showed me how to “cheat” on my favorite foods by substituting healthy ingredients and spice combinations without sacrificing any of the flavor or texture. He was a stickler for portion control. After a while, I didn’t notice that I was eating less, because my food was so delicious and satisfying.
A few outstanding dishes left a lasting impression on me. His Special “Fried” Chicken, which was organic chicken marinated in a crazy blend of spices and crusted with pecans and fresh parsley, looked just like pieces of dark golden fried chicken, but it was baked in the oven in a healthy way. I also appreciated his creativity when he made a healthier version of cornbread, one of my favorites, by using cauliflower, jalapeño, and other ingredients for a comparable yet brand-new experience that was totally satisfying. Given my long days, I really appreciated the snacks, especially his health bars. One of my favorites was his Nut Berry Maple Bourbon Bar, which was loaded with healthy ingredients and packed with protein. Just wait until you try ’em. You will fall in love with these bars! The recipes are all in The Spice Diet.
Pay attention to what my friend Chef Judson says. I am so glad he is sharing his unique food sense and mouth-watering recipes so that all of you can benefit as I did. He is a food genius and a brilliant coach. He will help you to transform your relationship with food. Say good-bye to food cravings! As an added bonus, you’ll become a first-rate home cook while you are losing weight. Enjoy the delicious, healthy food that Chef Judson serves up. I think it’s pretty clear just how proud I am of Chef Judson conquering one of the hardest things so many of us deal with: weight issues. My hope is that The Spice Diet will not only wake up your taste buds, but also change your life for the long haul. You have never been on a “diet” like this before.
—Steve Harvey, October, 2017