The star trainer of NBC’s Biggest Loser, a program sponsored by the restaurant, announced that she “Had NO idea Subway had HFC in their bread til you guys pointed it out,” referring to her loyal fan base of more than 250,000 followers on Facebook.

The sandwich chain, which markets itself as a healthier alternative to fast food, has been a fixture in product placements on The Biggest Loser, a weight loss program that prides itself on teaching clean eating habits. The ranch, where contestants are isolated and go through an intense weight loss journey, restricts any foods that aren’t organic and are processed. So it’s an interesting revelation to learn that one of the show’s primary sponsors serves the contestants, and millions of customers, food with a processed ingredient that would never be permitted inside the hallowed halls of the Biggest Loser ranch.

High Fructose Corn Syrup is a man-made ingredient that can be found in nearly every variety of processed or packaged foods. This syrup, which is made from cornstarch, has been treated with an enzyme that converts some of the glucose in the molecule to fructose, which is sweeter. Because of its ability to preserve and extend processed foods’ shelf life, and being a cheaper additive than sugar, it has become a very popular ingredient by food manufacturers. HFCS has been blamed as one of the culprits in the growing obesity epidemic.

Fans have been very vocal about their dislike of the blatant product placements during Biggest Loser episodes. “We’re obligated to do show integrations per NBC contract. We’re not paid for them. However, I only do the ones I eat personally,” Jillian responded via this particular Facebook thread. “I eat the veggie 1 all the time but, the HFC is a bummer.”

Subway is currently sponsoring the continued weight loss journey of Shay Sorrells, a season 8 contestant who at the time was the show’s heaviest contestant ever. She will weigh in at the May 25 season finale of Biggest Loser 9 and earn $1,000, paid by Subway, for every pound she loses.

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Jillian Michaels Urges Subway to Remove High Fructose Corn Syrup from Breads

Sherry started at the ranch weighing 218 pounds and boasted a sunny disposition that she maintained throughout the competition. If anything, it only got brighter with each pound she lost. She says her elimination wasn’t really as a surprise. Speaking to concerns about ageism on the ranch, Sherry said that she and fellow contestant and mom Cheryl George (the two have become great friends) had discussed the topic and knew the younger players would stick together.

Listen Now:

Nicknamed “Little Mama” by trainer Jillian Michaels and “Mama Sherry” by her fellow black team members, Sherry stepped into a motherly role for many of those younger players who would eventually vote her off the ranch. When Stephanie and Sam began “dating” in week three, she said she offered friendly advice to not forget the reasons she was at the ranch and said that Stephanie was appreciative.

But her number one charge was 27-year-old daughter Ashley. During week nine Ashley confessed that she was struggling with constant concern over her mother’s well being, a burden she took on after the passing of her father. Sherry said “As a mom I don’t want to hold her back,” and was surprised to see how responsible Ashley felt for her. She was confident that after she left Ashley would be able to thrive.

Sherry wasted no time in returning to her normal life at home. Within a day or two she was back to her full-time job, and quickly realized the pressure to fit in the workouts, food planning and work. “It really can be done if you make a strong effort to do it,” she said. And seeing that she was down to the 130s in her “Where Are They Now” segment, she’s clearly made the effort.

She continues to live at home like she did on the ranch. She wakes up at 4:30 a.m. for a 5:00 a.m. bootcamp, then returns home to get ready for work. After work she gets in another workout. And it’s clear in speaking with her that her diet and food intake continues to be a priority she isn’t slacking on any time soon. Sherry maintains the “clean eating” habits she learned on the ranch. She says this means looking at what she eats, staying on task, reading food labels and watching the ingredients closely.

“Don’t put anything in your mouth that you don’t know what is in it,” season seven’s Tara Costa told her. And it’s good advice she adheres to.

When she finds herself in a rare moment where she just has to have something “bad,” she has one bite and says that is satisfying. “I’ve worked too hard,” Sherry says, and she isn’t willing to throw it away on an entire candy bar or pizza.

If it weren’t living up to her own expectations, you might say that the winning legacy of being on the pink team was keeping her in line. Sherry said they were “excited and proud to be picked to be the pink team” for this season. Like many of her predecssors (Ali Vincent and Michelle Aguilar), Sherry says you’ll see her wearing pink every day.

As she’s quickly working her way back down to the size five dress she wore on her wedding day, Sherry says “I feel like I did in my 20s… that’s exciting!”

Due to technical issues we were unable to record today’s interview.

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Sherry Johnston’s Biggest Loser Elimination Interview

Now that Daris George’s mother is gone, he is going to have the opportunity to really grow up and shine. You can see just how much his mother meant to him, but with her being eliminated he will have to face the rest of his journey alone.

The contestants are faced with a pop challenge where they are put to the test of recognizing different calorie and nutritional information on different types of food. The blue team wins a spa day at the Four Seasons hotel which proves to be a much needed stay away from the ranch. The black team loses and is forced to clean the kitchen and gym.

Alison reveals to the contestants that this week’s main challenge is to cook for Curtis Stone. Each team must pick a total of twelve ingredients and put together an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The contestants will be graded by Curtis for taste, caloric value, and overall health factor of each dish. The black team wins giving them a five-pound advantage at this week’s weigh in.

The weigh in this week proves difficult for the black team as they pull lower numbers. Alison tells the blue team they must lose more than 45 pounds to win. Koli Palu hits a major milestone reaching under 300 pounds and it seems to be an emotional victory for everyone watching. With the black team losing the weigh in, Sherry Johnston is sent home.

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Biggest Loser Recap Season 9 Episode 9 with Amanda Arlauskas

Rebecca: Cheryl, you’ve authored several wonderful books for Biggest Loser so far and I was personally a big fan of Biggest Loser Simple Swaps, what makes The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You different than other books?

Cheryl: There are many books on the market catering to dieting and weight loss. One of the distinctions of The Biggest Loser eating plan is that the quality of the calories is as important as the quantity. Our eating plan has evolved since we began 10 seasons ago, and I’m happy to say that it’s continually improved in terms of including less and less processed food choices.

You won’t find any artificial sweeteners in the Ranch kitchen these days – no fat-free whipped toppings, etc. It’s all about whole foods/whole grains, lots of lean protein and good fats. The recipes in the new book reflect that. The other distinction is that this book includes 6 weeks of menu plans. It’s easy to tell/teach people which foods to choose, but it’s not so easy to put it into practice, especially when you’re busy, as most of us are. We’ve made it easy for you by providing 6 complete weeks of menus and recipes to help you with meal planning as well as shopping.

Rebecca: Wow, Cheryl! It’s like having you for a personal chef for 6 weeks! I see a huge value in that. I agree that it is about the quality of the foods you eat most of the time. I’m sure readers will be excited to know that the book will emphasize high quality whole foods.

I think a lot of people who are fans of the show watch and get inspired, but sometimes may feel like they won’t be as successful as contestants. How does this book help fans on the show with their weight loss journey?

Cheryl: You’re right, people sometimes hope for dramatic results as seen on the show. Though this IS a reality show, it’s NOT realistic to expect similar results at home. The contestants are sequestered away from their families, friends, jobs, school, etc. Their FULL TIME job is losing weight. They have the luxury of time, personal trainers, fabulous food, a registered dietitian, and our occasional guest chef, Curtis Stone, helps provide cooking instruction (as do I when I’m at Ranch for my assessments). This book reminds readers that a slower, more gradual weight loss is perfectly fine and not to expect the same results as what they see on the show.

Rebecca: That’s a good point. Viewers can get the book with the confidence that the meal plans are similar to the show and realistic for healthy weight loss, but they should not feel obligated to focus on nutrition and exercise full time. Slow and steady progress will still get them to their goal.

Is there something special about 6 Weeks to a Healthier You? Why not four or eight weeks?

Cheryl: Most books that provide menu plans may give you a week, 2 weeks, 10 days or a month! Six weeks is really an added dose not only of more menus to help you find your groove to stick with it, but each week also provides additional health tips and info. Overall, 6 Weeks to a Healthier You focuses on nutrient-dense high quality foods – but we also share the health benefits that these ingredients confer to make your choices and the recipes, even more seductive

Rebecca: Ohhhh…. seductive! I like that. I don’t know why people sometimes think eating healthy is boring! I also like that you give the education in weekly “bits” so they don’t have to take on too much, too fast.

As a successful chef and Biggest Loser nutritionist, what words of wisdom do you have for anyone who is struggling with healthy lifestyle changes?

Cheryl: Most people have fallen into an unhealthy rut over time, not overnight. Don’t place high expectations on yourself to reach your goals overnight either. Start with small approachable steps and build week by week. There’s less chance you’ll get overwhelmed and more chance that you’ll see slow, steady results making this plan seductive
and easy to stick with.

Rebecca: Excellent advice! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me and best wishes with this book and The Biggest Loser!

Win the book!

Do you guys have the book yet? Comments? Leave a comment below and one person will be drawn to receive a copy of The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You on March 31.

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Cheryl Forberg Discusses “The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You”

“Yes, NBC has finally lost their minds and decided to give me my own show,” posted the trainer on her Facebook page last fall.

The premise of the show will be a grand departure from what you’ve seen on Biggest Loser, as Jillian will move in with a different family each week. In an almost immersion therapy-like atmosphere, Jillian will be at home, go to work and school and be involved in every other facet of the family’s lives for a week helping them gain control of their health through diet and exercise.

In our interview with Jillian last fall about Losing It, she told us she was tired of hearing from Biggest Loser fans that the weight loss would be easy enough if they could make it to the ranch. So, Jillian and the producers alleviated that problem. “We’re telling people, we’ll come to you and teach you how to be healthy,” she says.

Another Biggest Loser fixture, chef Curtis Stone, will also be a frequent guest on Losing It. Jillian called him a “natural and obvious choice” to help her work with the families in areas she may not be an expert. Other guests will tackle issues like finances.

The June 1 premiere of Losing It with Jillian will air at 10/9c, and move to a permanent time of 9/8c on June 8. There are eight episodes scheduled.

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Losing It with Jillian Premieres June 1

Dr. Oz will discuss natural ways to reduce the effects of aging and he congratulates Devin for her “good idea” when it comes to aging and health. Devin will also be sharing her scrumptious recipe for a healthier take on Chicken Parmesan.

Devin is the author of several healthier cookbooks, including “The Most Decadent Diet Ever,” the “Biggest Loser Cookbook,” a New York Times Bestseller, and the just-released “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fattening.”

Devin is currently hosting the Cook At Home Challengehere at DietsInReview.com, through April 9.

Check your local listings for exact show times.

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Tune In: Devin Alexander on The Dr. Oz Show

Bernie Salazar, at-home winner of The Biggest Loser (season 5) delivers this guest blog and video. Together with our resident nutrition guru, Rebecca Scritchfield, Bernie motivates audiences to make positive changes through The Nurture Principles.

Hey, hey! Bernie Salazar here… I’m so excited to share this video blog with you on one of my favorite foods I’ve been eating since losing 130 pounds on The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Avocado!

Watch me turn one of my old meals – burger and fries – into a delicious and nutritious Southwest Turkey Burger.

I love the creamy texture of avocados on my burger. Three slices have only 50 calories! Find out how else I incorporate avocados into my well-balanced eating plan in this video. Then, leave a comment and tell me how you like your avocado.

Bernie and Rebecca have teamed up with Avocados from Mexico, which will be featured on the March 16 episode of Biggest Loser. Learn more by following @AmazingAvocado on Twitter, Facebook or visit the site for a chance to win the new Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You book.

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Eat Like Bernie: Southwest Turkey Burger with Avocado

“I don’t think I’ll have any problem [maintaining at home]” says Cheryl, following her elimination in week eight. She says she knew it was going to be her week to go home, due to the alliances and relationships existing on the black team. But she was OK with it then and she’s OK with it now.

Listen now as Cheryl tells us how she manages in the real world, and how she seeks “enjoyment classes” at the gym.

Cheryl says she lives at home just like she did at the ranch – focused on clean eating and burning more calories than she consumes. And while she can’t spend eight hours a day in the gym like she did on the show, she still manages a three-hour workout each day. She enjoys a variety of classes at her gym, and does a fitness bootcamp.

Another exciting part of her new lifestyle is her wardrobe. Following her elimination we saw her face the emotional task of cleaning out all of her old clothes (donating them to a local church). “It was a big thing for me,” she says. “The thought of going back to that? I never want to look like that again.”

Cheryl says she’s already changed sizes three times since being home, so she’s not doing a lot of shopping these days. When she does, it’s at discount stores because she knows she won’t remain this size. However, she does have big shopping spree plans in store for herself, “When I’ve finally come to my maintenance weight I’ll do a lot of shopping.” Cheryl says she’s never been to a Macy’s so she’d like to go there.

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Cheryl George’s Biggest Loser Elimination Interview

Dan Evans, season 5 contestant, tells us that the maintenance is the hardest part, and that two years after his season’s finale, he still has to “work hard to maintain.” That’s why he, joined by former teammate and mom Jackie Evans, have decided to spend a week at the Biggest Loser Resort. Set in the southwestern, picturesque town of Ivins, Utah, the resort offers a fitness getaway unlike any other and allows guests to focus on their health for a week at a time or more.

“It’s so awesome to me that there’s a place where people can go… and it’s as close to the experience as you can possibly get,” says Jackie about the Biggest Loser Resort. Saying that she and Dan were fortunate to be only two of 20 applicants selected for her season, out of 250,000, she’s glad that there’s an accessible place where others can reap all the benefits. Without the cameras!

Listen now as Jackie and Dan tell us about their week at the Biggest Loser Resort, including what a day is like, what surprises them and what they like.

Shortly after leaving the Biggest Loser spotlight, Dan launched his country music career with his debut album “Goin’ All Out.” That means he spends a lot of time on the road, performing gigs and touring on the bus. Jackie, also his manager, says that while it’s not an excuse, it does make it difficult for them to eat right and exercise. “Pound by pound, bite by bite, you can slip back to where you were,” says Jackie.

That’s why the mother-son duo steered the bus toward Ivins. Dan says they’re evil and just like to have their butts kicked, but confesses that getting back into a Biggest Loser-style household is exactly what they needed to get their minds back on track, remember what a real workout is and re-learn what an actual portion size looks like.

A day at the resort is jam-packed. The schedule even surprised Jackie. She says the gym opens at 6 a.m. and trainers are available. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. Today they followed breakfast with a two-hour “challenging” hike in the mountains, then had the option to hit the pool or circuit training. “It was honestly the best pool workout since Jillian Michaels kicked my butt on the ranch,” says Dan. Next came lunch and then a class, for instance how to count calories or understanding emotional eating. Then they took on three hours of working out, which included a toning class and an interval class. And finally, dinner, which was vegetarian lasagna and chocolate-covered strawberries.

As opposed to the ranch where contestants prepare their own meals, Jackie said the food experience was much better at the Biggest Loser Resort because the meals are served.

Dan appreciates the openness of the Biggest Loser Resort because he says it’s a place for people who need to get started, and it’s also a place where you can come back and refresh even if your journey is already on its way.

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Dan and Jackie Evans Visit the Biggest Loser Resort

Alison tells the contestants that this week is “work week.” This means that each contestant will be working a full-time, 40-hour job this week. Each team will be transported to downtown Los Angeles for one week to help with local food banks and Feeding America. Not only does this take away from precious workout time, but the gym will also go from being open 24 hours a day to only open from 6am-7:30pm.

Through the stress of work week, the teams still have to work together in order to succeed. At this week’s challenge, each team had to pull a semi-tractor trailer while collecting crates. The blue team crossed the finish line and solved the puzzle at the end first winning a year’s worth of free groceries.

Last chance workout is especially intense because Bob and Jillian know they only have a limited amount of time in the gym with the contestants before the lights go out and the gym closes.

At the weigh-in, the black team comes up short losing a combined 32 pounds compared to the blue team’s impressive 50 pounds. Because of the lower percentage of weight loss, the black team falls below, and ultimately ends up sending Cheryl George home.

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Biggest Loser Season 9 Week 8 Recap with Amanda Arlauskas