chef rocco

The Biggest Loser kitchen was graced with Chef Rocco’s presence once again during episode 9 of season 7. He had some shocking numbers for the contestants. A startling $110 billion per year is spent in America on fast-food. These restaurants have been highly scrutinized for the role their calories, fat content, poor ingredients and over-sized portions have played in the frightening obesity epidemic in the U.S.

Rocco shared some of the nutrition facts for the four most popular fast-food menu items. Each of the contestants looked completely shocked as they learned what their former bodies were consuming.

• Stuffed Crust Meat Pizza: 490 Calories 27g Fat, 1570mg Sodium (per slice)
• Stuffed Burrito: 1100 Calories, 46g Fat, 2600mg Sodium
• Triple Cheeseburger: 1230 Calories, 82g Fat (110g Fat with fries), 1500mg Sodium
• Fried Chicken, 1 Breast and 1 Drumstick: 460 Calories, 27g Fat, 1300mg Sodium (per CalorieKing.com)
  

Everyone has that family member who assumes the role of chef on Thanksgiving. Imagine that person being Chef Rocco DiSpirito. He surprised the Biggest Loser contestants during week 10 with a Thanksgiving spread that had Heba nearly in tears. “This is one temptation I don’t think we’ll be able to avoid,” she groaned, as she looked at the table covered with a turkey and all the trimmings.

Rocco assured them their 10 weeks of hard work would not be in vain, and that they wouldn’t have to put one bite of those traditionally calorie- and fat-laden recipes in their mouths. Instead, he was going to teach them how to make the “healthy alter egos” of these recipes. We have each one of those five recipes to share with you.

Chef Rocco is joining the Biggest Loser competition once again. Just as he did in Season 5, he is lending the Biggest Loser: Families troupe some guidance on eating healthy, without sacrificing flavor, variety or even your budget.

He shared seven recipes, for less than $7/serving, for the seven teams during the Week 2 cooking challenge. Each team offered up their best cooks, and then Rocco asked the non-cooks to follow him to the grocery store and prepare his recipes.

Rocco advised that anyone leading a healthy lifestyle should shop the perimeter of their grocery store. It is there that all the fresh food resides. He explained that the deeper you go into the aisles, you’ll find “more processed, less healthy, more expensive” food items. Who needs that when these recipes taste amazing, will fill you up, and best of all- have low calories, zero fat and zero salt.

Tom’s Curried Turkey and Cauliflower Soup

Heba’s Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Amy P.’s Quinoa Pasta with Pesto and Tomatoes

Jerry’s Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry

Amy C.’s Tiny Turkey Meatball with Chickpea Soup

Michelle’s Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

Brady’s Mussles Stew

Enjoy this clip of Chef Rocco working with the contestants- you didn’t see this last night!

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