Interview with Allison Fishman of Cook Yourself Thin

Allison Fishman, left, of Cook Yourself Thin with co-stars Harry Eastwood and Candice Kumai.

Allison Fishman, left, of Cook Yourself Thin with co-stars Harry Eastwood and Candice Kumai.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Allison Fishman, one of the co-stars of Lifetime’s new show Cook Yourself Thin, which made its American debut just this past week. Allison is a passionate chef  who owns The Wooden Spoon, a Brooklyn-based culinary school, who sharpened her own culinary skills while working for Martha Stewart, the Food Network and TLC’s Home Made Simple. She shared with us how she got her start cooking healthy (it’s a story, all working women can relate to) and some of her favorite slimming secrets in the kitchen.

Listen now to the interview in its entirety, or continue to read the highlights from my interview with Allison Fishman.


Where did the idea come from for the show Cook Yourself Thin?

Cook Yourself Thin got its start in England where the show and the accompanying cookbook have proved to be a huge hit with British women. The producers of the show thought that the premise of Cook Yourself Thin would be a great hit with the American audience to learn how to cook healthy.

Have you always cooked healthy or is this a new way of cooking for you?

My story is similar to many working women out there. I had an executive level job in the dot.com industry and after a few years in it, noticed the weight creeping on after too many business dinners. I also noticed that even though I was a very successful business woman, I couldn’t poach an egg to save my life. I was a complete nincompoop in the kitchen. So I decided that I need to go to culinary school and that is just what I did.

I wanted to be able to indulge in delicious foods without perceiving food as the enemy. I had my kitchen stocked with truffle oil, fresh Parmesan cheese, I was able to master cooking and eating vegetables and whole grains. And to my surprise, I lost weight eating this way.

What are three of the most important steps anyone can do in their own kitchen to stay trim?

Number One is to avoid drinking your calories. Right now, I have three huge bottles of unsweetened sun tea sitting on the windowsill of my kitchen. I also always keep seltzer water on hand and drink plenty of brewed tea during the winter. Second, stock your refrigerator with fruits and vegetables and clean out your pantry of snack foods. Right now is the season where fresh produce is in abundance. Stock up on blueberries, pineapples, peaches and whatever is fresh and in season. Third, don’t be afraid of following recipes. The dishes that we prepare on Cook Yourself Thin are healthy and simple. And all of the recipes can be found on mylifetime.com.

What is your favorite skinny meal-making strategy?

Grab your plate and fill it with 3/4 vegetables and not the kind of vegetables that are swimming in ranch dressing.

frosted-vanilla-cupcakes-cook-yourself-thin

Frosted Vanilla Cupcake from Lifetime's Cook Yourself Thin.

If you haven’t caught an episode of Lifetime’s new cooking show, Cook Yourself Thin, do yourself (and your waistline) a favor and carve out one half-hour this week to watch this creative program which shows you to slim-down your favorite foods without sacrificing on flavor. For instance, this Frosted Vanilla Cupcakes recipe from Cook Yourself Thin.

And thanks Allison so much for sharing your insights and secrets with DietsInReview!

8 Responses to Interview with Allison Fishman of Cook Yourself Thin

Hey Heather,

Really enjoyed this interview. Alison is someone with her finger on the pulse when it comes to sensible dieting which is good news for viewers of the new show. Looking forward to catching a few installments myself when time permits. Glad it made it to the states!

All the best,
Eliza

heather says:

Hi Eliza. We here in the States are really excited to have a cooking show that is healthy and simple. Allison, Harry and Candace are really on to something with their clever and nutritious takes on decadent eats.

Thanks so much for your comments!
Heather

nancy says:

Got very excited about cook your self thin. found 2 books but they turned out to be from the UK. Measuements are different and at my age i was unable to convert the measurements.
Very dissapointed as now I can’t use the books I just bought

heather says:

Don’t throw away the Cook Yourself Think cookbook! Follow this link to easily convert the metric measurements used in the book.

http://www.jsward.com/cooking/conversion.shtml

Amy says:

Hi:

I love your show.
Can you try to make any Kosher Meals?
I have family members that are on a Fat Free and low salt or salt free diets and it is hard to cook some things for them.Also I can’t use spices expect garlic and onion powder.No Peanuts.

Like Low Fat Honey Cake and Chocolate chip cake
Brownies
Veggie Pizza
Omilet
Lasagna
Blintzes
Matzo Balls
Soups
Chinese foods with no spices
stuffed cabbage
stuffed peppers
baked ziti

Thses are just a few. I have tried some of your recipies and really enjoyes them. I am trying to lose 10 to 15 pounds, but I will be having minor surgary soon and will basically be bed ridden for two months with no exercise except to eat,shower , and use the bathroom.
If you can help I would greatly appreciate it and if you can keep my name confidential and not give out my E mail address.

heather says:

Hi Amy. I would encourage you to submit your comments to the Cook Yourself Thin website.

Thanks and good luck!

Marz says:

Anyone have the recipe for the banana and choc chip muffins made with oatmeal??

Marz says:

Hay also I loss 8lbs the 1st week I tried it> So happy!

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