Behind the Scenes with The Today Show Nutrition Expert Joy Bauer

Joy Bauer chatted with media at Sweat AC.

Over the weekend, I hit up Atlantic City with the family so I could attend a few events at the Sweat AC fitness festival. I got to work out with Jillian Michaels and she kicked my rear and, well, entire body. I also had the opportunity to attend roundtable interviews with some of the big names at the event, including The Today Show’s nutrition and diet expert, Joy Bauer.

Joy walked into the room picture perfect and fresh as a daisy. I only point this out because most of the media (myself included) had been attending workout sessions in the hours before the Q&A session, so we were all in workout clothes and pretty much not so fresh as daisies. The contrast struck me as quite funny. Joy was about as sweet as you would imagine. Her session was only 15 minutes, and I think most of us wished she could have chatted for an hour! Here are just a few of the fun tidbits from her time with us.

Joy Bauer’s Thoughts on Nutrition

1. Typical breakfast. She starts her days with Greek yogurt, fruit and black coffee.

2. Salad lover. A self-professed “big salad girl,” she said she could have balsamic vinegar straight.

3. 90/10. Describes her diet as 90/10, saying that 100 percent healthy is overrated and that’s coming from a “total health freak.” She digs the red wine and chocolate in her 10 percent. Our kind of girl!

4. Roast this. Predicts the rise of roasted edamame. Says to buy stock now!

5. Not a skipper. She doesn’t skip meals, ever. It took a root canal to get her to skip a dinner.

6. Find what works. Joy doesn’t think eliminating entire food groups (like dairy) is a necessity for most people. She recommends finding the foods that work for you and sticking with them.

7. Alcohol and weight-loss. Including alcohol in your diet is a personal choice and it won’t derail weight-loss (in moderation, of course). While some may choose to spend 100 calories on alcohol, some prefer an extra bite to eat. It’s up to you! (She won’t give up her red wine.)

8. Dinner time. She recommends eating dinner according to your lifestyle and says it’s not about what time you’re eating, it’s about the collective calorie count. So if dinner at 9 p.m. works for you, so be it!

I’ll have to check into roasted edamame if she predicts an edamame craze! I’m already crazy about roasting veggies… —Erin