How eating more healthy fats helped Gordon Ramsay drop 50lbs

As a famous chef, Gordon Ramsey spends a lot of time surrounded by extravagant food, lovingly cooked in salty butter and drizzled with caramalised, sugary sauces. This, combined with always being in front of the camera, would take a toll on anyone’s waistline. That's why Ramsay took it upon himself to drop 50lbs and start living a healthier lifestyle. 

There isn’t any celeb dietician or personal trainer behind this weight loss journey. Ramsey just focused on two things: how to eat healthily and exercising regularly. Ramsay began training for gruelling long-distance Iron Man races – but if that sounds like too much hard work, the best exercises for weight loss such as burpees and skipping can all be done in your back yard or a local park.

You can see in his Instagram post below that this healthier lifestyle is more than just a diet or training plan and more of a hobby for the chef.

The main diet change that Ramsay made was ensuring that he was eating enough healthy fats. 

Talking to Eat This Not That, Ramsay said, “I just ate more efficiently and healthier. I ate more fatty acids like salmon."

It’s pretty hard to avoid unhealthy fats such as butter and cheese when you are a TV chef and owner of 35 restaurants, but if Gordon Ramsay can manage it so can you. And it isn't that hard when it is possible to eat fats and still lose weight. 

The Institute of Medicine says that you should get 20 to 35 per cent of your daily calories from fat. Fats that are good for us contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and you will find these in the likes of fish, olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds. Of course, if you don't get enough of these in your day-to-day diet, a convenient solution is to take advantage of the best fish oil supplements.

Our bodies digest fat slower than other nutrients and why it isn’t a good idea to deprive your body of fat altogether. You will end up feeling hungry more often than if you are to eat meals with healthy fats, such as Ramsay’s choice of salmon.

Aside from his diet adjustment, Ramsay also enjoys exercising as much as he can. He told Eat This Not That he enjoys working out in the morning. He said, “I just try to work out on shoot days or when I'm in the kitchen early in the morning so I'm energised throughout the day.”

A recent study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Medicine found that the fitter you are the more efficiently your body can burn fat.

If you find that you struggle to experience lasting weight loss, then making time for regular exercise, even in short bursts, can help. Ramsey noted that he likes to get outside for a big bike ride in his downtime – so why not make a short bike ride a regular habit to help increase your overall fitness and make burning fat easier for your body? It could be outside, or even on a stationary bike at home or in the gym. If you're looking for an all-weather, indoor home solution, our best exercise bike guide can help.