Interview With Kathy Smart

Have you ever heard of gluten?

It’s this protein found in wheat that…

JUST KIDDING!

It’s 2016. Even your weird survivalist Uncle Fred is GF.

And it might be because of my blog guest, Kathy Smart.

Kathy Smart is the registered holistic nutritionist who wrote the best-selling cookbook Live The Smart Way – a  cookbook that was  Cordon Blue approved and defined Kathy as the reigning gluten-free expert.

It’s so awesome that it landed her appearances  on the Dr. Oz Show, CTV News, Breakfast TV, Global News, The Social, CH Morning Live, Canada AM and countless shows across North America.

She was awarded the Leading Women Award by the Canadian Government for raising health awareness across the country and was also named a 2015 Winner of the Top 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award (Ottawa Business Journal).

And in her spare time, she’s a fitness trainer for the Special Olympics and sits on the panel for Media Action Represent (an organization for healthy women’s images in the media).

(PS. Sometimes I read people’s bios and wonder WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE.)

And, guys – she is probably the most generous person I’ve ever met in the fitness industry.

She’s giving away free tickets to her Live The Smart Way Expo in Toronto and remember that Cordon-Bleu approved best selling cookbook? She is giving it away to you for FREE as well. Links at the bottom of the interview!

 A lot of my readers are people who figuring out their healthy lifestyle a little later in life. Can you describe a bit about your personal history when it comes to diet and exercise?

My history with diet and exercise started when I was 12 years old when my ND diagnosed me with celiac disease.

At a very young age I made the connection that if you change what you eat, you can change your life.

When a connection is made like that at a very young age, you grow up wanting to help and tell everyone about the positive experience that food had on your health.

I started getting into exercise after recovering from bulimia at 16 years of age. I found peace and a calmness through yoga and running and a much smarter way to control my weight.

Can you tell us a little bit about the food culture you grew up with?

I grew up in a small town in Ontario, daughters of ministers and missionaries that saw mealtime and home -made nutritious food as a way to show love to the family and to others in need.

My parents would often invite those less fortunate to our family dinners.

You are knows as the North America’s gluten free expert and your Live The Smart Way Cookbook caused a revolution in gf eating.

For those people have NOT been diagnosed as having celiac disease, what benefit might they get by omitting gluten from their diet?

There is an interesting thing about healthy gluten free foods. They are actually just real food choices. Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds and proteins are all just real food choices. When an individual goes back to eating just real food whether they are gluten free or not they will experience more energy, boosted immune system and natural weight loss.

 A lot of people would say there is an overlap between GF diets and the Paleo movement.

But you also provide a lot of vegan recipes. What do you say when people ask you which dietary approach is the best one?

My answer is always what is right for YOU!. There are 7 billion on earth, therefore there are 7 billion different diets. There is no one formula, no one special diet that is good for everyone.

My answer is to find what works for YOU! You should feel full of energy and jump out of bed in the am. If you don’t feel like that, change what you are eating until you are feeling amazing!

A lot of your advice is very individualized – which is fantastic. Can you give some examples on how to adjust eating and exercise habits for your body type?

Absolutely! In my experience, an apple body type ( holding most of their weight in their stomach) does best with gentle cardio, stress reducing exercises. They also do best on plant based proteins.
The opposite is true for a pear. ( holding most of their weight in the lower half).  I have found pear body shapes do best with HIIT training 2-3 x per week, and heavy strength training 3x week. Pear body shapes also do best on an eating plan based on dark greens and complete proteins.

…and what your farts can tell you about how well you are digesting your food? 🙂

Passing gas tells us A LOT about how well you are digesting your food.

If you are ‘ loud and proud’ you are having issues digesting carbohydrates. I would recommend a good probiotic 2 per day.

If you are ‘ silent but deadly’ you are having issues digesting proteins. I would recommend apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon per day in water 30 minutes before meals.

I love that you offer realistic recipes for people who don’t have a lot of money to spend on speciality ingredients.

Can you share your best tips on how to keep on budget while giving yourself a health makeover?

Some ‘ cheap and cheerful’ tips from me!

• Do 1 plant based meal per day
• Buy cans of beans when they go on sale as you can do a full meatless meal for under $2
• Check the flyers and buy produce when it is in season and on sale and freeze
• Buy frozen fruits and vegetables – much more cost effective and just as nutritious
• Just drink water- cheap, cheerful and good for you!

Finally…What does Kathy Smart eat on an average day?

This is probably the most commonly asked question of all time!

An average day for me:

• Smoothie bowl using plant based protein( like this picture- this is my Cherry Bomb Smoothie Bowl) with chia seeds and pumpkin seeds for breakfast
• “ 2 Maca Balls’ from my cookbook- mid am snack
• Vegetarian Chilli with quinoa- lunch
• Apple and almond butter – snack
• Salmon, veggies and brown rice- supper
• 2 ounces of dark chocolate with a peppermint tea for dessert

Want that Veggie Chilli recipe?

Hearty Protein Filled Chilli

1 lb. extra lean chopped beef ( organic preferred)
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can of red kidney beans, drained
1 lg. yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 sm. green pepper, chopped
1 1/2 Tablespoons of chilli powder
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
Pinch of cinnamon

Brown the beef and onions in a 12 inch skillet and drain before adding all other ingredients. Simmer for 1-2 hours.

Serve on a baked potato or with a whole grain bun for a complete meal!

Health Statistics

Easy to Make
Dairy Free
Gluten and Wheat Free
High in Protein
Egg Free
No Added Refined Sugars
Low Glycemic

As mentioned above, Kathy is giving away tickets to the Live the Smart Way Expo (Toronto Enercare Centre, Oct 22-23) where she’ll give giving a talk on “Why Aren’t You Losing Weight”. Here are all the details and the free tickets.

And if you want to get your oven mitts on more of Kathy’s Cordon Bleu- approved healthy recipes, go to her site and get your free download! 

Did you like this post? If so, leave a comment for me or Kathy below and please share with your friends who are into healthy eating!