Maneet Chauhan’s Weight Loss: How the Food Network Star Shed 46 Lbs. Naturally
The 'Chopped' judge skipped restrictive diet in favor of simpler techniques
Celebrity chef and Food Network star Maneet Chauhan is known for her wins on the Tournament of Champions and her advice as a judge on Chopped. However, she serves more than just authentic Indian flavors and tasty cuisine. Chauhan is also dishing up inspiration regarding her health and wellness—in 2019, she debuted a 46-lb weight loss. Her secret? Not restricting the foods she loves and making sure she’s active daily. Here, we break down Maneet Chauhan’s weight loss journey and how her strategies can result in at-home success.
What inspired Maneet Chauhan’s weight loss?
When Chauhan opened her first restaurant, Chauhan Ale and Masala House, in 2014, she was also expecting her first child. Her pregnancy inspired her to focus on a healthier lifestyle. “That was when I realized I needed to do something of my own, because I needed to set an example for my child,” she told Nashville Fit Magazine.
“I have always had weight issues. Not body image issues, but weight issues. I was never concerned with my body image. It didn’t bother me,” she continued. And in a field where confidence is key, the popular television personality had more than enough to spare. The turning point, however, was when she started to feel excessively tired while doing everyday tasks.
Woman's World Answers
Ultimately, Chauhan said she wanted her kids to see her leading by example, which is how her health journey came about a few years later. It was never about weight loss for her. “I knew that would be an effect, but it was more about feeling better. I started feeling tired, and I knew how much more I wanted to do and that I didn’t want to feel held back,” she clarified. “But again, it was about me wanting my kids to see that health is paramount. It isn’t about the body image. It’s about what I’m putting in my body.”
The keys to Maneet Chauhan’s 46-lb. weight loss
Chauhan wanted to set herself up for weight loss success but knew it wouldn’t happen overnight. “It started with logging my calories and doing simple math,” she said. She also considered what she was putting into her body more carefully.
In addition to shifting her diet, Chauhan understood that exercising regularly was the second part of the equation that ultimately helped her lose over 40 pounds.
Jennifer Habashy, NMD, MS, assistant medical director at Claya, agrees with this approach and says small, consistent changes create lasting habits. “Drinking more water, adjusting portion sizes and moving a little more each day may not seem significant at first, but over time, they add up to real progress.”
Here’s what helped Chauhan lose weight:
She counted calories
As a chef and Food Network show judge, Chauhan was not interested in eliminating certain food groups or meals. “I couldn’t go on a restrictive diet like keto or paleo because I eat for a living,” she shared with Parade. “So I used the app MyFitnessPal [an online food diary]. I kept to 1,200 calories a day, which would pretty much start with me logging my two glasses of wine and two pieces of chocolate, so I knew what I had left.”
Not eating certain things can actually hinder weight loss. “Restrictive diets can cause cravings, low energy and frustration,” says Dr. Habashy. They often lead to short-term weight loss but are challenging to maintain. “Balanced eating allows flexibility, making it easier to stay on track without feeling deprived.”
She aims for 10,000 steps daily
When it comes to exercise, Chauhan’s go-to is simple. She loves to walk and aims to get 10,000 steps daily. And if she can’t get her steps in, she still tries to get her body moving. “It’s seeped into each and every facet of my life,” she told Parade. “If I’m at the airport and the lounge is over there, I’m like, ‘No, I haven’t done my steps.’ So I walk from one end of the airport to the other with my suitcase.”
While 10,000 steps isn’t always an achievable goal for many of us, there are easy ways to ensure you’re getting physical activity. “Taking short walks during breaks, using the stairs instead of the elevator and standing while working are easy ways to stay active,” says Dr. Habashy. She also recommends parking farther away, walking inside while on the phone or adding a few extra steps to daily errands to increase movement without using additional time.
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