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The Great Veggie Quest

How to Get Fresh Veggies and Fruit into Your Diet

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By Chef Devin Alexander, Special to BiggestLoserClub.com

Remember that feeling of anticipation that came every fall in your youth when you went shopping for school supplies? Or when you found out whose class you were going to be in? Well, I've experienced a similar feeling every year for the past few years as the new "class" of Biggest Loser contestants enters the "classroom". Having lost over 55 pounds myself and having kept it off for over 16 years, I know what an amazing journey the contestants are embarking upon and what a transformation they're about to undergo, and I just can't wait to watch it unfold.

In case I only look vaguely familiar, allow me to introduce myself. I'm the author of "The Biggest Loser Cookbook", "Fast Food Fix" and "The Most Decadent Diet Ever!"; the host of "Healthy Decadence with Devin Alexander" on FitTv; a frequent guest on various TV shows from "The Today Show" to "Good Morning America" and Discovery Health's, "National Body Challenge." (You may even remember watching me teach the contestants how to make their fast food faves on "The Biggest Loser" a couple of seasons back).

I'm also a frequent contributor and columnist to major magazines like "Women's Health" and "Clean Eating"; and the SpokesChef for a number of major U.S. food companies like Weight Watchers Smart Ones Frozen Meals and Circulon Cookware and Bakeware; and I just finished writing "The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook," which, as you likely know, will hit bookstores on November 11th.

Twenty years ago, I was a yo-yo dieting expert turned obese teen sitting on a sofa watching way too much TV-none of which was as inspirational as "The Biggest Loser" -- only hoping for a day when I would be a "normal" weight and feel like I fit in. I spent more time than I could possibly (or would ever want to) recall, cooking and baking cookies, hiding myself from the ridicule I faced at school, because I was way bigger than the other kids.

Fortunately for me, everything changed by my late teens when I realized that my passion for cooking was the key to unlocking my demons and shedding the pounds. And by my early 20's I'd helped tons of celebrities and friends lose weight and get healthy simply by cooking the foods that I (and they!) love in a healthier way. So this season, all season long, I won't just consulting the contestants. I'm going to be joining YOU. Right here. Each week I'll tackle a new topic and give my two cents as someone who's been there and still is there through the thousands of folks, just like you, who I work with daily.

Not Tofu and Carrot Sticks

I often run around proclaiming that, "I'm not a tofu and carrot stick chef". Truth be told, like many of you, I have never possessed a gene that made me enjoy veggies. At all! I mean, I can eat bowls of tomatoes until I turn purple.or maybe red? :) But I don't crave any other veggies at all and there are some that I just won't eat if you paid me. I do love fruit if it's perfectly fresh and well picked.but veggies, no thanks. So I've had to be really creative because while I don't necessarily enjoy them, you won't find a nutritionist or doctor (believe me, I've tried!) who doesn't agree that you MUST eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables daily. It really is so important to get plenty of them in your diet. Not only do they provide many essential vitamins and minerals, they also supply much needed fiber. And fiber not only fills you up, but helps all of your systems, so to speak.

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