These recipes were first developed in response to a need that
became apparent to Chef Simpson as he completed the weight
management program of the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus in
1996. Most of the patients, after having been on a liquid
replacement diet for 12 weeks, were afraid they could not
maintain their weight loss. Even though the Clinic had provided
helpful information on lifestyle change and the need to consume
foods lower in fat and sugar, the patients were grateful to
Chef Simpson for showing them more ways to prepare tasty,
interesting lower fat meal alternatives, which he demonstrated
during weekly cooking classes called “Healthy Bites”.
Chef Simpson, who has been able to maintain his own weight
loss of over 100 pounds for more than 10 years, attributes
a large part of his success to being able to help others struggling
with weight management issues. Not only does he understand
the overweight mentality (in his mind, he is still an obese
person in a more slender body), but he has also acquired extensive
knowledge about healthy food combinations for very personal
reasons. Not long after his substantial weight loss, an aortic
heart defect was discovered through echocardiogram, a condition
that had previously been undetected as a result of the thicker
layer of fat surrounding his chest wall. From then on, heart
healthy lower fat meals became a necessity for Chef Simpson,
not only as a means of maintaining a healthy weight but also
as a way to improve his cardio-vascular health and wellness
in general. He is happy to report that his heart healthy menu
alternatives are very popular on Parliament Hill as many of
our politicians are embracing this trend. Chef Simpson invites
you to give some of his recipes a try in your own kitchens.
He would also encourage you to provide feedback in the form
of questions, suggestions or comments. Cheers to your health!
Enjoy!
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