25 Jun Inside the Fridge welcomes registered dietitian and TV host Lisa De Fazio

Lisa DeFazio, MS, RD is a leading nutrition expert in the media. She is a Master’s degree level Registered Dietitian who has appeared as a host and nutrition expert on ABC, CBS, KTLA, E!, TVGN, and FOX. She has been quoted in over 100 media outlets including Details, Redbook, Star, Prevention, Us Weekly, InTouch, HollywoodLife, Shape, and many more.  Check out www.lisadefazio.com for more tips and videos! Connect with Lisa on Twitter and Facebook.

Where do you shop for food?

I do the bulk of my food shopping at Vons and Ralphs, but turn to Gelson’s for meat, fish, and chicken.

What is the single most important thing on your mind when you are shopping for food?

When food shopping, I’m mostly thinking about stocking up on lots of healthy items so I can stay on track for the week.  I also am thinking about 4 dinner menus, snacks, and what my husband and son want!

How many do you shop for? Ages? 

I shop for 3 people – my husband, 9 year old son, and myself.

How do you plan your weekly meals? Create a spreadsheet of fly by the seat of your pants? 

No spreadsheet! I start at the meat/fish/chicken department and grab 4 protein options. Then, I go to the frozen isle and grab 5 bags of steam fresh vegetables that you cook in the microwave. For a starch, I make either rice, baked fries, sweet potatoes, or corn tortillas. Friday and Saturday nights mom takes off from cooking.

What is the most coveted food in the fridge right now for each member of the household? Why?

For me, it’s Gelson’s peaches and grapes because they are simply perfect (but expensive). My husband would argue the most coveted food in the fridge is peaches in juice fruit cups. He loves these after dinner as an ice cold and sweet treat! But, by Friday they are gone! My son loves vanilla pudding cups.

What is the oldest item in the fridge right now?

Probably a bottle of salad dressing that’s at least a year old.  I’ve made it a routine to throw out old food once per week. Before I go to the market, I clean out and organize the fridge. I am proud to say, there is nothing expired in my fridge. I love a clean and organized fridge and that makes the hubby happy, too. He wants it to look the grocery store!

What convenience product can you not live without?

I can not live without frozen steam bags of vegetables… and medium hot sauce – Salsa Brava.

What cooking utensil/piece of equipment/appliance do you live for?

My cooking spoon by Giada DeLaurentiis! Giada inspires me to chase my dream of being a food and lifestyle host. Her spoon represents that when I cook. I love to sauté fish in olive oil, and I make a special Armenian rice in the stock pot.

When you hear the word “homemade” what is the first thing that comes to mind?

My Grandma DeFazio’s cooking. She even stuffed sausage into casings at Christmas.  I think of family recipes from my Armenian grandmother and Italian Grandmother.

What food/s are important when recalling food memories?

My mom is Armenian and Dad is Italian, so food is the center of holidays and family get togethers. My best food memories are those that were made for holidays with my family, like my moms eggplant dishes, Armenian rice, Italian Sausage, Italian pasta broccoli, Boreg, and grape leaves. 

How have your cooking/shopping habits changed over the last 10 years?

Now,  I’m married with a kid so I make dinner more often since I have a family to cook for. When I was single, it was all about Lisa! Now I have to plan ahead.

What was the last meal you cooked from scratch?

An Armenian eggplant dish called Karna-Yarek-it’s eggplant stuffed with lean beef, sautéed onion and tomato, with rice on the side.

What are you working on these days that you’d like to tell us about?

I’m writing a book and pitching a reality show.

Thank you, Lisa!

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