As cooler weather approaches, cold and flu season is soon to follow.
EatingWell:Tell us a little about the Know Plan Go campaign and why you’re participating.
First,knowyour risks.
Photo: Pfizer/Jean Smart
Weight, age, diabetes like myself, know your risk factors.
Make aplanwith your medical professional or your doctor.
EatingWell:How do you plan to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong this upcoming season?
EatingWell:Anything you do to help unwind?
EatingWell:With cooler seasons approaching, what’s your favorite comfort meal for you and your family?
It’s my chili.
I make really good chili, and I make a giant pot and then freeze half of it.
I’m a little bit famous among my friends for my chili.
EatingWell:Can you talk more about this famous chili of yours?
Is it a classic recipe?
I used to make it every year for a Christmas party.
I add extra beans, three kinds of beans: black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans.
I do add corn, usually fresh corn, ideally.
I add a little bit of ketchup for some sweetness.
I can’t believe I was never on that show!
EatingWell:Do you have a top tip or piece of advice for how you manage diabetes?
Smart:When the pandemic started, it was a little scary.
Knowledge is power, and so the more I learned about it, the better I felt about it.
Educate yourself, do research, but also know what your particular risk factors are.
Just take those three steps for a great peace of mind.
EatingWell:Do you have a morning routine that you stick by?
I can be very organized for my children, but not for myself.
I do not have a routine, part of that is because of the business I’m in.
EatingWell:Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Smart:I just started drinking coffee and I feel like a grown-up, and I’m very excited!
I’ve now gone to a restaurant four timesor a Starbucks, whereverand ordered an iced decaf latte.
And I feel like a grown-up because I never drank coffee.
EatingWell:What’s your favorite form of exercise?
So that’s been wonderful.
EatingWell:What does “eating well” mean to you?
My mantra at my house with my kids always is, “Did you eat anything green today?”
I don’t really care what you ate for lunch at school, but did you eat anything green?
And if you didn’t, just have something green with your dinner.
It takes all the worry out of it.
Up next:The #1 Snack to Eat When You’re Sick, According to a Dietitian
