Jill de Jong is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She’s also a model who loves to eat, and believes in a healthy and balanced diet! Her method is all about implementing simple, permanent lifestyle changes to help you stay healthy. Want tips from Jill? Check out her website Models Do Eat, for her latest on a healthy lifestyle. Here’s what Jill has to say about good eating.
Tell us what you’re working on right now.
I’m currently working on a cookbook with nine other models who are all passionate about eating delicious and nutritious food. Among us there are fitness instructors, health coaches, authors and food bloggers. It’s all about being a good “role” model, sharing our stories, experiences and recommendations to inspire other women to take excellent care of themselves.
What is your food inspiration?
I get inspired everywhere—magazines, seasonal products, Instagram…
Do you have a favorite food trick?
Yes I have a great one to share! If you love creamy soup but don’t want to use dairy/heavy whip, use cashews instead. Pour the soup in a blender with the cashews and you’ll get the most silky, delicious texture.
What was your biggest #foodfail?
Cauliflower crust pizza. It drove me crazy; I was trying so many different things but I have not been able to master it and have given up!
How do you define good food?
Good food is nutrient-dense, flavorful and nourishing to the body and soul.
Is there any food you can’t stand?
I don’t like olives. I’ve tried so many different ones so many times but I just can’t seem to get over it.
What’s always in your fridge?
Cheese!
Where do you typically grocery shop?
I buy the majority of my groceries at Sprouts and Traders Joe’s.
Top three herbs, in order of importance?
Basil, parsley, mint.
Your good food wish?
That everybody on this planet can enjoy an abundance of good food and clean water.
Most underrated spice?
Cumin.
What’s your go-to breakfast?
I like to change things up. I will have a egg and spinach omelet one day, oatmeal the next, and a piece of toast another day.
Who is one famous person, dead or alive, that you want to share a meal with? And where?
Tony Robbins. At his favorite restaurant.
Veggie you never liked when you were young, but now you do?
Brussels sprouts.
What is your go-to dinner party dish?
I don’t have a go-to dinner party dish—it depends on the season and who’s attending the dinner. But right now I would bring a pot of short ribs. 🙂
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Food issues have not quite made it into the upcoming Presidential Debate. If you could ask the future President to consider a food issue that needs to be addressed, what would it be?
I would ask the president to demand that companies take the chemicals OUT of our food. No colorants, preservatives or additives. That would make a huge difference.
What have you been dying to make recipe-wise, but haven’t yet?
Bone broth.
If you were a food, what you be and why?
I would be a granola bar—full of life, a little nuts, and sweet. LOL
Favorite cuisine?
Thai.
What’s your favorite meal-on-the-go?
Kale and cauliflower curry salad from Trader Joe’s.
Food related pet peeve?
The FDA.
If you could get the general population to change ONE aspect of their eating habits, what would it be?
To eat more whole foods!
What’s one of your first (and most memorable) interactions with food?
When I was little I loved making bread. My mom would make a big batch of dough for me and my brother, and we’d play with it, making fun shapes and dolls to bake in the oven. The whole house smelled great, and the best part? Eating the freshly baked creations. 🙂
What’s your favorite indulgent treat?
Salted caramel ice cream.
If you are making a food resolution this year, what is it?
To make even more things from scratch. Like almond milk—instead of store-bought, I’m making it myself now.
What are you up to these days?
The cookbook is my passion project at the moment. I’m a health coach, fitness trainer and model. There’s never a dull moment in my life; I keep really busy between coaching calls, HIIT training and photo shoots. 🙂