What a Dietitian Really Thinks About Kelly Ripa’s “Very Favorite” Chocolatey Breakfast
It’s no secret that Kelly Ripa is a fan of the trendy alkaline diet. For years, she and her Live With Kelly and Ryan cohost Ryan Seacrest have both shared their love for the health trend, which promotes eating higher amounts of low-pH foods (mainly hearty vegetables like broccoli) and lower amounts of highly acidic items (such as fresh citrus fruits).
So it was no surprise that on Friday, Ripa brought Daryl Gioffre, author of Get Off Your Acid, a 7-day weight loss diet plan centered around the buzzy alkaline diet, on the show to talk more about how following it has changed her life.
In the segment, Ripa says that Gioffre initially turned her onto the alkaline diet as a way to “lose weight naturally, sleep better, improve digestion, [and] strengthen [the] immune system.” During that time, the 49-year-old television host quickly learned she had to overhaul her early morning routine. For instance, Ripa admitted she now skips coffee, as Gioffre says the drink is often loaded with creamers and sugars (which are a big no-no on the diet) and can be highly acidic. “Coffee drains you of your minerals that you need to perform everyday."
Instead, Ripa’s go-to breakfast is a chocolate chia seed pudding, which is quickly blended together with just a few ingredients, including coconut water, pit-less dates, cacao, Himalayan salt, cashews, and coconut oil. “Cacao is low in sugar, which gives you the cheat for your chocolate, [while] it’s high in magnesium,” Gioffre said. Her favorite breakfast bowl is finished with a dusting of chia seeds before its stored in the refrigerator overnight. “It’s my very favorite,” Kelly says. “By the way, I just want you to know, if you're constipated or not feeling regular, this is the answer to your prayers.”
That sounds great for Kelly, but what do experts say about the alkaline diet?
While the recommendation to keep sugar counts low at breakfast is a good one, the science behind the validity of the alkaline diet isn’t totally sound for the right reasons, says Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., the registered dietitian with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Like Gioffre, Sassos agrees that incorporating more nutrient-dense ingredients into your breakfast routine—like cruciferous vegetables, plant-based proteins, and healthy fats—is super important, as these food groups are high in minerals.
However, she says it’s crucial, to note that the best parts of the alkaline diet emphasize moderation and not total abstinence. “Eating more vegetables, cutting back on sugar, reducing your consumption of processed foods, and drinking more water are just general recommendations that are good for your health,” she explains. “Making these changes can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of chronic disease, but not necessarily for the reasons that proponents of the alkaline diet’s claim.”
When it comes to Kelly’s breakfast option in particular, Gioffre claims it’s excellent because it has a blend of healthy fat, protein, minerals, and fiber-rich slow-burning carbs. Sassos however says that the amount of coconut oil used may be too much for daily consumption. “Coconut oil is fine in moderation, but is very high in saturated fats, so using it sparingly is key,” she says, noting that swapping it for natural almond butter or a little avocado would be a wiser choice.
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