Two-Fisted Food Fighter: Meet Our New In-House Beachbody® Nutritionist

As we say 'round here at Beachbody, exercise is only half the battle. No matter what your goals are, 50 percent of fitness is nutrition. Or as Tony Horton puts it, "Abs are made in the kitchen."
So it's only right that Beachbody should have the brightest and the best working for us when it comes to food. With that in mind, we're proud to introduce to you our new in-house nutritionist, Ani Aratounians, MS, RD.



Ani is what we in the food world call a "double-fisted nutritionist." On one hand, you've got her education—a master's in family environmental sciences with an emphasis in nutrition and food science from California State University, Northridge—combined with her 13 years of experience fighting the good food fight at companies like Nestlé^®. During the same period, she's been spreading the word about healthy eating on Spanish-language channels like Univision^® and Telemundo^®. (Plus she's trilingual—she speaks English, Spanish, and Armenian.)
On the other hand, she's a true foodie. She grew up in Barcelona, Spain, where her grandmother instilled in her a love of food and an in-depth knowledge of Mediterranean cuisine. After Ani moved to the States, her passion for and about food grew to include Latin American fare. The lady knows how to cook.
Put the two hands together and you get a dietetic/culinary one-two punch that'll do a lot of damage in our ongoing fight to End the Trend^® of obesity.
Our new tough-as-nails nutritionist took a little time recently to chat with me about her views to give everyone the chance to learn what she's bringing to Beachbody. Welcome, Ani!

Why'd you decide to go into the field of nutrition?

I struggled with weight from childhood through my teenage years, and kids can be cruel when it comes to being "plump" (my grandma's constantdescriptor of how I looked). Don't get me wrong—I am forever grateful to my grandma, who taught me the basics of cooking, but she also taught me the basics of overeating.
I was lucky to pick up nutrition books from a young age. I started learning about healthy eating and not falling prey to the extreme dieting that can lead to a lifetime of eating disorders. I learned to eat right and was able to redesign all of our family recipes into healthier ones . . . my passion for nutrition and the culinary arts was born.

What's your basic philosophy on nutrition?

I have three bullet points that describe my philosophy. Enjoy and follow:

1. Let nature be your guide. Eat clean, fresh, organic, whole—how nature intended.
2. Let health be your goal, and let a beautiful physique be the bonus.
3. Let physical activity balance your life. Don't think you have it all covered with just food. Exercise is 50 percent of the equation.

So physical activity is important to you?

Physical activity not only benefits your body but also your mind. Let's not forget that our bodies were designed to move (and not just from the couch to the fridge!) and stay active to achieve optimal health—mental and physical.

What sports do you do?

I'm a tennis junkie. I play and compete almost 10 hours a week. It's the sport that keeps me happily active. I recommend that everyone finds a sport or exercise that makes you forget you're actually exercising, then you find yourself drenched at the end of a session. That's what tennis does to me; it's also my therapist! What a great way to get your nerves in check.

Have you done P90X^®? How'd that work out for ya?

I did P90X last year and . . . wow! It was tough, but it definitely gave me an edge in my fitness, especially when I was competing. Now P90X2™ is coming out, and I heard it takes things to a completely different level. Maybe I'll be the first 40-year-old who turns tennis pro! Let's not push it, but I really want to try it and see what it can do for me. My Coach always recommends that I do yoga for flexibility (so I can do the splits like Serena Williams, and hit a forehand at the same time). I was in the yoga test group for P90X2, and it was incredible.

What did you make for dinner last night?

I cook very simply on weeknights, so I can spend quality time with the kids after work. I marinated organic skinless Cornish hen the night before with fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, chopped garlic, saffron, sea salt, and pepper. I baked it at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes, along with sliced sweet potatoes (with the skin on—that's where a lot of the nutrients and fiber reside) and served it with a fresh green salad, with homemade oil and vinegar dressing.

Do your kids think you're a food fascist?

Sometimes! I will not lie and say it's easy to keep my kids eating healthy all the time. I have very healthy foods at home, but I cannot, and refuse to, control what they eat at birthday parties, friends' homes, etc. I had to find a balance between teaching them to eat healthy and "depriving" them of "fun foods." I try to teach them the basics of healthy nutrition, and I'm a role model for them. They see me eat the right things all the time, and hopefully they'll grow to appreciate their health as their mom does. When they complain, I say to them, "If I'm not giving you a food that everyone else is eating, it's because I love you."

What do you hope to bring to Beachbody?

I decided to join Beachbody because I felt that they walk their talk. If I can help to elevate their philosophy to an even higher level with my passion for health and my creative and healthy but delicious recipes, I've done my part.

Isn't that Denis Faye great? He must be fun to work with, huh?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! But seriously, I am part of a wonderful team. You, Steve Edwards, and Stephanie Saunders are incredibly talented, passionate, and knowledgeable. I look up to all of you, and I'm learning so much . . . it's hard to keep up, but I like the challenge!

What's the biggest mistake Americans make with their diet?

You mean mistakes? In random order:

1. They drink their calories.
2. They skip meals.
3. They eat portions fit for an entire family.
4. They don't exercise.
5. They eat processed foods.

What's the biggest piece of advice you have for athletes from a nutritional perspective?
Just as physical activity can be 50 percent of the equation for a healthier body, adequate nutrition is 50 percent of the equation in athletic performance. Athletes need to educate themselves on the power of food and its effect on their training. Each sport or exercise regimen needs a personalized nutrition plan for optimal results.

By Denis Faye