Padma Lakshmi has a plan for when she leaves Top Chef.
The star shared that she will have a new diet and fitness routine when she is done with the hit Bravo reality competition series.
In an exclusive interview with People which was published Friday, the TV presenter and model stated that it takes her about 10 weeks to get back to her normal weight after each season of Top Chef.
“Normally I’m a size 4 to a size 6, but I can get a size 40 later. [filming each season of] Top chef, Lakshmi, 52, revealed.
“I always go back to my normal weight, but it takes me 10 weeks to do that,” she added.
Spilling the Beans: In an exclusive interview with People, long-time Top Chef presenter Padma Lakshmi spilled the beans on her post-Top Chef diet and fitness routines she follows after production ends for each season; seen in May
Bodytalk: ‘Normally I’m a size 4 to a size 6, but after that I can get a size 40 [filming each season of] Top chef, Lakshmi, 52, revealed
Eat, eat, eat and repeat: Lakshmi and the judges of the show taste and judge an inordinate number of meals a day. All the food they taste is cooked by the competing chefs for both the Quickfire Challenge and the Elimination Challenge
As part of her host duties, Lakshmi and the show’s judges taste and judge an inordinate number of meals per day that are cooked by the competing chefs for both the Quickfire Challenge and the Elimination Challenge.
For the Elimination Challenge, the challenge that results in the elimination of one (or sometimes two) chefs per episode, alone, Lakshmi and the judges would be able to taste more than 10 bites at a time.
For her post-Top Chef production diet, Lakshmi stated that she looks forward to consuming a “nice, consistent diet of normal human food” when she finishes filming.
“At home, I’m mostly plant-based,” the longtime Top Chef host revealed, noting that she’s not a full-time vegetarian.
“In my personal life, I don’t eat that much red meat anyway,” she explained.
After filming for a season of Top Chef concludes, Lakshmi puts all the emphasis on getting back in shape and relies on cardio to stay “fit and toned.”
She also revealed in the interview how boxing has kept her grounded.
“I’ve boxed occasionally for over 20 years when my joints allow. I like boxing,” she explained.
Getting back in shape: Besides cardio, Lakshmi’s fitness regimen to get back in shape after filming Top Chef includes boxing, which she credits with keeping her grounded
Her Look: Lakshmi attends the Never Have I Ever season 4 NYC Tastemaker reception on June 6 in New York City
Thanks Padma: Earlier this month, Lakshmi announced that Top Chef: World All-Stars, which aired on June 15, would be her final season as host.
“I mean, as much as boxing has helped me physically, it has done a lot more for me mentally. And I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to feel more grounded, more focused and more in their body, but also want to have more clarity.”
Her interview with People comes just a day after the season finale of Top Chef: World All-Stars aired.
Earlier this month, Lakshmi, who also hosts the Hulu show Taste the Nation, announced on Twitter that Top Chef: World All-Stars, the 20th season of the Bravo reality competition series, would be her last.
“After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef,” Lakshmi wrote at the beginning of her lengthy post.
Lakshmi has been the host of Top Chef since season 2, which aired in 2006. Katie Lee was the host of the show’s first season.
Bravo has yet to announce Lakshmi’s successor as host of Top Chef.