5 ‘healthy’ foods that wealthy clients never eat, according to private chefs
2026-01-20 13:00:50
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Protein bars, plant-based meats and low-fat snacks may line grocery store shelves, but private chefs say some Foods marketed as “healthy” She is often shunned by her wealthy clients.
Chefs and nutritionists who work with elite athletes, entertainers and high-net-worth clients told Fox News Digital that some foods widely promoted as healthy are quietly shunned in private kitchens, where chefs say these foods may interfere with some clients’ energy, digestion or performance goals.
“Most people are taught to eat for healthy optics, while people focused on performance and longevity eat for biological outcomes,” Richard Ingraham, Georgia-based author and personal chef for NBA legend Dwyane Wade, told Fox News Digital.
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“They avoid foods that interfere with clarity, energy stability, recovery, or digestion — even if they are Those foods They are heavily marketed as “healthy.”
This philosophy reflects a shift some high-performance clients are making in how they approach nutrition. That’s according to Los Angeles resident Serena Boone famous chef, A certified nutritionist and longevity consultant who has worked with superstars like seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady and actress Sofia Vergara.

NBA legend Dwyane Wade is shown above. Richard Ingraham, Wade’s personal chef, said many foods marketed as “healthy” are often avoided by high-performance clients. (Victor Baldison/NBAE via Getty Images)
“I see a tangible shift away from foods that are marketed as ‘healthy’ but are still highly processed — and toward a holistic way of eating that prioritizes how food communicates with the body over time,” Boone told Fox News Digital.
Instead of chasing trends or flashy ‘superfoods’, affluent clients focus on the basics – Simple, whole foods Private chefs say these foods support sustained energy, digestion and long-term health.
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Ingraham said staples in elite kitchens often include oats and bone broth, options that may surprise those accustomed to protein bars and snacks labeled with diet labels.
Here are some of the foods that private chefs say their clients tend to stay away from the pantry.

Sofia Vergara is pictured above. Serena Boone, a longevity counselor who worked with Vergara, warned that many foods marketed as “healthy” are highly processed. (Stephanie Keenan/Getty Images for Women’s Cancer Research Fund)
1. Vegetarian meat
Customers avoid Modern foods and diets These products are labeled as healthy, including some plant-based meat alternatives, Ingraham said.
Many foods marketed as healthy are highly engineered, Boone said.
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“One of the biggest misconceptions is that labels like ‘low-fat,’ ‘diet,’ or ‘high-protein’ automatically make a food pro-health,” she said.
Instead, she noted, many products are stripped of their natural structure and rebuilt with additives to meet marketing demands.
2. Protein bars and “high-protein” packaged foods.
While protein is prioritized, Ingraham said many customers are avoiding packaged bars and instead opting for known food sources.

Nutritionists encourage prioritizing whole, colorful fruits and vegetables over heavily processed products marketed as healthy. (Istock)
Some wealthy customers view many processed protein-rich products as “well-marketed fast food,” as former private chef Adam Kelton recently wrote for the magazine Vigot Magazine.
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Some studies suggest that protein powders may be absorbed more quickly than whole food sources, but whole foods tend to release amino acids more stably and come with other nutrients that support how the body uses protein overall.
3. Low-fat and “diet” foods.
Foods labeled “fat-free” or “low-fat” are a red flag, Ingraham said.

Experts advise giving priority to whole foods, including full-fat dairy products and yogurt. (Istock)
“Removing fat usually means adding starches and sweeteners,” he said.
Kelton described a similar mindset among billionaire clients. He recalls one of the technology’s founders who said, “When they remove the fat, they add sugar and chemicals to make it look like something. I’d rather eat less of the real thing than more of the fake thing.”
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Customers’ refrigerators are stocked with full-fat yogurt, whole milk and regular cheese, Kelton said.
4. Store-bought granola and cereal
Experts say many wealthy customers are skipping the expensive granola and organic cereals.

Whole foods like oats and bone broth are common staples in elite kitchens, say private chefs. (Istock)
“I did often Protein and granola bars “At home for my clients to ensure they are getting the necessary nutrients and fiber needed to help their bodies perform at their highest level,” Ingraham said.
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One customer told Kelton that the store-bought granola products were what he described “sweet Disguised as breakfast.”
5. Excessive consumption of juices and detergents
Trendy liquid diets were rarely on the menu, Ingraham said.
Wealthy clients Drink water mostly, Kelton agreed to coffee, tea and the occasional fresh juice.

Experts advise prioritizing whole foods made with known ingredients. (Istock)
For long-term wellness, consistency matters more than any one food, Boone said.
Instead of “chasing labels,” she encourages people to “eat the rainbow,” prioritizing naturally colorful plant foods, along with adequate fiber and clean sources of protein and healthy fats, while limiting foods with long lists of ingredients.
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“Healthy, quick-fix foods often lead to energy crashes, food cravings, and dysregulation, while whole foods promote consistency, clarity, and sustained energy,” she told Fox News Digital.
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