DIET | DETECTIVE^®

Name:  Joe Piscatella

Birthday: August 25, 1944

Location:  Gig Harbor, WA

Q: What dessert do you dream about? 

A: Chocolate.  The nice thing is that there is room for indulgences on a healthy, balanced diet, so it is allowed…just not too often.

Q: If there were one healthy food item (something you love) that you had to eat every day, what would it be?

A: It’s impossible to select just one.  As a heart patient (I went through bypass surgery ate age 32, some 28 years ago), I look for “superfoods” that provide me with cardiovascular protection:  oatmeal, fish, strawberries, olive oil, almonds, soy foods, fruits, whole grains and vegetables are among my top choices.

Q: What’s the best book about health that you’ve read?

A: Since my chief interest is eating for cardiac health, it would be my latest book:  THE ROAD TO HEART HEALTH RUNS THROUGH THE KITCHEN.  It explains how I’ve eaten in order to manage heart disease, includes cutting-edge science and practical application, and has over 300 delicious recipes.

Q: What are your two favorite health magazines?

A: I read a lot of magazines, journals and books.  I like Men’s Health and Prevention because of the tidbits of information.  Cooking light is great for recipes.

Q: What do you consider the world’s most perfect food?

A: I think 50% of our nutritional problems could be solved with a healthy breakfast.  So for me, the perfect food is oatmeal topped with strawberries, raisins, cinnamon & skim milk (and a glass or orange juice.)

Q: What physical activity do you do to keep yourself in shape?

A: I do something every day & try to cross train. I jog 3-4 days a week, work out with a trainer 2-3 days a week.  I also ride my bike, use a rowing scull, ski and walk the golf course for fun.

Q: Do you have a favorite healthy recipe or cooking tip? If so would you share it?

A: Data show that most American families eat 12 meals 80% of the time.  So instead of making unfamiliar foods that are healthy, take your 12 recipes and learn to strip out the fat, but only to the point that taste remains.  Then you get the best of both worlds:  familiar food made lighter.  That’s why you’ll find Macaroni and Cheese in the recipe section of my book.

Q: Do you have a Calorie Bargain? What food did it replace? Was that an important food in your diet, since you ate it so often?

A: I used to pine for sugary desserts, always conscious of the cake I couldn’t have.  Then I took a trip to Italy and learned about an Italian mainstay: fresh fruit for dessert.  Now I skip the calorically-dense baked goods in favor of sweet fruit like California strawberries.  They are satisfying and refreshing, but along with good taste comes fiber, Vitamin C, folate and low calories.

Q: Tell us how you got to where you are now.

A: I went through bypass surgery in 1977 at age 32 and had to learn how to eat for my heart. I subsequently wrote one of the first books in this country on diet and cholesterol, DON’T EAT YOUR HEART OUT (1982).  Since then, I’ve written 9 other books, have hosted 3 PBS television programs, consult to corporations like Boeing and Sprint on employee wellness, lecture at hospitals and medical schools, and am the only non-medical member of the NIH Expert Panel on Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Q: Define and discuss failure?

A: Failure is not trying.  You don’t have to do everything to lead a healthy life.  But do something!

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you've changed your mind about in the last 20 years?

A: Yes.  I used to think I had heart disease at an early age because of bad genes.  Today I know that it was lifestyle, particularly my diet, that penalized me. 

Q: What's the next major item on your "to-do" list?

A: To finish the book tour for THE ROAD TO A HEALTHY HEART.   I’ve been on national shows like THE TODAY SHOW and a lot of local shows.  Just 5 cities to go!

Q: Define individual responsibility and how you react to adverse situations?

A: I keep in mind what my wife told me after bypass surgery:  “You can’t change the cards you were dealt, but you can change the way that you play them.”  Making healthy dietary choices is an individual responsibility.  No one else can do it for you.

Q: Was there a defining moment in your life when you made a decision that changed the course of the rest of your life forever?

A: After bypass surgery, I had a meeting with a physician to discuss my cholesterol.  I said, “Should I change my diet?”  His response was, “Don’t bother.  You have aggressive coronary heart disease and probably will not live to be 40.”  I took that as a challenge and was motivated to change.  I will be 62 years old this year, so his prediction about age 40 was wrong.

Q: What's the most bodacious chance you've ever taken?

A: I borrowed $90,000 to self-publish the first edition of DON’T EAT YOUR HEART OUT.  It ultimately sold over 2.5 million copies.

Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned about yourself? What's the biggest lesson you haven't learned?

A: I enjoy giving live seminars.  For many people, speaking in public is stressful.  But I love making a connection with the audience. 

The biggest lesson I haven’t learned is to say “no.”  As a result, I sometimes end up overcommitted and strung out.

Q: What keeps you going (your motivation)?

A: I enjoy my family, my work, my life.  Every day I am thankful for the opportunity to be here.

Q: What's you're favorite saying?

A: If you will not take the time for your health today, you’ll have to make the time for your illness tomorrow.

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