These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous "insiders." After a while, it's easy to forget that stars are real people. That's why HuffPost Celebrity decided to launch its all-new #nofilter quick-fire question and answer series. Because how well do you know someone until they've shared their guiltiest pleasures?
If anyone can offer sound advice on how to avoid holiday overindulgence, it's our favorite tell-it-like-it-is "Real Housewives" alum Bethenny Frankel. The health-conscious celebrity chef and Skinnygirl mogul has teamed with California Almonds to tout the nutritional merits of nuts, and is on a mission to promote healthy snacking this season. While Frankel is clearly an expert on all things culinary, we wanted to know what's really in her fridge, and more importantly, what her last meal would be.
What's your No. 1 tip for smart snacking this time of year?
Find a 200 calorie great-investment snack. Something that has protein and fiber. That’s why almonds are a great snack. I have a great granola with dried fruit and almonds. So when you get to wherever you’re going, you start Thanksgiving dinner or go to a cocktail party, you’ve already had something. You’re spoiling your appetite, which is a good thing. You’re not so ravenous that you can’t make a smart decision.
What’s your biggest pet peeve when it comes to unnecessarily decadent holiday fare?
A lot of things bother me -- the amount of butter people put in things when you could reduce it in half. You can make a low-fat egg nog. You could use multigrain bread instead of regular bread. There are so many great things you could do with sweet potatoes; you don’t have to have marshmallows and maple syrup on it. You could have a little bit of real maple syrup and a little bit of butter. People just pour it on, and they don’t really need to.
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
I think you should indulge during the holidays. No one ever got fat by having a couple bites of pumpkin pie or by having some stuffing. It’s just when people gorge and binge and feel guilty about it, and then the next day wake up thinking that they’re going to go on a diet. Diets don’t work. What works is allowing yourself in moderation.
What did you have for dinner last night?
I had a cobb salad and oysters and part of a crab cake and a little bit of a grilled artichoke and a lot of different little things that I shared with other people. And truffle fries.
What's one item that's always in your refrigerator?
Grape tomatoes, romaine lettuce, soy milk, organic vegetables, veggie chicken nuggets, organic soups, brown rice, pasta
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
Probably eggplant parmesan and pizza.
How did you get on death row?
I killed another housewife.
Scooped out bagels: yay or nay?
Yay
Who's your ideal drinking buddy, living or dead?
Pink
What's the silliest thing you've ever lied about?
That Curious George is asleep. We can’t watch “Curious George” because he’s sleeping.
If you could ask Kim Kardashian any question, what would it be?
Do African-American men have larger penises than white men?
What shows are always on your DVR?
“Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Not many. Just random “Housewife” installments for a rainy day. I’ll DVR stuff for my kids once in a while.
What's your go-to excuse?
“Hold on, my daughter’s throwing up--let me call you right back.”
What's on your nightstand?
Gone Girl, a coaster, a bottle of water and a candle.
What's one thing from your childhood wardrobe that you wish you could wear now?
My rainbow airbrushed Bethenny baseball T-shirt
If you were undead, would you be a vampire, zombie or ghost?
Zombie, because I don’t sleep enough.
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