Megyn Kelly, like many professionals with demanding schedules, finds it difficult to make time for the gym. Instead of traditional workouts, the NBC host and former Fox News anchor relies on a specific diet plan to maintain her figure.
In her 2016 autobiography Settle for More, Kelly reveals that she stopped exercising after becoming a mother, writing, “After I had my children, something had to give, and I gave up on exercise.” Instead, she turned to the F-Factor Diet, a high-fiber eating plan developed by dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot.
Kelly first adopted the F-Factor approach following the birth of her son, Yates, and credits it with helping her shed post-pregnancy weight quickly. The diet, introduced in Zuckerbrot’s 2006 book The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss, is built on the premise that consuming fiber-rich foods promotes weight loss by increasing satiety and allowing individuals to eat more without strict restrictions.
The Science Behind the F-Factor Diet
The F-Factor Diet emphasizes the inclusion of high-fiber carbohydrates and lean proteins in every meal. The plan is structured into three phases, each lasting approximately two weeks, with a goal of consuming nine servings of fiber-rich carbohydrates daily.
Scientific research supports the effectiveness of fiber in weight management. A 2009 study published in Nutritional Review found that diets high in fiber and low in fat were more effective for weight loss than low-fat diets alone. Similarly, a 2015 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that participants who simply increased their fiber intake to at least 30 grams per day lost as much weight as those who adhered to a more complex dietary regimen.
Does Exercise Matter?
The role of exercise in weight loss remains a subject of debate. A 2012 study published in PLoS One suggests that overall energy expenditure remains relatively constant regardless of physical activity levels, reinforcing the notion that diet plays a more significant role in weight management. However, a 2017 study in the Journal of Endocrinology indicated that increasing the intensity and duration of exercise can help suppress appetite, at least in young men.
Despite her personal choice to forgo structured workouts, Kelly’s approach does not reflect Zuckerbrot’s full recommendation. The dietitian maintains that exercise, when combined with the F-Factor Diet, is “the most powerful formula for losing body fat.” She cautions that while calorie reduction can lead to short-term weight loss, long-term maintenance is much more challenging without physical activity.
For those with time constraints, experts suggest incorporating physical activity whenever possible—not just for weight control, but for overall health and well-being.
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