Former restaurant critic Pete Wells, once burdened by health ailments stemming from his demanding profession, has unveiled his remarkable transformation. Battling conditions such as prediabetes, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, Wells made a conscious decision to overhaul his eating habits. His journey, documented in a series of articles, highlights a shift away from excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates towards a more balanced, whole-food-centric diet. Through these changes, he not only achieved significant weight loss but also reversed many of his alarming health indicators, demonstrating the profound impact of mindful eating and lifestyle adjustments on overall well-being.
A Culinary Critic's Health Transformation: Lessons in Mindful Eating
In a compelling series of reflections published in January 2026, Pete Wells, a former restaurant critic, recounted his personal battle with diet-induced health challenges and his successful path to recovery. For twelve years, Wells's professional life involved extensive dining, which inadvertently led to a significant decline in his health. By 2024, at the age of 60, he was grappling with a multitude of health issues, including prediabetes, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and obesity. This alarming diagnosis, particularly the specter of diabetes, served as a powerful catalyst for change.
Wells's transformation began with a crucial decision to leave his role as chief restaurant critic at The Times and embark on a mission to re-educate himself about eating. His primary focus was on eliminating simple carbohydrates from his diet. He candidly revealed the extent of his previous sugar consumption, which included everything from heavily sweetened coffee and oatmeal to various pastries, fruit juices, and large portions of white rice and bread. This dietary overhaul, which did not involve calorie counting, led to significant improvements. Within five months, his doctor confirmed he was no longer prediabetic, and he had lost over 20 pounds. Ultimately, he shed approximately 55 pounds, equivalent to the weight of a male basset hound, and most of his health conditions receded, with the exception of cholesterol levels, which remained a challenge.
His experience underscored a critical insight: reducing simple carbohydrates not only aided in weight loss but also helped regulate his appetite, breaking the cycle of sugar highs and lows that contribute to overeating and insulin resistance. Wells emphasizes that his approach was not about strict nutritional guidelines but rather about developing sensible eating behaviors. He noted that the widespread availability of highly palatable, roller-coaster foods in supermarkets and restaurants often tricks people into overeating, a point echoed by Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a psychologist at the University of Michigan who studies compulsive eating. Wells also highlighted the importance of choosing whole grains and naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and vegetables, which are often accompanied by fiber that promotes satiety and slows glucose absorption.
This personal account served as the first installment of a four-part series, offering recipes and insights into his new eating habits. Wells advocated for an individualized approach, stressing the importance of consulting a doctor for specific health concerns, as his focus was on sugar, cholesterol, and overall overeating, rather than other dietary components like sodium or potassium that might be critical for others.
Pete Wells's journey offers a compelling narrative on how personal accountability and a re-evaluation of dietary choices can lead to profound health improvements. His story resonates as a testament to the power of behavioral changes in managing chronic conditions and fostering a healthier relationship with food. It underscores the idea that a conscious shift in eating habits, particularly a reduction in processed sugars and refined grains, can fundamentally reset one's appetite and overall well-being. This transformation serves as an inspiring example for anyone seeking to regain control over their health through mindful eating.
