Rachael Ray talks diet and hormone replacement after ‘unrecognizable’ new look sparked concern

DAILYMAIL.COM • 2h ago

By LILLIAN GISSEN, US DEPUTY LIFESTYLE EDITOR Updated: 16:42 20 Oct 2026

Rachael Ray has spoken out about her diet and revealed she’s undergoing hormone replacement months after her ‘unrecognizable’ new look sparked fierce concern among fans.

The acclaimed chef, 58, opened up about how she stays healthy and handles menopause during a recent appearance at the New York City Wine & Food Festival.

She revealed that she was doing hormone replacement despite having ‘no menopausal signs of any kind.’

‘I’ve always had an easy time, just in life, when it comes to that kind of stuff,’ she shared during the event on Thursday, per People.

‘But I take my doctor’s advice on hormone replacement or whatever my doctors advise me.’

She added that she eats ‘as healthfully as possible’ and tries to include ‘lots of colors in her diet’ to ensure she consumes ‘the right vitamins.’

The businesswoman said she mostly focuses on eating fresh foods from her garden.

‘We grow everything. We have four garden beds – it depends on the season. This time of year we have all of the dark greens and all of our squash, all different sizes of orange squash and zucchini [and] eggplant,’ she dished.

She also revealed she takes supplements, something her husband, John Cusimano, 59, turned her on to.

‘I do take supplements,’ she shared. ‘My husband takes more than I do. My husband is a nut for supplements.

‘He goes into the bathroom, he’s in there like 40 minutes. He’s got to take all his little pills and he has more face creams than I do. But it works for him. Whatever makes you happy.’

Back in July, the author raised eyebrows after she posted a video of herself cooking to Instagram and many of her followers claimed she looked noticeably different in it.

‘I haven’t seen her in SO LONG. I’m genuinely wondering… is she okay?’ one fan asked, as others questioned why the star looked ‘swollen.’

‘I didn’t even recognize her,’ another wrote, while someone else asked, ‘Did something happen to her?’

‘Looks like it’s time to take a break and focus on herself and her well-being. She’s done so much for so many over the years. It’s time to look at herself and take care. Here’s hoping that she does that.’

Others defended the star, with one writing: ‘Y’all people can gain weight and nothing is wrong with them… geeze the negative comments aren’t necessary.’

‘Y’all do know folks age and go through challenges in their bodies. Let’s grow up,’ another added.

‘People, she hasn’t had an easy time lately. Her mom passed away last year. I send her tons of hugs, my dad passed four years ago and I gained 20 pounds. I get depressed, I eat.’

‘OMG, people! Life, time… we all age, if we are lucky,’ someone else penned.

In addition, Ray sparked concern with her ‘slurring’ speech last year. In an Instagram video she shared on Mother’s Day, her words sounded garbled as she leaned heavily on the stove in front of her.

In October, the TV personality shared that she had suffered ‘a couple of bad falls’ while carrying wood for a fire.

An insider exclusively told the Daily Mail last year, however, that Ray’s family have been left worried for her wellbeing.

‘Those close to Rachael are so concerned,’ the source said. ‘She has shut people out and lives a very secluded life.

‘She seems lost and when anyone reaches out to her she doesn’t respond,’ they added.

‘Rachael was always so meticulous about her appearance, and it is very telling and concerning that she now just doesn’t care. It is indicative of a bigger issue.’

Ray rose to fame hosting on the Food Network from 2001.

Her hit eponymous syndicated cooking show, The Rachael Ray Show, which premiered in 2006 and ran unhindered for 17 seasons, concluded in 2023. She subsequently launched a new program, Meals in Minutes, in April 2024.

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