Dr. Pimple Popper Shares How She Eats For More Energy Busy Days

Read on for Dr. Pimple Popper’s go-to snacks, favorite family meals and more.

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Dr. Sandra Lee is best known as Dr. Pimple Popper. Her millions of followers are fascinated by watching her treat the toughest skin conditions with her extraction tools. Some are riveted by what she pulls out, while others are disgusted, but it’s hard for anyone to look away.

When she’s not filming, Dr. Lee is busy working as a dermatologist in Southern California, raising her two sons and running the skincare line she developed, SLMD Skincare.

The busy doctor shares how she maintains healthy habits and finds the time to snuggle with her cats, no matter what life throws at her.

EatingWell: Do you have any go-to meals on busy nights? 

Lee: We are very lucky as a family because my parents live close by. My mom is a spectacular cook. She can whip up 10-course meals like it’s nothing, but this would stress me out more than doing one big surgery. My mom helps feed my family on busy nights. My family eats at my mom’s home every Sunday, at a minimum. Many weeks it’s more often. Meals at my parents house are an opportunity for the whole family to get together, enjoy each other's company and eat fantastic food.  My mom cooks so many different dishes so there is always something everyone likes. It’s a labor of love for her. Of course, I get leftovers, so my family can eat them over the next few days, especially my sons who are in high school and college.

EatingWell: Are there any foods from your cultural background that you particularly enjoy? 

Lee: My parents are from Singapore and Malaysia. If you know those countries, you know that they are well-known for having some of the best food in the world. I love Singapore satay and noodles, Malaysian curry and laksa.  The food is extremely flavorful, rich and comforting.

EatingWell: Do you have any go-to snacks on busy days?

Lee: I have a little snack drawer but usually I just fill it with almonds and granola bars, something to satisfy me in a pinch but not get me lethargic.

EatingWell: What is a typical lunch for you at the office?  

Lee: I live close enough to my home to go and snuggle with my cats after eating lunch. Lunch is usually about an hour, sometimes an hour and a half depending on my schedule.

I try not to eat a heavy lunch because it makes me tired, but I don't really plan what to eat. Sometimes it's leftovers, a salad, a Chick-fil-A sandwich or just a vanilla latte with almond milk.

EatingWell: What is a typical lunch like on-set? 

Lee: What we eat while filming depends on where we are. Usually, production takes lunch orders. We try to choose different and interesting local restaurants. If we are taping for the TV show at my office in Southern California, we always have great Mexican food nearby, so that will often be in the rotation. We try to eat healthy when we can, and there are usually healthy options on any menu.

Sometimes, my mom offers to cater for the crew. It is so kind when she does that and it is a special event. She makes wonderfully healthy food and cooks well-known dishes from Malaysia and Singapore like Singapore satay, Malaysian chicken rice, noodles like Kway Teow, Malaysian chicken curry, curry puffs, potstickers and some Chinese dishes like beef broccoli and fried rice.

EatingWell: Is there any physical activity you like to do to stay energized?

During COVID, I built a home gym. I usually use my treadmill or my stationary bike, and I have most of the equipment to do a full-body workout. I try to wake up early two or three times a week to work out before I start my day.

EatingWell: What does a typical day look like when you are filming? 

Lee: These are long days with patients that are flying in from all around the country so it really has to be organized well, and production has this down to a science. My job is to make sure the patient feels comfortable and as relaxed as possible, and of course, have a successful surgery. It’s a great set because we all know we are involved in changing people’s lives in wonderful ways.

EatingWell: What does a typical day in the office look like for you? 

Lee: I love my patients and I have so many regulars but meet new people every day. A mix of skin cancer surgery called Mohs micrographic surgery, excisions of various skin conditions including lots of cysts and lipomas, and cosmetic procedures like Botox, fillers and lasers. I have lots of variation. It’s challenging but very rewarding.

EatingWell:  What does “eating well” mean to you?  

Lee: Eat what makes you happy, but eat in moderation.  Eat with the ones you love and share that joy with others.

Read the original article on Eating Well.