LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz says he has a soft spot for southern barbecue and rock 'n' roll.
Oz, the Emmy-winning clarion for clean living, tells Parade magazine he sticks to Greek yogurt and blueberries every morning, but dives into a plate of smoky meats on occasion.
"I think it's OK to indulge on special occasions, and my favorite indulgence is Memphis-style or Texas barbecue," said Oz, a practicing heart surgeon. "If you're going to run up a lot of calories, you should choose something you love."
He said food choices helped inspire him to bring his message to the mass media. A pivotal moment was when one of his heart bypass patients, who was only 25 at the time, celebrated her surgery at a fast-food restaurant.
Oz tells Parade he himself was a robust 200 pounds when he played football at Harvard. The Ivy League also stoked his appreciation for vintage rock music. "I was an athlete, and I was eating a lot and lifting a lot of weights," he said. "Also, I'm a huge music lover, especially southern rock. I love Lynyrd Skynyrd to this day."
