Healthy Greek Food Makes US Ambassador to Greece Lose 85 pounds

In a recent interview, George Tsunis, the US ambassador to Greece, revealed how he lost more than 85 pounds (39 kilos) over an 18-month time period by eating Greek food, along with sharing insight into his marriage.

Being interviewed by the Greek media, ALPHA TV, the US ambassador spoke about his Greek heritage, his weight loss journey with Greek food, and the secret to his marriage.

He said, “It was not only a lifelong dream of mine to serve my country, but it was also the happiest two years of my life living in Greece and among Greeks,” in reference to his position as the US ambassador to Greece from 2022.

Speaking about his childhood in Greece, he told the interviewer that, although his parents were born in the Mediterranean country, they emigrated to the US and were working class people. His father was a waiter and his mother a seamstress, and he said both taught him respect and honor.

“My parents taught me to respect everyone,” he told ALPHA TV, adding that his favorite memories are from his childhood visits to his village, Platanos. He said that his parents grew up in the mountain village of Nafpaktia and endured a lot of poverty in the mountains where there was no electricity or water.

“My dad talked to me about honor, honor and the way we should behave,” Tsunis remarked, “The first memory I have of my mother was her saying, ‘I don’t care if I have to clean toilets so I can send you to school.'”

Later in the interview, the US ambassador to Greece revealed the “secret” behind his weight loss. “I lost 39 kilograms on Greek food in a year and a half eating salads, soups and fish, and cutting out sugar and flour,” he said.

Tsunis also touched on the Greek origin of his wife, who has family in Lamia. He said the secret to their marriage is her “incredible patience.”

Great discussion yesterday with MPs Thanasis Lioutas, Katerina Papakosta, and Marina Kontotoli on how they are meeting the needs of their communities in the Greek Parliament. pic.twitter.com/Du1zH8ANSv

— George J. Tsunis (@USAmbassadorGR) March 16, 2024

Early days of Tsunis as US ambassador to Greece

Great to welcome Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Cavoli to Athens. You have been a long-time friend of the 🇺🇸 🇬🇷 defense relationship, which I'm proud to say is at an all-time high. Together, we make NATO and the region stronger and more secure. @SHAPE_NATO @US_EUCOM pic.twitter.com/9NoqnWhVji

— George J. Tsunis (@USAmbassadorGR) August 4, 2022

In 2022, when Tsunis became US ambassador to Greece, he posted his first message on Twitter in Greek from Athens, writing “Good morning from Athens.” He added that “As the proud son of Greek immigrants, it’s an honor of a lifetime to return to Greece and serve as the next US ambassador. I am very happy.”

Tsunis replaced Geoffrey Pyatt, who, after six years in Greece, was nominated by President Biden as Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources. Tsunis was officially confirmed by the United States Senate following a voice vote on March 10, 2022.

The current ambassador is a personal friend of President Biden. Tsunis was once recommended by former President Obama for the appointment of ambassador to Norway, and the businessman was said to be a personal choice of powerful democratic philhellene Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey.

In addressing his hearing in January 2022, Tsunis noted that as a first-generation American, he was “blessed to live the American dream,” stating that his parents had “heard Emma Lazarus calling” when they emigrated to the US from Greece.