Plus the nutrients they prioritize in this exclusive interview.
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Key Points
- John Stamos and Jodie Sweetin advocate for colon cancer awareness with Cologuard.
- Both prioritize gut health through balanced diets, regular exercise and at-home screening.
- In their routines, Sweetin emphasizes fiber-rich foods, while Stamos highlights lean proteins.
John Stamos and Jodie Sweetin have graced our television screens for decades as Uncle Jesse and Stephanie Tanner from the hit ‘90s sitcom Full House to the 2010s spin-off, Fuller House. But since the spinoff’s final episode, both Stamos and Sweetin have been using their platforms to advocate for cancer awareness, due to co-star’s Dave Coulier’s recent diagnoses as well as cases in their personal lives.
In partnership with CologuardStamos and Sweetin are joining forces again to share the importance of at-home screening, colon cancer prevention and promoting a gut-healthy lifestyle. It was the perfect time for us to chat with the duo about their healthy routines—plus more on the foods that spark their joy, including what Sweetin’s perfect French fry looks like.
Could you each walk me through what you typically eat in a day? Any go-to meals or nutrients that you prioritize?
Sweetin: I will really make an effort to eat salad and fiber. And my husband makes these little protein ball things that are the perfect grab-and-go snack. It’s got protein and fiber, chia seeds, oatmeal and almond butter. Stuff like that that I can just kind of grab and go that has a lot of superfoods in it is really healthy for me.
Stamos: Jodie can attest that I’ve always eaten clean, which I think has been a great benefit to my health and my gut health over the years. I mean, I eat a lot of sugar, but other than that, I eat perfect. Protein is important, I eat chicken and fish, and we have chickens now at my house, so we get fresh eggs every day here.
Sweetin: I could definitely eat healthier, but my favorite food is French fries. I’ve never met a French fry I didn’t like, but I do try and balance it out with diet and exercise and taking care of myself, making sure I get regular checkups, making sure I go to the doctor. But it’s not always easy when you have kids.
Well Jodie, now I have to know: What does your perfect French fry look like?
Sweetin: Oh, my ideal french fry, it’s definitely a smaller fry. None of those steak fries, no, no, no; we want small, crispy, really salty. I’ve had beef tallow fries that are delicious because it tastes like… you know, beef fat, but those are my favorites. And a nice little aioli. The dip is very key.
Gut health can benefit from exercise, so any forms of movement that you love incorporating into your routine?
Stamos:I work out at least three times a week. I do this thing called EMS, which is electrical muscle stimulation, and it’s sort of a suit that you put on. I did Iron Man’s voice in the Disney+ cartoon, so I figured I should try to look like him when I work out.
Sweetin: I work out pretty regularly, three to four times a week. I do heavy weight training, I do Pilates, I do boxing, I dance. I try to do a bunch of different stuff.
Stamos: We’ve seen Stephanie dance, she’s a good dancer.
Why partner with Cologuard to raise awareness on colorectal health and cancer?
Sweetin: I will be turning 45, which is when they want people to start testing [for colon cancer]and I have a lot of very close friends in my life who have been either been diagnosed and survived or are currently going through treatment right now, who are under 50. So for me it was just a really important thing. Cologuard actually helped my friend get diagnosed properly because she’d been misdiagnosed for a year. Within two weeks, she was getting radiation and treatment, so I know that it’s something that not a lot of people want to talk about, but it’s really important.
Stamos:For something this important, if Jodie and I don’t use our platform and the goodwill that we’ve built over the last 40 years, then what’s the point of having it? The commercial’s so cute, and you just get excited to see the two of us together again since we’re doing the old Full House “time for that special talk,” and it was a perfect idea for Cologuard.
Sweetin: If you recognize us, chances are you’re about the age that you need to get tested.
Was there something surprising that you learned about colon health that you wish more people knew?
Sweetin: Colon cancer affects people so much younger these days. It’s so important. My best friend Celia, her younger sister passed away years ago at 41 of colon cancer, and she had left behind five kids. She was only diagnosed when she was giving birth to the last one. I hate talking about this stuff, but it’s really, really, prevalent right now, and I just want to be able to create as much awareness as possible. Like John said, if you have a platform and you don’t use it for stuff like this, what’s the point?
What does “eating well” mean to you?
Sweetin: It usually means eating more vegetables and fruits and colorful food. Chances are if you’re eating foods that have a lot of color, they’re going to be high in antioxidants and fiber and all kinds of good stuff.
Stamos: We want to be honest: we don’t eat perfect, but we try. I mean, this is a bigger conversation, but it’s very difficult to find good, organic food these days. I think there should be a lot more available at a lot lower price for people to eat healthier. But nobody eats perfect.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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