Jennifer Lopez's Stay-Young Healthy Eating Secrets
It's safe to say that we're all in awe that Jennifer Lopez is about to turn the big 5-0 this July. She is arguably one of the most sculpted female celebrities out there, and she has worked hard for it, too. While genetics aren't in our control, what we fuel our bodies with is, and J.Lo, as well as her trainer and nutritionist, have all been very open about what she does to stay fit, along with her diet plan. Here, we compiled six of the things the singer, actress, dancer, and fitness icon does to keep her body trim (and ripped), so you can use her secrets too if you're looking for some tips!
1. She stays hydrated.
Drinking water frequently throughout the day is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. How much water you need to drink in a day is unique from person to person because the more active you are, the more water you need to re-hydrate the body. However, sipping on water periodically helps to suppress appetite—like those 3 p.m. munchies—and fend off sugar cravings. Yes, that's right, an intense sugar craving may be due to dehydration, but definitely not all sugar cravings fall under this category. Sometimes, you just want that chocolate chip cookie!
Water also facilitates digestion, which can thwart the dreaded bloated belly. J.Lo's personal trainer, Tracy Anderson, revealed last year on her website that the fit singer regularly hydrates. In fact, her trainer went as far as to say that it's Lopez's number one rule, primarily because of the way it allows her to maximize her workouts.
In an article from Hello!, J.Lo said that "Drinking plenty of water, especially before a workout, can help you push harder and get more out of your exercise routine."
2. She eats a lot of lean protein and non-starchy veggies.
It likely comes as no surprise that Lopez eats a very clean diet, given her shredded stomach and exuberant skin. Anderson says that Lopez sticks to a strict, nutrient-dense diet that's free of processed and refined foods. Her nutritionist, Haylie Pomroy, told Prevention Magazine last year that when she worked with Lopez, the majority of her diet consisted of a variety of lean protein and non-starchy vegetables. In addition, the singer eats a handful of healthy fats and complex carbs, such as brown rice and sweet potatoes.
3. She steers clear of depressants and stimulants.
Simply put, Lopez does not indulge in happy hour cocktails or mid-morning lattes. She told Us Weekly in 2016 that she hasn't had caffeine in years. She still drinks coffee, but it's just decaf. Her nutritionist had encouraged her to cut alcohol from her diet as well. She attributes cutting both of these things as part of her success in looking as glam as she does now at 49.
4. She isn't afraid of a healthy cleanse.
Perhaps you remember Lopez's epic Instagram pics from this past January? Lopez and her fiance, Alex Rodriguez, hopped into a 10-day no sugar and no carb diet—and it wasn't easy. Lopez shared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that her symptoms from sugar withdrawal were intense, which just goes to show how easy it is for even the healthiest of eaters to become addicted to sugar.
"Not only do you get a headache, but you feel like you're in an alternate reality or universe," she said. "Like you don't feel like yourself. You realize that you're addicted to sugar," she said.
She admitted that she was constantly thinking about when the next time she could have sugar would be. The initial suffering ended up subsiding though, and by the end of the celebrity's challenge, she didn't feel the need to have sugar as much as she did prior to the cleanse.
"What happens is, it takes down the inflammation a little bit," she said. "So all of a sudden you start feeling really small, and less swollen, and it feels good. You get addicted to that feeling, too."
5. She eats healthy snacks.
You won't see Lopez munching on salty chips or pretzels to quell mid-day hunger pangs. She told Hello! that her snacks primarily consist of fruits and vegetables. However, if she needs something more satiating than that she will opt for something a bit denser. "Protein is my go-to whenever I start having cravings," she said. "It fills me up and keeps me full longer. It's a great muscle fuel."
6. She works out…a lot.
J.Lo may be very diligent about eating healthy, but she is also equally as committed to her workouts. Likely because she does not see exercising as a chore, but rather as a release.
"I am 100 percent convinced that working out is part of what makes me so happy," she told Hello! "Dance has always been a huge part of my life, and taking the time to move my body and do something that's so good for me is key to my happiness. And I really believe that when you take care of yourself and work to stay healthy, you're better able to take care of those you love. So working out is definitely a priority for me."
Now you have a pretty good idea of what the celebrated singer does to keep her physique in check. Think you have what it takes to adopt her healthy habits?
