Cindy Crawford on How to Eat Well
by Danielle Pergament
"Strong" and "healthy" aren’t words you typically associate with models—except Cindy Crawford, whose exercise videos have sold millions of copies. She has mastered the art of a virtuous diet that still includes chocolate—and here’s how.
"If I’m on a shoot, I try to fill up on brown rice and grilled vegetables," she says. "I know it will feel good in my stomach and I won’t feel gross and full."
But she didn’t start out that holy. “I grew up in the Midwest, where all I ate was steak and, occasionally, vegetables with cheese on top. I got to New York City when I was 20 years old—the first time I was making all my own decisions about food. I’d go to photo shoots and see piles of bagels, and I was like, This is amazing! It was terrible. Then I met Radu, my first trainer, and everything changed. I still don’t love exercising, but I like feeling empowered. I like that I can race my kids on the beach and I can help my husband move a couch.
"Of course, a huge part of staying fit is my diet. I once had a doctor who gave me great advice: ‘Find your healthiest weight and stay there. And don’t make it your skinniest weight because it’s unsustainable.’ Also, my face doesn’t look best when I’m at my thinnest. And that means that if my daughter wants to make brownies once in a while, I can have one with her. I don’t deprive myself a ton."
See more: 10 Celebrity Hairstyles That Will Make You Look 10 Years Younger
CRAWFORD’S TYPICAL DIET:
Breakfast: ”I make a protein shake with almond milk, coconut milk, and protein powder. Around 10:30 A.M., I’ll have half an Ezekiel or spelt muffin.”
Lunch: ”I have a salad, with or without protein. At the end of lunch, I always have a small piece of dark chocolate—it tells my body that I’m done with my meal. In my experience, if you’re craving something and deny yourself, you wind up eating five other things, and then you eat the thing you’re craving anyway.”
Snack: ”I have a small snack in the afternoon: almonds, an apple and a slice of cheese, or hummus with celery. It is always protein-heavy. I’m obsessed with having food in my bag. I hate the idea that I’ll get hungry and there will only be bad options around. I usually have almonds, San-J Tamari crackers, maybe Urban Remedy [gluten-free] brownies.”
Dinner: ”Tonight I’m making salmon, which I will eat, and mashed potatoes, which I won’t. And we’ll all have salad and grilled asparagus. I drink alcohol, or tequila on the the rocks. I avoid mixed drinks, like margaritas, because I always feel better without the sugar.”
photo: Michael Thompson
More from Allure:
Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape
50 Beauty Products to Try Before You Die
The Best Sunglasses for Every Face Shape
Top Anti-aging Products $25 and Under
