The Model Diet
Monday, 16 April 2012 10:15
Some of Gainesville’s most beautiful people came together for Gainesville Fashion Week this month. And although they can thank Mom and Dad for making it through callbacks, we couldn’t help but wonder: How do they look so good when it’s go-time?
Diet and exercise, of course.
We convinced models Minh Bui, Alexandra Kotler, Lindsey Buz and Christopher Coleman to share their tips for preparing for this season’s runway debut.
By Kelsey Meany
Minh, who graduated last year with a degree in food science and human nutrition, drinks water regularly to “flush out toxins” and does cardio to increase blood flow. Both, she says, give her skin a “natural glow.” She says that protein is crucial for healthy hair and repairing cells in the body.
She also recommends avoiding salty foods. “Consuming a lot of sodium will cause your body to retain fluids, which in turn will make you look bloated,” she says. “Also, try to stay away from eating too much processed sugar…it can lead to breakdown of collagen and in turn give you wrinkles and sagging skin.”
Alexandra also understands the importance of eating well and exercising.
“I try to stay as healthy as possible,” she says. “I always eat breakfast. Eating breakfast is really important and gives you energy for your day.”
Alexandra, 21, would know. She is a senior studying food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida. Some of her favorite foods are vegetables and quinoa—a nutrient-rich grain.
At the gym, Alexandra does at least 30 minutes of cardio a day. She loves to run, but likes to change it up with fitness classes from time to time. Alexandra has always been athletic and learned to strength-train as an athlete in high school.
She admits that sometimes she does give into her cravings. “I’ll splurge a little. Sometimes, I’ll just grab a burger.”
Lindsey, 20, a first-year GFW participant and Santa Fe student majoring in environmental science, is currently on a diet inspired by the documentary Forks Over Knives that encourages eliminating animal-based and processed foods. After watching it, both she and her boyfriend were inspired to follow a whole food and plant-based diet.
RELATED—Cover Model Contestant: Lindsey Buz
Chris, 23, is a seasoned model in his third year of GFW (and a 2010 INsite Cover Model Contest finalist!). He also tries to stick to a strict regime, especially right before the event.
“It’s game-time now,” he says. “I’m really strict with my routine. There is no messing around.”
Chris, who graduated from UF in 2011 with a degree in telecommunications, takes a variety of supplements, including taurine, glutamine, dextrose, ZMA, fish oil, multivitamins, b-complex and a pre-workout supplement.
He eats egg whites, raspberries, strawberries, coconut water and almonds for breakfast and likes to have a spring mix salad with blue cheese, chicken and mushroom for lunch. He’ll usually have fish or lean ground beef for dinner.
As a GFW veteran, Chris says he has given advice to a lot of the new models for GFW and likes trading workout tricks with other male models.
“We can discuss ab routines and certain rotations of exercise,” he says.
He also learns about diet and exercise from blogs and follows some body builders online.
RELATED—Gotta Try It: Piloxing
However, like all humans, Chris is not perfect.
“When I have to splurge, my splurge is beer,” he says. “Other than that I would say Cheese-It’s.”
BUFF TIP: It’s all in the label
A can of almonds should only list “almonds” as its ingredient.
I picked up a can of almonds while grocery shopping the other day and found an ingredient list more than an inch long. One of the ingredients was “maltodextrin,” a fast-digesting sugar that promotes fat storage.
Don’t be fooled by fancy marketing campaigns that try to sell dangerous products masked as healthy alternatives. What’s on the front of the package pales in comparison to the importance of the information on the back. Turn the item over and you may be surprised at what you find.
Manufacturers often sneak ingredients into products to improve their flavor or meet “low fat” or “low calorie” claims.
If healthful eating is your goal, stick to foods that have less than five ingredients on the list, and make sure you know what they are.
By Jennette Holzworth, GHF Personal Trainer
!joomlacomment 4.0 Copyright (C) 2009 Compojoom.com . All rights reserved."
Connect with Us
Newsletter Signup
INsite Radio
About Us
INsite is Gainesville's premier entertainment magazine. Check INsite for celebrity interviews, movie star profiles, local band interviews and concert reviews. You'll find features on Gainesville fashion and style, beauty tips, and health and fitness advice. Check out Swamp Rentals for info on Gainesville Apartments and My Gainesville Restaurants for the latest restaurant reviews.