Singer Fantana (real name Francine Koffie) is feeling patriotic. The Ghanaian star posted pictures of herself wearing a bathing suit with the Ghanaian flag colors, holding a fresh coconut. “Ghana gyal 🇬🇭 happy independence day to the best country ever 🇬🇭🫶🏽🇬🇭,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Fantana stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don’t miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!
Fantana is a big fan of fried plantain, but experts say it’s better boiled or baked. “Although a tasty cultural experience, fried preparations and those with added sugars should not be consumed frequently,” says Michelle Schelske-Santos, PhD, professor of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. “They add calories that may result in weight gain or obesity, and have metabolic effects that increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.”
Fantana admits she isn’t the world’s best cook, but she knows how to make a decent beef stew. “Stewing is a great way to explore your inner chef and use your creativity to combine some of your favorite ingredients into the pot,” says registered dietitian Bonnie Taub-Dix, creator of the Better Than Dieting blog. “A colorful stew including carrots, mushrooms, potatoes and greens, for example, contains a medley of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Because stews provide so many different ingredients, you can also cut back on meat by adding lots of veggies. This will help you save money and calories.”
Fantana enjoys drinking fresh coconut water. “It has been suggested that consuming coconut water may improve endurance and athletic performance,” says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. “This is because it contains carbohydrate in the form of glucose (a simple sugar) combined with the electrolyte minerals sodium and potassium – two key components also found in commercial sports drinks.”
Fantana is honest about her cosmetic enhancements. “There’s nothing wrong with it. Some people do it and say they have not done it which is misleading people because they act like they wear waist trainers or they hit the gym which is not true but a lot of young guys follow me and I wouldn’t like to mislead them,” she says.
Fantana loves getting exercise in the fresh air, especially in the mountains. “There’s no reason to really limit what you identify as hiking,” says sports medicine physician Matthew Kampert, DO, MS. “I think anytime somebody gets out in nature and they’re moving from point A to point B and they’re getting their heart rate up, you can consider that a hike.”