Indian actress Sara Ali Khan knows first-hand how difficult it can be to lose weight—she managed to drop almost 90 pounds, and is happy to share her advice with fans. The 27-year-old star shared inspirational photos of herself on Instagram, including one of herself wearing a patterned bathing suit and black mesh coverup. “…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough? – Vincent van Gogh,” she captioned her introspective post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Khan 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!
Khan’s diet has moved on since the days where she says she ate pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These days she starts the day with turmeric, spinach, and hot water. “It’s one of the main ingredients in a curry sauce — it’s potent, pungent, bitter and very earthy,” says Nicole Hopsecger, RD. “I always think of that curry smell as being what turmeric tastes like. You can buy the spice ground these days from many supermarkets and spice stores, or you can buy the fresh root and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can then peel, and chop or grate to use in your recipes.”
Khan’s meals are based around eggs and chicken “all day” when she’s working. “Eggs are rich in protein, which is more filling than either fat or carbohydrate,” says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. “As a food choice, eggs score well, being high on the satiety index, a measure of how filling a food is. In fact, studies show that an egg breakfast is more sustaining than the equivalent calorie counted carb breakfast and, what’s more, may help reduce your calorie intake later in the day.”
Khan enjoys cucumbers for a healthy, convenient snack. “Like any vegetable, cucumbers have health benefits, and even if they may not be as well-known as say, kale, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there,” says Jessica Perez, RD. “They can help with weight loss in the sense that if you fill up more on them, you’ll be less likely to eat junk foods since they can be a very filling food.”
Khan likes to work out first thing in the morning, with Pilates being her favorite exercise. “Doing your workout early in the morning helps you avoid distractions that prevent exercise later in the day and just check it off your list,” says Stephen Noel Henry, DO. “And it provides benefits for your body for the rest of the day… If you start your day with a good expenditure of energy, it seems to increase melatonin levels later in the day. This sets your internal clock in a way that promotes healthy sleep patterns and gets you into a good routine each night.”
Khan enjoys fat-free Greek yogurt with a scoop of protein, and a cup of coffee as a post-workout snack. “Greek yogurt labeled as containing live cultures provides beneficial bacteria known as probiotics, which when eaten regularly may support gut health,” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook. “Regular inclusion of fermented foods, such as yogurt, appears to increase the bacterial diversity in the gut. However, be sure to select unsweetened yogurt because sugar may have a detrimental effect on gut diversity.