Danica Patrick is enjoying the desert heat at Burning Man, and looks like she’s having the time of her life. The 40-year-old former racing star is throwing herself into the creative spirit of the festival, posting photos of herself in unique bikini tops and statement necklaces. “I will say….. it was so cool to be in a culture where no money is exchanged and everyone gave what they could by means of food or wine or yoga or a party. People were also so friendly. There was no judgment. And everyone looked like they were having the time of their life! Just get ready to get dirty. Like REALLY dirty,” she captioned some of the pictures. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Patrick 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!
Patrick follows a whole foods-based Paleo diet and credits it with transforming her health and energy levels. “Paleo formed the origins of Pretty Intense, which I’ve continued to tweak until I created the most effective plan I’ve ever put myself on,” Patrick says. “The longer I have eaten like this, the more I have thought about it, and it’s become clear: It’s all about eating real food!!!!!! Sweet potatoes come from the ground, maple syrup comes out of a tree, carrots grow in the dirt, bees make honey, and hopefully we can all find more and more pasture-raised, grain-free, cruelty-free animals for protein. Because what our animals eat becomes what we eat, too. I don’t see ever getting too far from these principles. Real food is medicine, and I like to put the highest quality food into the only body I will ever have.”
Patrick loves almond milk so much she makes her own. “I like the taste of homemade almond milk better,” she tells Delish. “It’s thicker and probably fattier, but it has a more full-bodied taste. I mix almond milk with chia seeds and let them sit overnight. They become tapioca-like.” Chia seeds are a great addition to smoothies, experts say. “Chia seeds have many nutritional benefits,” says Romi Londre, RDN. “They are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Chia provides a similar amount of omega-3 fatty acids as ground flaxseed in the form of alpha linolenic acid, or ALA. They can help with weight loss. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health.”
Patrick makes spinach smoothies with lemon, apple, and banana. “Leafy greens are so good for you that you really can’t eat too many,” says preventive cardiology dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD. “In fact, they’re considered heart-healthy superfoods… All leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, so don’t limit yourself to spinach and kale. Think about adding collard greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard and turnip greens to salads and soups, or prepare them as a tasty side.”
Patrick sometimes enjoys delicious burgers made from bison meat, which nutritionists say is a great alternative to beef. “Bison beef is lower in cholesterol than beef from other animals, and it is also high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids,” says Carrie Forrest, MPH. “Bison meat is a great source of protein. In fact, a three-ounce serving of bison contains about 22 grams of protein, which is more than beef, pork, or chicken. This high-quality protein can help you build muscle and lose weight.”
Patrick loves to eat a wide variety of vegetables with all her meals, especially sweet potatoes and mushrooms. “Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which has been shown to promote a healthy digestive system. Much of the research so far has been conducted on animals, but it would appear that high levels of plant sterols (phytosterols) in sweet potatoes may have a protective effect on the digestive system and may be useful in the prevention and management of duodenal and gastric ulcers, including those due to NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen),” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook.