Turkish actress Serenay Sarıkaya is having the time of her life on vacation. The 30-year-old model posted a series of pictures of herself wearing a lacy black bathing suit as she frolics in the surf. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Sarıkaya 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!
Sarıkaya starts her day with a glass of water and honey. “Raw honey is the least processed and probably has the most antioxidants,” says Mira Ilic, MS, RDN, LD. “Dark buckwheat yields dark honey. But nutritionally, there’s evidence that darker honey has less water and more antioxidants than light-colored honey. It can be sweeter or more bitter, depending on the flower source.”
Sarıkaya enjoys healthy salads over dishes such as pasta. “After you wrap salads into your diet regularly you’ll be surprised at how you’ll begin to feel good about what you’re eating — and how creative you can get,” says Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD. “Then, slowly build up to one each day, plus full-meal salads once or twice a week. You’ll soon have more energy and feel better than ever.”
Sarıkaya loves traditional Turkish stuffed cabbage rolls. “Anthocyanins give purple-coloured fruits and vegetables, including red cabbage, their beautiful color,” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook. “They have protective antioxidant properties and as a result, there’s a lot of research evaluating just how these compounds benefit our health. For example, there are growing links between the use of dietary anthocyanins to help improve obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Brassica vegetables are especially rich in anthocyanins as well as other antioxidant nutrients like vitamins C, E and the carotenoids.”
Sarıkaya describes herself as very much a dog person. Bonding with a pet has incredible health benefits, experts say. “Perhaps one of the greatest psychological benefits of interacting with a dog is the opportunity it provides to be more mindful — to purposely focus your attention on the present moment,” says Harvard Health. “Mindfulness is a lifelong practice that can help you to better appreciate simple everyday experiences like being physically active with your dog. By learning to focus on the here and now, you may find yourself less likely to get caught up in worries or regrets.”
Sarıkaya loves to spend time by the ocean. “Seawater contains minerals such as magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfate that have natural benefits for the body,” says Abe Malkin, MD. “Magnesium helps moisturize the skin and reduces inflammation. People with skin [issues] like eczema or dryness are recommended to take regular baths in salted solutions or swim in the sea.”