When you've made a living thanks to being nicknamed "the body", it goes without saying that you're probably going to prioritise keeping healthy and lean as you get older. And Elle Macpherson has done just that, with incredible results – the 54-year-old looks just as amazing now as she did in her 90s heyday. And now, she's spilled the beans on the one food group which she believes has done wonders not just for her figure, but for keeping her energy levels up too.
The iconic supermodel looks fab at 54
Writing in her Get The Gloss column, the wellness entrepreneur explained that she believes plant protein is key to staying in shape and bursting with vitality. "A few years ago, I was feeling really run down, despite living what I thought was a healthy lifestyle and taking an array of synthetic supplements," she explained, before going on to reveal how a meeting with her nutritionist, Dr Simone Laubscher PhD, lead her to realise she needed to up her healthy protein levels.
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"If I include clean protein at every meal it keeps me fuller for a lot longer," Elle explained. "I eat a largely vegan diet and have a plant protein shake at breakfast as a protein boost or when my energy levels are low." On average, women need around 65g of healthy protein a day. Elle favours a non-whey based protein by Welleco, as it "doesn’t contain hormones which can work against keeping the body lean". She also adds a protein powder containing Peruvian Chocolate, to help keep those sweet cravings under control.
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The star has previously revealed what she eats in a typical day, saying she sticks to a "majority plant-based diet". For breakfast she has either "one poached egg on sunflower or dark rye bread (wheat free)," or "oatmeal with agave, half of a grapefruit or some blueberries." Elle said of her typical lunchtime meal: "I will generally always have greens with whatever I eat at lunch — often a vegetarian salad with a base of pulses, lentils or quinoa, loaded up with leafy greens and other vegetables. I love kale, spinach, sprouts and rocket," and added that greens, salad and vegetables are also a key factor in her dinners, too, along with fresh line-caught fish.
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