Eat Like A Duchess! Meghan Markle’s Diet Tips For A Healthy, Balanced Approach To Eating
Meghan Markle has such a pleasant air about her that many fans wonder what she eats to stay so healthy and positive. Though she doesn't stick to any specific diet, the actress does maintain a balanced diet that consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, fibrous grains, and other healthy foods. She doesn't overdo it on meat but loves a hearty ribeye when the occasion is right. Meghan also says that her Los Angeles upbringing gave her an appreciation for fish. Read on to find out what Meghan always brings to dinner parties, and how she stays full while eating clean.
Meghan Wakes Up To Lemon Water Instead Of Coffee
Delish reports that when Meghan was filming Suits, she would have to be ready to go by 4:15 in the morning! While many of us would be crawling to the coffee machine, Meghan chose the healthier option of lemon water to get her day going.
The acidity in lemon water can help keep your digestion running smoothly, which can be vital when your sleep schedule is thrown for a loop. Plus, the vitamins keep your immune system flourishing and your skin looking radiant.
She Enjoys Starting The Day With An Acai Bowl
Meghan Markle revealed to EyeSwoon how to make her favorite acai bowl, which she considers to be among her favorite breakfast foods. The blog featured several photos of Meghan having a blast as she made the bowl alongside the writer.
She started with an acai pack that she blends with almond milk, banana, and frozen berries. Meghan then pours the shake into a bowl and tops it with coconut flakes, more fruit, honey, and bee pollen. Though the actress didn't mention it in her recipe, acai bowls are often served with granola on top, as well.
She Considers Blueberry Johnnycakes Her Ultimate Breakfast
Meghan told EyeSwoon that her "ultimate" breakfast would be blueberry johnnycakes topped with maple syrup. This makes sense considering the celebrity likes to follow a gluten-free and vegan diet as often as she can, and johnnycakes fit into both of those guidelines.
Similar to pancakes, johnnycakes are made the same way only using cornmeal instead of wheat flour. The result is a low-sugar breakfast packed with flavor. Meghan adds that her dream side would be extra crispy bacon.
Oatmeal And Bananas Are Another One Of Her Go-Tos
Delish reports that when Meghan was busy filming the show Suits, she would often eat oatmeal to keep her fueled for the day. The breakfast item is high in complex carbs and fiber, keeping her full through hours of shooting.
The former actress reportedly would top her oatmeal with bananas for an extra dash of sweetness. There's something comforting about warm slices of banana in a gooey bowl of oatmeal. Plus, it's more simple to make than her other favorite breakfast foods.
She Calls Green Juice A "Food-As-Medicine"
Meghan Markle tells Delish that she drinks green juice for its health benefits above all. She says, "Green juice is a food-as-medicine philosophy for me." The actress adds that the drink helps her stay energized throughout the day, especially since she doesn't drink coffee.
While there are many green juice recipes out there, some of the common ingredients used are kale, lemon, celery, ginger, and apple. Meghan told EyeSwoon that she also likes to have a clean cleanse shake in the morning as another healthy boost to her diet.
When She's At A Hotel, She Orders Avocado Toast
When traveling, it can be a challenge to maintain a healthy diet. That's why Meghan has a go-to breakfast in mind whenever she stays in a hotel: avocado toast and a poached egg. The simple meal is packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Avocado toast is also a satisfying food at any time in the day-- a morning breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a late-night meal-- it's a quick option for whenever she arrives at a hotel. Plus, she can sub the eggs for tomatoes as a vegan option.
Omelets Are Another One Of Her Breakfast Favorites
Omelets are another breakfast favorite for Meghan. She's shared on social media that she has a deep love for eggs. Though they aren't vegan, they are vegetarian and gluten-free. When Meghan wants a low-carb breakfast, omelets are her go-to.
She told delish that she likes to dress up her omelet with cheese and herbs. Loading it with veggies is another way to get in some extra vitamins, but Meghan doesn't have to worry about that if she's planning on chasing it down with a green juice.
Meghan Says Fish Tacos Were A Part Of Her Hometown
Having grown up in Southern California, Meghan was frequently exposed to Baja-style cuisine. One of her favorite south of the border dishes is fish tacos. She shared with Today her favorite way to whip up the lunch special.
She said, "Grill some peppers and onions and a couple filets of fish (a flaky white fish works best). Season everything with salt and pepper, a little lime and stuff it all inside of a warm corn tortilla." Meghan said a bite of a fish taco makes her happier than most other foods.
She Buffs Up Her Salad With Quinoa
Though Meghan isn't known as a meal-prepping queen, she does like to prepare an entire box of quinoa at the start of the week so she can quickly grab it as needed. She told Today that she'll simmer the grain in one pan and simultaneously sautee some veggies with garlic and onion.
Meghan said her favorite spice to add is Spike, and she'll also throw in some Bragg Liquid Aminos, crushed red pepper, and chopped herbs. Throughout the week, she'll add the veggies to the quinoa as a snack or put the mixture over a salad to make it more hearty.
Meghan Gives Her Pasta A Healthy Twist With Zucchini
Meghan admits that she is a mega pasta fan, telling Delish, "When I'm traveling, I won't miss an opportunity to try great pasta." She loves to incorporate zucchini into her pasta, which can also be used as a grain substitute.
Meghan isn't committed to going gluten-free quite enough to omit grains from her cacio and pepe pasta dish. However, she does use the zucchini to make the creamy sauce a little healthier. She slow-cooked the vegetables for upwards of five hours mixes it with water and bouillon, and tosses it with the pasta. Meghan says, "you'd swear there's tons of butter and oil in it."
Meghan Loves To Grab Sushi When She's In Los Angeles
Meghan is a huge seafood fan, enjoying everything from grilled fish tacos to raw sushi. While interviewing with EyeSwoon, she recalled a time when she hand dived for sea urchin in Jamaica and ate an uni right there in the water!
She also mentioned that her favorite restaurant in Los Angeles is AOC & Sushi Park. The fresh fish is full of protein and healthy fats, and the rice offers just enough carbs to leave you perfectly satisfied.
She Loves To Bring Roasted Chicken To Dinner Parties
Meghan Markle told Good Housekeeping that one of her favorite foods is roasted chicken. She said, "I bring that to dinner parties and make a lot of friends." It's no wonder Prince Harry chose to propose while the couple was having a night in together and cooking-- you guessed it-- roasted chicken!
Chicken is a lean meat that's a staple in many American households. It also pairs well with tons of side dishes, so Meghan can add it to her quinoa and veggie dish or cacio and pepe pasta for a dream dinner.
Meghan's Secret To Cooking Delicious Steak Is Lemon
Though Meghan strives to eat predominantly vegan or pescatarian dishes, she isn't above having a delicious steak every once in a while. She even told EyeSwoon that her ideal dinner is a ribeye with broccoli rabe or cavatelli pasta.
When preparing a nice, juicy steak, Meghan has a trick up her sleeve for making them extra tasty. She told Delish that she likes to squirt lemon juice over the raw meat before throwing them onto the grill. She said, "Nobody tastes the lemon, but it really brings out the steak's flavor."
Her Snack Of All Snacks Is Hummus
In an interview with Today, Meghan called hummus, carrots, and crackers a "trifecta snack." Indeed, the balanced dish offers carbohydrates, protein, and fiber to keep you feeling full until your next meal.
If she's trying to curb her gluten intake, Meghan can easily dip a variety of veggies into the hummus for a low-carb alternative. Hummus is a much healthier option than many processed dips. You can even add a scoop of it to salad as a simple and hearty substitute for dressing.
Almonds Keep Meghan Full And Glowing
Almonds are another snack that Meghan loves to reach for. She also stays stalked up on almond butter to reap the benefits of the nut while mixing things up. The spread tastes delicious on celery and toast, making it an ideal alternative for those avoiding peanut butter.
Almonds are also fantastic for your skin due to its high content of vitamin B and E, as well as zinc. This may play a part in why Meghan's skin looks so glowy.
Meghan Enjoys Watermelon Dressed Sweet Or Savory
Meghan told Today that she loves watermelon and eats it as a savory salad or a sweet snack. For the first option, she'll toss some watermelon chunks with feta cheese, mint, and olive oil. The actress says, "It makes me think of summertime."
If she wants to curb her sweet tooth, Meghan will sprinkle watermelon with cinnamon. She says that doing so "elevates the flavor just a notch, and makes it feel special." Whether it's a summertime snack or a holiday dessert, watermelon is a healthy and hydrating option.
Hot Sauce
One way that Meghan adds zest to her clean diet is with hot sauce! She wrote on her former blog The Tig that everything tastes better with it because she loves to give her food "a kick." Her love for spicy foods may explain why she told EyeSwoon that one of the ingredients she "couldn't live without is Terroni marinated chilis.
Meghan also put Meyer lemons on her must-have list, which makes sense considering her love for lemon water. Both items are acidic which can either help or hinder digestion depending on your individual needs. Always listen to your gut (literally).
Meghan Enjoys Organic Mac 'N Cheese With Peas
One item that Meghan loves to indulge in is mac 'n cheese, a dish she says makes her feel like a kid. She told EyeSwoon that the meal takes her back to her babysitting days when she would eat mac 'n cheese with the children she was looking after.
To make it a little healthy, Meghan opts for Annie's organic variation and adds in frozen peas. There are plenty of other ways to make the dish more adult-friendly, like adding in green onions or eating it as a side dish with a lean protein.
Her Favorite Guilty Pleasure Is French Fries
Who doesn't love french fries? Meghan Markle may have married royalty, but that doesn't mean she doesn't still appreciate one of the more widespread guilty pleasures. She told Cosmopolitan UK, "I could eat french fries all day."
While she was filming Suits in Toronto, Meghan discovered poutine-- a french fries dish that's covered in cheese curds and gravy. The snack food took Meghan's favorite vice to a whole new level. She told Delish that the key to finding out if it's good poutine is if the curds squeak as you eat them.
Meghan Tried Beavertail Dessert As Part Of A Suits Celebration
A part of any healthy diet is giving yourself a little wiggle room, especially in times of celebration. Meghan told delish that to congratulate the cast and crew on finishing their fifth season, the group was treated to BeaverTail.
Meghan couldn't believe her ears at first, but then she discovered that the Canadian dish was a coveted dessert. It consists of beaver tail-shaped fried dough slathered in chocolate, caramel, and other sugary treats. Meghan described the treat as "a sticky, delicious indulgence."