Eesha Kulkarni

I think it’s safe to say we’ve probably all had a crush on Blake Lively at some point. From her Gossip Girl days to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, or slaying red carpet looks and being adorably funny with husband Ryan Reynolds, Lively seems to epitomise a happy and healthy life. The actress and mum looks like the confident and cool girl we all want to be. So how does she do it?

Upon further research, AKA combing through Lively’s Instagram and interviews, it turns out that she sticks to a few healthy eating and lifestyle habits to maintain her physical and mental health. And since we all aspire to be just as happy and healthy as her, let’s take a look at what those fitness mantras are, shall we?

Cut out alcohol

It may sound surprising to hear that Lively doesn’t drink considering her husband, Ryan Reynolds, is the former co-owner of Aviation Gin, but it’s true that the actor has sworn off booze. Lively likes a party just as much as the rest of us, but she chooses to enjoy these outings sans alcohol. “I don’t like the effects of alcohol, but I like being a part of it,” she said in a recent interview. “I like being social. I like people coming together. I found that sometimes not drinking, the thing that was interesting was that it was a little alienating because you don’t feel—and maybe it’s just in your own head—but you just don’t really feel a part of it.”

This is perhaps what led her to create her new line of non-alcoholic mixers, Betty Buzz. She explained that the motivation for the launch of the company stemmed from many years of mixing but not drinking cocktails, when “it became clear mixers are the unsung heroes of the drink world and deserve just as much love as alcohol.”

Never skip breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the actress agrees. Her trainer Don Saladino shared that her usual breakfast is a couple of eggs cooked in coconut oil with maybe some vegetables. Depending on the day, Lively may even supplement her egg breakfast with some gluten-free oats and fruit. Saladino notes that having breakfast helps Lively balance her sugar levels, keeping her full for longer and giving her energy to tackle the day. He also emphasised the importance of starting the day with protein.

Always start the day with hydration

Saladino revealed in an interview that Lively starts every day with a large glass of water. It may seem like an easy habit, but most of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day. After dehydrating our bodies while sleeping, a glass of water is a great way to get things moving.

Prioritise exercise

There’s a reason Lively is such good friends with her trainer. She spends four to five days a week in the gym! While her workout regimen has changed over the years, she has always kept it consistent. Saladino shared that some days, the Age of Adaline star trains for an hour, and other days, just for 20 to 30 minutes, given her hectic schedule. But our biggest takeaway from this is that Lively has always maintained consistency; no matter how much time she had, she always fit in movement.

Eat a balanced diet (and never count calories!)

According to Saladino, Lively’s diet is a healthy balance of proteins, vegetables, fruits, slow-burning starches like sweet potato, and healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, and grass-fed butter. And the best part is that she’s not tracking her calories or in a strict calorie deficit like you might hear from other celebs. “I don’t think putting someone into a caloric deficit is the right thing to do,” Saladino said. “This is why a lot of coaches and people are unsuccessful.”

Lively’s diet still contains carbohydrates, and as per her trainer, as long as you eat the “right” type of carbs, “complex” carbs, these types of foods still deserve a place in your diet as they’re the main source of energy for your body. “If you’re gonna have something like sweet potato or fruits, which are high in micronutrients and high in fibre, these are the foods that are going to help really fuel our bodies, and they’re powerful foods,” Saladino added.

Don’t forget to have fun and live life

If you browse through Lively’s Instagram, you’ll see a combination of gorgeous fashion looks, her spending time with her family and friends, and, of course, delicious baked goods. The star has a passion for baking and a strong sweet tooth, which we can relate to, and so while she sticks to a healthy routine most of the time, she still makes time for “fun.” Lively follows an 80/20 rule. This means she eats clean 80% of the time, leaving 20% for indulgences. Although she certainly has the means to do it, Lively doesn’t have a private chef. “She cooks a lot of her own stuff,” Saladino said. “She really enjoys the kitchen,” he added.

Keep skincare fuss-free

Long before it became a TikTok sensation, Lively had the affordable skincare brand CeraVe in her staples, because she also understands the value of good drugstore buys, just like the rest of us. The star shared a list of her makeup and skincare go-tos in an interview, which included many affordable options, including a Burt’s Bees chapstick. While she may choose to splurge on a serum, the MET Gala queen also realises that not every item in your bathroom cabinet has to be expensive to be effective.

Don’t restrict yourself

At the end of the day, Lively enjoys the foods she wants to enjoy—even comfort foods and sweets! She’s been known to indulge in boxed mac and cheese, and has also posted more than one photo on Instagram of her enjoying sweet treats from cupcakes to macarons. She also once mentioned in a video interview that her favourite dessert is chocolate souffle, and if she was up at 4 a.m. on a Saturday night, it would only be because she’d be baking cookies. Invite us over, Blake?

Eat four small meals a day

Eating regularly throughout the day can help manage blood sugar levels and keep your appetite in check, lowering the risk of over-eating during meals. Apart from starting her day with a nutrient-rich, Saladino-recommended protein, vegetable, carb combo, Lively also makes sure to buy fresh produce from the farmer’s market. Her midday meal will also consist of a protein, vegetable, and carb. A typical lunch for the star consists of chicken or fish, salad, and a sweet potato. Lively’s trainer also advises eating healthy fats, so the star sometimes adds olive oil, nuts, and avocado to her lunch salads.

Dinner will look pretty similar to lunch, but the actress will switch up her protein. If she had chicken at lunch, she’ll have fish for dinner. She might substitute a salad for fresh, cooked vegetables on some days, and enjoy that with a small portion of white rice. Lively often puts her own spin on things, as Saladino shared that “she cooks a lot of her own stuff” and does not have a private chef.

With all of Lively’s baking and cooking videos on the internet, this comes as no surprise. You also won’t see too many processed foods in Lively’s pantry. “She and Ryan really enjoy shopping at farmers‘ markets, and they pay really good attention to the things they put into their body,” Saladino revealed.