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Zoe Saldana loves her home-cooked meals. What is special about Zoe Saldana’s diet? The Star Trek Beyond star recently revealed that has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Zoe Saldana’s gluten free diet is due to her condition. As a result, Saldana and husband Marco Perego have both eliminated gluten and dairy from their diets.
Previously Saldana had stated her family is 80% gluten free. That said, there is no 80/20 when it comes to gluten. If you are intolerant to gluten, it is very important to avoid gluten completely to prevent thyroid damage. Several studies actually link Hashimoto’s disease and gluten intolerance, including a 2003 study published in the journal Hepato-Gastroenterology.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid cells. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease include constipation, fatigue, sluggishness, depression, muscle weakness, pain and stiffness in the joints, unexplained weight gain, and a hoarse voice.
“Your body doesn’t have the energy it needs to filter toxins, causing it to believe that it has an infection, so it’s always inflamed,” the 38-year-old Saldana explained. “You create antibodies that attack your glands, so you have to eat clean.”
Hashimoto’s disease has a number of causes. For instance, genetic and gender factors influence the disease. The condition also affects Saldana’s mother and sister. Hashimoto’s disease can also worsen from deficiencies in certain minerals like copper, selenium, and zinc. That is why a whole foods and nutrient rich diet is important for Zoe Saldana.
What else might a doctor recommend for Hashimoto’s disease? Herbal remedies that support thyroid function include bladderwrack, guggul, and ashwagandha. Other beneficial supplements include thyroid glandular, iodine, L-tyrosine, DHEA, a pituitary glandular, natural progesterone, iron, and vitamin D.
What Does Zoe Saldana Eat in a Day?
Zoe Saldana is also known for her roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Avatar, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Before her role as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, Saldana had lost 70 pounds after giving birth to her twins, Cy and Bowie. In fact, Saldana doesn’t eat a diet, but an overall healthy lifestyle.
“I’m going to remind myself that it is not about losing weight, it is about being healthy, feeling healthy, for the rest of my life,” said Saldana in a Facebook post. “I am gonna try to focus on what weekends are really for – resting and making time for your loved ones…And when chow time arrives? I will make amazing and healthy decisions.”
A Zoe Saldana breakfast will sometimes include eggs, avocados, and sliced tomatoes. She may also eat oatmeal with chia seeds, dried banana, pineapple, mango, almond milk, and macadamia nuts. A green juice and a protein shake is also part of Saldana’s healthy lifestyle. Zoe Saldana’s favorite foods also include lunches and dinners such as lentil salad with vegetables, a turkey burger with green vegetables and a baked yam, or a buckwheat noddle salad with chicken and vegetables. A Zoe Saldana’s gluten free recipe may include a pizza crust with quinoa flour or cauliflower with health toppings like arugula and cherry tomatoes.
Zoe Saldana has a history of working out with celebrity trainer Steve Moyer. Saldana has a busy schedule. Moyer was able to develop a healthy eating plan and condensed workout schedule of 30 minutes daily and three times weekly. Some of her exercises include plank pushups, jumping lunges, squats, and a hanging knee raise. Saldana also uses his meal delivery service called MoyerMeals, which is gluten free, and without sugar and artificial ingredients. After a workout Saldana will focus on a protein-packed meal like the combination of zucchini, quinoa, and grilled honey ginger chicken.
Zoe Saldana also tries to enjoy what she eats as well, especially at snack time. Saldana’s favorite snack is white cheddar or salted popcorn. There is also one Saldana family that has been passed down throughout the generations. One of Zoe Saldana’s favorite foods includes a potato and shrimp salad. The recipe was passed down from her grandmother, and it includes a tangy onion vinaigrette dressing tossed in potatoes, boiled eggs, carrots, and cooked shrimp.
For many people eating healthy is about more than appearance. What Zoe Saldana eats greatly affects her health due to Hashimoto’s disease. That is why many of her at-home meals are gluten free. It is very important to take your health into your hands, and choose ingredients that best support your overall health.
Sources for Today’s Article:
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Akcay, M.N., et al., “The presence of the antigliadin antibodies in autoimmune thyroid diseases,” Hepato-Gastroenterology, 2003. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15244201
Walters, D., “Zoe Saldana Knows the One Food You Shouldn’t Eat While Painted Green,” Bon Appetit website, July 6, 2016; http://www.bonappetit.com/columns/back-of-the-napkin-columns/article/zoe-saldana-favorite-foods.
Braun Davison, C., “What Zoe Saldana Actually Eats In a Day,” Delish website, July 20, 2016; http://www.delish.com/food-news/a48311/what-zoe-saldana-actually-eats-in-a-day/.
Aldridge, K., “How Zoe Saldana Got in Guardians of the Galaxy Shape,” Shape website; http://www.shape.com/celebrities/star-trainers/how-zoe-saldana-got-guardians-galaxy-shape, last accessed July 21, 2016.
“Hashimoto’s disease,” Mayo Clinic website; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/basics/definition/con-20030293, last accessed July 21, 2016.
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