Halle Berry has been open about her journey with diabetes, sharing her experiences with different diets and fitness routines. A few years ago, the actress revealed on Instagram that she had followed the Ketogenic diet to help manage her condition. However, during a recent appearance on The Tamsen Show podcast, Berry discussed her evolving approach to maintaining a healthy figure and managing her diabetes.
“I take around 16 different vitamins daily. I’m very disciplined about it,” Berry shared. “I’ve researched each supplement, and I believe in every one of them. I never miss my daily routine.”
Shifting Away from Keto
While the Ketogenic diet helped her control her diabetes in the past, Berry explained that she has made changes to her diet as she grows older. “I used to be on keto to manage my diabetes, but now I’ve learned that I need some carbs for energy. My energy levels are different now, and I manage my blood sugar by cutting out other things. Over time, I’ve made adjustments to better understand my body’s needs.”
Understanding the Keto Diet
The Ketogenic diet, often referred to as keto, is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate eating plan. Vibhuti Jain, a lead nutritionist and head of research at Lo! Foods, explained that keto works by reducing carbohydrates, which helps lower insulin levels. Insulin plays a key role in fat storage, and by limiting carbs, the body produces ketones from fat, which can be used as an energy source.
“Low-carb diets like keto are less stressful on the pancreas and insulin production than high-carb diets, and they can improve cardiometabolic health,” Jain said.
Berry’s New Fitness Routine
Berry’s fitness regimen has also shifted. Previously focused on cardio, she now incorporates weightlifting into her routine. “I used to do a lot of cardio, but now I don’t do any. I’m focused on building muscle mass, so I lift heavier weights than I ever did before,” she said. “It’s a little boring, but it’s necessary at this stage of my life.”
Her goal is not to bulk up, but to maintain her muscle mass and stay healthy. “I didn’t want to be overly muscular. But lifting weights has helped me keep the muscle I have, and that’s important as I age.”
The Benefits of Weightlifting for Health
According to Dr. Yokesh Arul, MD, weightlifting is beneficial in reducing the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. “Weightlifting improves bone density, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The stress on bones during lifting stimulates bone growth, making them stronger,” Dr. Arul explained.
He also noted that weightlifting, when paired with proper nutrition, can help women reduce body fat and achieve a leaner physique.
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