How Adriana Karembeu transformed her body at 50 — and why her method might surprise you (spoiler: no midnight fridge raids!)
The making of an icon: beauty, age, and a well-oiled routine
At 52, Adriana Karembeu is widely celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful women, boasting a silhouette that turns heads and inspires admiration. But this isn’t just luck in the gene pool lottery — though, yes, her genetics helped, she says — her shape has been sculpted thanks to a dedicated and precise routine. Even as she faces inevitable hormonal shifts and the unstoppable march of time, a healthy lifestyle keeps her fit and glowing. On the occasion of the re-release of her book Ma cuisine saine et gourmande, the model and TV host shared her best-kept wellness secrets in Gala magazine — and they’re a mix of science, self-compassion, and a dash of ginger.
Listening to your body clock (and other golden rules she swears by)
Health and overall wellness are especially close to Adriana’s heart; after all, she studied medicine in her younger days and co-hosted Les pouvoirs extraordinaires du corps humain alongside Michel Cymes. With this background, it’s no surprise that her advice goes deeper than generic platitudes. Adriana kicks things off with a reminder: “We’re not all the same and we have to respect each person’s biological clock. You have to listen to your body. It’s the golden rule and the key to finding your rhythm.” Simple, yes, but when’s the last time you actually paid attention to how you feel — instead of the call of the cookie jar?
For Adriana, intermittent fasting (which she’s been practicing since age 18!) is at the center of her approach. She avoids snacks and meals at night and in the morning, a habit she says brings benefic effects to her body. Not everyone is made for it, but knowing yourself is half the battle.
Her five simple food rules: say it with her, « No »
Adriana does not rely on complicated plans; instead, she champions five straightforward habits to stay in shape:
- Eat quality foods.
- Keep your portions limited.
- Forget industrial (processed) food.
- Sugar? Only very occasionally.
- Learn to say no — whether it’s a second helping, finishing your plate out of politeness, or tasting dessert if your heart isn’t in it. “It’s your health and your life,” she emphasizes. “No is a magic word.”
In case you need permission: refusing dessert does not make you a bad guest — just a devoted guardian of your own well-being!
Hydration, treat drinks, and a warning about fruit smoothies
Karembeu is quick to confess her “little sin:” she loves coffee, though she limits herself to two cups in the morning (black, so as not to break her intermittent fast). Her approach to drinks is about moderation and choosing smart options. For a detox effect, her go-to is ginger infusion — a taste she only acquired after her daughter was born. The recipe couldn’t be simpler: water, ginger, and lemon. Vegetable smoothies? Also on the list.
But here’s the twist: fruit smoothies are a trap! “It’s a nightmare,” she says. Eat a whole fruit instead. Her reasoning? A glass of orange juice uses six oranges — that’s way too much. Fruit sugar (fructose), unlike glucose, can’t be used by your body right away. So where does it go? Straight to your liver, with the same effect as alcohol.
Why muscles are your best friend after 50 (and how she transformed in three months)
At 52, Adriana says she finally gets it: after 50 — or even a little earlier for women — nothing stays the same. With hormones changing completely, it’s vital to increase muscle mass. If you stick to constant running and cardio, she warns, you risk losing muscle. The solution? Prioritize strength training and eat enough protein to build muscle. “When you have muscle mass, you’re saved because the muscles eat everything,” she says with a smile.
How effective is this? She reveals she completely transformed her body in three months at 50 thanks to weight training — “from A to Z.” Amusingly, she also says she’s never eaten so much in her life. Because if you’re doing strength training, you have to eat; otherwise, she insists, you’re wasting your effort.
In conclusion: You can’t turn back the clock, but you can adjust your pace. Listen to your body, eat smart, don’t fear the weights, and remember, saying “no” is an act of self-love. Or as Adriana might put it: let your muscles do the talking (and maybe the eating) — and leave the orange juice to someone else!
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
