At 57, Julia Roberts is radiant. And not merely because she upholds such a lively life philosophy, one that she says makes ageing no misfortune. “I’ve realised that happiness changes as life progresses, but it always starts from within,” the Pretty Woman star told Vogue.
Her outlook on life is well supported by a high dose of good habits, among which her diet stands out. The actress chooses her meals with care, shaping a diet rich in protein and in all the nutrients she needs to stay active and to give her all both at work and in the gym.
Because, as The Independent reveals, the actress follows a very comprehensive exercise routine, training according to the level of muscle she has. And all this effort would be for nothing if it weren’t for the care she lavishes on her food, and particularly her dinners.
Julia Roberts’ Dinner
The dinner is one of the day’s most important meals. Controlling the calories we consume late in the day is essential, because as the next thing we’ll do is go to bed, we can store a large portion of them as fat.
However, skipping dinner isn’t good either. During the hours of sleep our body needs to rebuild, so we must provide it with all the nutrients it requires. And especially, protein, to help preserve our muscle mass.
That is why, with good prudence, Julia Roberts opts for a dinner rich in protein, healthy fats and fibre, which, in addition to being light and filling, helps her sleep better.
For this, the star of Eat Pray Love simply needs three ingredients you can find in any supermarket.
Salmon
The first ingredient Julia Roberts never leaves out of her dinner is salmon. This fish, regarded by many as a superfood, is a source of high-quality protein and healthy fats, especially omega-3.
This nutrient is key because we know omega-3 helps regulate melatonin, the sleep hormone. Thanks to this, Julia Roberts’ dinner can help the actress rest better, essential if you lead a demanding schedule like hers.
Moreover, the rich protein content of salmon contributes to nocturnal cellular repair and provides fullness without causing glucose spikes or heavy digestion, which also favours a restorative sleep.
Avocado
We move on to the next ingredient on the list, avocado. This fruit is rich in monounsaturated fats, magnesium and vitamin B6, making it an excellent food for the nervous system.
Magnesium in particular relaxes the muscles and the nervous system, helping you drift off to sleep. Moreover, the fat contained in avocado, among the healthiest fats, helps curb late-night hunger and stabilises blood sugar. You should moderate its consumption if you’re watching your weight, but it’s an excellent dinner staple because it’s filling and nutritious without being heavy or hard to digest.
Brown Rice
To finish, Julia Roberts chooses brown rice as the base of her plate, which is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, fibre and tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes the production of serotonin and melatonin. And yes, these two hormones are key to the quality of sleep.
Moreover, the complex carbs help the brain to absorb tryptophan more effectively, which, as we’ve explained, is pivotal for us to rest at night, relaxing and aiding better sleep.
And if that weren’t enough, brown rice also provides sustained energy, preventing nocturnal glucose dips that can disrupt sleep.
Dine Like a Star
If you want to recreate a Julia Roberts-style dinner, take note. With just these three ingredients, a splash of extra virgin olive oil, the juice of half a lemon, and salt and pepper to taste, you can prepare a low-calorie feast that will help you keep on track while you settle in for a restorative night’s sleep.
- Start by rinsing the rice and cooking it with double the amount of water (2 cups per 1 cup of rice) and a pinch of salt.
- Cook on a low heat for about 30 to 35 minutes, until tender. Drain if there is excess water and keep warm.
- While the rice cooks, preheat the oven to 180 °C.
- Place the salmon fillets on a baking tray lined with baking paper, and season with salt, pepper, a splash of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, until juicy yet cooked through.
- Open the avocado, remove the stone and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Dice it and drizzle with a little lemon to prevent browning.
Serve the rice in a bowl, place the salmon on top and add the avocado. If you like, scatter sesame seeds over the top or add a splash of mild soy sauce for flavour.
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