Italian star Claudia Ruggeri is proof you don’t need to starve yourself to be in amazing shape. Ruggeri shared a picture of herself looking stunning in a tiny black bathing suit, with the simple caption of a heart on fire. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Ruggeri stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!
1. She Loves Zucchini Wraps
Ruggeri is an exceptional cook and foodie, and especially enjoys incorporating zucchini into her meals (for example making wraps with seafood). “Courgettes contain very few calories and have a high water content, which makes them a dieter's friend,” says Joanna Blythman, author of What To Eat. “They aren't a powerhouse of micronutrients, but they do provide useful amounts of immune system-boosting vitamin C, and significant levels of potassium, which is key to controlling blood pressure. The soluble fiber in the skin slows down digestion, and so stabilizes blood sugar and insulin levels. Soluble fiber also helps prevent constipation and relieves irritable bowel symptoms.”
2. She Enjoys Shrimp
Ruggeri is a big fan of shrimp (also known as prawn), and eats it regularly. “Prawns are a useful source of the B group of vitamins, including B12 and folate,” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook. “These vitamins play an important role in energy production and replenishing red blood cells. Prawns provide about 22 times the vitamin E levels of either chicken or beef. This fat-soluble vitamin acts as an antioxidant and may be protective against heart disease and cancer.”
3. She Has “Peace Of Mind” When Hiking
Ruggeri loves to hike with her pup, enjoying the health and mental benefits of exercising outdoors. "When you're moving your body, your heart, lungs, and muscles don't know or care where you are,” says Dr. Edward Phillips, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. “But your mind does. Some people say it's hard to rack up 7,000 steps a day walking a familiar route. But they often find they can go twice as far on a hike, especially if there's a nice vista at the destination.”
4. She Loves Smoked Salmon
Ruggeri loves her seafood—and she frequently eats smoked salmon in a variety of dishes. “Oily fish plays an important role in dampening the effects of inflammation, which is key to helping manage a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes and cancer,” Shubrook says. “Studies suggest that eating more oily fish like salmon could help lower levels of the markers that indicate inflammation.”
5. She Enjoys Stuffed Tomatoes
Ruggeri is a big fan of stuffing tomatoes with healthy ingredients such as basil and farro. "[Farro] is a grain with nutty flavor, and it's popular in the Mediterranean type of cuisine," says Anya Guy, a Mayo Clinic dietitian. "Farro is a great source of fiber, iron, protein and magnesium. With all of those nutrients in this little grain, it can provide a lot of health benefits for your diabetes or for heart health or for brain health. You can use the cooked farro in an added recipe, whether it's risotto or cereal, hot cereal, in soups or in stews, or even on top of a salad."