Danica Patrick Gets Swimsuit-Ready Eating These 5 Foods

Danica Patrick is enjoying a beautiful, sun-soaked vacation in Spain. Patrick shared pictures of herself posing on a yacht in a black bikini, enjoying drinks with friends. “Sea? Sí! 🇪🇸,” she captioned the post. Patrick follows a paleo diet these days, after a blood test revealed she had an intolerance for certain foods. “I have always been interested in the human body and how it works, and I spent hours flipping through the pages learning new ways to take care of myself. It was the beginning of my experimentation with diets: I think the first phase was low-fat, then low-carb, then dairy-free, then whole grain, then a 40/30/30 balance . . . Then I turned my world upside down with a blood test,” she said. Patrick changed her diet and has never felt better. Here are 5 foods she eats to stay swimsuit-ready and the photos that prove they work.

1. Almond Milk

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Patrick loves almond milk, and makes her own chia pudding with it. "I like the taste of homemade almond milk better," she says. "It's thicker and probably fattier, but it has a more full-bodied taste. I mix almond milk with chia seeds and let them sit overnight. They become tapioca-like."

2. Green Smoothies

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Patrick makes her own green smoothies with banana, apple, and lemon. "I'll put three big handfuls of spinach in the blender, and only enough ice and water to get the spinach to make [the blades] spin," she says. "The colder the ingredients, the better, so I like to use frozen fruit. Take the seeds and skin off the lemon, and just toss it in. It really helps the flavor."

3. Pumpkin and Hemp Seeds

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Patrick loves using pumpkin and hemp seeds as a source of protein. “Pumpkin seeds have many health benefits and make for a nutritious snack,” says registered dietitian Maxine Smith, RD, with the Cleveland Clinic. “Pumpkin seeds are a good source of plant protein and other nutrients which can act as antioxidants to help protect against certain diseases. I recommended opting for unsalted or lightly salted options.”

4. Lots of Eggs

Patrick enjoys making delicious and healthy meals from eggs and vegetables. “Eggs are a wonderful source of protein, about 6 grams per egg, and they provide good amounts of vitamins D, B, and A,” says April Litchford PhD, RDN. “Eggs are also rich sources of the mineral selenium and choline, which is a vitamin-like substance that helps our livers function properly and contributes to a healthy heart.”

5. Avocados All Day

Patrick uses avocados to elevate any meal or snack. “What we have learned from this study is that avocado is a very unique fruit,” says Dr. Zhaoping Li, chief of the division of clinical nutrition at UCLA. “It has a lot of fibers, monounsaturated fatty acids and phytonutrients and it has an impact on many, if not all, of the organ systems inside of our body. If you can swap out your high-fat processed foods like sausages with avocado, you will be doing yourself a favor. Avocados are high in fat, but it’s good fat. This counters the public opinion that all fats are bad.”

Danica Patrick is enjoying her final days of vacation. The race car driver shows off her fabulous figure in a swimsuit while on the beach in her latest social media snap. “Last day,” she captioned one of her Instagram photos. How does the 40-year-old manage to look half her age? Read on to see 7 of Danica Patrick’s top suggestions for staying 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. Focus On Changing Your Lifestyle

Danica chooses lifestyle over diet. "What I'm hoping is that people realize that this is a lifestyle," she explained on Good Morning America. "I want them to develop a good relationship with food and exercise to not be a reward or punishment but a way of life and something that makes you feel good and something that makes you a better you every single day."

2. Look at Food as Medicine

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Danica eats her way to health. "You are creating your life day by day with your thoughts. Think positive things. Believe in yourself. Have great reasons for why you're doing what you're doing," She explained to Fitness Reaper. "Eat good food because food is medicine. You're either adding to your well-being or reducing your well-being."

3. Eat Paleo

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Danica first dabbled in the Paleo diet as a temporary fix, and then decided to stick with it. "Paleo is based on the idea that you only eat foods that were available to ancient man before the invention of agriculture. So no grains, no dairy, no beans or legumes, no added sugars or preservatives. Instead, you focus on naturally raised meats, vegetables, fruits, and nuts," she said on her website. "My intention was to only do it for a week or two to reset my body with less sugar and more veggies. Well . . . I felt so good, and saw such amazing results, that I never quit."

4. Don’t Skip a Workout

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Exercise is a key part of Danica’s life. Her book, Pretty Intense, is "not about driving, it's about becoming the best version of myself," she explained in an interview Rich Roll. "The only thing that I would put toward being a better driver is that with the style of working out that I do, with the intensity level and competition at times, it makes you mentally stronger, and that translates" to driving competitions. She also revealed that she does "7 workouts each week—upper body, lower body, abs, 3 interval cardio sessions, and one long circuit. They are all designed to be intense and over within about 20 min, except for the long circuit which will last about 30-45."

5. Drink Your Nutrients

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Danica loves green juice and makes her own at home. "I'll put three big handfuls of spinach in the blender, and only enough ice and water to get the spinach to make [the blades] spin," she explained to Delish. "The colder the ingredients, the better, so I like to use frozen fruit." She also adds one-third of a banana and a quarter of an apple, “so it doesn't get too sugary,” per Delish and adds a lemon to “cut down on the drink's bitterness." "Take the seeds and skin off the lemon, and just toss it in," she says. "It really helps the flavor."

6. Make Healthier Alternatives

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Danica makes lower-sugar alternatives to refrigerator staples, including ketchup and almond milk. "I like the taste of homemade almond milk better," she told Delish. "It's thicker and probably fattier, but it has a more full-bodied taste."

7. Eat Meat

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​​Danica is a big meat eater. Her meals consist mostly of protein and veggies, including salmon, chicken, steak, and bison. "I made bison burgers recently and they were a hit," she told Delish. "I tend to get more creative at night when I'm cooking."

Danica Patrick is enjoying the desert heat at Burning Man, and looks like she’s having the time of her life. The 40-year-old former racing star is throwing herself into the creative spirit of the festival, posting photos of herself in unique bikini tops and statement necklaces. “I will say..... it was so cool to be in a culture where no money is exchanged and everyone gave what they could by means of food or wine or yoga or a party. People were also so friendly. There was no judgment. And everyone looked like they were having the time of their life! Just get ready to get dirty. Like REALLY dirty,” she captioned some of the pictures. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Patrick 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 Follows a Paleo Diet

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Patrick follows a whole foods-based Paleo diet and credits it with transforming her health and energy levels. “Paleo formed the origins of Pretty Intense, which I've continued to tweak until I created the most effective plan I've ever put myself on,” Patrick says. “The longer I have eaten like this, the more I have thought about it, and it's become clear: It's all about eating real food!!!!!! Sweet potatoes come from the ground, maple syrup comes out of a tree, carrots grow in the dirt, bees make honey, and hopefully we can all find more and more pasture-raised, grain-free, cruelty-free animals for protein. Because what our animals eat becomes what we eat, too. I don't see ever getting too far from these principles. Real food is medicine, and I like to put the highest quality food into the only body I will ever have.”

2. She Loves Almond Milk

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Patrick loves almond milk so much she makes her own. "I like the taste of homemade almond milk better," she tells Delish. "It's thicker and probably fattier, but it has a more full-bodied taste. I mix almond milk with chia seeds and let them sit overnight. They become tapioca-like." Chia seeds are a great addition to smoothies, experts say. “Chia seeds have many nutritional benefits,” says Romi Londre, RDN. “They are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Chia provides a similar amount of omega-3 fatty acids as ground flaxseed in the form of alpha linolenic acid, or ALA. They can help with weight loss. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health.”

3. She Makes Spinach Smoothies

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Patrick makes spinach smoothies with lemon, apple, and banana. “Leafy greens are so good for you that you really can’t eat too many,” says preventive cardiology​ dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD. “In fact, they’re considered heart-healthy superfoods… All leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, so don’t limit yourself to spinach and kale. Think about adding collard greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard and turnip greens to salads and soups, or prepare them as a tasty side.”

4. She Eats Bison

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Patrick sometimes enjoys delicious burgers made from bison meat, which nutritionists say is a great alternative to beef. “Bison beef is lower in cholesterol than beef from other animals, and it is also high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids,” says Carrie Forrest, MPH. “Bison meat is a great source of protein. In fact, a three-ounce serving of bison contains about 22 grams of protein, which is more than beef, pork, or chicken. This high-quality protein can help you build muscle and lose weight.”

5. She Loves Her Veggies

Patrick loves to eat a wide variety of vegetables with all her meals, especially sweet potatoes and mushrooms. “Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which has been shown to promote a healthy digestive system. Much of the research so far has been conducted on animals, but it would appear that high levels of plant sterols (phytosterols) in sweet potatoes may have a protective effect on the digestive system and may be useful in the prevention and management of duodenal and gastric ulcers, including those due to NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen),” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook.

Danica Patrick is one of the world's most influential athletes and has inspired countless people as the most successful woman in pro race car driving in the U.S. Although the 39-year-old has since retired from the track, she continues to motivate people with eating clean and working out to stay healthy. Patrick is highly disciplined about what she puts into her body and it shows. The proof is in a swimsuit photo her friend just shared from the Exumas in the Bahamas, where they pose among sharks. How does she stay so fit? CelebWell spoke with experts about her diet and workout routine. Read on to see 5 ways Danica Patrick 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 Cooking at Home

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In Patrick's book Pretty Intense, she writes, "When you cook at home you get to choose how things taste. You get to experiment with flavors and techniques, and create custom meals that satisfy your desires. And this is my point: Eating healthy is not boring — it is quite the opposite. The range of colors, flavors, textures, and spices you will use will please not only your eyes, but your taste buds, too." Lauren Steiner, RD, LDN, MS with LAUREN STEINER NUTRITION says, "One of the best ways to improve weight loss goals is to cook at home more often. When we cook at home, we can control the ingredients that we are putting into our food and ultimately what we are eating. When we eat at restaurants, we aren't always aware of the ingredients in our meals or the amounts being used. A seemingly healthy restaurant option may have added oils, butter, sugar, salt, and other ingredients that are fine in small quantities, but are not healthy when consumed in large amounts, nor will they be helpful on a weight loss journey. While there are always healthy restaurant options out there, cooking at home is a way to ensure control."

2. No Dairy

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Patrick revealed on her website that she's sensitive to many foods, including dairy, which she has now eliminated. "When the test said I have an 'extremely high' reaction to egg whites, egg yolks, gluten, yeast, and all dairy items, I wanted to cry! All that discipline had been doing my body no good at all! I began to wonder if the reason I sometimes felt bloated and fatigued had something to do with my reaction to those foods. That test changed my life. Shortly after I cut those foods out, I realized I had a higher and more consistent energy level day after day. I also did not feel uncomfortable after eating, ever," she wrote. If you have a sensitivity, avoid it. But avoiding it is not a magic bullet for weight loss. According to Robert Dodds, a Certified Personal Trainer, a fitness coach, and founder of nothingbarredfitness.com, a fitness coaching service for busy parents, "Dairy does not promote weight gain and avoiding it does not necessarily result in weight loss. Weight gain and weight loss are governed by calorie balance. Calories are just a unit of measurement for energy. Everyone has a certain amount of energy that they expend (or burn) in a day. This is based on their weight, level of activity, amount of muscle mass, age and genetic factors. Taking in fewer calories than this amount will result in weight loss. Removing dairy from your diet will result in a reduction in your calorie intake - but only if it's not replaced with something of equal or higher caloric value. If it is, no weight loss will occur. If you eat a lot of calories from dairy and you eat a lot of calorie dense, full fat dairy like cheese, butter and full fat cream and yoghurts, then you will probably see an overall calorie reduction by cutting out dairy. This may be enough to get you into a calorie deficit and lose weight, but it depends on your overall intake of food and expenditure of energy. You don't need to cut out dairy or any type of food to lose weight. You could just moderate your portions more, or the frequency with which you eat dairy or other higher calorie foods."

3. Avoids Anything Artificial and Processed

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Patrick reveals on her site that she's a big follower of the Paelo diet and only eats "naturally raised meats, vegetables, fruits, and nuts." Dr. Jinan Banna, PhD, RD., a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition says "It's really the ultra processed foods that are of concern, which are those that go through multiple processes and have a lot of added ingredients. If they have a lot of sugar, for example, this may contribute to weight gain, as added sugar contributes calories to the diet and doesn't keep you full. By choosing foods that are closer to nature, you can more easily avoid a lot of added sugar or fat and keep your caloric intake under control."

4. Doesn't Add Sugar to Anything

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The athlete told the LA Times, "I’m very into eating well. I believe food is medicine. I eat extremely clean, real foods. I like foods with one ingredient — an apple, an egg, some spinach. I don’t eat processed foods and never add sugar to anything." Dana Ellis Hunnes PhD, MPH, RD is a senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, assistant professor at UCLA Fielding school of public health, and author with Cambridge university Press, of the new book, RECIPE FOR SURVIVAL explains, "Artificial sugar, although, calorie-free, actually leads to an insulin response; spiking insulin levels (with the anticipation of sugar - after all, we begin digestion in our mouths), which then can lead to a drop in blood sugar and 'hunger' or slump in energy, making us want to eat more calories or take in more sugar. So, artificial sugar, while itself is calorie free, may have effects in the body that actually lead us to eating more calories and/or storing more fat."

5. She Does Burpees

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Anyone who has ever done a burpee knows they're not easy, but according to ABC News, Patrick has mastered them. "The burpee is probably the most effective, full-body movement and there’s so many ways you can slightly modify it to make it more hard," Patrick said, adding she once did 500 burpees for time as an on-the-go workout while visiting her parents. Antoine Hamelin, a kinesiologist, a trainer with 20+ years of experience and CEO of First Step Fitness Trainings explains, "A burpee is a ballistic bodyweight exercise done without any added weight or resistance other than your actual weight. Although there are many types of burpees, the classical one consists of squatting down with your hands on the ground and getting into a plank position from there. From the plank you spring back up explosively into the squat and either stand up or perform a stationary high jump. Burpees have been around for a long time, and became popular around World War 2, as a way to test the physical capacity of newly enrolled soldiers. It is used today in full body circuits and as a conditioning tool in many sports (football, soccer, martial arts) in part because it is a great overall strengthening exercise. It works many upper body muscles -- pecs, shoulders, triceps, back -- as well as many leg muscles -- quadriceps, glutes, calves -- and abs. If you perform the variation in which you do a jump at the end of the movement, it can become a great tool to develop explosiveness, especially if you are an athlete like Danica. Unlike many traditional strength movements, burpees can be used to develop physical endurance and stamina as well. You can try to do as many as you can in a fixed amount of time and try to improve at each and every workout -- which also makes it a great way to stay motivated and to challenge yourself and your training partners. But it doesn't end there. Doing continuous burpees is a great cardio workout as well and can leave you completely breathless and exhausted. Because it is a very intense exercise done with no break, it is considered an anaerobic type of cardio workout -- like sprints -- and will burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. Thus, it is a great exercise to include in your routine as a finisher -- at the end of a workout -- to burn more calories for example. Or it can be a great exercise if you train outside in the summer, if you are short on time or if you travel a lot. Lastly, athletes like Danica are required to develop balance and great coordination, two physical dimensions that can be improved by doing burpees. A quick word of advice if you are a beginner: Do not try not to rush into trying to do as many burpees as you can. First, learn the correct technique, then try to do them faster and for a longer period of time progressively. It will certainly bring a new dimension to your workout regimen and help you reach your physique goals faster."

Danica Patrick is one of the most well-known and successful female race car drivers of all time. She’s also become a wellness maven with her Pretty Intense plan and book. Patrick is enjoying an ice bath, and just shared a new photo from her friend, on her Instagram story. In it, Patrick plunged into an outdoor tub. She wore a pale orange bikini bottom and a light turquoise top, showing off her figure. Patrick’s friend captioned the photo, “Cold plunging like a champ.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Danica Patrick 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’s All About Positivity

Patrick opened up about her wellness in her book, Pretty Intense. She says that she believes in having a positive mindset. "You are creating your life day by day with your thoughts. Think positive things. Believe in yourself. Have great reasons for why you’re doing what you’re doing.”

2. She Has A Good Relationship With Wellness

One of Patrick’s secrets is having a good relationship and approach to diet and fitness. "What I’m hoping is that people really realize that this is a lifestyle," she said on Good Morning America. "I want them to develop a good relationship with food and exercise to not be a reward or punishment but a way of life and something that makes you feel good and something that makes you a better you every single day."

3. She Knows Why She Sticks To Her Plan

Patrick is all about consistency when it comes to wellness. She tells Good Morning America that one of her secrets is knowing why she needs to do certain things. "The most important part is that you figure out why you’re doing it," she said. "For me, I do it because it makes me feel good, so therefore I keep doing it."

4. She Took A Food Test

Patrick revealed some of her diet secrets on her website. She says that she decided to take a test to find food sensitivities. After getting the results, Patrick adjusted her diet. “At the beginning of 2013, I took a test that scanned my blood against the ninety-six most common foods. When the test said I have an ‘extremely high’ reaction to egg whites, egg yolks, gluten, yeast, and all dairy items, I wanted to cry! All that discipline had been doing my body no good at all! I began to wonder if the reason I sometimes felt bloated and fatigued had something to do with my reaction to those foods. That test changed my life. Shortly after I cut those foods out, I realized I had a higher and more consistent energy level day after day. I also did not feel uncomfortable after eating, ever.”

5. She Uses The Paleo Plan

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Patrick revealed on her website that she follows the Paleo diet. She says that she decided to try it for a period, and decided to stick with it going forward. “It was not that hard to do, and I loved both the change in food and the results I was starting to see. I was starting to actually see upper body muscles and abs! What?! Let me tell you, people, I have worked out hard and I have been really picky with food, but these results were by far my best. Paleo formed the origins of Pretty Intense, which I've continued to tweak until I created the most effective plan I've ever put myself on.”