FASHION designer Carolina Herrera has revealed the six-meal-a-day ‘longevity diet’ that keeps her going at 86.
The design legend certainly knows a thing or two about ageing gracefully, cutting a sophisticated figure in her signature slicked-back bob and sleek ensembles.
Carolina Herrera, 86, is known for ageless sophistication[/caption]
The designer shared the six meals she eats a day to stay energised[/caption]
Carolina at a fashion show during Fashion Week Spring 2015[/caption]
Having only stepped down as her brand’s creative director in 2019, the Venezuelan-American fashion icon credits her simple diet with keeping her energised throughout the day.
Carolina doesn’t diet or follow the latest fads to maintain her svelte figure.
In fact, she eats and snacks more times a day that many of us.
“I eat six meals a day,” Carolina told Glamour Mexico magazine.
Her longevity diet consists of three balanced meals and three healthy snacks to keep her metabolism active and avoid those pesky energy dips.
The designer’s motto? Never go to bed hungry.
Here’s everything the 86-year-old eats throughout the day to age gracefully.
Breakfast
Carolina’s favourite breakfast is rather decadent: “scrambled eggs with truffle”, as per Harper’s Bazaar Mexico.
But the designer often prefers a simpler start to her day, tucking into a bowl of plain Greek yoghurt topped with fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries or banana, depending on what she feels like that day.
To add some crunch or to make it more filling, Carolina often adds a sprinkle of granola or almonds.
Her breakkie is good combination of protein, fibre and healthy fats to keep her full and energised throughout the day.
Mid-morning snack
Carolina’s go-to healthy snack is a handful of almonds.
On days when she’s craving something fresher, she’ll go for a portion of fibre-rich fruit such as apple, strawberries or pineapple.
Lunch
Carolina’s staple lunch is healthy and low faff.
She goes for a green salad with tomato, cucumber, avocado and a lean protein source, such as grilled chicken or salmon.
She’ll toss in a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Gillian Anderson wearing a Carolina Herrera dress at the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awardson February 23, 2025[/caption]
Gillian Anderson wearing a Carolina Herrera jumpsuit at the same event[/caption]
Evening snack
While most people would whizz up a smoothie in the morning, Carolina likes to have hers in the evening.
Her favourite combination is spinach, pineapple, cucumber and ginger.
Dinner
The designer’s dinner will be light but nutritious.
Her favourite option is a fillet of grilled salmon, paired with steamed asparagus and quinoa.
She’ll switch up the veggies depending on the day, sometimes opting for spinach, broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
Salmon tends to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation in the body.
But nutritionists say that eating fatty fish may help will keep your skin hydrated and supple.
It may also support brain function, studies suggest.
Nighttime snack
Carolina swerves sugar or carbs before heading to bed but she does indulge in a warming cup of herbal tea to help her relax.
If she’s still feeling peckish, she’ll snack on a handful of nuts so that she’s not plagued by hunger pangs.
Longevity tips from the Blue Zones
The Blue Zones are five regions across the world where people regularly live to the ripe old age of 100, largely thanks to their diets and daily habits.
The term was coined by author and National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, who made a name for himself studying the world’s longest living people.
The Blue Zones include Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy and Loma Linda in California.
According to Dan, inhabitants of these swear by nine lifestyle tips.
Dubbed the ‘Power 9’, the longevity guru argued that they can provide “instructions and clues for how we can set up our lives to live longer”.
They include:
- Moving naturally rather than going to the gym
- Having a purpose in iife
- Keeping stress to minimum with naps and happy hours
- Stopping eating before you’re full
- Eating mostly plants
- Drink no more than two glasses of wine a day and never bingeing
- Belonging to a community, faith-based or not
- Putting your loved ones first
- Keeping a social circle that supports healthy behaviours
Read more on the Power 9 tips here.
