Why Zoe Saldana Doesn't Believe In 'Cheat Days' or Diets

Renowned actress, Zoe Saldana, is getting ready for a busy summer as she steps into the shoes of Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. In addition to managing her new production company alongside her sisters, Mariel and Cisely, Zoe is also the mother to three young boys. Despite this packed schedule, Zoe maintains a calm and relaxed demeanor. This tranquility can be attributed to her clear life goals, her commitment to a whole food diet, her close-knit family, and her unwavering intention to live every day to its fullest.

Amidst her bustling household of boys (including two-year-old twins Bowie and Cy, and newborn Zen), Zoe Saldana remains a champion of all things feminine. Her affection for her children is evident, especially when she discusses her twins' love for their baby brother. On her YouTube show, Rosé Roundtable, Zoe elevates female empowerment and bonding, even delving into topics such as the role love plays in Shakespeare's works. However, despite her soft side, Zoe also possesses a formidable strength, which she readily employs for the welfare of her health, her family, and her community.

In 2012, upon being diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and witnessing the escalating obesity statistics among Latino children, Zoe became a fervent advocate for healthy eating based on whole foods. As she puts it, "Once you know better, you can't not care." Nonetheless, she doesn't shy away from enjoying a glass of rosé with her sisters or indulging in cookies (you'll find her go-to healthy recipe in the magazine). A firm believer in the 80-20 rule (being disciplined most of the time but allowing room for indulgence), Zoe finds her equilibrium by balancing structure and enjoyment.

With exercise, you do you.

"Managing a balance between my travel, meetings, and shoots can make for a hectic schedule. My aim is to maintain a fitness routine at least three times a week, however, I don't stick to one exercise machine for an extended period. Overdoing cardio usually leaves me feeling energy-depleted for the rest of the day. During shooting days, where I already put in about 16-hour shifts, I'm less strict about my workout regimen. Thus, I opt for 20-minute workout intervals, either at a gym or home. These intervals typically involve running on the spot for around 30 seconds, followed by performing squats and then, carrying a heavy medicine ball repeatedly until my heart rate is significantly increased."

Control what you can, then let the rest unfold.

"I can't work out regularly, so I compensate by eating a lot healthier than I might otherwise. Once you have relatively healthy eating habits, your workout can become playing with your kids, strolling around the neighborhood, playing airplane, or just changing diapers."

Diets don't do squat.

"I don't believe in cheat days because I don't believe in diets. I try not to deprive my body of anything, because the moment I have just salads and protein for a few days, I crave carbs. But when I eat everything in balance, I think less about food and more about everything else. It's about eating to live, not living to eat."

My food philosophy: simple, fresh, clean.

"As an advocate for simple, fresh and clean eating, my preference leans towards food straight from the garden or seafood freshly caught, mirroring my childhood days in the Dominican Republic. While I'm not inclined towards extremely light meals, cleanliness is paramount for me. I avoid canned food and am becoming wary of anything packaged in plastic. My family and I are gradually adopting a vegetarian lifestyle due to the violent and unethical ways meat is produced in our society. If eating healthier means spending more, I'd rather adjust my budget accordingly. For instance, I would choose dark chocolate with goji berries over milk chocolate laden with saturated fats." "Growing up, we had to stick to a tight budget, but my mother ensured that we had nutritious meals. This upbringing shapes who I am today and drives my desire to inspire my Latino community, especially since issues like juvenile diabetes and hypertension are on the rise. I believe that a balanced diet can be maintained, even with budget constraints, and I aim to spread this message within my community."

Health first.

"I know I've become a very boring person to take to dinner, but I'd rather be that way than deal with health issues. When you have an autoimmune condition, you have to stay away from foods that cause inflammation." (Zoe's family is gluten- and dairy-free.)

We all need spice in life.

"My husband [Marco Perego] and I love to cook. I'm going through a phase where I'm making a lot of beans and quinoa. And I love ceviche and stews. But my favorite type of food is Asian. No matter how north or south in the Pacific, I love the spices, the vegetables, and the ways they cook them. Lately my husband and I have been learning to cook with Asian spices, like turmeric, and ginger, and we're having a blast."

"Perfection" is a dinosaur.

"If we could design ourselves, we'd all be perfect. But we can't, so why be unhappy about it? I've never wanted different hair or my body any other shape. And I've never thought of a person as ugly unless they opened their mouth and their heart was full of venom."