Gabrielle Union is a fitness enthusiast who never shies away from intense workouts, but she's also a self-proclaimed foodie who doesn't believe in depriving herself. The 51-year-old actress has shared her fitness and food secrets with fans, revealing that she eats a lot more than you'd think, drinks a lot of water, and has a healthy attitude about food splurges.
Here are some of her most relatable tips and tricks:
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She Eats Generously
Union loves food and isn't shy about sharing her daily diet with fans. In 2023, she gave a glimpse into her typical day's meals on Instagram:
- Morning: Seasonal fruit (like mango, kiwis, blueberries, and strawberries) followed by gluten-free pancakes covered in fruit and maple syrup.
- Lunch: A salad made with collard greens, shaved fennel, arugula, avocado, and champagne vinaigrette.
- Dinner: Three by Wade Cabernet Sauvignon braised short ribs with garlic cauliflower puree, broccolini, carrots, and sweet potatoes with a demi-glaze.
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Hydration is Key
In 2014, Union told Elle that she started drinking a gallon of water daily in her mid-thirties. "It’s something that everyone has access to and it not only helps with your beauty, it also helps with your fitness and digestion," she said. Her tip for managing this intake? Drink half of it by noon and the rest by 6:00 p.m. "Just try and do as much as you can early," she said.
She’s Honest About Diets That Don't Work
Union candidly shared her experience with the Master Cleanse diet in 2017, calling it the “craziest diet I ever tried.” She admitted she lasted just a day and a half before hunger took over. Instead, she prefers a balanced approach, often choosing vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sodium, low-sugar, and low-carb foods to stay focused and lean.
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She Embraces Food Splurges
Union believes in indulging occasionally. “What good is it to be emaciated if your stomach’s always growling?” she told Us Weekly in 2015. She’s all for having a burger or a margarita without opting for the low-calorie versions. “I try not to be too crazy with it,” she said.
“If I don’t feel like it, I don’t feel like it,” she added. “I’m gonna have a margarita — I’m not gonna get the ‘skinny margarita,’ I’m gonna get the one with all the frickin’ calories. I’m gonna have a cheeseburger, I’m gonna have a pound of bacon, and then, maybe, the next day, I’ll try to pull it together. But I try not to be too crazy with it.”
The actress also told Women's Health in 2017 that she's learned to be kind to herself when she does indulge. "At the end of the day, did I enjoy that meal? Hell, yes! Am I going to stress out about it? Hell, no! And, magically, the world doesn’t end because of what I ate," she said.
Exercise Isn't Always Easy
Union doesn’t always love exercise and has described some workouts as “varying degrees of torture.” However, she enjoys kickboxing for its stress-relieving benefits. "A good boxing workout is the best stress, anxiety, and rage reliever there is," she said.
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Variety Keeps Her Engaged
Union has tried various workouts, from kickboxing and cardio barre to SoulCycle. She emphasizes the importance of mixing it up to avoid anxiety and boredom, often incorporating strength training over cardio.
“The beauty of my workouts are that they change every session and day. It really depends on my mood, what my scenes are like action-wise,” she said. “Basically I try to stay as flexible as possible."
She Loves the Outdoors
Union loves getting outside for exercise, whether it’s hiking, walking the dogs, or simply soaking up some vitamin D. "I need vitamin D on my face," she told Women's Health in 2019.
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At-Home Workouts Are Here to Stay
In recent years, Union has embraced at-home fitness, collaborating with FitOn, a free fitness app, to share her go-to workouts. “For me, at-home fitness is the new normal,” she told Woman’s Day in 2021.
Pilates Powers Her Mornings
Union fits in morning workouts despite not being a morning person. She loves Pilates for its ability to help her release early-morning annoyance on the machines instead of people, benefiting both her body and mind.
"The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It’s for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I’m also more clear,” she told Women’s Health in 2017.
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Partner Workouts for Motivation
Working out with her husband, Dwyane Wade, helps keep Union motivated. She’s shared videos of their early morning sweat sessions and enjoys working out with her kids, finding it a cool way to bond without feeling like a chore.
In 2019, Union told Women’s Health she also loves to work out with her kids.
“Training together, struggling, failing, trying to get better — it’s been a cool thing that doesn’t feel like, ‘Let’s go talk about our feelings.’ It’s like, I’m a cool mom!” she said.
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Diet Adjustments for Perimenopause
Union has openly discussed the challenges of perimenopause, including sudden weight gain of 27 pounds "seemingly overnight". With advice from a hormone specialist, she embarked on an anti-inflammatory diet, limiting gluten, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine. While she occasionally backslides, she finds this diet has significantly improved her symptoms.
“It’s really changed everything,” she told People in 2023. “I didn’t want it to be true because I love all the things. I love cinnamon rolls and real butter, lard, like a lot. So it’s been a journey. And there’s days I backslide, and when I backslide, especially around vacation, (my symptoms are) going to come right back.”
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Striving for Balance
Union gives herself grace when she deviates from her diet and fitness goals. She compensates by increasing her water intake and staying active through simple movements like walking or taking the stairs. "If I can’t work out, I walk instead of drive, take the stairs rather than the elevator, and keep active," she told Women's Health in 2017.
Gabrielle Union’s approach to balancing her love for food with her fitness goals is all about flexibility, indulgence, and self-kindness. Her relatable tips and candid honesty inspire many to find their balance in a way that feels both achievable and enjoyable.
