The Bottom Line:
- As a fitness ambassador for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, I prioritize health and fitness, and I’m passionate about motivating people to stay active and practice portion control.
- I had the opportunity to interview Mario Lopez, the forever young teen heartthrob, who has maintained an incredibly fit physique at the age of 50 while juggling his career as an actor, TV host, and father of three.
- Mario shared his three health rules for longevity: being a consistent snacker, aiming for a balanced diet with the right kinds of carbs, proteins, and fats, and giving his body the rest it deserves.
- In addition to his health rules, Mario revealed five foods he eats daily, including avocados, bananas, coffee, milk, and tacos, which he incorporates into his meals and snacks to fuel his active lifestyle.
- Mario’s approach to health and fitness is a lifestyle, and he believes that prioritizing your well-being is essential, as it allows him to handle his demanding schedule and be there for his family.
Be a Consistent Snacker
Embrace the Power of Snacking
Contrary to popular belief, Mario Lopez believes that consistent snacking is the key to maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. He advocates for eating frequently throughout the day, as it allows you to better control your portions and speed up your metabolism, ultimately helping your body burn more unwanted fat and calories instead of storing them.
Fuel Your Body with the Right Snacks
Lopez acknowledges that in the initial stages, people might feel apprehensive about snacking throughout the day, as it may seem to slow down the weight loss process. However, he guarantees that this practice will increase your body’s metabolism. He likens your metabolism to a furnace, explaining that to keep the fire burning, you need to consistently feed it.
Some of Lopez’s go-to healthy snack options include a medium pear, a cup of air-popped popcorn, a granola bar, half a cup of shelled edamame, or half a cup of non-fat cottage cheese mixed with 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts. These snacks provide a balance of nutrients, keeping you satisfied and energized throughout the day.
Embrace the Power of Carbohydrates
Surprisingly, Lopez does not believe in restrictive diets that eliminate carbohydrates entirely. He explains that it’s a common misconception that carbs will make you fat. In fact, when the right kinds of carbs are eaten in proper amounts, combined with protein, they can actually have the opposite effect.
According to Lopez, the “right” carbs include fruits, vegetables, whole grains (such as tortillas, whole wheat bread, English muffins, brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain cereals and pasta), legumes, and non-fat milk or yogurt. He advises staying away from sugary treats, candy, and soft drinks, as they are just empty calories.
Lopez emphasizes the importance of balancing the intake of carbs, proteins, and healthy fats, with an ideal proportion of 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats. He suggests that breakfast can be heavier on carbs, as the body needs the energy after a night’s rest, and the rest of the meals should be balanced accordingly.
By following these principles, Mario Lopez has been able to maintain his impressive physique and energy levels, even as he juggles his busy schedule as an actor, TV host, and father of three. His approach to snacking and carbohydrate intake serves as a valuable lesson for anyone seeking to achieve a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Aim for a Balanced Diet
Embrace Carbohydrates in Moderation
Contrary to popular belief, Mario Lopez does not believe in eliminating carbohydrates from his diet. He explains that the key is to balance the intake of carbs, proteins, and healthy fats. The ideal proportion, according to him, is 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats.
Lopez emphasizes the importance of choosing the right kinds of carbohydrates. He recommends fruits, vegetables, whole grains such as tortillas, whole-wheat bread, English muffins, brown rice, oatmeal, whole-grain cereals, and whole-grain pasta. He advises staying away from sugar, candy, and soft drinks, which he considers empty calories.
Fuel Your Body with Balanced Meals
Lopez believes that breakfast can be heavier on carbohydrates since the body needs the energy after a night’s rest. However, he suggests balancing the rest of the meals by pairing grilled chicken and vegetables with something low in starchy carbs for lunch, and then allowing for a reasonable portion of rice, whole-grain pasta, or bread for dinner.
This balanced approach helps ensure that the body receives the necessary nutrients and energy throughout the day, without overindulging in any one macronutrient.
Prioritize Rest and Recovery
Despite his impressive physique, Lopez emphasizes the importance of rest and recovery. He acknowledges that long nights can sometimes take a toll on an older body, and he has become more selective in balancing evenings out and sleeping in to handle his hectic lifestyle.
Lopez says, “I work hard and like to play hard, but I’m more selective now. I prioritize rest, which means saying no sometimes. I used to want to do everything, but learning to say no has helped bring balance to my life.”
By incorporating these principles of a balanced diet and prioritizing rest, Mario Lopez has been able to maintain his fitness and energy levels, even as he juggles his demanding career and family responsibilities.
Give Your Body the Rest it Deserves
Prioritize Rest and Relaxation
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not just about intense workouts and strict diets. Mario Lopez emphasizes the importance of giving your body the rest it deserves. Despite his extensive workout schedule, he has become more selective in balancing his evenings and sleeping patterns to handle his hectic lifestyle.
“I work hard and like to play hard, but I’m more selective now. I prioritize rest, which means saying no sometimes. I used to want to do everything, but learning to say no has helped bring balance to my life. I feel good,” Lopez explains.
Embrace the Power of Sleep
As an older athlete, Lopez has recognized the toll that long nights can take on the body. He has made a conscious effort to prioritize sleep and allow his body to recover. By getting the necessary rest, he is able to maintain his high-energy lifestyle and continue to perform at his best.
“I feel good. I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel like, all I know is it’s time to kind of pause, reflect on how you got here, and what’s to come,” he says.
Find Balance in Your Routine
While Lopez is known for his impressive physique, he advises finding a balance between work and play. By learning to say no and prioritizing rest, he has been able to maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. This balance allows him to continue to excel in his various roles while also taking care of his body and mind.
“Learning to say no has helped bring balance to my life. I feel good,” Lopez concludes.
Five Foods Mario Lopez Eats Daily
Avocados: The Superfruit of Choice
Mario Lopez’s love for avocados is no secret. He claims he would go to great lengths just to get his hands on one, as his home is always stocked with this versatile fruit. Lopez and his wife, Courtney, have even partnered with Avocados from Mexico, a subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association, to promote the year-round availability of this superfood.
Lopez’s go-to avocado dish is his homemade guacamole, which he enjoys as a dip, a spread on sandwiches and tacos, and even as an ingredient in other meals. He loves to get creative with avocados, incorporating them into breakfast egg scrambles, chicken enchiladas, and grilled pork tenderloin. His family’s favorite quick meal is fish tacos with avocado and black bean salsa, where the avocado is blended into the salsa along with tomatoes, onions, black beans, cilantro, lime, and hot sauce.
Bananas: The Portable Powerhouse
Bananas are another staple in Mario Lopez’s daily diet. He appreciates the fruit’s abundant vitamins, fiber, and potassium, as well as its ability to help control blood sugar and aid digestion. Lopez often has a banana before his workouts, and he has even passed on his love for the tropical fruit to his daughter, Gaia, who was seen enjoying a banana before a red carpet event.
To beat the summer heat, the Lopez family enjoys frozen bananas coated with peanut butter, a refreshing and nutritious treat.
The Caffeine Boost: Coffee and Milk
When it comes to beverages, Mario Lopez is a self-proclaimed coffee lover. He has been spotted sipping on iced coffee and sharing hot cups with friends, and he has even endorsed coffee brands like Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Coffee-mate’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch flavor. Lopez acknowledges the positive effects of coffee, citing studies that suggest it can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Milk is another constant in Lopez’s daily routine. He has been a longtime advocate for milk, partnering with organizations like Undeniably Dairy and the California Milk Processor Board to promote the health benefits of dairy products. In addition to milk, the Lopez family enjoys a variety of other dairy items, such as buttermilk, cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream.
Mario Lopez’s Top Three Health Rules for Longevity
Embracing Moderation: Mario Lopez’s Balanced Approach to Nutrition
Contrary to popular belief, Mario Lopez does not adhere to a strict, restrictive diet. Instead, he advocates for a balanced approach to nutrition, emphasizing the importance of moderation and variety.
Fueling the Furnace: The Power of Consistent Snacking
One of Lopez’s top health rules for longevity is to be a consistent snacker. He believes that eating frequently throughout the day, at least five times, helps to control portions and boost metabolism. While this may seem counterintuitive to some, Lopez explains that by keeping the “furnace” of your metabolism burning, you can effectively burn more unwanted fat and calories. His go-to snack options include a medium pear, a cup of air-popped popcorn, a granola bar, half a cup of shelled edamame, or half a cup of non-fat cottage cheese mixed with a tablespoon of chopped walnuts.
The Carb Conundrum: Embracing the Right Carbs
Lopez dispels the myth that carbs are the enemy, emphasizing the importance of balance. He advocates for a balanced intake of carbs, proteins, and healthy fats, with a recommended ratio of 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats. The key, according to Lopez, is to focus on the right kinds of carbs, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and non-fat dairy products. He cautions against the consumption of refined carbs, sugary treats, and soft drinks, which he considers “empty calories.”
Embracing Rest and Recovery: The Importance of Downtime
Despite his rigorous workout schedule, Lopez emphasizes the importance of rest and recovery. He acknowledges that as he has gotten older, he has become more selective in balancing his evenings out and prioritizing sleep. Lopez believes that learning to say “no” and allowing his body the necessary downtime has helped him maintain a healthy lifestyle and handle his hectic schedule.
