Shirley Bassey performs 'Diamonds Are Forever' live in 2002
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Kicking off her career in the 1950s, Bassey has gone on to receive a DBE, solidifying her in the performing arts history books. Yet outside of her work, it seems that the star lives quite the lavish lifestyle and is not afraid to indulge herself. However, as she slowly creeps towards her 90s, whatever the star is doing seems to be working a treat, as her health seems impeccable.
“I don’t have diet secrets. I just watch what I eat,” she said in an interview with the Mirror.
“At weekends I go mad… ice cream, caviar with lots of cream.
“I have a lot of facials and a lot of body massages. And it’s working. It is worth all the money.”
The star’s surprising yet honest confession goes against just about every piece of medical advice on what to eat as you age. One example being from BBC Good Food, which suggests individuals 60 and over should focus on foods high in fibre, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
However, the star did continue to admit that during the week, she takes pride in both her diet and fitness routine.
She added: “I try to eat healthy. I am a gym fanatic. A trainer comes to my apartment in Monaco three times a week. I try to go to the gym three times but make it twice if I am lucky. I feel it when I don’t go.”
In fact, Bassey feels good in more ways than one, admitting to The Sunday Post back in 2016 that she couldn’t care less about turning 80, as she feels 50 years younger than her birth certificate suggests.
“I don’t in any way feel that I am the age I’m told I am,” she joked.
“I think someone put the wrong date on my birth certificate. I’m sure I’m younger than the official version. There’s definitely been a mix-up somewhere.
“I feel 50 years younger than that. How I look is up to how other people see me, but I know how I feel.”
The Goldfinger singer continued to explain that she realises just how hard prioritising both diet and exercise can be, especially when out on the road touring. But being somewhat of a perfectionist, the singer has always worked hard to give everything her absolute best.
She added: “It’s exhausting and can make you snack a lot and have little time for exercise. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself with your diet and health.
“I have always been a bit level-headed in that department and I have worked out for years. I don’t believe in punishing yourself, but regular routines are great and refreshing. I’m still into yoga, pilates and gym sessions that don’t have me dragged off in an ambulance.
“I don’t overdo the eating either. Remember I was brought up in lovely Tiger Bay [Cardiff], where home cooking and simple diets were the general rule.
“I really enjoy cooking and while I venture into the exotic now and then, I still like basic stuff.
“I don’t throw big dinner parties or anything like that. It would scare me too much to cook for a lot of people. I’d be a nervous wreck if I served my guests with something I’d cooked!”
Age UK, a charity dedicated to helping the elderly, advises that eating well means individuals should enjoy the food they eat, and have plenty of variety so they are receiving all the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy weight.
Eating well should not mean giving up on the less healthy things that you enjoy- like Bassey’s indulgence on ice cream- but instead means eating in moderation becomes more important.
A range of at least five different-coloured fruit and vegetables each day, some form of protein, carbohydrates, a good source of calcium and a small portion of fat is the key to a well balanced and healthy diet.
Often forgotten about is the importance of fluids, which are just as important as food groups. Age UK goes on to state that water is vital in your bodies and not drinking enough can lead to constipation, dehydration and increase your risk of falling. Individuals should aim for at least six to eight glasses of fluid a day. This could be water, milk, soup, tea or coffee.
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