Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams is on a national tour promoting healthy living. Adams, who’s witnessed firsthand her friends and family struggle with high blood pressure, has joined forces with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s Believe in Healthy BP Campaign to raise awareness within the black community and understand that high blood pressure is a serious health epidemic that can be managed. –yvette caslin
What is your fitness regimen?
My fitness regimen is pretty intense. Once I start my day around 3:45 a.m., I [run] five miles or I go to Pilates class. Also I do strength training because I am always on television. I have to make sure there’s tone and definition. I do it because I’ve been athletic practically all of my life. I even worked out when I was pregnant with [my daughter] Taylor.
What is your diet like?
My diet is pretty simple. I love good food. We were raised on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. I didn’t grow up on [many] fried foods … my grandfather [brought] lots of fruits for us. We had fried fish and fried chicken days. My grandmother baked chicken and fish. My vices are chocolate and ice cream, [but] I eat those sparingly, because my life is in the public and I have to live what I talk about.
You have a busy schedule, how often do you eat out?
The only time I really eat out is when I’m on the road. Then, I make the same choices that I would make at home — salmon and lots of oily fish and veggies. A lot of people don’t know that you can send a request to the chef [of] how you want your food prepared, and ask him not to use as much salt or use a salt substitute, or to use herbs.
What is your favorite meal?
Any meal I can share with my daughter. I cook everything from Italian to Cajun food. I have now mastered the roux for gumbo. I love cooking. I am the oldest of six kids, my family comes over [often] and we enjoy one another.
What is your comfort food?
You’re going to think this is a little crazy — shrimp and seafood lasagna.
What are you teaching your daughter about healhtful eating?
Taylor will eat an apple as opposed to French fries, because that is how we eat. She’s one of those kids who had a mom who would [put her] on the floor with her when she was a baby and do crunches.
For more information regarding the tour and the campaign, please visit www.BelieveinHealthyBP.com.
