Both a model, lingerie designer and recently mother: the former beauty queen is on all fronts. And if Camille Cerf has regularly spoken in the press about her dietary breakdowns and weight variations, what are her secrets today to feeling better in her body and in her mind? In reality, the host focuses above all on simplicity: adopting sustainable habits and avoiding strict diets.
True Medical. After the false good resolutions of January, what is your wellness routine at the start of the year?
Camille Cerf. The idea is above all to take care of myself. Of course, there were the holidays and its share of false good resolutions, but above all I am coming out of a major postpartum phase where I neglected myself a little. Right now, my real good resolution is to put myself back at the center of my priorities and take care of myself.
This involves the way I eat: favoring healthy foods that have a real impact on my daily well-being, my digestion, my fatigue and my energy level. And on this point, I stick to it quite well: I try to consume as many vegetables as possible, to favor seasonal fruits and vegetables, and to ensure a sufficient daily protein intake. I’m not for strict diets: I think that simply being careful and choosing foods that make us feel good is enough.
“Sport is also part of my routine: regular physical activity helps me feel good, physically and mentally. For now, it’s only the beginning of the year, but I’m sticking with it!“, confides the model.
What really works for you, food-wise? Your do’s & don’ts in a way?
For me, regularity is key. Creating lasting routines is also important. I am against anything that is too extreme: depriving yourself, eliminating certain foods or only eating a few… All of this is way too complicated.
I was actually a vegetarian by conviction for several years and this lifestyle was really difficult. I missed meat a lot, I even developed some small eating disorders: I ate certain foods somewhat compulsively to compensate for this frustration. From now on, I want to avoid repeating these mistakes.
“I like simple things, easy to integrate into my daily life and above all durable“, admits the French host.
Is there a “pleasure” food?
to which you succumbeven in a balanced routine?
Yes ! I love peanut butter and dark chocolate. I put it everywhere: in my yogurts, on my toast, with a spoon, in my cakes… they are my essential little pleasures.
When it comes to sport, what activities do you practice and which give you the most well-being?
I do muscle strengthening with a coach at the gym. I also try to walk at least 45 minutes a day, every day. What really does me a lot of good is swimming: I try to do it once a week. I would like to do more, but I don’t always succeed.
A few months ago, I was diagnosed with lipedema, an inflammatory disease that promotes the accumulation of so-called “diseased” fat, mainly in the legs. Swimming helps me a lot: it drains, provides a feeling of well-being and reduces the side effects of lipedema, such as pain, bruising and swelling. For me, its benefits are therefore considerable.
You recently said you eat yogurt very regularly. For what reasons, beyond simple taste pleasure?
First of all, I love yogurt: it’s a dessert that is both easy and healthy. Then, I notice a real difference in my body and my digestion, when I choose the yogurt that suits me. Personally, I like those from Activia, which I add in the morning with cereals, fresh fruit and dried fruit. It’s a little moment of pleasure – because I like to finish my meals with a sweet touch – and above all, I feel that taking this product does my digestive good.
How do you take care of your gut health?
I favor vegetables a lot, consuming at least one vegetable per meal. I also choose whole grains: whole grain pasta, whole grain rice. I limit animal proteins in favor of legumes. Of course, I continue to eat a little meat, but I try to alternate with legumes, which works quite well for me in terms of digestion.
“Fermented foods are also essential: I see a real difference thanks to them!” recognizes the former Miss France.
Do you think that a balanced microbiota is a guarantee of good health?
Yes ! More and more studies show this. Kombucha or kefir, for example, have real effects on digestion. This is a very fascinating subject.
What is your ultimate “digestion” tip? The one that makes a big difference to you on a daily basis?
Everyone is different. We all have foods that suit us and others that don’t. The important thing is to listen to your body and know how to identify what makes you feel good. For example, I know tomatoes are a problem for me, so I try to avoid them. But if I eat a little, I compensate by choosing another beneficial food or going for a walk to stimulate my digestion.
A question of common sense in short for the former beauty queen, who shows us that we can take care of our health while approaching the contents of our plate in a relaxed way!