Zara Tindall, the former Olympic equestrian star, has revealed that eating Greek yoghurt for breakfast helps keep her cholesterol levels low. The 44-year-old royal, who is the daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, shared that this simple food choice contributes to her clean bill of health.
Zara's Diet and Fitness Regime
Although Zara has not competed in the Olympics since winning a silver medal at the London 2012 Games, she continues to perform at an elite level. She once attributed her peak physical condition to her strict diet. In a 2015 interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, she said: "For breakfast, I'll eat something like Greek yoghurt with honey, a piece of fruit, or toast. Lunch is quick and simple, like soup and a sandwich or eggs and toast. I don't diet, but I try to eat well and not to eat too many carbohydrates or sugary things."
The British Heart Foundation advises that Greek yoghurt has a higher protein content than regular yoghurt or milk, along with lower sugar and a thicker consistency. This helps you feel fuller faster and reduces cravings. Studies suggest that the nutrient blend in dairy products may also lower the risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Opting for low-fat Greek yoghurt can help keep cholesterol down due to its lower saturated fat content.
Balanced Meals for Optimal Health
Zara's preferred lunch of eggs and toast provides a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. The yolk contains most of the fat in eggs, along with a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Alongside her diet, Zara believes her fitness routine keeps her in top form for riding. In December 2023, she announced she was going part-time in equestrian to spend more time with her three children.
Post-Pregnancy Challenges
After the birth of her first child, Mia, Zara admitted it was difficult to regain her pre-pregnancy fitness. During an appearance on her husband Mike Tindall's YouTube series 'Mike Drop', she said: "It is hard getting your body back when you've been riding for 25 years. Then your body is just completely not doing that, and your muscles are doing nothing. But it's just completely different, trying to get your body back to where it was quite...I found hard work. I found it hard getting myself back to it. Mentally, you feel guilty as a mother leaving your child to go and do something else."
Career Highlights
Zara has been competing in eventing since leaving the University of Exeter in 2003. She won gold at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and was subsequently voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2007. Zara married former England rugby star Mike Tindall in 2011, and they have three children: Mia Grace, Lena Elizabeth, and Lucas Phillip.
