Sarah Michelle Gellar recently shared insights into her diet, fitness, and skincare routines, offering a glimpse into how she maintains her physique at 49. The actress, known for her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a series of photos on Instagram from a summer weekend in the south of France, which included a bikini snapshot that garnered significant fan attention.
Gellar's approach to diet centers on balance and moderation. She told Women's Health that she does not believe in completely cutting out foods, as this can lead to cravings. Instead, she focuses on making healthy choices and enjoying treats in moderation. "My food mantra is balance - I don't believe in cutting anything out completely because you're just going to crave that more," she stated. To manage her time between work and parenting her two children, Charlotte Grace and Rocky James, she has adopted meal prepping. "After having kids, health became a bigger priority. I want to be around for a long time and set a good example for them," she explained to My Fitness Pal, adding that meal planning helps ensure nutritious options are available even during busy periods.
Her typical day starts with overnight oats, including almond milk, chia seeds, blueberries, and almonds. Lunch often consists of a home-prepped salad, wrap, or a Buddha bowl with brown rice, edamame, snap peas, chicken breast, and a soy-vinegar dressing. Dinner frequently comprises leftovers from meals prepared by her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., who she identifies as the primary cook in the household. To boost protein intake, Gellar incorporates ingredients like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, roasted chickpeas, or hemp seeds into her meals, which she notes aids her exercise regimen.
In terms of fitness, Gellar has shifted her focus to strength training, which she describes as a "game-changer." "I wanted to feel strong," she told My Fitness Pal. "It's not about appearance - it's about feeling capable. I want to lift my kids, carry groceries, and just keep up with my life." She also highlighted the importance of strength training for bone density as women age. Gellar works with a trainer one to two times a week for strength training and also enjoys Pilates. When traveling, she relies on resistance bands and hotel hand towels as sliders to maintain her workout routine. She also finds motivation by exercising with friends, which helps prevent cancellations.
Gellar's skincare philosophy is holistic, emphasizing that overall body care contributes to skin health. She consistently washes her face, removing makeup and the day's impurities. "I never go to sleep with makeup on," she stated. She also prioritizes moisturizing, especially as her skin has become progressively drier with age. "So for me it's about really making sure that my skin gets the moisture that it needs, both topically and that I’m drinking enough water now," she said. She also mentioned dealing with adult acne, noting that a pimple at her age can be more concerning than during her teenage years.