Gabrielle Union Workout and Diet

Actress
Born: 1972

Gabrielle Union-Wade was born in Nebraska and her family moved to California when she was 8. In high school, she was a 3-sport athlete: soccer, track and an all-star point guard for her basketball team. Union started out at the University of Nebraska, transferred to Cuesta College and then to UCLA. She graduated with a degree in sociology with the intention of becoming a lawyer. As a senior, she interned at a modeling agency which led to an offer of representation; she accepted to help pay off her school loans. Union’s acting career began with TV sitcoms, followed by supporting roles in films such as She’s All That and 10 Things I hate About You, until her breakthrough with a lead in the TV series City of Angels. She was ranked on Maxim’s ‘Sexiest Woman’ list multiple times and Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020. Union has a line of haircare products, has written a memoir and a children’s book, and is outspoken about women’s health and violence against women. She married former NBA player Dwayne Wade in 2014 and they have 1 child together. She has millions of followers on social media. Union is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 130 lbs.

Known For:

Gabrielle Union’s Diet

Summary

Closing in on 50, Union look great. After experiencing difficulties with IVF treatment, she started working with a nutritionist who advised she give up gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and salt. Union was skeptical but saw results almost immediately so she stuck with it. She eats primarily healthy fats and leafy greens. She’ll have fresh-pressed veggie juices, and her snacks are things like unsalted almonds. She also drinks plenty of water, usually a gallon a day.

Estimated Macros

Low Protein 20% 20%

Low-Medium Carb 20% 20%

High Fat 80% 80%

Diet Details

Like Night and Day

Union wasn’t keen to give up the fun foods, but when she felt better within days, she decided it was worth it — except for the alcohol part. After 6 weeks, she decided that was non-negotiable.

Almost Vegan

Union has veggies every day, including at least 2 servings of leafy greens, along with a fresh-pressed juice with ingredients like beets, carrots and kale every other day. She snacks on unsalted nuts and only eats meat occasionally and in moderation.

Hydration Matters

Union really hits the water hard, about a gallon a day. She takes it from the tap rather than bottled, and sometimes flavors it with a little lemon. She tries to finish her gallon by 6 pm or else she’s up all night in the b-room.

Cheat Day

Union permits herself the occasional indulgence, and she goes all out: garlic parmesan fries and chicken wings are two of her top picks.

What to Eat

Water

Lemon Juice

Spinach

Kale

Swiss Chard

Unsalted Almonds

Beet Juice

Carrot

Vegetables

Lean Protein

Healthy Fats

Olive Oil

Avocado

Alcohol (in moderation)

Meat (in moderation)

What to Avoid

Gluten

Dairy

Caffeine

Excess Sodium

Soy Products

Refined Sugar

Processed Food

Artificial Sweeteners

Chemical Ingredients

Grains

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Union on Some of The Side Effects of IVF

‘My face looked like the surface of the moon; small chunks of hair were falling out.’

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Union on IVF, Take II

‘At 9 a.m., I had a flat stomach. By noon, I looked like I was 5 months pregnant.’

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Union on Her Nutritionist’s Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Alcohol-free diet

‘I felt like she was try to torture me.’

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Union on Meat

‘I love the occasional rib-eye steak. I do try to cut down on the actual portions. I don’t need the 12 oz. I was used to; I’ll go for 6 oz. as a happy medium.’

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Union on Hydration

‘If you can replace sugary drinks or coffee with water, you’re still ahead of the game.’

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Union on Drinking Water

‘My “secret”…best anti-aging product there is…#IPeeAlot.’

Gabrielle Union’s Workout Routine

Weekly Routine

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An Active Live

As a 3-sport high schooler, Union is no stranger to sweating it up. She says exercise is a key component of health.

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Every Little Bit Counts

Union is a busy woman, but she doesn’t make excuses for missing a workout. If she can’t make it to the gym, she’ll go for a hike or do push-ups in her trailer. She says everyone should make a point of moving every day.

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A True Union

Union often hits the Heart & Hustle gym with her hubs Dwayne Wade. Although she sometimes would prefer to skip the gym, she doesn’t like leaving people hanging.

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Rise & Shine

Union likes to get her exercise in early before other commitments crowd it out.

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Daily Dose

Union is usually up at 5 am for her workout. Even when she doesn’t feel like getting up, she pushes herself because she knows she’ll feel better.

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Varied Training

Union does Pilates, weight training and intervals on the treadmill. Weight work includes kettlebells, deadlifts, lunges, and hex barbells along with sled pushes and stability ball work.

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Fresh Air

Union digs hiking outside with her baby as added weight resistance. She loves the feeling of the sun on her face.

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Quick Hit

Union doesn’t let a busy schedule get in her way. If she can’t fit in a formal workout, she’ll do brief circuits in her trailer.

Exercise Style

A Gabrielle Union Routine

Cardio: 15-20 min/daily

Strength training: daily

Pilates: daily

Interval training on treadmill:
Aim for at least 6 rounds.

1 min @ level 5
1 min @ level 3
1 min @ level 5.2
1 min @ level 3
1 min @ level 5.5

Short circuit if you’re pressed for time
Repeat at least twice. Try to do 1 circuit in less than 2 minutes.
Jumping jacks: 20
Run in place: 30 sec
Push-ups: 10
Sit-ups: 10
Weighted curls: 15
Squats: 15

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Union on Her Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle

‘I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death. I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be a big mama in a rocking chair…or huffing and puffing just going up stairs.’

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Union on Getting Moving

‘You know every little bit helps. Being sedentary is not your friend. Just work in little bits if you can’t get to the gym.’

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Union on Fresh Air Exercise

‘Give me a trail, a park, a walk down the street with the dogs, a breeze, rain.’

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Union on Working Out As a Family

‘Training together, struggling, failing, trying to get better, it’s been a cool thing…I’m a cool mom!’

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Union on Why She Exercises

‘I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!’

Gabrielle Union’s Supplements

Union is keeping quiet when it comes to her supplement choices. So below are supplements that can benefit anyone following a similar diet.

fiber

Union definitely considers food to be her #1 line of defense against disease. Leafy greens are packed with nutrients and fiber.

greens supplement

If you don’t get enough, consider adding a greens supplement.

Beets

Beets are great for regulating blood pressure and providing energy

vitamin C

Lemon is full of immune-boosting antioxidant vitamin C. Union has been open about her struggles with adenomyosis which causes blood clots to form in the uterus.

Vitex or chasteberry

Vitex or chasteberry contains compounds that mimic the hormones progesterone and testosterone which support more regular periods

omega-3s

Other supplements that help control symptoms of adenomyosis include omega-3s, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon and peppermint.

Gabrielle Union’s Lifestyle

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Operation: Shut It Down

Union starts the bedtime routine at 6 pm. She is strict about the schedule for the baby, and says each person retreats to his or her corner to unwind. For herself, she lights a candle, burns some sage, and does her beauty routine. Then she meditates. Sometimes she even meditates in the bathroom because she knows she’ll be left alone in there.

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Pass on the Social Media

Union says she’d rather do a 5-minute meditation than check up on her social media. She says putting away phones and devices early in the evening has been life-changing for her entire family. It has decreased anxiety, and makes them more peaceful.

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Thanks, Oprah

At age 19, Union was attacked and raped at gunpoint by a robber at her part-time job at Payless Shoes. She said it was due to watching an Oprah show that she learned how to survive such an attack. Oprah has since praised her for being outspoken on women’s issues

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There’s Something About the Pros

In high school, Union dated future NBAer Jason Kidd. She married NFLer Chris Howard in 2001, and her current husband is former NBAer Dwayne Wade.

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Fertility Struggles

Union suffered multiple miscarriages before finally getting pregnant. She was eventually diagnosed with a type of endometriosis called adenomyosis, whose only cure is usually a hysterectomy.

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Union on Devices

‘Just putting our phones away has greatly changed the sleep routine for us all. And when you wake up, don’t reach right for the phone.’

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Union on Getting Outside

‘I need sun. I need vitamin D on my face…I’ll get a lawn chair and sit outside my trailer so I’m not trapped inside.’

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Union on her Upbringing

‘I was taught to be an independent woman, standing on my own 2 feet, and that’s the road I opted to take.’

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Union on Her Parents

‘They’re pretty awesome. I’m lucky.’

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Union on Her Infertility Issues

‘For so many women…people feel entitle to know, “Do you want kids?”…They have no idea the harm or frustration it can cause.’