Danica McKellar Shares Her Health Secrets at 50

At 50, Danica McKellar looks fantastic, and the star of Great American Family recently opened up about how she manages to fend off temptations, especially during the holidays.

“One of my tricks is that I hold off on desserts or unhealthy foods until I’ve filled up on healthier options,” she shared. “Once I’m satisfied with the healthy stuff, I might indulge a bit more. But I really don’t want to feel hungry when I’m opting for something less nutritious.”

If you clean your plate of healthy foods and still want more, she believes it’s okay to enjoy a small treat.

The actress, best known for her role on *The Wonder Years*, mentioned she doesn’t really make New Year’s resolutions.

“I think it’s just about striving daily to be my best self, doing what I believe God wants from me, and following His guidance,” she noted during an interview in Nashville. “Actually, listening to God is a theme in my Christmas movies.”

Her latest film, *Have We Met This Christmas?*, marks both her 12th holiday movie and her debut as a screenwriter. It premieres on December 13 and will be available on Great American Pure Flix.

Last month, she also released her 12th math book aimed at children, titled *I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love*.

“Writing my own Christmas movie has been enjoyable,” she explained. “You get to choose the themes, and I’ll be incorporating elements about listening to God and forgiveness, which are fitting for the season.”

McKellar described her eating habits as “very boring” but emphasized that her “top secret for staying young and healthy” is simply drinking plenty of water.

“I steer clear of alcohol, coffee, soda, and I absolutely avoid artificial flavors or sweeteners,” she insisted. “In my opinion, those can be worse for your body than actual sugar, which isn’t great either, of course. So I make an effort to stay away from them.”

Additionally, she noted she avoids gluten and dairy, as well as almost all processed foods.

“I typically cook dinner every night, or at least every other night, to have leftovers,” she said. “I prepare my meals because I know what ingredients I’m using. Even when I’m filming, I manage to cook for myself.”

While working on location, McKellar keeps an Instant Pot in her hotel room. She shared, “I cook my own chicken, use my rice cooker for brown rice, and steam my veggies. Just some salt, pepper, and a bit of olive oil makes it really tasty and wholesome.”

She believes these practices help her resist the temptation to indulge in unhealthy options. “Honestly, when I’m facing those cravings, I remind myself that I’m fulfilling my needs for good and nutritious food I love. It’s like earning that little indulgence,” she said.