Bears vs Texans: NFL Showdown Preview

 

Maye Musk Reveals Flexitarian Diet Secrets for Staying Fit at 76

When Maye Musk was asked to pose for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit again, she didn't worry at all.

Maye, who is 76 years old and has been modeling for over 50 years, says a "flexitarian diet" helps her look and feel great.

A flexitarian diet mainly focuses on plant-based foods but allows meat in moderation. It’s more flexible than being a vegetarian.

Maye, the mother of Elon Musk, was photographed for the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary. She told Fox News Digital that she follows a flexitarian diet for "two reasons."

"When I got divorced in 1979, I couldn’t afford meat, fish, or chicken," Maye said. "So, I fed my children bean stew. They got tired of it, but I used different beans and lots of vegetables. I also gave them fruits that were in season. We couldn’t afford organic food. We ate whole wheat bread because in South Africa, brown bread was cheaper than white bread. It kept us healthy. For breakfast, we had cereal and fruit."

"I remember Elon saying, 'I always wanted Coco Pops, but we only got Raisin Bran,'" she laughed. "Coco Pops were more expensive and less nutritious, so that’s what they got. If they complained, I didn’t listen. My daughter Tosca wanted apricot jam, but it was more expensive than strawberry jam. So she didn’t get that either. My son Kimbal said he left home to go to university because he was tired of my bean stew."

"They joke about me, but I’m not a good cook," Maye admitted. "That’s why Kimbal learned to cook. He loves great food. Some people don’t like cooking, and that’s okay. You just eat the foods you like. I eat mainly vegetarian at home."

These days, Maye eats less bean stew. She buys fresh fruits and vegetables, which she says are essential as you get older.

"I eat very well," she said. "To keep your body healthy and skin glowing, you have to eat well. That keeps me in good health. When my children visit, we usually get meat, fish, or chicken. Tosca and Kimbal love cooking, so I always have delicious home-cooked meals."

"I love desserts," she said. "But I used to overeat. I was the first plus-size model in South Africa in my 30s because I gained 60 pounds during stressful times. Stress can make you overeat. My knees and back hurt. My cholesterol went up. I had to choose between taking medication for the rest of my life or getting my weight under control. So I chose to control my weight."

Maye joked that she can’t keep a box of chocolates at home because "old habits want to come back." However, she still enjoys sweets occasionally.