Clear Abs... 72-Year-Old American Grandmother Competing in Beauty Pageant Reveals Foods She Absolutely Never Eats

No Cheese, Processed Meat, or White Bread
Indulging with Almond Flour and a Bit of Sugar Cookies

A woman in her 70s who gained attention by participating in the Miss Universe USA beauty pageant in the United States revealed the secret to maintaining her youth.

Marisa Teyo (72) was the oldest contestant in the 'Miss Texas USA' held last month in Texas, USA. A former elementary school teacher with a 21-year-old granddaughter, she confidently competed against women who were about her granddaughter's age, drawing attention. Although she did not win any awards in the competition, her youthful and beautiful appearance, including her well-defined abs shown during the swimsuit segment, became a major topic.

[Photo by Marisa Tayyo Instagram capture]

On the 23rd, Teyo shared her usual diet and exercise habits in an interview with the pop culture media outlet 'People.' Regarding her diet, she said, "I eat clean and healthy food," adding, "My basic diet consists of a large amount of vegetables, fruits, and oatmeal." She also said, "I eat meat," explaining, "I occasionally eat chicken and fish, and sometimes enjoy steak."

There are also foods she avoids. She stated, "I do not eat cheese, processed meats (such as ham and sausages), or white bread." When she needs a little indulgence, instead of store-bought snacks, she eats cookies made with almond flour and a small amount of sugar.

Along with food, she emphasized the importance of exercise. Teyo said, "I started strength training at age 40 and practiced it about 5 to 6 days a week," adding, "I had been consistently running and doing step aerobics for a long time, but my body started to change when I began strength training." However, she recently reduced strength training to about 3 days a week due to her age, and on the other days, she does aerobic exercises such as indoor cycling and walking.

Regarding the most important secret to health management, she cited "continuously moving without stopping." She said, "I am very active. I do not stop. This is one of the things I strongly recommend to everyone," emphasizing, "Do not stop using your body." She added, "No matter how old you are, you can still move," and "If you keep moving, you can move well even as you get older."

Meanwhile, until last year, the Miss Universe pageant had an age limit of 18 to 28 years old, but this year, the restriction was abruptly removed. Restrictions on age, marriage, divorce, and pregnancy status were all lifted. Thanks to this, Teyo, who participated as the oldest contestant, posted on Instagram at the time, "I am happy to be able to participate in the competition," and said, "I hope to inspire women to strive to be their best physically and mentally, and to believe that beauty exists at every age through my participation."