Meghan Markle&

Who Was Vera Ellen?

Vera Ellen was an American actress and dancer who rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s. She was known for her lithe figure and impressive dance skills. Some of her most famous roles were in the musical films On the Town, Three Little Words, and White Christmas.

Vera Ellen's notable physical assets were her slim physique, small waist, and toned legs. At the peak of her career, she reportedly weighed only 108 pounds at 5 feet 4 inches tall.

Her minimal body weight was both an asset and challenge when dancing. While it gave her a delicate, elegant look on screen, it also led to health issues like anemia and menstrual dysfunction.

The Extreme Diet Behind Vera Ellen's Slim Figure

So just how did Vera Ellen maintain such an incredible slim figure as a dancer in the Hollywood spotlight?

According to reports, Vera Ellen followed an extreme diet believed to be about 800-1,000 calories per day. Her daily diet was said to consist mainly of:

• Plain yogurt
• Fresh fruit like bananas and apples
• Toast
• Eggs
• Fish like sole
• Frequent small meals

This calorie intake was dangerously low for her level of activity with vigorous dance rehearsals and filming schedules. Consuming too few calories causes the body to slow its metabolic rate and start breaking down muscle tissue for energy.

Dietary Obsession and Control

Friends and coworkers noted Vera Ellen's obsession with dieting and her rigid control around food. Meals were carefully planned, measured, and timed. She avoided social eating situations that might disrupt her strict regimen.

Vera Ellen reportedly ate the same foods in the same order each day. She did not want to gain weight that might compromise her career as a Hollywood dancer.

Signs of Anorexia and Other Issues

Many now retroactively diagnose Vera Ellen with anorexia nervosa based on her controlled eating habits and low body weight. Anorexia involves extreme calorie restriction, fear of gaining weight, and body image distortion.

In addition to her thin frame, Vera Ellen exhibited many physical signs of malnourishment and amenorrhea (lack of menstrual cycles). Constant dieting likely contributed to her lifelong issues with infertility after marriage.

Vera Ellen was also known to rely on sleeping pills, amphetamines, and cigarettes to suppress appetite and maintain her low weight. Use of stimulants may have contributed to her anxiety and paranoia later in life.

Health Consequences of Severe Calorie Restriction

While Vera Ellen's super slim physique earned praise on screen and in magazines, it came at a steep price for her health and wellbeing.

Consuming so few calories can lead to issues like:

• Slowed metabolism
• Muscle loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Hormone disruption
• Loss of bone density
• Heart arrhythmias
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Fertility problems
• Menstrual irregularities
• Anemia
• Suppressed immune function
• Growth of lanugo hair
• Organ damage

Chronic starvation Diets deprive the body of crucial macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This can impair normal functioning and lead to long-term medical complications.

Impact on Bones and Immunity

Vera Ellen was known to have issues like anemia and osteoporosis later in life. Anemia occurs when the body lacks iron and other nutrients needed to produce red blood cells. Osteoporosis results from loss of bone mineral density over time.

Her extreme dieting likely compromised her bone health and immunity even from a young age. Malnutrition prevents the body from maintaining strong bones and fighting off illnesses.

Link to Infertility

Vera Ellen was unable to have children, likely due in part to her low body weight and lack of ovulation. Very low body fat leads to irregular or absent menstrual cycles. Loss of periods indicates inadequate nutrition to support a pregnancy.

Those with histories of disordered eating often struggle with infertility and repeat pregnancy loss due to hormone disruption. Extreme dieting can permanently impair reproductive capacity.

Modern View of Vera Ellen's Dieting Habits

While Vera Ellens restrictive eating patterns and tiny silhouette were idolized in her day, modern health experts raise serious concerns about the safety of her diet.

Registered dietitians note that her calorie intake was dangerously low to support normal body functioning. Consuming sufficient calories and nutrients is necessary for good health.

Risk of Disordered Eating

Following an unbalanced diet of mostly yogurt, fruit, toast, and eggs would be considered disordered eating today. Strict rules, fear of weight gain, and obsessive habits characterize an eating disorder.

Repeating Vera Ellen's severe calorie restriction could jeopardize physical health. It may also trigger cycles of food restriction followed by bingeing. Eating disorders require professional treatment.

Importance of All Food Groups

A balanced diet contains adequate calories along with plenty of wholesome proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Eliminating food groups can lead to deficiencies.

Experts note the dangers of long-term food avoidance or restriction. Diverse foods support good nutrition and wellbeing rather than sheer weight loss.

Staying Fit at a Healthy Weight

Dancers and performers can stay slender and fit through regular exercise and mindful eating. There are many ways to maintain a healthy weight without resorting to deprivation.

Strength training boosts metabolism and builds lean muscle. Cardio exercise burns additional calories. Low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods provide satiation and energy. Portion control is key for weight management.

Losing weight in a healthy, sustainable way may take more time but protects overall wellness.

Healthy Diet Tips from Today's Experts

Instead of extremely restrictive dieting, nutrition experts recommend these tips for staying slim and strong in a balanced way:

• Eat plenty of unprocessed lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, and tofu to preserve muscle tone.
• Fill up on fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans to provide volume and nutrients.
• Incorporate beneficial fats from oils, nuts, seeds, and avocados to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
• Stay hydrated with water, herbal tea, and other low-calorie beverages.
• Limit added sugars, refined carbs, and processed foods which can trigger overeating.
• Practice mindful eating by paying attention to hunger cues and fullness signals.
• Use smaller plates and control portions to keep calorie intake in check.
• Cook meals at home to control ingredients and limit dining out temptations.
• Find an eating and exercise routine that fits your lifestyle and is sustainable for the long term.

With balance and moderation, you can stay trim and healthy for life without depriving yourself of essential nutrition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.