On the eve of World Health Day today, Active puts the fit and fabulous to the test. Find out how well they did on the exercise and diet fit-o-meter

Celeb fitness report card

On the eve of World Health Day today, Active puts the fit and fabulous to the test. Find out how well they did on the exercise and diet fit-o-meter

We're told they get paid to look this good. It comes as no surprise then that we look to them for free advice on sound nutrition and exercise.

But are celebs the best role models for healthy living? How much of their own advice do they follow themselves?

We put seven celebs to the test and checked in with the experts: nutritionist Naini Setalvad and fitness trainer Deanne Panday, to find out how much heed you should be paying to those celeb claims.
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Find out how they scored on our celeb health report card:

Isha Sharvani, actress and dancer

I've been busy rehearsing for a musical in Delhi, and so my day starts at 6.30 am. I do a combination of yoga, dance and martial arts training.
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I modify my diet according to the season. Since it's summer I eat lighter foods and drink copious amounts of jeera-pani to stay hydrated. In the morning, I drink chai followed by a breakfast of egg or soya poha.
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For lunch, it's roti, sabzi, salad or just a sandwich. I enjoy eating a bowl of cereal in the evenings. For dinner, I eat rice, dal and curd.
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My biggest weakness? Chocolate. To rid my body of toxins, I get a deep tissue massage. When I need to unwind, I read books, watch TV or spend some quiet time alone.
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If I am in Kerala, I cuddle up with my pet Jack Russell terrier Noorjehan. Just before I tuck in, I enjoy a cup of chai with milk and sugar; it helps me calm down and puts me straight off to sleep.

Isha's Recipe For a High-Energy Smoothie

Blitz together banana, peanuts, honey, curd, sugar and chocolate. "This smoothie keeps me going for hours, especially when I have no time to eat. Since, it's summer, I even add mangoes to it. The smoothie might seem high in calories, but since I rehearse every day, I need the extra energy," says Isha.

Deanne's rating
Her training routine is impeccably balanced, but she should also add more wholegrains and beans to her diet and increase protein and folic acid intake.

Naini's rating
It's good to eat seasonal foods and drink fluids in summer but it's better to replace chocolate with cocoa. Isha must add veggies and pulses to every meal. Chai at bed time is not a good idea since it hampers the relaxation of brain cells.

Ruslaan Mumtaz, actor

I don't usually follow a diet, but since I needed to build muscle for my next release, Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, I had to follow a high-protein diet.

This included eating 20 egg whites and an entire grilled chicken (half for lunch and half for dinner) in a day, lots of dals and salad.
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I follow a six-day workout routine, in which I dedicate one day to a particular part of the body. For example, Mondays are reserved for working on the chest and shoulders, Tuesdays are for triceps and biceps, and Saturdays are for abs and cardio.

My mom sometimes makes a special veggie juice a mixture of karela (bitter gourd) and spinach, which works as a great detox treatment.
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To unwind, I like to watch movies seated on a recliner in the theatre. If the movie is boring, I go to sleep and if it is an interesting one, then I am happy so, it's a win-win situation.

Deanne's rating
Ruslaan should do cardio at least twice a week. His diet should have more variety
as a high-protein diet is bad for the
kidneys.

Naini's rating
There is no substitute for a healthy balanced diet that includes all food groups, not just chicken. Apart from salads, Ruslaan should also eat cooked vegetables.

Kunal Kapoor, actor

I start my day by drinking a bottle of lukewarm water and make it a point to drink at least 12 to 15 glasses of water a day.

I also drink a glass of carrot, beetroot and spinach juice. Given the crazy heat these days, nariyal pani is another refreshing alternative. I try to incorporate lots of salads and fruits in my diet, though I'm not one to follow crazy detox diets.
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I make it a point to avoid tea and coffee. My favourite healthy treat is a protein shake mixed with bananas and peanut butter.

I am an exerciseholic! I love experimenting with new ways of training. Over the years, I've developed a combination of stuff that works for me.

I avoid weight training and stick to free-hand exercises. My training includes pull-ups push-ups, pilates, cross-training, yoga and Kalaripayattu. I cycle and hit the pool whenever I get the chance.

When it comes to sleep, I'm blessed, since I can sleep anytime, anywhere. I fall asleep within 30 seconds of hitting the bed. Meditation and moderation are the keys to good health.

Deanne's rating
Kunal should up his protein intake by consuming more soya, green pepper, cauliflower and lettuce.

Naini's rating
Kunal should skip the shake and keep the peanut butter and bananas. He should eat lots of fruits and veggies and get proteins from sprouts, dals, beans, curd, eggs, fish and skinless chicken breast.

What is World Health Day?

World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7, and is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). The idea is to focus people's attention on one significant aspect of global health.
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This year, the campaign is "1000 cities, 1000 lives" and will focus on urbanisation and its effects on public health.

A call has been made to a thousand cities across the globe to open their streets for activities that contribute to general health, whether they be games in public spaces, clean-up campaigns or a simple restriction on the use of motor vehicles.

Gul Panag, actress

I make it a point to eat two portions of fruit a day and drink a glass of vegetable juice.

I am genetically programmed to eat North Indian food, which is why I stick to eating a balanced diet comprising roti, dal and vegetables. I eat rice, salads and soups only occasionally.

I also drink milk, which keeps me fit. Since I consume everything in moderation, I don't feel the need to detox and don't believe in detox treatments. My favourite way to relax and de-stress is by running. Last week, I shot for 13 hours at a stretch, and yet I came back and went for a run.
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It made me feel great; in fact any physical activity makes me happy. Initially, it is tough to get started and it feels like a punishment but by the end of it I feel on top of the world.
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I can run anywhere be it at the gym or on the road. To ensure a good night's sleep, I burn Bengal Tuberose oil, apply hand and foot cream and do some Buddhist chants to set the mood at night.

Deanne's rating
Gul's diet is perfect but running too much can add stress to her joints. She should add more resistance strength activities to her routine.

Naini's rating
Gul should consume more portions of fruits, soups and salads, which are very good for health. She can also have a glass of vegetable juice daily to keep cool.

Family Fun Day Tomorrow

Make a date with health and head to the MCA Recreation Centre with your family in tow. On the occasion of World Health Day, MCA has organised Fit for Fun, a fun-filled evening for the family. Parents can enrol their children in crawling, walking and talking competitions.
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Team up with your kiddo and participate in a skipping competition for two. Tied to your family? Prove it. Take part in the family race, where each member's foot will be tied to the other. Men can count calories and plan diet charts, while women will lift dumbbells, in a role-reversal of sorts.

At: Mumbai Cricket Association,
RG-2, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E).
Call 26446737 for reservations.

Aamir Ali, actor

In the mornings, I drink a glass of nariyal pani, munch on some aloe vera pulp, chew a few wheatgrass leaves, take two sips of amla juice, and a handful of dry fruits.

It's the one detox treatment I absolutely swear by. I love fruits, be it summer fruits like kala jamun and mangoes or oranges and bananas. For lunch, I eat rice and chicken, and dinner is chicken and chapati, except for Tuesdays when I follow a vegetarian diet.
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I used to eat a lot of junk food in the evenings, but I have now made a conscious decision to eat healthier snacks like fruits or vegetable sandwiches. My worst habit used to be eating two dinners; one at 10.30 pm and one at 1.30 am in which I ate only fatty and sweet stuff. I've stopped that now.
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My biggest weakness is my fondness for sweets. There was a point when I used to eat two sweets every day, which I have cut back to four times a week.
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I also make it a point to work out four times a week, depending on my schedule, where I focus on a specific part of the body each day.
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I now workout for an hour and twenty minutes instead of two hours as I have realised it is better to exercise less and in the 'right' way rather than to over-train.

To unwind, I watch a sports or new programme on TV for 20 minutes before going to sleep. After a grueling day of work, I prefer to watch a movie, meet up with friends or play video games.

Deanne's rating
Aamir should do more cardio and consume more vegetables.

Naini's rating
Aamir should vary protein sources and include dal, beans, sprouts, spinach and peas in his diet.u00a0

Rahul Dev, actor

I drink two glasses of lukewarm water when I wake up. For breakfast, I have a bowl of muesli with yoghurt that's been sweetened with honey.

I am a foodie and I'm also pro-caffeine! Chocolate and coffee are favourite indulgences. I drink four cups of very strong milk coffee, which I am trying to gradually reduce to two cups and then to none. I believe that you should be able to enjoy your food, which is also why I exercise as hard as I do.

I drink 8-9 bottles of water in a day, which I think is essential given that coffee acts as a diuretic, and also that we live in a tropical country.
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I love nariyal pani, which acts like a coolant on the system. I used to reserve one day in the week for fasting, during which I would just eat fruits and drink juice. Though, I have been a little irresponsible in the past 14 months and haven't followed this routine.

I don't drink veggie juice very often. But when I'm in Delhi, I drink juice that's been made with red carrots, tomatoes, pomegranate, beetroot and even some apple, with a few mint leaves thrown in. I make it a point to train for an hour at least five times a week.
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I'm more of an outdoors person and enjoy running outside. I follow a rigorous workout comprising bodyweight exercises.
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I am a bit of an insomniac and manage only 4 to 5 hours of sleep every night. Ideally, I'd like to sleep for 6 to 7 hours every night.

It's important to follow a routine and to remember that it's never too late to make a beginning. Staying positive is my secret to good health.

Deanne's rating
His exercise routine is flawless and he has great knowledge of fitness. But he should ensure he gets 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day.

Naini's rating
For breakfast, he should opt for organic muesli with no honey and homemade cow's milk yoghurt. Granola bars can be substituted with fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts and seeds. He should also drink a glass of vegetable juice every day.

Soniya Mehra, actress

I kickstart my day with green tea, followed by a glass of fresh orange juice. My diet comprises egg-white omelettes, grilled chicken and my mom's special chicken and vegetable soup. I allow myself one cheat day in the week to eat whatever I'm craving to my heart's content.
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I drink at least three litres of water a day. If I've been indisciplined, I follow the Master Cleanse Diet in which you drink nimbu pani with a little red chilli powder and a dash of maple syrup for an entire week.

I follow the diet for just a day or two, since following it for seven days is too extreme. I consider myself a yoga junkie. My exercise routine includes yoga, doing 500 skips, followed by running on the treadmill. I go for cross-training classes in the evenings.

Deanne's rating
She should focus more on strength and resistance training.

Naini's rating
There is no substitute for a healthy balanced diet. Detox gimmicks are neither healthy nor practical. Having a cheat day is not a great idea since it psychologically puts you in the mindset that eating healthy food is not enjoyable. Soniya needs to add more vegetables, salads and fruits to her diet.