Hot Bods: Finance professionals avoid highly processed foods

SINGAPORE - Meet this week's hot bods - impact investor Cindy Ko, 44, and asset manager Andre Barlian, 39.

Cindy Ko, 44

Impact investor

Height: 1.6m

Weight: 50kg

I enjoy exercises such as yoga, tennis, swimming and running. I do each at least once a week - early in the morning, for an hour - before family and work obligations create opportunities for excuses. In the evening, I try to make time for relaxing yoga stretches or go for a 30- to 60-minute walk to unwind.

I try to practise mindful eating and drinking, taking cues from my body as to what and how much to eat and drink.

I avoid overly processed foods. My meals are home-cooked and I make an effort to fill my plate with vegetables.

I think when and how we eat are as important as what we eat. I also strive to keep regular mealtimes. I avoid later dinners unless I am eating out with friends, as it is important to give your body a break from digesting food.

Andre Barlian, 39

Asset manager

Height: 1.76m

Weight: 68kg

I work out for an hour at the gym on weekdays. As I run to and from the gym, I get 8km of cardio a day as well. I do long runs of 25-30km on Saturdays on trails starting from MacRitchie Reservoir. On Sundays, I swim for an hour.

I eat everything, but try to keep my meals balanced. Breakfast consists of oatmeal with a banana, berries, nuts, chia seeds and turmeric powder.

I also do intermittent fasting for 13 to 16 hours. I am prone to inflammation and find that turmeric and intermittent fasting help to reduce it. The rest of my meals are made up of complex carbs, greens and proteins. I eat more plant-based food, but do not shy away from meat.

Quality is important to me. I avoid highly processed foods like sausages and pepperoni, as well as foods that have hydrogenated vegetable oil or trans fat, like frozen meals and fast food.