Carrie Underwood Shares Her Secret Indulgences and the Mind-Shift That Changed Her Health (EXCLUSIVE)

Country music legend Carrie Underwood is undoubtedly one of the busiest women in showbusiness. Last week she announced that she’ll be taking Katy Perry’s place as judge on American Idol for Season 8, joining Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the panel, along with long-time host Ryan Seacrest. Carrie also released the duet, “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)” alongside rockers Papa Roach to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and raise awareness for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

If that wasn’t enough, the 8-time Grammy Award winner recently extended her hit Las Vegas Residency, REFLECTION, for six more shows into 2025. (Tickets are available now at AXS.com/carrieinvegas.)  

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“I absolutely love touring, it’s one of my favorite parts of what I do, but as much fun as it is to come to the fans where they are, it’s also really special to be in one place for periods of time where folks from all over the world can come see us,” Carrie told FIRST for Women in a sit down for our latest cover (buy your copy here).

“When we’re doing a tour that’s in support of a new album, we’ll do a lot of new songs, along with the ones everyone loves and expects,” she smiles. “With REFLECTION, it’s more of a ‘best of’ show that celebrates and reflects upon my musical career so far.”

With such a busy schedule — and her responsibilities as a mom and wife, to boot — we were curious how the superstar stays healthy, happy and calm on her busiest days. Carrie’s secrets? It’s all about balance and little treats. Here’s what she had to say.  

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Making fitness and healthy eating a priority not only gives Carrie the energy she needs for her sons Jacob and Isaiah, which she shares with her husband, retired NHL player Mike Fisher, but it also helps her maintain her busy work schedule. 

As a longtime vegetarian, Carrie says that eating healthy is also an important part of her lifestyle. “I’ve been making it a point lately to eat real food. I feel like it’s so easy in our culture, and I’m guilty of this as well, and I will grab a processed bar or snack of some sort,” Carrie says. 

Now, the 41-year-old is making smoothies with frozen fruit and peanut butter and opting for snacks that are unprocessed and unpackaged like veggie sticks with hummus. 

“I’ll boil eggs and keep boiled those with me,” Carrie smiles. “I have a little snack bag with me literally everywhere I go that has almonds or some sort of seeds. I’ll make my own granola, which is super easy to do and you know exactly what’s in it and the protein keeps me full.” 

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Carrie Underwood believes in treating yourself

But Carrie also knows that life is all about balance and treats herself to a couple favorite indulgences. “I have dark chocolate every day. I really like dark chocolate, but I’ll just stick to a little bit of it,” she says. “It helps me with that craving and perks me up!”

“I am pretty good at allowing myself to have the treats, but in moderation for sure. I do like wine,” Carrie enthuses. “I feel like that’s something that at the end of a long day, be it from work or running around after my kiddos, it’s nice to have a little glass of red wine. It just feels good.”

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Carrie Underwood’s mindfulness shift

Carrie admits she wasn’t always focused on a healthy lifestyle. “I wasn’t always mindful of taking care of myself and learning how to nourish my body,” she says. “It’s been a long journey that is still evolving, as it is for all of us. You have to give yourself grace and not compare your path to anyone else’s.”

“When I made the decision to focus on what I needed to do to be strong and healthy instead of just my outward appearance, it changed my relationship with fitness and nutrition,” Carrie shares. “I’ve learned a lot about what my body needs to do everything I ask it to. I also want to be around for a long time for my kids and that means taking care of myself.”

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