Real Housewives of DC star Michaele Salahi reveals her diet secrets

Michaele Salahi, star of the Real Housewives of DC, stays skinny by
eating healthy food in moderation. (Photos/Michaele Salahi Facebook)

Real Housewives of D.C. star Michaele Salahi finds all the attention being paid to her thin frame and rumors of anorexia absurd.

I’m a healthy person," Salahi, 44, tells OK! Aug. 6, 2010. "I was always naturally thin, but now I’m a health nut [as I get older]."

Michaele, who was accused of being anorexic by co-star Lynda Erkiletian, has no idea why Lynda, 52, is so obsessed with her weight instead of worrying about her own life.

'I EAT IN MODERATION'

"It’s crazy," says Salahi. "There are so many women who spend a tremendous amount on lipo to begin with, and I think it’s great. Whatever makes them happy. If you’re healthy and you’re happy, let it be, but she’s obsessed with my weight, and it’s funny to me. I have no idea why!"

Michaele, who accused Whoopi Goldberg of hitting her when she visited The View on Aug. 4, stays thin by eating well -- and never to excess.

“I do everything in moderation,” she says. “I’m never someone to go out and have fried food every night. Would I have it every once in a while? Yes."

Salahi continues: "I love hot chocolate – that’s my vice. Every day, I have to have a Starbucks hot chocolate, but I balance it the rest of the day. I know that I’m having all those calories in the morning to get me going, and I think  – especially as you age, I was always naturally thin, but now I’m a health nut. I don’t like a lot of sauces and things, so I think Lynda’s comment is hurtful, but I forgive her, I move forward, I rise above it."

'I HAVE A BIG HEART AND LOTS OF SUBSTANCE'

Michaele, who stirred controversy when she and husband Tareq crashed a White House state dinner in Nov. 2009, says she deals with negativity and jealousy by being the bigger person (and not physically).

“There might be people who think I’m too heavy...there’s always opinions," she says. "That’s her opinion. I rise above it. I don’t know what [Erkiletian] feels by tearing me down. Will it build her up? That’s hurtful because I would never do that to anyone. But everybody’s got an opinion."

She continues: "Some people spend a tremendous amount [of time and money] to try and look thin. I have certain things I deal with – maybe I’m thin, but maybe I have some other [problems].”

Salahi, who's disliked by all her DC co-stars except for Stacie Scott Turner, thinks she's misunderstood. “I think people see me as a party girl, and I am a party girl, but I also have a big heart and a great deal of substance."

She adds: "I care about people, and there isn’t anyone I wouldn’t help, so I think the misconception is that I’m just a party girl – a Barbie. I know the media has written me up as D.C. Barbie, and I like it, it’s fun – but D.C. Barbie can not only be a party girl, but she can have a heart and make changes and do good.”

The Real Housewives of DC airs Thursdays on Bravo.

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