Toni Braxton's Favorite Snack May Already Be in Your Freezer

You may know of the illustrious Toni Braxton for her timeless 90’s hits like Un-Break My Heart and Breathe Again or maybe her latest album Sex and Cigarettes. But lately, she’s also been the face of a movement to inform and educate people about lupus.

For over 15 years, Braxton has been living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. Her own health complications now include lupus nephritis or lupus-induced damage to the kidneys, and she’s working with Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Get Uncomfortable campaign to encourage those with lupus or symptoms of lupus to take action for the betterment of their health.

Braxton took some time to talk with us about the campaign’s Walk to End Lupus Now (plus, the shoes she walked in), how she came to embrace uncomfortable tasks to tackle lupus and what changes she’s made in her life to find balance with her health complications. You’ll also want to read until the end to know which EatingWell recipe she’s most excited for.

EatingWell: How has lupus nephritis affected your life?

Braxton: I have SLE, so it can affect any organ in my body. It's affected my heart, my blood, a little bit in my brain—but now it's starting to affect my kidneys. And I had no idea that lupus nephritis was as silent as it can be. A lot of times you have no symptoms, until the damage is already done. Once I learned about that and read about having lupus, I've always been an advocate about it. Having been so lucky, it's affected my body, and these tests have saved my life. So, I'm here to be an advocate about the testing. “Take the test, take the test,” like Eddie Murphy said in the movie Norbit.

EatingWell: What are the uncomfortable tasks that you suggest people take on to be aware of their health situation?

Braxton: One of the most uncomfortable things to me is getting poked with a needle all the time and peeing in the cup. It's so uncomfortable. You have to write your name, “Braxton,” and use a pen that everyone's touched. But I encourage people to be uncomfortable because those uncomfortable moments can actually save your life. They definitely saved my life. I know I say that all the time, but it’s real for me. It was just less than a year ago that my life was impacted by not wanting to take a test, not feeling like being uncomfortable. I pushed myself and my family pushed me to go, and it was one of the reasons I'm sitting here talking to you today.

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EatingWell: What shoes are you going to be wearing for tomorrow’s Walk to End Lupus Now?

Braxton: I haven’t decided yet! You know, I had toe surgery about a year ago, so my walk is not as cute as I’d like. So, I have to find the right shoes. I love HOKA. I love that shoe. They’re comfortable. I’ve got to find a shoe that is very comfortable for me, but I’m a fashion girl. So, I’m gonna go with something that’s going to allow me to do my walk as long as I can do my walk, but looks good too, you know?

Braxton is pictured wearing a pair of the new HOKA Gaviota 5.

EatingWell: Do you have a favorite snack that keeps you energized throughout the day?

Braxton: I'm a foodie. I love going to different restaurants. I like trying different foods. I won’t do the bugs thing, but I’ll try anything. Because I've reduced [dairy] out of my diet, I tend to do frozen blueberries or frozen grapes to make me feel like I'm having an ice cream or sherbert moment. It's more for me about sugars. I try to do natural sugars, and natural sugars for me is getting enough fruit.

Honey. I love honey. I love tea. I do tea all the time. Tiffany Haddish has a bee farm, and she brought me over some honey. It's delicious. It's a dark amber and so enriched with great things for my body. And it’s yummy.

EatingWell: Do you have a go-to tea that you drink with your honey?

Braxton: I do. I make my own tea, meaning I'll get the leaves. I use mint leaves, ginger and lots of citrus peels. I love to do that. Let it boil and reduce it. That's how I tend to do it: a concentrated tea. Then, I'll add water to it as I need it. Chai with all the dark herbs and black teas are [also] all great for you.

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EatingWell: Since your diagnosis, what is one habit you’ve changed to take care of your health and specifically your kidneys?

Braxton: If I know I'm going to have afternoon tea that day with a little glass of champagne, I know the night before—earlier that day I have to drink water just to dilute it, so my body won't have to absorb so much of the alcohol. I prepare my body if I'm going to not eat as healthy. 

I try to keep it healthy and give myself incentives for the things that aren't great for me, and there’s nothing wrong with the burger! I just happen to be a burger girl. But I've had to reduce myself from red meat, having my issues with my body. Again, my doctor told me to reduce my red meat, because I was eating it like every other day.

What does eating well mean to you?

Braxton: Eating well means making healthier choices. I saw you guys had the California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad. I love the healthier choices that you have for that. I love that. I love having the extra avocado. I love you guys coming up with that because I thought that was crazy and genius, how to make it yourself at home. Not that there's anything wrong with going out to eat, but I find making things at home can be a little bit healthier, because you know the ingredients that you're putting in your food.

Keep Reading: Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health