'Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' Diet: How These Models Prepare For Bikini Season

Katie Lee is not just a well-known cook. She was seen gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in a tiny bikini in the past. The Beach Bites host revealed some of her diet tips, including the one thing she can't live without. Lee loves to start her days with protein and probiotics, according to Delish. She will eat Greek yogurt with fruit and granola every morning without growing tired of it.

"My favorite snack is the same snack my mom made me after school – an apple with peanut butter," she said.

When it comes to lunch and dinner, she adds on the protein. Lee loves to eat grilled chicken or fish or Chinese food takeout. She also can't resist eating Peeps marshmallow candies. When it comes to working out, Lee relies on the Tracy Anderson Method. She does the 90-minute exercises five or six times a week.

Most Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models' diets aren't as strict as you would think, according to another Delish report. Myla Dalbesio says she's not counting calories in order to fit into a bikini.

"I don't really think about calories. For a long time, I had body image issues, and was calorie-counting constantly, and that's a horrible way to live life."

The key to living like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model is to eat vegetables and protein. It's that simple.

"Lean proteins, vegetables and unrefined carbohydrates keep my energy levels up to work and train, and keep me satisfied," said Mia Kang.

"Cut sugars, alcohol – anything processed," said Kelly Gale.

Kate Upton has been training hard to grace the 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue thanks to her personal trainer, Ben Bruno. The two train five or six days a week doing weight training and cardio. Bruno told E! News that Upton was not put on a strict diet. Her nutrition plan included high protein and vegetables along with little sugar and carbs.

"It wasn't so much about going on a diet just for the shoot," Bruno stressed, adding, "It was about making healthy lifestyle changes that are easy to maintain because it's not drastic."

[Featured image by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated]