The Healthy, Vegan Snack Pregnant Rihanna Craves
It's a nod to her Barbadian heritage
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The internet was nearly broken on Tuesday with the release of a series of stunning Annie Leibovitz photographs of a glowing, glamorous, and very pregnant Rihanna. But, as being the specific type of nerd I am, I dug into Vogue’s profile on the pop star-fashion designer-philanthropist and mom-to-be looking for something specific: What is Rihanna eating lately?
There are actually several references in the piece to the food and cooking habits of Bad Gal RiRi and her beau, rapper (and vegan) A$AP Rocky, including that part of their early courtship took place over an extended cross-country road trip where they frequently cooked out on a small portable barbecue. “I cooked our food on this little janky grill I bought from Walmart,” she told reporter Chioma Nnadi. “I still have it, too. It works like nobody’s business.”
It’s Rihanna’s response when asked what foods she’s been craving since becoming pregnant that caught my attention. While she’s not usually a desert person, she says she’s developed a new-found appreciation of chocolate-covered doughnuts, which, relatable. But there’s another snack she’s jonesing for as well – and it’s a little nod to her upbringing.
Lately, Vogue reports, the star has been going through tangerines by the dozen – always topped with salt. “It has to be with salt and only with salt, because in Barbados we take our fruits to the ocean and soak them,” she told Nandi. “Trust me, it really is a thing.”
While I’m familiar with lots of salty-fruity flavor combos, tangerine with salt is a totally new idea to me. I suppose it makes sense, though. Salt and citrus are a classic combo (ever heard of a margarita?) and the Tajín seasoning I grew up dipping spears of mango into is largely sea salt. Plus what’s better on a slice of watermelon or tomato than a few flakes of good salt? I know the time I pick up a tangerine, I’ll be giving it a sprinkle to test this out.
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From 2022