Lorraine Bracco: My Kids Thought My Healthy Diet Was Gross

The actress dropped 35 pounds after helping her parents cope with health issues.

ByABC News
April 4, 2014, 3:54 PM
Lorraine Bracco is pictured on Dec. 11, 2013 in New York City.
Lorraine Bracco is pictured on Dec. 11, 2013 in New York City.
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

April 4, 2014 -- When Lorraine Bracco lost 35 pounds, her daughters couldn't have been prouder of her.

However, that's not to say that they wanted to copy her lifestyle choices.

"They used to come to the house and go through the cabinets and go, 'What the f--- is this s---?!'" the "Rizzoli & Isles" star told ABC News with a laugh. "There were all these packages they'd never seen before or heard about before."

How Caring for Her Parents Inspired Lorraine Bracco to Lose 35 Pounds

Bracco, 59, weighed 183 pounds when she realized that she wanted to change her eating and exercise habits to ensure a longer life. After caring for her parents and helping them cope with various health ailments, she went on a liver cleanse, cut out dairy and sugar, and began practicing Pilates. All of her tips will be included in a new book, "To the Fullest," which Rodale Books will publish next year.

Her daughters "would laugh, like, 'What is she gonna make us tonight?' But whatever I made, we ate, and they were happy," noted the former "Sopranos" actress. "I had a good couple of laughs with them."

All joking aside, she acknowledges that her children are very proud of her progress and her ability to keep the weight off.

"They understood it and they see the difference in me," she said. "I'm young and have energy! I'm happy and happy with me."