Sofía Vergara Says She’s So ‘Addicted to Sugar’ She Even Tried Hypnotism: ‘It Doesn’t Work’ (Exclusive)

The 'Griselda' star graces the cover of this year's Beautiful Issue

When it comes to being healthy, Sofía Vergara has learned it's all about balance.

"Well, I have an addiction to sweets, to sugar," she explains to PEOPLE in this week's cover story. "And I have come to terms with it because I have tried many things, even hypnotism, and it doesn’t work."

At home, Vergara, 51, aims for "a balanced diet when I can, or I don’t eat hamburger, pizza, fattening things," she adds. "I try to eat healthy so that I can eat sweets."

As for her go-to? "Cake. It’s always cake," says the Griselda star. "I mean any kind. But I do like dulce de leche, it’s like a caramel. Usually they don’t do it that great here in L.A. I haven’t found anyone, but when I go to Miami or Latin America, they’re great."

Vergara is committed to exercise as well — to a degree. "I have bad knees so I’ve never been really into crazy workouts," she says. "I’ve worked out kind of like an older person my whole life.

"I do little weights like this," she says, curling her arms up and down. "But I am constant. I do it often because I can’t do spinning or any of those sexy exercises now."

For more from PEOPLE's Beautiful edition, check out our digital issue or get a copy on newsstands Friday.

Her "uniform" around the house is typically "sweatpants and sweatshirt, but I do a little bit of makeup," she allows. "Not, like, fake lashes, but I put on a little mascara and some lipstick. I like it. I mean, by the end of the day, every time that I go to my bathroom."

The Modern Family alum admits she feels her best "when I have full hair, makeup, an outfit," she adds. "I don’t understand people who are like, 'I feel great when I wake up in the morning.' No. I’m like, put the whole thing on and then I feel right."

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So how does she define beauty? "For me, beauty has always been very important. I think because I’m Latin, we always grow up thinking about looking good, doing your hair, your makeup. It’s something that makes you feel good," she says. "I love beauty products. I love makeup, I love clothes. And I think now that I’m older it’s great because you know exactly what you like, what looks good on you, what doesn’t look good on you. I don’t do what is in fashion. I just do what feels good, makes me feel confident and beautiful."

The best part about being in her 50s is "all the knowledge. That’s all," Vergara adds. "I’ve never really cared that much about what people think. But now I really care less."  

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