Actor Matt Damon has shared how he achieved his remarkable physique for an upcoming film directed by Christopher Nolan, including dietary changes he made.
At 55, Matt Damon has maintained his status as an action star for several decades. However, he needed to undertake serious physical preparation for his latest role.
Damon is slated to star in Christopher Nolan’s movie Odyssey, portraying the character Odysseus, which required him to lose weight for the role.
During an appearance on the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce on January 7, Damon discussed how he achieved his transformation.
Jason noted that some early film images circulating online depict Damon looking notably muscular.
Damon mentioned that he achieved “really good shape and lost a lot of weight,” likening his preparation to that of professional athletes gearing up for NFL games.
He emphasized that maintaining the necessary physical form for a role becomes an integral part of the daily routine and is essential for the job.
Regarding his diet, Damon mentioned eliminating a specific element, which aligned with discussions he had with his doctor.
He shared: “[Nolan] said he wanted me lean but strong, and so it’s a weird thing, I don’t want to bore the s*** out of you but I literally, just because of this other thing I did with my doctor, stopped eating gluten.
“I used to walk around at between 185 [pounds] and 200 and I did that whole movie at 167. I haven’t been that light since high school.
“So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.”
Gluten is a protein commonly found in wheat, rye, barley, and many processed foods like pasta, breads, and cereals.
Some individuals avoid gluten due to Celiac disease, an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine lining in response to gluten, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Others might avoid gluten because they are intolerant to it.
Despite Damon’s approach, medical professionals have often refuted the notion that cutting gluten alone leads to weight loss.
Cleveland Clinic highlighted: “There’s absolutely no evidence that simply getting rid of gluten will result in weight loss. But if you eat a gluten-free diet you may make healthier food choices because you’re more aware of how to read food labels.
“Eating gluten-free often may cause you to eat more whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean meats. These diet changes are often healthier and lower in calories.”