Actor John Goodman Backs Mediterranean Diet For Weight Loss
Updated 28th June 2023
Contents:
- How John Goodman Lost 200 Pounds on a Plant-Forward Mediterranean Diet
- What Is A Plant-Based Mediterranean Diet?
- Why Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil An Important Part Of The Mediterranean Diet?
- Study Supports Benefits Of Low-Fat Plant-Based Diet
- Celebs turn to plants to optimize health
How John Goodman Lost 200 Pounds on a Plant-Forward Mediterranean Diet
Actor John Goodman has credited his 200 pound weight loss to following a Mediterranean Diet, according to a Rolling Stone interview published earlier this month.
The actor, who is known for classic films like The Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, and The Flintstones, was introduced to a Mediterranean-style eating plan which contributed to his long weight loss journey.
According to a report in Vegnews, Goodman was introduced to the Mediterranean eating plan (which traditionally contains healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil) by health coach Mackie Shilstone—who also worked with Serena Williams, who powered her historic tennis career with plant-based foods.
VegNews explains:
Now 16 years into his lifestyle change, Goodman is 71 and continues to add to his portfolio of projects. Currently, the actor plays Eli Gemstone on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones, the third season of which premiered on June 18. He also stars in Roseanne sequel The Conners, which ABC recently picked up for a sixth season.
One downside of staying busy with work is that Goodman has not found the time to go to the boxing gym to exercise but hopes to get back into it this summer.
What Is A Plant-Based Mediterranean Diet?
The plant-based Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. As the name implies, this dietary pattern is based on the traditional eating habits of people living in the Mediterranean region, which emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
Why Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Important Part Of The Mediterranean Diet?
Extra virgin olive oil is also a staple in the Mediterranean diet, providing healthy fats and antioxidants. This diet has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. By following a plant-based Mediterranean diet, individuals can not only improve their overall health but also have a positive impact on the environment due to its sustainable and eco-friendly nature.
Study Supports Benefits Of Low-Fat Plant-Based Diet
There is an apparently endless supply of scientific research to support the health benefits of The Mediterranean Diet. One study published in 2021 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers compared the effects of a low-fat plant-based diet to that of a Mediterranean diet on weight loss and found the former delivered far better results.
Participants who followed the plant-based diet lost an average of 7.5 pounds of fat mass, reduced their visceral fat, and lowered their total cholesterol while improving their LDL cholesterol.
Why did an animal-free Mediterranean diet fare better? Researchers propose that the plant-based diet led to weight loss due to a reduction in calorie intake, an increase in fiber (a macronutrient not found in animal products) intake, a decrease in fat consumption, and a decrease in saturated fat consumption.
Celebs turn to plants to optimize health
In addition to Goodman, other celebrities have looked to plant-based diets like The Mediterrean Diet to help them achieve their health and wellness goals.
Director Kevin Smith nearly lost his life to what is known as a “widow-maker” heart attack back in 2018. Shaken by the near-death experience, Smith went plant-based with help from his daughter Harley Quinn. Within six months, Smith dropped more than 50 pounds—a milestone his doctor set to prevent further heart issues.
A growing number of celebrities and Hollywood stars are starting to adopt the Mediterranean diet or regular use of extra virgin olive oil, one of its central ingredients, as evidenced by the growing number of lifestyle articles appearing online.
The Mediterranean diet, which includes a high consumption of vegetables, nuts, fish and extra virgin olive oil, has regularly been praised by scientists in published studies. Unlike the Western diet, it avoids red and processed meats, dairy, trans and saturated fats and refined sugars.
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz credited the Mediterranean diet with helping to maintain her shape and energy levels after her pregnancy. Other celebrities include legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren, now 84, revealed that the secret to youth is to include at least two tablespoons of olive oil in her food every day.
Jennifer Aniston
Actress Jennifer Aniston celebrated her 50th birthday earlier this year. This lead to some media outlets observing that the actress is ageing in reverse. It is known that the former “Friends” star follows the Zone diet. This consists of a specific ratio of 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat—the latter only consists of fish oil, avocadoes and, of course, olive oil.
Jennifer Aniston has one of the most amazing natural toned bodies in Hollywood which has been proven by being named the Sexiest Woman Alive in 2011 by Men’s Health magazine and FITNESS magazine’s “most wanted body” of 2011. Unlike the skinny actresses that seem to be cropping up in films nowadays on weird celebrity diets Jen still maintains a natural toned body and healthy skin tone that many comment on after meeting her.
Selena Gomez
Pop star Selena Gomez revealed in 2015 that she had been battling lupus, an autoimmune disease. This lead to a change in her diet to one that closely resembles the Mediterranean diet. Similarly, she now reveals that she drinks a little glass of olive oil before going onstage. Explaining that it is good for the vocal cords.
Sting
In 1997 the Police frontman Sting and his wife, Trudie, purchased a 900-acre, 16th-century estate in Tuscany. It produces wine, honey, pork and extra virgin olive oil. This 62 year-old celebrity British rocker says picking olives is “therapeutic.”
After that he says “We eat well,breathe well, sleep well, live well. It feels healthy,” he said.
Jamie Oliver
Many think the British celebrity chef, restaurateur and media personality, Jamie Oliver, is responsible for the skyrocketing popularity of olive oil in the U.K. over the past ten years. For instance there are even those who complain he uses it too much (we beg to differ).
Awarded the TED Prize for his campaigns to “bring attention to the changes that the English, and now Americans, need to make in their lifestyles and diet.” Here, here.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Lastly, Gwyneth Paltrow is a vocal advocate of the use of olive oil. Many of the recipes in her co-authored 2013 cookbook “It’s all Good” contain extra virgin olive oil. Goop also features an interview with celebrity doctor Nicholas Perricone. She extols the virtues of the essential fatty acids present in extra virgin olive oil, Mainly that it can nourish the skin and provide anti-inflammatory activity. Many celebrities have taken up her recipes.
On her much talked about website Goop, Paltrow includes an interview with Dr. Nicholas Perricone who advises: “The most powerful member of the Olive Oil Polyphenol group is Hydroxytyrosol. In addition this super antioxidant, anti-inflammatory has proven to be effective in improving general health and appearance.”
Furthermore, a glassful is far more than the daily consumption of 1½ tablespoons recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration. Last year qualified health claims that consuming oleic acid, a healthy monounsaturated fat, may reduce the risk of heart problems. Found naturally in many food sources, extra virgin olive oil boasts a range of 55-83% of oleic acid.
In conclusion surely these celebrities are onto something.