Matt Damon has permanently removed gluten from his diet, a change he described as life-altering, following a dramatic physical transformation for Christopher Nolan's forthcoming film, "The Odyssey." The Oscar winner shared on Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast that this dietary shift, undertaken to achieve a leaner physique for the role of Odysseus, revealed underlying health issues he was unaware of.
"It's just a complete, complete lifestyle change," Damon said of his efforts to "get jacked in your 50s." He detailed a disciplined approach involving reduced caloric intake and consistent effort, noting that eliminating gluten "changed my life."
When asked if he missed gluten-containing foods, Damon responded, "No, because of what it does to me… I didn't know." He echoed Poehler's observation that many in their generation grew up without awareness of food sensitivities. "We didn't talk about it, and I didn't realize the level to which it was affecting me," Damon stated. "Like it's completely changed my life these last couple years of not eating it… it's a bummer. I'm a big fan of bread and beer, and pasta and pizza and all that stuff, but… how I feel is just [so much better.]"
Earlier this year, Damon had discussed the intensive regimen for Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey." Speaking on the "New Heights" podcast, he revealed he dropped to 167 pounds, his lightest weight in decades, to embody the legendary Greek hero. "He said he wanted me… lean but strong," Damon explained, crediting the elimination of gluten as a significant factor in achieving this goal. He typically maintains a weight between 185 and 200 pounds, and had not weighed as little as 167 pounds since high school.
Damon also acknowledged the role of a personal trainer in maintaining focus throughout the demanding preparation. This is not the first time Damon has undergone a significant physical change for a role; for the 1996 film "Courage Under Fire," he lost between 40 and 50 pounds in approximately 100 days, a drastic weight loss that a doctor later warned could have permanently affected his heart.