We’re constantly being bombarded with news stories about high-profile celebrities and athletes who’ve changed their body ideals after becoming famous. But what happens to the rest of us mere mortals who aren’t blessed with gorgeous genetics?
You might be thinking about changing your body to match the “perfect” images of those around you, but is that the best way to live your life?
Here’s the thing: Everyone’s body is unique and the same exercise and nutrition program that might work for one person might not work at all for another. That’s why you need to find what works best for your body and stick with it. You don’t have to settle for less; you can always raise the bar higher than you think you can.
Take Hollywood’s sexiest couple, for example. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart recently admitted that they’ve changed their relationship status to “it’s complicated” after dating for years. While Stewart reportedly turned down a marriage proposal from Pattinson, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to stick together. But how can they? Their careers and lifestyles are completely entwined, as is their bank account. It wouldn’t be shocking if, at some point in the future, they decide to go their separate ways. So what will Rob eat now that he’s single? And how will Kristen’s dietary habits affect their relationship moving forward?
Let’s examine the evidence and find out.
The Evolution Of A Twilight Actor
As a huge fan of Twilight, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask Rob about his experience turning into one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, how he kept his private life so private during the height of the Twilight craze, and what he eats now that he’s single.
The 29-year-old British actor and singer was born in London and began his acting career in 2006, appearing in guest roles on TV shows before landing the starring role in 2010’s How to Be a Gentleman. Since then, he’s become a household name and a recognizable face across the globe due to his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight Saga. As you’d probably expect, he admits that the intense public scrutiny he faced as a result of the franchise was completely new to him.
“I’ve never really done anything like this before,” Rob told me with a laugh. “I’ve always tried to be private and have my own space. I feel like even just being in London, people are trying to get a picture with me or say hi. I didn’t realize how much I would be influenced by the media. Everywhere I went, people would come up to me and say, ‘Oh my God, are you Rob?’ or ‘I love your movies.’ It was just really interesting to see how much everyone liked me.”
Although Rob doesn’t usually keep any specific diet or exercise routines a secret (he even famously shared his gluten-free baking skills with the world in 2016), he did try to keep his diet choices a mystery for a while. Back in 2011, when he first started dating Kristen Stewart, he went so far as to buy a private gym to accommodate their schedules. But after a while, he chose to branch out and try some new things. And since then, he’s opened up about a number of different dietary choices and explained why he makes each one his own. Here’s a roundup of Rob’s dietary indiscretions, as explained by the man himself.
Gluten-free
In 2016, Rob revealed that he’s experimented with a gluten-free diet after his mother was diagnosed with celiac disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that can cause serious damage to those with celiac disease. So, if you or someone you know has celiac disease, going gluten-free is a no-brainer. And for those who don’t have the disease but are simply trying to avoid it, cutting out gluten can help reduce the risk of certain diseases, like bowel inflammation and cancer. There are many different types of gluten-free alternatives, like rice, corn, buckwheat, and millet, that can be used to make food. So instead of eating a tube of gluten-free cookie dough, you can make delicious, crisp cookies or doughnuts using another grain.
In addition to being gluten-free, Rob also turned to juicing and herbal remedies to complement his gym routine and shed some pounds. Although he’s not on social media, he did share a video of himself doing some crunches, which shows him sticking to this regimen. The irony of his crunches is not lost on me, considering he doesn’t usually do them in front of the camera.
Vegan
In 2020, Rob revealed that he’s adopted a vegan diet as a way of life. Like gluten-free diets, veganism promotes health and avoids the need to rely on animal products. In fact, vegans are often advocates for animal rights and are opposed to the way animals are treated for production purposes, like pigs and cows being used for meat. The beauty of a vegan diet is that there are so many options available, whether you want to go the healthy route and avoid processed foods or if you want to indulge in some plant-based pigginess.
As a vegan, Rob is a firm supporter of the movement and attributes his improved general health to his new diet. “I’ve been feeling so much better, both physically and emotionally,” he said. “I feel like I can tackle anything now. As for the diet, I’ve been enjoying experimenting with new ways of eating and I know it can help. I believe in being kind to animals and the planet, so I try to go for organic and plant-based foods whenever I can.”
Fish And Chickpea Curry
In a move that surprised many, including myself, Rob ditched the gluten-free diet for good and embraced his inner foodie in 2020. On New Year’s Day, he shared a photo on social media showing him feasting on a huge wintumber—a Jamaican term for fish that’s widely used in the Caribbean. According to the caption, Rob had just finished a 12-hour shift driving and was famished. So he headed to a local restaurant to enjoy some authentic Jamaican food. He told Vogue that he tried the coconut rice and chicken curry, which he described as “delicious. Especially when you’re starving, it tastes even better.”
Although we might expect him to try and keep the diets he’s experimented with secret, Rob has been incredibly open about his food choices, even going so far as to share his recipes with fans on social media. He’s even partnered with some top chefs, like Tyler Brown, to create unique dishes that blend his cinematic and culinary talents. One of Rob’s most popular recipes is a fish and chickpea curry, which he first served to cast and crew of the Twilight Saga and has since been a regular part of his diet. He told the Sun that he incorporates the recipe into his regular cooking routine because it “blends so well with everything and is so filling,” adding that it’s one of his favorite go-to meals.
Cholesterol-free
According to Vogue, Rob’s primary reason for adopting a cholesterol-free diet is that he wants to “keep his heart healthy,” in addition to being concerned about animal cruelty and the environment. Eating cholesterol can elevate blood cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. For those with high cholesterol, cutting out cholesterol-rich foods, like pork and shrimp, can help bring it down. But for those who don’t want to cut out any foods, there are many cholesterol-free alternatives, like plant-based foods and grains, that can be incorporated into a diet.
Interestingly, despite following a cholesterol-free diet, Rob admits that he still enjoys a glass (or six) of red when he’s hanging out with friends. “Yes, I still eat meat, but I try to make the most of organic vegetables and vegan food as much as I can,” he told People. “I feel much better for it.” He also said that he doesn’t feel that his diet choice has had a negative impact on his mental or physical health.
Healthy Eating
It’s not just about the diets that Rob has tried and stuck with. He’s also focused on incorporating healthy eating habits into his daily routine. In 2020, he revealed that he buys most of his food from sustainable and organic sources, because he wants to avoid the toxins that are commonly found in fast food restaurants. He also encourages others to go green, saying that there’s no reason why everyone shouldn’t be eating healthy.