It’s not uncommon to hear of celebrities and athletes following strict diets. However, Billy Bob Thornton opened up about why he follows a restricted diet- and the reason isn’t what you think.

During the May 5 episode of Howie Mandel Does Stuff, Thornton revealed a rare health condition that forced him to give up on most common foods.

The Landman actor reveals that he has the very rare AB-negative blood type. While it may sound innocuous, this rare blood type causes immense digestive issues due to fewer digestive enzymes. Moreover, the blood type means he also has lower stomach acid than the average person.

“Well, I'm allergic to wheat, dairy," the actor shared. "I have type AB-negative blood, which is the rarest type in the world. It's, like, less than 1% of the population of the world has it."

When reflecting on his childhood, Thornton mentioned that he ate most foods despite dealing with multiple allergies. Growing up, he assumed it was normal to feel that way and that most people felt the same.

“I just assumed everybody felt like s*** after they ate," he shared. "I didn't know.”

As an adult, he has kept away from dairy, wheat, meat, gluten, and shellfish. What he can enjoy, however, are blueberries, decaf coffee, dairy-free cream cheese, gluten-free chips, and mostly vegan food.

How Billy Bob Thornton Navigates Restrictions Without Feeling Overwhelmed

As per 930 WFMD Free Talk, Thornton explained how he would previously put his body through extreme diets, gaining and losing weight according to his roles. These physical transformations would take a toll on the body in the long term.

Now, however, he has a much more sustainable approach to his health and fitness. Rather than following any strict diets or extreme workout routines, he prefers light, sustainable movements.

When it comes to his restrictive diet, finding the right thing to eat can become challenging. However, Thornton finds creative ways to deal with the problem. Instead of completely dismissing restricted foods, he tries to come up with innovative combinations.

Although they may seem odd to most, he finds them quite delectable.

“But in the middle of the cracker thing, they had some grapes,” he shared about an interesting food experience from the Paramount+ series. “And I got a white grape. I'm like, ‘Okay, so I'll be bored as hell with this.' And then I saw some spicy Dijon mustard, and I thought, ‘Now, I wonder.' ”

Surprisingly, he ended up loving it, and it has now become a go-to snack for him.

Thornton’s approach shows us that managing medical needs doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or restrictive process.

Do you have any dietary restrictions, and if so, how do you manage them in your daily life?

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar