Clint Eastwood, the iconic actor and director, celebrated his 95th birthday this week. His youthful energy and lean physique might seem like the result of cutting-edge science, but his wellness secrets are refreshingly low-tech: daily meditation, a low-fat "lean and green" diet, and gentle, low-impact exercise. Eastwood serves as an example of how to keep a well-maintained body and stay active into one’s golden years.
Early Influences and a Lifelong Commitment to Health
Eastwood's commitment to health began early. He was just a boy when his father succumbed to cardiovascular disease, a loss that left an indelible mark. Clint once told a friend: "Losing him made me realize life can be short." Richard Schickel's Clint Eastwood: The Biography notes that while Eastwood's grandfather lived a long life, his father had a fatal heart attack in 1970, at 63 years of age. Eastwood himself was, of course, a grown man by then, and well into his own fitness regime. While he has denied that his father's untimely passing affected his personal fitness habits, he has noted that the event "hit me like a ton of bricks," and that he disliked the way Clint Sr. had led an unhealthy lifestyle.
Celebrity biographer Shawn Levy, who wrote “Clint: The Man and the Movies,” revealed Eastwood’s ingredients to living a long and healthy life. Levy noted that Eastwood is “lifelong gym rat and fitness freak” who has also preferred an “organic, low-fat diet” since the 1950s, “when alfalfa sprouts and yogurt were considered exotic,” Fox News reported. “And in the 60s, he was touting the benefits of sushi,” Levy added.
The "Lean and Green" Diet
To defy the odds of age, Clint Eastwood makes consistent, mindful dietary choices. He adheres to a “lean and green” dietary philosophy. Accordingly, he prioritizes eating lean protein sources like salmon, rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, and chicken, which form the cornerstone of his meals. Clint complements his protein intake with an abundance of vegetables. In particular, Clint likes eating dark, leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach.
In a 1991 article by Muscle & Fitness (via Physical Culture Study), Eastwood opened up on his habit of eating almost absurdly healthy food. Apart from maintaining a rigorous workout schedule for the vast majority of his life, the lean superstar eats extremely well, and his body fat skews low. "I've never carried much body fat, but I've always been pretty good about watching my diet," Eastwood noted. His doctor very much agreed. "He never eats fat, he takes his antioxidants faithfully, works out like a demon, and gets plenty of sleep, which is an area that is often neglected in a fitness program," Dr.
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Eastwood's diet tends to rely on fish, fruits and veggies, pasta, and various supplements. On the other hand, he steers clear of red meat and dairy. He has kept this up into advanced age, and in 2015, Health Fitness Revolution reported on his dietary views and some simple advice he had to share. "Stay away from carbohydrates, especially rich desserts," Eastwood said. "Keep a scale in your bathroom. Get proper rest. Try to be optimistic. Eat fruits and raw vegetables. Take vitamins. Skip beverages loaded with sugars."
Dr. Harry Demopoulos commented on Eastwood’s diet at the time: “Eastwood maintains a low-fat, high protein diet. Eastwood’s body fat is less than 10% based on an underwater-weighing analysis".
Clint Eastwood is also a firm believer in the power of antioxidants - natural compounds believed to protect cells from inflammation - and takes antioxidant supplements. Along the lines of antioxidants, Eastwood eats plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries, grapes, and bananas. Clint also recommends portion control - limiting the amount you eat at each meal - and avoiding refined carbohydrates like sugary treats.
Clint follows a 90/10 rule, though, where he makes healthy, mindful dietary choices 90% of the time. Clint Eastwood’s dietary approach is all about moderation and mindful choices. He avoids fad diets and deprivation. Instead, he focuses on balanced eating habits rich in nutrients. Also, overindulgence has no place in Clint Eastwood’s dietary routine. Along those lines, he swaps sugary drinks for water and has eliminated processed foods from his diet.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Clint takes a page from “Blue Zone” communities, regions known for high concentrations of centenarians, by prioritizing low‑impact, everyday activity. He is a self‑confessed "lifelong gym rat," but his workouts have evolved. Gone are the heavy barbells; now he focuses on proper form and functional strength. "He wants to lift, not to impress," Shawn explains.
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As for Clint Eastwood’s exercise regimen, he emphasizes staying physically active daily, stressing that this helps to maintain an optimal mind-body connection. For weight training, he emphasizes proper form over heavy weightlifting. He also embraces activity outside of the gym. He enjoys outdoor activities like golfing and long walks. Eastwood is also a licensed helicopter pilot and once said in a “60 Minutes” interview that flying was his favorite hobby. Eastwood owns the Tehàma Golf Club in California.
As Clint Eastwood has aged, he focuses on activities that are low-impact yet keep him active and engaged.
Transcendental Meditation and Mental Well-being
In addition to his exercise regimen, Clint incorporates a philosophy of well-being that goes beyond diet and exercise. The four-time Academy Award winner has also routinely practiced Transcendental Meditation - a technique where one mentally repeats a word or phrase until a state of inner peace is reached - since the mid-1970s. Levy mentioned that Eastwood carried this out “while playing the Man with No Name and Dirty Harry and other such avatars of bloodshed.”
He also recommends, in addition to establishing healthy dietary and exercise habits, keeping an optimistic attitude.
The "Eastwood Code" and Family Influence
If you think that a lifestyle as intense as Clint Eastwood's can't help but extend to the rest of his family, you'd be absolutely right. In a 2017 interview with Men's Health, Eastwood's youngest son, Scott - and an actor himself - discussed the "Eastwood Code" of living a strenuous and healthy life. "My dad never gave me a cent. He made me work for everything," he revealed. "My dad is a machine about food and exercise. He showed me how to lift when I was 14 or 15 - the bench press and other basics.
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Perhaps as a result of his father's lessons, Scott Eastwood himself has developed an affinity for training and yoga - and in another Men's Health story, it became apparent that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to dietary preferences, either, seeing as he said working out only makes up 10 percent of a healthy lifestyle. The rest, it appears, is eating well. "Ninety percent good, 10 percent cheat," he said.
In an interview with Men’s Health, Clint’s son Scott says his dad takes his diet pretty seriously: “My dad does not eat for pleasure. Scott tells Men’s Health, “He eats salmon and brown rice for breakfast. I guess I’m the same way.
Avoiding Extremes and Enjoying Life
While Eastwood’s eating habits have helped him maintain his health into his 90s, his habits are rather restrictive and certainly not for everyone. While this seems to have worked for the Eastwood family, it doesn’t mean we should change the way we see food. Enjoying food for pleasure is perfectly healthy. In fact, many of the world’s longest-living people attribute pleasure and happiness to their longevity.
Levy referred to Eastwood as a “man of contradictions” because the actor alternates between his rugged movie personas to his calmer character behind the scenes.