Jessica Chastain, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in films like "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" and "The Martian," has captivated audiences not only with her talent but also with her dedication to health and fitness. At 45, she continues to inspire with her radiant energy and toned physique. This article delves into the diet and exercise strategies that Jessica Chastain employs to maintain her well-being.
The Vegan Diet
A cornerstone of Jessica Chastain's lifestyle is her vegan diet, which she adopted over 14 years ago. This dietary choice wasn't initially planned but rather a result of listening to her body's needs. Experiencing low energy levels and illness while preparing for a film role that required fluctuating weight, she turned to a two-week vegan raw-food diet recommended by a friend.
Although the first week was challenging, Jessica noticed a significant boost in her energy by the second week. After the trial period, she attempted to reintroduce fish and risotto into her diet, but her body reacted negatively. This experience convinced her to embrace a vegan lifestyle.
Cooking and Food Choices
Jessica Chastain has a passion for cooking, which led her to attend the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York in 2012 for intensive chef training. She enjoys creating vegan meals, often sharing her favorite recipes with fans on Instagram.
Her culinary preferences lean towards fresh, whole foods. She enjoys making spring rolls with cauliflower tempura, pickled shallots, and edamame sauce. For a heartier meal, she makes vegan cheeseburgers using Beyond Burger meat, vegan cheese, and grilled vegetables like onions and tomatoes. She prefers to cook without oil and often uses a cast-iron skillet to increase her iron intake.
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Weekly Green-Juice Fast
In addition to her vegan diet, Jessica Chastain incorporates a weekly green-juice fast into her routine. Every Monday, she dedicates time to this practice, viewing it as a way to reset her body and clear her mind at the beginning of the week. She emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and cautions against misinterpreting or engaging in unhealthy fasting practices.
Exercise and Fitness
Jessica Chastain views exercise as both a physical and mental practice. She recognizes that starting a workout can be difficult, especially when balancing numerous commitments. However, she emphasizes that she feels like a "superhero" after completing a workout.
“Working out gives me confidence,” she told Shape in 2021. “The starting point of exercise is always difficult for me-finding the time and quiet space and feeling that I've got a million other things I need to do. But once I finish, I immediately feel like a superhero.”
Strength Training
Jessica builds in lots of time to work on her strength.
Torch'd Workouts
Jessica is a fan of Isaac Boots’ Torch’d workouts, which she even did with her grandmother during the pandemic. These 45-minute dance conditioning routines are designed to elevate the heart rate and improve circulation.
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Power Yoga
When traveling, Jessica incorporates online power yoga classes. She finds that these classes help clear her head and maintain her mental well-being. She typically attends Byran Kest Power Yoga classes online, and she loves the feeling of holding a plank or a new yoga pose for a long time! Power yoga is an excellent way to tone your muscles, and doing power yoga can help you target all the little muscles in your body that can be hard to reach in traditional strength training.
Practical Exercise
Jessica finds creative ways to incorporate exercise into her daily life. She shared a video on Instagram of herself washing her car and cleaning her patio. She jokingly shared a video on Instagram of one of her favourite workouts - washing her car and cleaning her patio! While intended as a lighthearted post, it highlights the potential for everyday chores to contribute to physical activity.
Dancing
Jessica enjoys dancing, particularly the Lindy Hop, a social dance that requires a partner. This activity not only provides exercise but also fosters social interaction and enjoyment.
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