If you've been a fan of food channels on YouTube, you likely know Matty Matheson, the loud, boisterous chef from Canada whose wit and infectious energy have attracted 1.55 million subscribers. Even before acting in and producing "The Bear," Matheson was already well-known as a chef and Vice show host. Matty Matheson, the renowned chef, restaurateur, and TV personality known for his role in The Bear, has undergone an inspiring transformation over the past year. With his larger-than-life personality and presence, Matheson was always a beloved figure in the culinary world, but his recent 60-pound weight loss journey has taken center stage, captivating fans and followers alike. Matty Matheson lost 60 pounds over 12 months through a combination of healthier eating, strength training, and consistent exercise. In this article, we’ll dive into Matty Matheson’s weight loss journey, his methods, the transformation he’s undergone, and the lessons we can all learn from his commitment to health and fitness.
A Wake-Up Call
Matheson’s life is an open book, and he's been very open about the challenges he faced with his career and health, particularly his heart attack at only 29 years old. He had since been living a much happier and healthier lifestyle, but at the end of 2023, he decided he could do even better. Matty Matheson’s decision to lose weight wasn’t a snap decision or one driven by fleeting trends. It came as a culmination of health concerns and a desire to live a longer, healthier life. Matheson has been open about the struggles he faced in his earlier years, including battles with alcohol and mental health issues. In an industry known for indulgence, long hours, and poor eating habits, Matheson found himself in a dangerous cycle. The pressures of his career, combined with unhealthy eating and lifestyle choices, took a toll on his body. Matheson’s decision to embark on a weight loss journey was motivated by his desire to be more present in his life, not just for his career but for his family and his own self-worth. Matheson spoke with Men's Health about how that year went for him and talked about his improved eating habits. He revealed that he had an epiphany after the holidays, realizing he couldn't run and play with his children as much as he liked. Since announcing his fitness journey on Instagram in July 2024, Matty Matheson has talked a lot about one of his favorite meals since.
The Pillars of Transformation: Diet and Exercise
Matty Matheson’s transformation was driven by two major pillars: a shift in his eating habits and a consistent exercise routine. Matheson didn’t turn to fad diets or restrictive eating plans. Instead, he focused on making better choices with food. He incorporated more vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats into his meals. Matheson focused on eating real, whole foods. A major shift for Matheson was cutting down on his intake of high-calorie, processed foods, which were common in his earlier, more indulgent lifestyle. Matheson made physical fitness a non-negotiable part of his routine. He began working out regularly, committing to exercises that were both physically challenging and enjoyable. Matheson’s workout routine includes strength training to build lean muscle and cardio for fat burning. His workout routine focused on strength training, which helped him build lean muscle mass while boosting his metabolism. Working out was not just about weight loss-it was about feeling stronger and more energized. Matheson also worked on his mental health, recognizing that emotional well-being plays a huge role in overall health. His fitness journey wasn’t solely about physical change but also about improving his relationship with food and his body. For Matheson, the key to his transformation was not any single dramatic change but the consistency he maintained across multiple areas of his life. He was realistic about the process, knowing it would take time. One of the ways Matheson stayed accountable was by sharing his journey publicly. Accountability didn’t mean he was perfect-Matheson has openly admitted to struggles along the way, including moments where he slipped back into old habits. A major reason for Matheson’s long-term success was that he found ways to enjoy the process.
Matheson's Diet: Key Components
Matty Matheson said something noteworthy in his Men's Health interview: He's eating just the right amount of carbohydrates now that he's aiming for fitness. Carbohydrates often get a bad rap when it comes to weight loss, but they're not bad - nor should they be absent from your diet when eating to stay fit. Carbohydrates from processed foods and simple sugars are the ones to avoid, while complex carbohydrates from starchy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are the best to consume. Complex carbs are healthier because the body digests them slowly. Matheson is likely eating mostly complex carbs now. When he talked about his new eating habits, he told Men's Health he's given up unhealthy food. "No fast food, no sugar, no bulls***, no processed foods," he said in the interview. Matheson stays in shape by maintaining a balanced diet, working out regularly, and continuing his focus on strength training and cardio.
Dog Bowl
One of Matheson's favorite meals is his dog bowl. "I'm not a doctor, but this will for sure keep you healthy and wise. Matheson says this bowl, which consists of rice, ground beef, and eggs, is perfect for bulking up. It is also filling, easy to cook, and provides the protein and carbs he needs as he goes about his jam-packed schedule. The recipe for the dog bowl starts with cooking the rice, which should be easy with a rice cooker (if you don't have a rice cooker, here's a simple guide on how to cook rice on the stove). Next, Matheson seasons the ground beef with some salt and cooks it in a skillet. He cooks scrambled eggs in butter last. When the rice, ground beef, and eggs are ready, Matheson scoops 1 cup of each into a bowl and mixes everything together.
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Salmon Power Bowl
Another healthy meal that Matty Matheson has loved eating in the past year is his salmon power bowl. He loves it so much that he eats it three times a week. It is very similar to the dog bowl, only he uses fresh salmon instead of ground beef. To make the salmon bowl, Matheson starts by dribbling the aforementioned sauce into single-serving cuts of salmon and letting them marinate before baking them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Next, he sautés onions, ginger, and garlic in olive oil and adds some day-old rice. To assemble the bowl, Matheson scoops in 2 heaping tablespoons of the rice, cucumber salad, and kimchi, before adding a slice of the baked salmon. This salmon bowl is as nutritious as it is delicious. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, selenium, and niacin.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
For a chef whose YouTube channel is filled with thumbnails of decadent, indulgent dishes, it's funny that one of the things Matty Matheson is most famous for is his fondness for hard-boiled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs may be a simple go-to food that most people make instinctively and don't even follow a specific recipe for, but "boilers" are serious business for Matheson. Matheson doesn't like his boilers too runny, but he appreciates them a little soft. "Six-minute eggs is the perfect amount of jammy, goey, ooey, beautiful eggs," Matheson says while cooking Sichuan-style cucumber salad, to which he also added hard-boiled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs are rich in protein and have fewer calories than red meat, making them excellent for people who want to lose weight. They're great as a snack and for some people, good enough for breakfast on their own.
Green Salad with Tuna
Leafy greens are a must for good nutrition, and Matty Matheson has this requirement well in hand. Four years ago, he shared his "Favorite Salad of ALL TIME" on his YouTube channel, and it was a green leaf lettuce salad with tuna. His recipe is essentially a green salad with equal parts of lettuce, celery, blanched green beans, shallots, radishes, and cucumbers - all chopped into bite-size pieces, including the crunchy parts. He then adds squashed and lightly chopped olives and garlic, some lemon zest, lemon juice, and the main event: a can of tuna. Green salads are great sources of essential macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fiber) and micronutrients (vitamins A, C, K, B vitamins, potassium, calcium, and magnesium).
Steak
Anybody who's pumping iron and committed to having a healthier, fitter body is going to need lots of protein. Steak is a great protein source because it is also delicious and filling. Unsurprisingly, Matty Matheson told Men's Health that his diet in the past year includes steak. As the name suggests, Matheson cooks salt-seasoned sirloin steak for about a minute on each side on a heated pan with the bottom covered in vegetable oil. He likes to let a hard crust form (the meat's natural caramelization) on the first side before flipping the steak. As the second side is just about done, he adds 2 tablespoons of butter and bastes the entire steak. Pro tip from Matheson: When the onions are almost done cooking, pour the juices that dripped off the steak while it's resting into the pan.
Chicken
Besides steak, Matty Matheson has also been a fan of chicken. Chicken is a great protein source alternative. Many may consider steak to be delicious, but it has more saturated fat than chicken does. Last August, Matheson uploaded a cooking video of a chicken Caesar salad power lunch wrap. It's a great example of how chicken can be incorporated into a fitness diet. The recipe combines two main components: chopped Caesar salad and crispy chicken fingers, all tucked into warmed, soft tortillas and topped with Caesar salad dressing. What's great about a chicken and salad wrap is it's very versatile. As Matheson demonstrated in the video, for example, you can switch up the dressing and dunk the chicken fingers in hot sauce.
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Garden Bed Pasta
Matheson's garden bed pasta recipe is a nice example of how to incorporate complex carbs into your diet. In place of meat, Matheson used eggplant to soak up the flavors of the anchovies, tomato pulp, kale, spices, and olive oil in the recipe.
Soups
Matty Matheson loves his soups. Soups are the first offering in the title of his cookbook "Soups, Salads, Sandwiches." They are hearty, warm, filling, and many people's favorite comfort food. Of course, soups can have nearly anything that suits a person's taste buds. Soups typically have a broth base made with meats (chicken, pork, beef), bone (marrow, oxtail, neck bones), vegetables (carrots, onions, a mix of greens and aromatics), and fruit (tomato). Matheson is on a healthy path now; however, it bears mentioning that the two soup recipes from his cookbook that Matheson featured in his YouTube channel are heartier than they are healthy. His beer cheese soup, for example, is basically made with beer, bacon, and croutons. Matheson's family recipe chicken soup, which he shared with Canadian House & Home, is likely the soup he eats most at home. "Chicken soup is something everyone should know how to make," he said.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are the third offering in the title of Matheson's aforementioned cookbook, and they're just as versatile and filling as soups. They can be full meals, depending on the ingredients you add. Steaks make for a savory and filling sandwich; chicken meat is leaner and can be just as tasty with the right condiments. If you've somehow watched all the sandwich recipes on Matheson's YouTube channel, you'll notice that he loves a good steak sandwich.
Beef Tourtière and Pot Roast
When you're trying to get fit and eat healthy all the time, it's easier to stay on track when the people in your life are also eating the same food. One dish that Matheson likes to cook is beef tourtière, a classic French-Canadian meat pie often served with a side of blanched veggies, greens, peas, or mashed potatoes. "It gives me the most nostalgic feeling when I eat it," Matheson told Canadian House & Home. Another beloved dish in the Matheson household is pot roast. Like the chicken soup mentioned above, Matheson also inherited his pot roast recipe from his grandmother. It's easy yet also difficult to cook: on one hand, all the ingredients are cooked in a large pot, but on the other, you first have to roast the beef, take it out of the pot, sauté the vegetables, and put the beef back in the pot along with beef stock and bring everything to a boil.
Expert Endorsements
Matty Matheson’s approach to weight loss is supported by expert advice and aligns with key principles of sustainable, long-term health. According to fitness experts, strength training is essential for building lean muscle and improving metabolism. Nutritionists also support Matheson’s shift to a balanced, whole-foods-based diet. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and eliminating processed junk, Matheson is promoting long-term health and preventing chronic conditions that often arise from poor eating habits. Incorporating regular exercise-especially strength training and cardiovascular activities-has been shown to provide numerous benefits, from boosting mood to improving heart health.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
The Journey's Impact
Matty Matheson’s weight loss journey has been transformative not just in terms of physical appearance but also in terms of his emotional well-being. The biggest lesson he’s learned is the importance of consistency-not just in diet and exercise but in maintaining a healthy mindset. Matheson emphasizes that his weight loss is a product of small, steady changes rather than drastic measures.
Matheson's Perspective
Matty Matheson is a true foodie who likes to taste other chefs' food. His favorite at Lucia's, an Italian restaurant on North Avenue, is a sausage bun with cheese and peppers. Over at the bar and restaurant Bavettes, Matheson recommends their roast chicken and mash. He also likes getting hot dogs at Gene and Jude's. Matheson loves food, and even his fitness journey hasn't stopped him from filming and cooking dishes that most people wouldn't consider healthy. But with the exception of filming days, Matheson appears committed to living a healthy life as best he can. He's already found success as a chef and is now an actor and producer. He has business ventures and a farm where he grows his own food. "I'm 41, I got three kids and a beautiful wife.