I have always believed that if a celebrity woman had the kind of unhealthy relationship to food, diets and body image as Chris Pratt has had, it would be a huge conversation and probably on the cover of People Magazine. Pratt’s weight has fluctuated wildly over the years, and he seems especially prone to fad diets and whatever trend is popular at the moment. He also seems to be fighting his natural dadbod constantly. A month ago, Pratt used social media to discuss his latest trendy diet, which was “intermittent fasting.” I don’t know how long he did that – maybe three weeks, tops? – and now he’s on to the next trend. And it combines his love of fad diets with his love of the Bible.
Chris Pratt is taking his health regimen to biblical proportions. Literally. The actor, 39, updated Instagram followers on his latest diet routine: the Daniel Fast, a combination of fasting and prayer inspired by the Bible.
“Hi, Chris Pratt here. Day Three of the Daniel Fast, check it out,” Pratt said in a now-expired Instagram story video. “It’s 21 days of prayer and fasting.”
A website for the Daniel Fast explains it’s a “partial fast where some foods are eaten while others are restricted. Most people use this method of fasting for 21 consecutive days.” Participants are restricted to drinking only water and eating only foods that have grown from seeds, like fruits, vegetables and grains. The name is inspired by the Old Testament prophet Daniel, who limited his diet to vegetables and water to be able to cleanse his body and better focus on a spiritual connection to God, leaving behind distracting indulgences like meat and wine.
Pratt noted the end of his three-week program would align with the beginning of his ‘Lego Movie 2’ press tour and joked about how it might affect his interview skills. “It’s going to coincide also, coincidentally, with the ‘Lego Movie 2’ junket. So, by the time you see me, I’ll probably be hallucinating,” he said. “Stay tuned.”
Somewhere, Gwyneth Paltrow is SEETHING. Gwyneth is all about the trendy fasting diets, only she calls them “cleanses.” The whole idea behind the Daniel Diet is… I mean, it makes slightly more sense than Keto? LOL. It’s basically just veggies and water and nothing processed and no sugar or coffee. And you pray a lot. I could do that for MAYBE 12 hours. Maybe. Not 21 days. But that’s Chris Pratt for you – Gwyneth should line him up as a speaker for one of her 2019 Goop Summits. He seems to do more trendy diets than most of the rich women being targeted by Goop.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I know people that fast. Strictly religion, they’ve never called it a diet though. Same thing pray fasting getting closer to God.
I don’t though cause I’m borderline aetheist and I never go to their church always asking . Barbados is very religious, people feel they can ask why I don’t go to church, I always say I didn’t know I needed a reason. Shuts them up quick.
Thanks from Canada because I needed a response like yours! Going to church, temple etc gets treated like the automatically normal thing to do, it’s a powerful structure and people who feel fine without it always get questioned. Let’s start asking why they DO go!
I live in an area where religion (Baptist) dominates everything. I’m not religious at all. I was raised Baptist, but I haven’t been to church in 35 years. I get asked all the time why I don’t go to church. It’s annoying. A couple of years ago, I went into the hospital to have surgery. During the registration process, I was asked what religion I was. I said “none.” I thought the woman asking me the questions was going to faint–the look on her face was priceless. I’ve also had co-workers ask what religion I am on the first day of work at a new place. Can you believe the nerve of some people?
I was raised by two atheists, I’m agnostic and virtually all my grade school friends and extended family are Catholic. I’ve lost count of all the parents and people I meet today who are gobsmacked and truly appalled that I wasn’t even baptized. They believe my parents failed me in that sense and my soul was pretty much doomed from the beginning.
This is not a blanket statement about all people with a religious practice. My grade school friends told me I was so lucky I didn’t have to wear an itchy dress to Communion or take CCD classes. For those is the former group, I find it very invasive they feel entitled to cast aspersions on my character and that of my parents . My parents are also public defenders which meant that many people se this as another strike and had no problem telling me as a young child I was going to hell.
I try to make a conscientious effort to be respectful of those who make their faith and churchgoing a major part of their life, unless you subscribe to the Mike Pence/Dugger school of hate. I think it’s only fair that we deserve the same respect and tolerance.
I come from one of those religious fasting families. It was only ever an excuse for my mom to abuse us by withholding food. All of us have eating disorders, some of us have physically damaged stomachs. I frequently suffer from wasting syndrome (down 20 lbs in 5 weeks solely because because my stomach hurts too much when I eat).
Don’t fast, you guys. If you miss a meal, please drink juice or eat fruit to keep your glucose steady. Never, ever skip a meal. If you want to reduce calories, just put one scoop back of whatever you’re eating. Don’t force yourself to finish your food, just put it away for later. Please do NOT follow these trendy diets unless you have ACTUALLY spoken with a doctor. That goes for Atkins, Keto, paleo, everything. Even stuff that seems harmless can cause damage.
Fasting and prayer is NOT a diet. It is ecclesiastical abuse.
@nan thank you for sharing. I hope you are able to get better. Sending some good energy to you.
Nan,
My heart goes out to you. It disgust me how many women I know with lifelong eating disorders that started with a parent abusing their child through food in some manner. There was also a strong tie to living in an oppressive home environment in which the parents exploited their religion to justify punitive behaviors which wre essentially all some manner of abuse.
You body has been through so much suffering and I hope it heals in addition to the mental scars.
My bestie does a fast every January, along with most of her church. I’ve never quite grasped their reasons (like you said, Khy, it seems to be a “get closer to God” kind of thing, and not a diet) but hey, if she enjoys it, who am I to judge?
I personally don’t know how healthy it could be, but she’s an adult and I don’t think she’d let herself get sick because of it…or at least I hope not.
It’s not a diet. Would you call Ramadan a month of dieting?
Ex Christian here. “Fasting” was always a way for mom to make her eating disorder socially acceptable.
My psychiatrist mentioned a book to me a number of years ago in which the author posits that the extreme fasting that women in particular did many centuries ago for spiritual reasons was a bit more complicated. The author’s research suggests that in some instances anorexia was also a factor. Interesting read even if you disagree with her hypothesis.
I’ve done some extreme fasting many times and spirituality played no part in it whatsoever. I certainly thought I was losing my freaking mind so who knows, maybe starvation induced hallucinations will seem connected to this spirituality . Aside from all that, I can’ guarantee he will be seriously hangry. I would become a highly unpleasant person if I had to plan a wedding while so hungry that my own arm begins to look appetizing.
Whoever commented that he and his finance were trying to brand themselves as a wholesome Christian couple was dead on.
Pray the fat away.
People have fasted for religious reasons for thousands of years. The hallucinations coming from hunger are probably the explanation of many a religious apparition.
Health and wellness (horrible word) have replaced religion as the opium of the middle-class and rich; the cult not of a god but of yourself, your idealized, ideal body. People used to look at religious icons, now instagram acts as an endless gallery of retouched icons of other people praying at their own altars.
I find it both repulsive and fascinating.
I never thought of it this way, and I am so fascinated by what you just said.
fascinating take Sara!!
So true and very well said, Sara. On a side note unrelated to fasting, it’s been speculated that temporal lobe seizures are the cause of vivid religious visions such as those experienced by Moses, Saint Paul, Joseph Smith, etc. I read a fascinating book on this years ago as I was beginning my journey toward atheism. Descriptions of TL seizures sounded so intensely moving that I kind of wished I could experience one just to see what it’s like.
This reminds me of a documentary I recently watched. A man in his 20’s had an accident that affected his temporal lobe and led him to believe he was communicating directly with God. A big part of him did not want his condition to improve because he would lose this high he got from God choosing him. I don’t believe he was religious prior to the accident. Even though on some level he knew it was all caused by brain trauma and terrified his family (I think he had violent siezures) it was all worth the intense euphoria from speaking to God. Makes me wonder what condition people were in who wrote ancient religious texts that now rule our various societies.
Coco, that’s fascinating — I’m looking for that documentary now! I’ve read it’s thought that there’s an association between hyperreligiosity and the temporal lobe or lobes (seems like it was unilateral & not both lobes, but I’m not sure), irrespective of whether seizures or injury are present or not. I, too, wonder what aspects and conditions of some influential individuals’ brains were in play throughout religious history, just as I wonder that about some of the world’s influential politicians.
That is a very interesting comment. Makes me look at Instagram differently
Thank you
Great insight, thank you.
Religion, in all its literal and metaphorical ‘enlightenment,’ is going nowhere fast. In fact, the more precarious our civilizations become, (as if they’ve never been in jeopardy), expect more living, ‘by the word,’ I try to be respectful because live and let live…all that. But I’m a blamer of religion for every wrong with global humanity past, present and future.
Amen!
All joking aside, I too think religion overall is a scourge on our society and planet. The good that is done is far outweighed by the harm that’s been caused and the sense of entitlement that someone is worshipping the “right” God.
Really interesting take.
Brilliant comment!
Sara, this is one of the most fascinating comments I’ve ever read on this site. Off to ponder.
Not enough fat/protein. What is he, a rabbit?
Yeah, he’s going to lose muscle.
If I had no sugar or coffee, I’d pray too. And swear. Pray and swear.
He better watch it or Jemeela Jamil is going to call out his fad diet ass on Twitter.
Yup, it’s called the prayer diet so that you don’t die during this fast or kill someone.
Sigh.
Quinoa, Spelt, Kamut etc all have protein. Spinach, lima beans, green peas, sprouts, corn, asparagus, brussels spouts, mushrooms, broccoli—all have protein.
Avocados, peanuts, walnuts, olives, almonds, soybeans, corn, coconuts, papaya, mango, and potatoes all contain enough fat to meet the necessary daily requirement.
This reminds me of when my BF and I go out to eat and we order a kale and quinoa salad and they ask us what we want for a “protein” by which they mean chicken, steak, or fish. Animal protein not needed–the salad has kale, quinoa and seeds FFS.
He won’t lose muscle if he does this diet carefully (i.e. making sure he hits his dailies reqs), only excess fat. He will actually get very lean on a diet like this.
ETA: Sorry if my reply came across bitchy. I just get tired of people assuming that you can only get fat and protein from animals.
Not bitchy, knowledgeable.
thank you Kitten! I also get annoyed by that assumption
No, not bitchy, but a good reminder about what does have protein. I still need me some sugar and caffeine!
Yikes! Fad diet with a biblical twist.
I’ve been thinking lately that the reason Anna and Chris separated is because he went full-on CHRISTIAN and she probably increased her faith some, but not full-on like Chris. He dove in deep. I understand this came about after their son was born with complications. That’s just my theory.
It’s not that he’s Christian but that he got involved in the semi-cult Hillsong church. They like to cozy up to celebrities, and some are calling them Scientology lite. As a long-time Christian, I see through him. He might have started out sincerely, but now his religion is fame and publicity.
oh, Hillsong got their claws into him! I’ve been wondering about why he seems to cant stop talking about his religious faith lately.
He goes to Zoe Church LA — Not Hillsong.
Won’t he convert to Catholicism for his bride?
Grains, fruits and vegetables, so he’s on a vegetarian diet for 21 days (with some intermittent fasting and calorie restriction). And he’s in a cult so he chose a diet named after a prophet. He’ll gain it back and try another diet next time. This is called yoyo dieting and it’s nothing new.
So he can eat veg, fruit, grains, and drink water. Is there a limitation on quantity? Why would he be starving and “hallucinating”? That’s basically the plant-based diet that 7th day Adventists follow (I’m atheist, but also plant based) I visit my local 7th day Adventist church regularly because the sell a lot of vegan food (Beyond Meat burgers by the case!) I don’t understand why he thinks hes going to be hungry. Attention seeking?
My guess would be it is more about his overall caloric intake than what he actually eats. He would need to be in a state of malnutrition to some degree in order to achieve an altered mental state. I also believe he wants to drop weight quickly and this is more a means to that end by through crash dieting while vouching it on different language. Feeling closer to God- in his words- is just a bonus.
All the members of one of those mega churches in my hometown have been doing this 21 day diet for a few years now.
I can’t help it—I’ve gone off him. I loved him in the first GotG, but afterwards, he’s just become so…yuck. Full of himself with that oily tinge of religious self-righteousness that always makes me cringe. I think his ego exploded after Guardians, and I wouldn’t be surprised that this latest burst of religiosity is to make himself feel better for cheating on Anna.
and this is exactly why no one should listen to celebrities talking about how they maintain their bodies….
Fasting is incredibly good for the mind and body. Lots of science on that. Doing it within the framework of religion or not, doesn’t matter. As for Chris Pratt specifically, I read yesterday that he’s involved with Hillsong. If that’s true it explains everything about his sudden need to push his spiritual life on the public.
I don’t get the religious component (although I certainly don’t HAVE to get it) but I see nothing wrong with SAFE, intermittent fasting. The key is to do your research and make sure you are fueling your body adequately in-between fasting.
I agree. I think we all eat too much anyway, and intermittent fasting, imo, is a good thing.
It references the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament
@kitten Fasting has been a component of religions from the dawn of … well, humans worshiping gods. All religions have it, including Muslims and Buddhists, for example, to one extent or another. It’s a topic that can easily be explored via Google, since I’d do a poor job explaining it. But the basic idea is to take one’s focus off material, bodily pleasure in order to open oneself more keenly to the voice of God. It is, in reality, a type of prayer. Christianity holds a very profound view of fasting, as Jesus stated, “There are some demons which can only be cast out through prayer and fasting”.
If the biblical twist inspires him to complete it, why not? We all have different motivations.
I only eat stuff that comes from seeds too, like when the male pig “plants his seed” in the female pig & the result grows up it ends up on my bagel sandwich one day…..
YES!!!
This comment for the win.
Hahaha! So cute! 🙂
Lol
Until recently, the only place I would see this guy was the Daily Fail. What has he done to merit all of this attention and (gasp!!) even be featured in the same article as GOOP. Her pseudoscience propaganda notwithstanding, she is still considered a Hollywood A-lister by many and is, after all, an Oscar winner.
The health benefits of this kind of thing is an argument for Islam. There are many YouTube videos showing the connection between science and Islam, some are quite interesting. Honestly people really overestimate how much meat we need, of course it’s good to cut it out you’ve been eating way to much for a very long time. (It makes your organs work harder)
Do whatever you want.
But don’t make me do it. (<–that's the part hard core religious people tend to have a problem with)
One of my biggest beefs (LOL) is with the missionary aspect of many religions. So aggressive they often have to kill for their belief systems.
Murphy, I completely agree. I may make a smart mouthed joke but I do firmly believe that if religion makes you happy, makes you want to be a better person, brings you inner peace then I’m all for it. When I find it to be a problem is when people decide since I don’t believe what they believe they must convince me of the error of my ways. My husband is a strong believer in his religion & very active in his faith however I am an atheist. I respect his beliefs (I actually encouraged him to go back to his religion) & he respects mine. If the man who shares my bed & my life can respect my beliefs (or lack of) then why can’t others? I don’t try to convince anyone that there isn’t a god in fact I encourage people to believe in what works for them I just wish others would have the same respect.
Exactly.
I am all for people believing whatever they choose – until they try to force it on others, or use it to hurt others. Then it’s a no-go for me. Live your own life, leave everyone else alone to live theirs.
@Murphy I’m curious which “hardcore Christians” have forced fasting on you.
Really, the “force” that people assign to Christians is truly strange. Just because they teach something and they practice it, doesn’t mean they are FORCING it on anyone else.
My church is doing this. For us, we fast and then meet every morning at six for a prayer service. Which I know sounds ridiculous but I promise its not that crazy. It’s to help you put everything aside and just focus on God. I did not even try. I know my willpower and I really need my sleep. For some though it works and they love it.
That said, I don’t know why he’s doing it so he could totally be using this as a fad diet.
See, I don’t understand this. You know Chris Pratt is a practicing Christian. And you just revealed that your church is doing this same fast. But you wondered why Chris is doing it, and questioned his motives.
Maybe he’s doing it to be closer to God, like your fellow parishioners are?
I am Pagan and do not fast. But Bless his bible loving self if he feels closer to his god by fasting.
Me, I eat healthy and meditate in Nature. Walking and yoga helped me lose weight and keep it off.
Fad diets will cause weight gain. Vicious circle.
I feel like he’s in the middle of a little breakdown.
I feel like he’s in the jaws of Hillsong, which manipulates famous Christians to be public about their faith and faith practices. I feel conflicted: on one hand I am an avid supporter of freedom of religion, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being open about one’s faith. But on the other hand, he’s famous and has a huge platform, and seems deliberately to want the public to know his private religious business. And I find that not organic, but rather forced and annoying. Which is NOT to say I think he’s phony; I don’t think he’s phony, but I do think he’s massively over-sharing this part of this life for public attention.
@YESIAMHERE
Yes! That’s it exactly.
I am a Christian and I support everyone’s right to worship and be open about your beliefs. But at some point, ya got to keep some stuff private! There are ways to let people know you are devout without coming off so….obnoxious? The Bible actually says NOT TO TALK ABOUT it when you are fasting. Shut the door and pray quietly to your God.
I thought he was losing touch with reality but your description seems more accurate.
I like intermittent fasting. If I have only coffee (one cup only)or water until 11 and stop eating or drinking anything but water at 6 I feel good, eat less, and sleep better. I cheat with a shot of whiskey before bed though…
LMFAO! Cheers! *clink*
The Hillsong cult needs him in that sweet spot where he’s weak enough to not think for himself but strong enough to keep cutting them checks.
The poor diet shows on his face. His skin looks dry/wrinkly. He also looks tired. I relate to him in that my body always wants to be a “mombod,” and weight is a constant battle for me, too. Where I live, most of the women have the true Barbie bodies of the trophy wives here. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true. I also dislike being 4 or 5 inches shorter than most women here (and I’m the average, 5’4″). So feeling body-conscious must be much worse in Hollywood. He actually doesn’t seem very bright to me, so I believe he’ll go into politics eventually, with the help of his new political connections. I don’t believe he went after her for that, though.
Years ago, my father in law found out his wife was having an affair. They were both deeply religious. He decided the only way to save their marriage was to do a religious fast for 40 days and 40 nights. Seriously. He lost 40-50 pounds! He came to our daughter’s bday party and we were all in shock by his appearance. He looked like he was dying. All of this religious fasting is dangerous and unhealthy in every single way. Physically and mentally.
That’s not a fast. A fast is not eating at all.
I assumed he was doing an actual fast for the autophagy so he could look younger next to his girlfriend. LOL (I know some of you will get that)
The Daniel diet is not really a fad and it’s not a new thing. The book most associated with it was published in like 2011 or 2012 and it’s been going around certain circles for a while – I first heard about it in college back in like 2001 or 2002. Also fasting itself has been around since the beginning of time, not a new thing either.
I think he’s got (or will end up with) some messed up body issues, after all these yo-yo diets. This guy has the money and access to work with the best doctors, nutritionists, and trainers, and he’s jumping from one fad diet to the next, and now one spouted by his church?
I don’t really care what he chooses to do to himself, but I take issue with celebrities promoting anything like this to their followers. It’s irresponsible – people need to speak about this sort of thing with their doctors or medical professionals, NOT CELEBRITIES!
Great comment Sara, up thread! fasting and religious practices have been around forever.
I get really worried when people don’t realise it’s amazing form of control, not just around ones own body, but in terms of group control. I’ve had friends I ‘lost’ to cults and fasting or getting people super-high/disorientated from lack of food even for just a few days really makes people susceptible to suggestion. Religion, the military, mass level marketing groups etc use this as a soft brainwashing technique.
That said, short term fasting is totally fine…you just have to be aware or cautious who is using it, and on whom, for whatever reason…
Just remembered Chris telling a funectdote on Graham Norton about how he became a leader of a market/sales rep thingy – he’s definitely the type to follow a groupthink premise.
Does Chris Pratt have a “natural dadbod”? I feel like dadbods are the result of poor diet and lack of exercise. Like all out of shape bodies in general, barring health issues and mental issues that can lead to lethargy, etc.
I bet he only works out and watches his diet when he’s got a film he’s going to be in. If he would meet in the middle and still workout and watch his diet when he’s not, but not as strictly, it should be a lot easier to get back into shape for a movie. I bet he goes totally off the rails with his diet when he’s not getting ready for a movie
Have you seen him in Parks and Recreation? This was way before he got the role with the Marvel Universe and had to lose weight and bulk up. He wasn’t obese but he totally had a dad bod. A bit overweight, fleshy/flabby.
Chris Pratt, the worst of the Chrises–and not because of this. In real life, he seems not very smart, and frankly. . .boring.
Do you think that Tom Cruise is the example Pratt is going after?
Like, “Tom Cruise, gets to have Scientology booths on set–can I get a Hillsong booth on my next movie? Talk to people about the g-o-d on set? He seems like he’s veering into that territory.
This sounds a lot like the Scientology “purification” ceremonies to me. They fast, take vitamins and sit in saunas for hours. It’s supposed to bring them closer to being “clear”.
The Daniel Fast is actually just a Whole Food Plant Based Diet. It’s not really a fast as we think of it, i.e. abstaining from foods. The short story behind it is that Old Testament Daniel and his soldiers, who ate this way, were stronger than the king’s soldiers who ate a lot of rich foods.
The Daniel Fast – Allowed Foods List:
All FRUITS.
All VEGETABLES.
All WHOLE GRAINS in their whole form.
All LEGUMES in their whole form.
All NUTS and SEEDS in their whole form.
Natural seasonings: sea salt, black pepper, dried and fresh herbs, lemon juice, curry, cayenne, kelp powder, vegetable broth.
Okay in addition (modern version, which I assume CP is doing):
100% natural nut butters (almond, peanut, tahini), tofu/tempeh, organic brown rice cakes, tamari, nutritional yeast, spirulina, chlorella, herbal teas, raw honey, stevia.
He is super dumb.
I am atheist.
He is weird… And Anna Faris too, I still remember when they abandoned their rescued dog. Hmmmm…
Yes. I’m amazed the Kennedy’s thought he was a good option to continue their lineage.
I’m glad all of you shared. I know good nutrition and this diet is not. What I’m glad to read is that I’m not the only person who doesn’t practice religion. I’m in the deep South and not to have religious affiliation here means you are going to hell! When I’m told that I just ask them if their religion doesn’t forbid judging and bullying.
So Hillsong mega-church has the Daniel Fast, but Saddleback mega-church has The Daniel Plan. There are a LOT of Daniel eating / cooking / lifestyle books out there. Does anybody know how this works? Titles can’t be copyrighted, so technically there could be five books all called The Daniel Diet. Pretty confusing.
I am Christian and our church does this Daniel 21 day fast before Christmas. It is meant to get close to God and the times where you skip a meal, you’re supposed to use that time to pray or read scripture. The media always tries to scrutinize Christianity, simply because they don’t understand. I don’t think Chris is using this to diet. He is a practicing Christian and wants to use this as a tool to connect with God. Good on him. Every religion from Islam, Buddhism, to Judaism fasts in order to get close to their God. In a broken world, spirituality is good for the soul.
I can’t hate on this diet. I’m an atheist but haven’t eaten meat in 27 years. I’m practically (unintentionally) vegan in the summer when there’s so much good fresh fruit and veggies around, so going vegan for 21 days is no biggie.
Even bring an atheist, I can see great value in taking this time to “pray” (which I would call meditate or introspect). The dietary restriction can be tremendously empowering as a practise of self-restraint and commitment.
This moron is out there actively killing every bit of Andy Dwyer good faith that remains in this world