Billy Bob Thornton is opening up about the health challenges and food sensitivities that have led him to adopt an extremely restrictive diet. During a recent appearance on the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast, the 70-year-old actor described living with numerous allergies and digestive issues that have shaped the way he eats for much of his life. “I just grew up with a lot of allergies,” Thornton explained.
Thornton said he believes part of the issue is connected to his rare AB-negative blood type, which he noted affects less than 1% of the population. “It means you have less digestive enzymes,” he said while discussing the difficulties he experiences with certain foods. [Author’s note: This theory was developed by Dr Peter D’Adamo in “The Blood Type Diet” and is not considered widely supported by mainstream medical evidence.]
Because of these sensitivities, Thornton said he avoids dairy, wheat, shellfish, and most meats, including pork and beef. He explained that finding foods he can comfortably eat has become an important part of maintaining his health.
Reflecting on his childhood in Arkansas and East Texas, Thornton admitted he did not realize for years that food was contributing to how poorly he often felt. “I just assumed everybody felt like s—t after they ate,” he recalled. “I didn’t know.”
His dietary limitations have also inspired some unusual food combinations. Thornton shared that while attending a Landman Q&A event, the only food available he could safely eat was a bowl of grapes. Looking for flavor, he dipped one into Dijon mustard and unexpectedly loved it. “It was one of the best things I ever had in my lifetime,” he joked.
Thornton also discussed how age and health concerns have changed his approach to acting roles. Speaking previously with Seth Meyers, he said he no longer puts his body through dramatic weight gains and losses for films the way he once did for projects such as Tombstone, U Turn, and Pushing Tin. “After a while, as you get older, you stop doing that stuff,” he said.
Now starring in the Paramount+ drama Landman, Thornton said he sticks to relatively simple meals, including blueberries for breakfast and gluten-free snacks with dairy-free cream cheese. While his diet remains highly restrictive, he appears to have found routines that help him manage his sensitivities while continuing his busy acting career.
It’s unclear from Thornton’s description whether he was ever diagnosed with a true food allergy, but there is no doubt that he has several food sensitivities. If you have food sensitivities, discuss them with your doctor to determine whether food allergy testing is indicated. A true IgE-mediated food allergy can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis and requires the patient to carry epinephrine.
