Billy Bob Thornton is opening up about the health issues behind his highly restrictive diet.
During a recent appearance on the podcast Howie Mandel Does Stuff, the 70-year-old actor discussed his unusual eating habits caused by allergies to dairy and wheat. According to the actor, his rare AB-negative blood type contributes to digestive problems. The American Red Cross states that AB-negative is the least common blood type in the United States, affecting less than 1% of Americans.
Billy Bob explained he grew up with allergies but didn’t realize until later in life that his symptoms weren't normal. "I just assumed everybody felt bad after they ate," he said, adding that he can no longer eat dairy, wheat, pork or beef.
He said he discovered his blood type in the late 1980s, which led him to cut several foods from his diet. He previously described himself as "a vegan who cheats... but I don’t cheat that bad."
He joked that before filming the podcast episode, he had only eaten blueberries and decaf coffee. Once home, however, he planned to snack on gluten-free chips and dairy-free cream cheese.
The conversation about food began after host Howie Mandel recalled his son once eating “bagels, cream cheese and ketchup” at Billy Bob’s house — a combination the actor proudly dubbed a “hillbilly bagel.”
He added that while his diet remains restrictive, he has found ways to manage it and still enjoy the foods that work for him. Recently, when unable to find anything he could eat on set, he discovered an unexpected combination after dipping a grape in spicy Dijon mustard, calling it "one of the best things" he's ever tasted.~Megan Parsons