These “Game Of Thrones” Actors Had To Completely Change Their Diets To Pull Off Their Fierce Looks

It’s no secret that actors and actresses often partake in some pretty intense diets — in fact, this is something Hollywood is actually known for (unfortunately). Sometimes it seems like the crazier the diet, the more popular it is. A lot of pressure comes with being on a high-definition screen, having your body and your looks critiqued by pretty much everyone watching, and knowing that people are going to be talking about it afterwards. This is especially true when your character is supposed to look a certain way (like a character from a novel, for instance), or when you have nude or nearly-nude scenes to do.

Stars are known to eat some pretty insane things just to make sure they look a specific way for both instances.

That can all be said for some of the actors and actresses who make up — or who have made up — the Game Of Thrones cast. The HBO show is almost as well known for nude scenes as it is for its violent fighter scenes, and the cast probably feels a lot of pressure to look the best they can.

For many, this means keeping up a strict diet and workout regime that can sound a little too crazy for most people.

While they aren’t all open about how they stay in shape and pull off their fierce looks, some of the cast members have discussed what they eat for the sake of the show, and it’s very interesting.

Let’s just say… we don’t envy them.

1. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson eats up to 10,000 calories a day.

Björnsson plays Ser Gregor Clegane, aka The Mountain, so it’s no surprise that he’s expected to bulk up as much as possible. He went into detail about how much he really eats with Business Insider. He has to eat something every two hours, has six meals daily, and eats up to a whopping 10,000 calories a day.

At 6-feet-9-inches and 400 pounds, it’s no wonder he keeps this up.

Björnsson said, “Diet is very important to stay in shape, to stay strong. So I’m very consistent with my meals. I eat six meals every single day. I eat mostly steak, rice, carrots, with some peppers, sometimes chicken. I eat so much, really.”

“And definitely the hardest part of being in these competitions really is the diet.”

He added, “I think sometimes, ‘Is this worth it?’ I’m always eating, and I’m never hungry. I’m always eating and working out.”

Somehow, this doesn’t sound very fun.

2. Emilia Clarke follows the Clean and Lean Diet.

According to INSIDER, Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen, sticks to a clean diet by following the Clean and Lean Diet created by Bodyism founder James Duigan. The diet recommends three elements for each meal: protein (like chicken, lamb, salmon, or prawns), fat (avocado, nuts, seeds, olive/coconut oil), and a mix of veggies (spinach, peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes).

In 2014, Clarke also said she was following a very restrictive diet, saying:

“I have not been allowed to eat anything that might taste good at all.”

She added, “Everything on these plates looks amazing, but heartbreakingly, I’m not allowed to eat any of it. … Not one thing on this table. Except a cup of tea. One cup of tea. No sugar. No cream.”

That honestly sucks.

3. Nathalie Emmanuel follows a vegan diet and avoids processed foods.

Emmanuel, who you probably know as Missandei on the show, told Shape that she became vegan a few years ago and tries not to eat processed foods. She said she indulges in “good vegan chocolate,” explaining:

“The more you silence your cravings, the bigger they become, so I prefer to have a little bit and get on with my day.”

Not how we operate, but hey! To each her own.

She has also talked about her love of protein shakes, saying:

“I’ll make something that’s packed with calories.”

“I’ll put a banana in it, a bit of almond milk or coconut water, spinach. I also like a bit of matcha powder in there — all of that fun stuff! Add a bit of vegan protein powder and that would be my shake.”

4. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau eats a ton of protein in order to bulk up.

If you’ve been watching Game Of Thrones since the beginning, you’ve likely noticed that Coster-Waldau, who plays Jamie Lannister, has bulked up and gained some muscle since the beginning. He discussed this with Men’s Health, saying:

“You read about how much protein certain people eat and hear people talk about it in the gym. But it’s not until you experience the results that you really understand. I’ve always exercised hard and thought I ate healthily, so I assumed muscle would come.”

“But if you want to bulk up, trust me, you do really need to eat a sh*tload of protein.”

He usually has five eggs for breakfast with veggies and salmon, a protein shake as a snack, a lunch that is two skinless chicken breasts with more veggies, and then another protein shake, followed by a dinner of some carbs and more protein.

He added, “It’s the constant eating which I find exhausting.”

Not the worst problem to have, TBH.

5. Gwendoline Christie changed her diet just to get the role in the first place.

Christie plays Brienne of Tarth, a strong female character who is known for being a tough fighter. She has said before that she changed her diet and exercise routine in order to bulk up and gain muscle just to get the role. In an interview with Stylist, Christie explained: “I started working out, going to yoga, I completely changed my eating habits and didn’t drink for about two months, just in the service of this part.”

6. Natalie Dormer is into juicing.

Dormer, who played Margaery Tyrell, told Self that she focuses on eating well as much as she can to help build up stamina for long shoots. She said she starts each day with green juice, explaining:

“When you have early calls, you don’t necessarily want to eat first thing in the morning.”

“But you have such long days that if you don’t, you really fall down from it. So, juicing before and eating later is, for me, a good nutritional compromise.”

7. Kit Harington also focused on eating to build muscle.

Harington, who of course plays Jon Snow, is another actor who bulked up and built more muscle throughout his time on the show.

He told Men’s Health, “I was eating all the time: loads of good carbs, like brown rice and sweet potatoes. And lots of chicken.”

His trainer, Dalton Wong, told The Washington Post that Harington’s routine required “some serious eating.”

He was also working out and lifting weights like crazy to make the diet really work.

8. Sophie Turner changed her diet to be more Paleo-focused.

Perhaps better known as Sansa Stark, Turner once changed up her whole diet to stay in great shape. She worked with celebrity trainer James Farmer, who told Self:

 “When I met Sophie, she didn’t eat breakfast, which is a common mistake.”

“And I didn’t think she was eating enough of the right foods. So I made sure she had a good source of protein and healthy fats with every meal, plus lots of fibrous vegetables like spinach and cauliflower.”

She added:

“I’ve really embraced healthy eating. It makes you feel a lot better and more energetic. I’m inspired to get up and out.”

We’re just happy that Turner feels happy inside and out. It sounds like her new diet was a change for the better!

9. Peter Dinklage follows a vegetarian diet.

Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister, is known for following a vegetarian diet. In a video for PETA, he once said:

“I like animals, all animals. I wouldn’t hurt a cat or a dog or a chicken or a cow, and I wouldn’t ask someone else to hurt them for me.”

“That’s why I’m a vegetarian. So the next time you’re at a grocery store or a restaurant, think about where your food comes from, and remember that you have a choice.”

10. Jason Momoa also relied on tons of protein… and beer.

Momoa was another cast member known for playing a strong, muscular, huge dude — Khal Drogo. His diet was also pretty giant. He once told Men’s Health:

 “You need to eat big and lift big. But I prefer to eat as much lean meat and green veggies as possible and save the calories for Guinness.”

“It keeps you sane. I love carbs but denial is good training for the mind. After finishing a one month cleanse, I had a giant bowl of pasta and I swear it was like heroin.”

We agree that moderation is key!