The star of the film Big Eyes has given up wine, dairy, gluten, and fish. But try a fad diet? Not a chance.
Age 33
Hometown
Shickshinny, PA
Most memorable food prop
Antacids and oatmeal on Breaking Bad
Her big break
Being discovered in a shopping mall at age 15
Her dog's big break
A PETA commercial
Do you make resolutions?
Yes. Last year I gave up wine and stuck with it. I also cut out gluten, dairy, and fish.
Wow. Why?
I was getting sick a lot and couldn’t figure out why. I act and run a production company—two very full-time jobs. Everyone’s response to that is always, ‘Do less.’ Well, I need to feel amazing all the time so I can do more. So I cut all those things out and I haven’t been sick since.
You gave everything up at once?
Yep. I was scared because I wasn’t sure what was left to eat. But it’s been fun getting out of my box. The only time it totally sucks is at the airport. The first time I flew, I forgot to bring food from home and had to eat a bag of apricots. It was awful.
What would you tell someone who wants to eat better without feeling deprived?
There are great gluten-free pastas now—especially fresh ones—that totally compete with regular pasta. Pizza is the one thing I haven’t figured out. Gluten-free, dairy-free pizza just isn’t the same. The crust is either too sweet or the texture is weird and gross. Pho is another favorite.
Living in L.A., you must juice.
Somebody was making fun of the juice culture being out of control in Los Angeles, and I was like, ‘What does that even mean? So we’re healthy!’ I’ve been into it for a long time.
Any favorite flavor combinations?
All greens. I don’t have a sweet tooth, so I stay away from anything with too much apple or agave. I’m more into kale, spinach, parsley, cucumber, and celery. That’s my jam.
You grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. What was that like?
There were cattle and chickens, vegetables—it was a 100-acre fifth-generation family-run farm. Just adorable, the kind you draw in kindergarten with the barn and the tractor.
What’s a dish you miss from your New York modeling days?
The vegan ‘eggs’ Benedict at Champs in Brooklyn. It’s gangbusters. I actually miss living there so much. There’s cool kids everywhere, cool food, no stupid paparazzi.
Have you ever done a fad diet?
No. I’m not good at deprivation.
Are you a dietary outlier in your family?
I am, but they’re coming around. Getting them to eat kale was mind-blowing. For a while, everything in their fridge or cupboard was from a commercial.